Night Game Drives in Murchison Falls National Park
Night Game Drives in Murchison Falls National Park are the best for visitors looking to see nocturnal animals in the national parks. Murchison falls National Park in Uganda is located in the northwestern part of the country and it is also the largest national park in Uganda. It also happens to be one of the most visited national parks in Uganda after Bwindi Impenetrable national park.
Because Murchison falls national park harbors a wide range of wildlife animals species, the park attracts a large number of tourists on vacation in Uganda. Some of the wildlife that you are likely to during a game drive in the park include; elephants, buffaloes, leopards, lions, waterbucks, Jackson’s hartebeest, Uganda Kob, hippos, crocodiles, bushbucks, primates like chimpanzees, olive baboons, red tailed monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, bird species such as the shoebill stork, papyrus Gonolek marabou stork, Abyssinian ground hornbill, black bellied bustard, open billed stork among others. ‘
The park is divided into two sectors which include the northern sector and the southern sector by River Nile. Most activities like the game drives are conducted in the northern sector because it harbors the largest concentration of wildlife species.
Night game drives in Murchison falls national park are only conducted with the help of an experienced park guide. A night game drive in the park is one of the exciting activities that shouldn’t be missed by visitors who visit the park because it gives you an opportunity to view nocturnal animals which can’t be viewed during the day game drive.
A night game drives in Murchison falls national park are conducted at about 7:00pm after dinner with an armed park ranger and spotlight torches which will help you to clearly spot different predators as they hunt. The night game drives in the park are carried out in the open savannah grassland and take about 2 hours.
During the night game drive you will be able to view beautiful landscapes under the stars, animals like hyenas, lions, leopards, civet, genets, porcupines, bush babies, night jar, hippos feeding, other animals resting among others.
Night game drives in Uganda are also conducted in Queen Elizabeth national park, Lake Mburo and Kidepo valley national parks. You can always combine a night game drive in Murchison falls nationals park with other activities such as; day game drives, a boat cruise on the Nile River, bird watching, chimpanzee trekking in Budongo forest, sport fishing, hot air balloon safaris, guided nature walks, community cultural tours and not forgetting a hike to the top of Murchison falls.
Cost of a night game drive in Murchison falls national park
Night game drives in Murchison falls national park cost USD 40 dollars per person. Night game drives in the park can either be done in a Uganda Wildlife Authority vehicle or a private vehicle with an armed park guide therefore the price varies depending on the vehicle you want to use. Night game drive in a private vehicle costs $100 for the foreign non-residents and foreign residents and UGX 100,000 for East African citizens. The night game drive permit is however offered to adults above the age of fifteen.
How to book a night game drive in Murchison falls national park
Visitors can book for a night game drive in Murchison falls national park through a trusted tour operator company like Explore Rwanda Tours. Alternatively, visitors can book make their bookings through Uganda Wildlife Authority reservations office either at the headquarters in Kampala or at park offices. Booking through a trusted tour operator company is the best option because we will not only book a night game drive but your entire safari which includes activities you can engage in while in the national park, where to stay, transportation among others hence making your safari exciting and memorable. You can also hire an UWA safari vehicle which is good for night game rides because its compatible to all weather, spacious and comfortable, you can also use yourself drive vehicle but it has to be raised so that the predators do not jump on it, spot light torches that will be used to clearly spot the animals and an armed park ranger for protection.
What to carry on your night game drive safari in Murchison falls national park
- You should wear clothes that blend with the surrounding such as clothes with dull colors like army green, grey among others so as not to distract the animals in their natural habitat
- Insect repellent, at night there is a lot of insects which be active such as mosquitos therefore it’s advisable to carry an insect repellent.
- Camera, though night photos are difficult to capture, it’s very important to carry a camera in that you will be able to take plenty of photos and record videos of the predators as the try to make a hunt which is a thrilling experience
- Sweater, sometimes it gets too cold at night therefore it’s advisable to take a sweater to give you warmth.
- Spotlight torches, the spotlights will be attacked on the safari vehicle so as to give you a clear view when spotting the nocturnal animals in their hideout habitats.
How to get to Murchison falls national park
Murchison falls national park in Uganda can be accessed 305 kilometers from Kampala city either by road or air transport means. Travelling to Murchison falls national park from Kampala via Masindi will take you roughly 5 to 6 hours and you can have a stopover at Ziwa Rhino sanctuary in Masindi.
The national park can also be accessed by air from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi airfield and land in Chobe, Pakuba or Bugungu airstrips in Murchison falls national park. Flying to the national park can take one or two hours depending on the flight schedules.
Conclusion: Book your safari to Murchison falls national park through Explore Rwanda Tours and get a chance to explore one of the best national parks in Uganda.
