When is the best time to visit Murchison Falls National Park? Murchison Falls National Park is home to an abundance of wildlife and is one of the country’s most popular safari sites. When you visit will have a significant influence on your experience.
Murchison was established as a wildlife reserve in 1926 and became one of Uganda’s first national parks in 1952. It presently encompasses an area of 3,840 square kilometers, making it the country’s largest protected area. It is located at the northern extremity of the Albertine Rift Valley, where the Bunyoro Escarpment drops into the savannah lowland plains.
Murchison’s difficulty in the 1960s was that it had too many animals, which led to an elephant and hippo slaughter to try to limit big herbivore use. Civil conflict supplied its own answer, resulting in a significant population decline for all species.
Peace and an appreciation of the importance of tourism, on the other hand, have considerably aided the rehabilitation of many people. Elephants are prospering; the park has the world’s greatest population of Rothschild giraffes (only seen in Murchison and Kidepo); buffalo and Ugandan kob populations are increasing. The lion population is believed to be over 200, divided into roughly 20 prides, while leopard sightings are common.
When is the best time to visit Murchison Falls National Park?
Murchison Falls National Park is excellent all year, although December to February are regarded the ideal months to visit. June through September is another excellent time to visit.
Because there is little rain during these months, the paths connecting you to animals on your game drives remain dry and accessible. The dry season draws animals to water sources, making it easier to identify them on game drives.
About Murchison Falls.
The Nile River cuts through the park. As it rushes west into Lake Albert, the Nile squeezes through an 8-metre breach before plunging 45 metres down into the appropriately called ‘Devil’s Cauldron,’ generating the iconic rainbow caught in so many images.
The Falls are the penultimate impediment in an 80-kilometer stretch of rapids that converts the Nile into a broad, calm river bound for Lake Albert and a lengthy voyage north.
The Falls are best seen in two stages, beginning with a boat safari on the Nile, where you will witness elephant, giraffe, buffalo, hippo, Nile crocodile, and aquatic birds on the beach or in the shallows, and ending with a 30-minute walk along the cliffs to the top of the Falls.
Sailing west instead of east to the falls leads you to the Lake Albert delta, one of the greatest spots in Uganda to watch the storks. Murchison is also an excellent area for fishing if you like to be more active on the sea. Customized trips are provided in a various locations within and outside the park.
Activities to do during your visit to Murchison Falls National Park.
Murchison falls National Park offers visitors a variety of activities such as game drives, boat cruise tours, hiking to Murchison falls, bird watching, and chimpanzee trekking in Budongo forest. While on your drive to Murchison falls national park from Kampala, you can have a stopover at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary in Nakasongola district where you will get to track white rhinos in the sanctuary.
Where to stay during your visit to Murchison Falls National Park.
If you are planning to spend a night or more in Murchison Falls national park, you can stay at the following lodges; Pakuba Safari Lodge, Paara Safari lodge, Parkside safari lodge, Nile Safari Lodge, Red Chill Safari Lodge, Twiga Safari Lodge, and Fort Murchison to mention but a few.
How to get to Murchison Falls National Park in Uganda.
Murchison falls national park may be visited by both road and air transport modes
Getting to Murchison Falls National Park By Air
Air transport to Murchison falls national park in Uganda; Visitors can book chartered or scheduled flights from Entebbe airport or Kajjansi airfield to any of the park’s two airfields, Pakuba Airstrip and Bugungu Airstrip.
Getting to Murchison Falls National Park by Road.
Visitors will drive from Kampala through Masindi to Kichumbanyobo gate to the national park headquarters, which would take around 4 to 5 hours. You may also utilize public transportation, taking a bus from Kampala to Masindi and then hiring a private car to the park headquarters.
