Murchison Falls National Park shorted as MFNP, the assorted vegetation coverage of shrubs, tropical forests, and a stretching savannah woodland feed majorly by the Victoria Nile which advance into a bisect and forming a dramatic delta rich with wildlife rich, all are descriptions to define the Murchison Falls National Park. The facts is that there is no Murchison Falls National Park without Murchison Falls. The falls are arguably considered to be the world’s most powerful waterfalls, and the park is Uganda’s most visited and among the region’s most thrilling safari destinations.
The size of Murchison FNP
Uganda’s largest protected area stretched on an area of 3893km2. The park is bound with a number of game reserves which makes the Murchison Falls Conservation Area wrapped up with reserves like Bugungu Forest, Karuma Reserve, and Budongo Reserve. 3,893 km2 is the total size of the park.
Location
The park is swings on the northern wings from Kampala, the stretching boundaries of Murchison Falls National Park are partaken through districts of Masindi, Pakwach, Kiryandongo, Nwoya, and Bulisa districts. Accessing the park to the center of Para hub there are 4 gates at the park and these are; Bugungu western gate accessed from Bulisa, Kichumbanyobo gate southeastern gate from Masindi, and Tangi northern from Pakwach. Among them, Kichumbanyobo gate from Masindi is the quickest route while traveling from Kampala and takes roughly 5 hours to complete.
History of Murchison Falls National Park
The rich history of this great park in the region dates back in 1862, where the two Europeans first visited the park John Speke and James Grant. However, also the following year 1863 to 1864 Samuel and Florence Baker ascended to explore this areas and they named the falls Murchison Falls in honor of geologist Roderick Murchison, the then president of the Royal Geographical Society at the time.
Sleeping sickness spread by tsetse flies caused the evacuation of people from an area of around 13,000 km2 by 1907 and 1912. In 1910, The Bunyoro Game Reserve was established south of the River Nile, and few years, the boundaries of the park were extended to Nwoya district. In 1952, the British administration established the National Parks Act of Uganda and the park was renamed Murchison Falls National Park.
Threats
Murchison Falls National Park for years has experienced serious threats of which some are human, others natural. One of the natural threats of the 1090s where the park experienced an animal overpopulation led to the culling of elephants and hippos as a way to control the high herbivore population. However, a tremendous amount of animal life was lost during the great civil wars. The overlap of poaching, civil wars, human population, snares especially by local hunters especially for antelopes for meats.
Currently, due to fuel mining issues which have drawn infrastructural development like roads. The construction of Masindi –Pachwach road vehicles over speeding in the park has cause accident which left a number of animals dead including even elephants.
Feature of Murchison Falls National Park
The Victoria Nile and Lake Albert combine to form the majestic Albert Nile (Delta) over the length of the Albert Rift’s mouth. The delta hosts the highest concentration of wildlife in Murchison Fall National Park.
The thunderous roaring Murchison falls, this is arguably the world’s most powerful waterfalls. The park’s most dramatic section of granite cliffs where massive rapids crash into a little gorge of 7 meters wide, and pours 45meters height. The journey to the top of the falls has served as a metaphor for the park’s adventures; climbing Murchison Falls is one of the park’s most memorable experiences.
The northern and southern parts, which divide the park in half, are the best places to start. The Victoria Nile divides the two regions, with the southern section being primarily made up of tropical woods, bushes, and smatterings of savannah. More wildlife species may be found in this park’s northern region, which is primarily made up of rush savannah and acacia trees.
Budongo forest reserve one of the few home for the chimpanzees. Budongo forest which is accessed through the Kichumbanyobo gate southeastern of the park. The moist tropical rainforest significant home for various wildlife mainly primates, birds and snakes. It’s great space for chimpanzee tracking, primates sighting, birding and nature walks.
The Victoria Nile, the stretching of River Nile from the over pouring falls to the delta. The stretching through the Para peninsular has significantly facilitate a lot of adventures mainly the boat cruise and ride, spot fishing all are initiated at this center.
Wildlife at Murchison Falls NP
The park hosts one of the highest number of wildlife which include; land mammals, aquatic life, bird species, and butter flies among others. The rush golden savannahs is home to over 76 mammal species, some of which are members of the Big Five (elephants, lions, leopards, and buffalos). And with a combination of Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary the rhinos are served on the menu marking the big five mammals recorded. Then the Jackson’s hartebeest and many antelopes, chimpanzees, and giraffes and many numerous mammals present, along with one of the highest population of hippos and Nile crocodiles. The park is home to over 450 different bird species, including shoebill storks, herons, and many others.
Adventures at Murchison Falls National Park
Wild Game Drives
Game drive adventure is Uganda’s utmost undertaking which can never miss on any of the safari holiday in Uganda. The MFNP will never lie as far as adventure experiences are concerned in the Pearl of Africa. The biggest chance available to watch more and more of the wildlife. Expectations on a game drive in Uganda include; big five in addition to the Ziwa rhino sanctuary. A hub for larger creatures like elephants, buffaloes, hippos, lions, leopards, giraffes, many of the antelope species, and many others. The game drive continues through the northern section of Pakuba trails to the delta point, where you can simply anticipate the greatest animal viewing of the entire trip. Expect to see breathtaking landscapes on a game drive, including grassland dotted with acacia and palm trees, mammals, birds, valleys, and numerous other interactions.
Boat Cruise
Along the Victoria Nile starting from the Para dock is center of all cruises and rides which accelerate to the bottom of the falls. This an amazing point of experiencing nature this side, taking about 3 hours and sailing for about 17 kilometers. Along the way, there are better sights along the banks of the Nile, including herds of hippos, crocodiles, elephants, buffaloes, waterbucks, and giraffes, as well as a variety of birds, including herons, cormorants, ducks, bee-eaters, fish eagles, kingfishers, and, in rare instances, shoebills.
Top of the Falls Hike
This happens at the top of the falls where you descend through the rocky track to the bottom of the falls. It’s an interesting physical walk backed up with melodies of birds along the huge roars of the falls. The top of falls is a spot for several adventures among which include; adventure camping, picnicking, and walking safaris. It’s at the top of the falls where you are able to sight huge rapids forcing into narrow gorge forming a fuming and thunderous roar.
Sport Fishing
Sports fishing is a special adventure arrangement which is only done at MFNP and Lake Mburo National Park. This kind of adventure is prearranged for those interested, so prior booking is expected before traveling to the park. Sport fishing is done along the flowing Victoria Nile which flows from bottom of the falls to the delta where the Victoria Nile meets Lake Albert to form the Albert Nile. While fishing the main catch includes Nile perch and tiger fish. A Nile perch can weigh up to 50kg.
Chimpanzee tracking
One of the most renowned chimpanzee destination in the country. Though Budongo forest has more to offer for adventure, but chimpanzee tracking is the most prominent. The reserve is located to the southern stretch of the park. Tracking begins at Budongo Eco Lodge, which is open at eight in the morning and can last for 30 minutes to 4 hours. When confronted, trackers have an hour of experience being among chimpanzees. Because they travel great distances in search of food during the dry season, it can be challenging to see and follow chimpanzees. It’s not always possible to locate and follow the chimpanzees at Budongo.
Accommodation
Where to say at Murchison while visited MFNP is a very important aspect to meditate. However, this is a no worry issue when visited the park. The park has a lot of tourist facilities among which are varying accommodation facilities which include hotels, lodges, and campsites. Accommodations at Murchison range from luxury to mid-range to budget. Among the luxury lodges to stay at are Nile Safari Camp and Chobe Lodge, and mid-range lodges form a wider range of selection. Popularly, they include Para Safari Lodge, Pakuba Lodge, Sambiya River Lodge, and many others. Budget and campsites are widely spread across the park: Red Chili campsite, Boom Women’s Center, among many others.
