Murchison Falls National Park Uganda Safari Tours

Discover Murchison Falls

Murchison Falls National Park Uganda Safari Tours

One of the best game parks in Uganda is Murchison Falls National Park. The Bugungu and Karuma game reserves are also included in the Murchison Conservation Area, which is also home to the park. (Murchison Falls National Park Uganda Safari Tours)

The park is home to a number of attractions, including 76 different mammal species, including the lion, leopard, elephant, and buffalo—four of the Big 5. Other species include giraffes, Jackson’s hartebeest, waterbucks and warthogs, bushbucks, Uganda kob, hyenas, etc. Hippos and crocodiles are among the many local animals that may be seen along the Nile’s beaches and in its waters. The Murchison Falls National Park is home to numerous primates, including babaoons and various kinds of monkeys.

More than 450 bird species have been identified in Uganda’s largest national park, Murchison Falls, including the endangered shoebill stork. Given that it is situated in the western arm of the east African rift valley, the park is also home to 23 Albertine rift endemics. With the assistance of our knowledgeable guides, you can view many of these bird species during one of our Murchison Falls birding safaris.
Safari near Murchison Falls National Park in the motivational video

The “Murchison Falls” are a spot along the Nile within the park where the River Nile makes its way down a tight ravine 8 meters wide. Visiting these falls is the highlight of your tour of Murchison Falls National Park. The launch voyage upstream is highly intriguing and provides breathtaking views of the falls as well as numerous wildlife species that may be spotted along the shoreline, including birds, waterbucks, hippos, buffaloes, and crocodiles. The 3 Days Murchison Falls Safari, 2 Days Murchison Falls Safari, and the 4 Days Murchison Falls Safari are among our most popular itineraries.

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MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK SAFARI PLANNING

Best time to visit Murchison Falls (best time to visit the national park at Murchison Falls)
The largest national park in Uganda, Murchison Falls is situated in the northwest of the country and spans 3,840 square kilometers. Due to the range of attractions it offers, it is the most visited national park in the nation and the most popular tourist destination in Uganda. It has a variety of vegetation types, such as savannah plains, savannah woods, swamps, and forested areas, all of which provide as home for a wide variety of animals, birds, primates, and reptile species. Animals such as lions, leopards, elephants, giraffes, waterbucks, buffaloes, warthogs, Uganda kob, Jackson’s hartebeest, and many more are sighted on game drives, which are taken by anyone interested in wildlife viewing. Other activities include taking a boat trip up the Nile to the impressive waterfalls, bird watching, looking for chimpanzees in the Budongo forest, and climbing the waterfalls.

The impressive waterfalls that were once and locally known as Kabalega falls were the inspiration for Murchison Falls. Everyone should think about seeing the fascinating natural wonders of Murchison Falls National Park. Knowing the optimal time to visit Murchison Falls National Park is crucial if you want to experience the greatest safari, just like you would at most other locations. After becoming familiar with the various seasons in the area and generally, this will be best prepared.

Uganda’s location near the equator offers it a special climate, which is one of the reasons so many people visit this nation. With two dry seasons and two wet seasons, the climate is essentially same from year to year. There are things that can be done in each of these seasons and others that get more difficult as the seasons change. This is the reason why there is a “Peak season,” also known as the high season, and a “Low season,” when tourists prefer to visit Uganda. Each of these seasons offers advantages over the others in one way or another, and travelers tend to opt for whichever feels cozier and more convenient.

High season

In Uganda, December through February and June through September are the busiest months during the dry season. The national parks in Uganda see a large number of visitors during this time. All of the major national parks, including Murchison Falls National Park, are overrun with tourists, and there are several safari cars at every location, such as those used for game drives. The cost of lodging in and near the parks is considerable at this time of year, and cheap lodges are also fully booked. If you wish to go on a safari at this time and stay in a luxury lodge, make your reservations as soon as possible.

The Paraa Safari Lodge and Chobe Safari Lodge are among the luxurious lodges in the Murchison Falls National Park. The Pakuba Safari Lodge, Fort Murchison Lodge, Budongo Ecolodge, and Murchison River Lodge are among the mid-range and inexpensive lodges, respectively.

Insect repellents and sleeping under mosquito nets at night can help to reduce the problem of mosquitoes, which are numerous and active during certain seasons of the year in addition to the high number of tourists visiting the country.

Tourists benefit more from the park’s benefits during the dry season, which is also a busy time for business. Animals are plainly visible at big water sources like the Nile river banks because the seasonal waterholes have dried up. Since the grass is low and dry, it is simple to see creatures in the distance. The dry season is the best time for safari vans and other cars to get to any area of the park, as opposed to the wet season when tracks and trails become slick.

Low period

There are fewer visitors to tourist destinations throughout the country during the low season. This time of year falls in Uganda’s wet season, which lasts from March to May and from October to November. The majority of the time it rains, which causes the vegetation in parks to grow larger and make the park’s roadways slick. Sometimes it is advised that you avoid driving there if the roads are particularly slick. However, some motorists will find the experience enjoyable as they navigate the slick roadways.

Animals can find water and pasture wherever in the park, which has water-filled pools all over. This makes it difficult to notice animals that are sauntering through the park and is particularly uncommon near major water sources.

Since there are less tourists in the country and at the destination during the low season, safari lodges and camps lower their prices. In general, there aren’t many visitors to the park, so if you do see any animals while on a game drive, you’ll be able to observe them clearly and unhindered. The greatest time to see this is when the majority of animals, especially grazers, are calving. The River Nile holds more water during the wet season, and the Murchison waterfalls are more powerful than they are during the dry season. You can witness the river rushing ferociously through the gorge.

At this time of year, there are a lot of birds in Murchison Falls since there is enough of food, they are reproducing, migratory birds have also come, and the variety of species is at its highest. Numerous birds can be seen all across the plains and woodlands, as well as in the wetlands and shorelines of the River Nile. The ideal time to go birding is right now.

After examining what occurs throughout the peak and off-peak seasons, we come to the conclusion that the optimum time to visit Murchison Falls National Park is between March and the end of May and in November, which is a few weeks after the rains have started and a few weeks after they have ceased. You won’t find the rain to be too much of an interruption to your activities, and the park is still lush and lovely. Since nature cannot be completely predicted, visitors to Murchison Falls National Park can go at any time of the year and still have incredible experiences.

Traveling between December and February and August, the dry season, is advised for those interested in seeing wildlife.

What to bring with you to Uganda’s Murchison Falls National Park
After choosing the best time to go based on our analysis of the destination’s environment, you should be aware of the items you’ll need while away from home so that nothing comes as a surprise. It is crucial to have the proper clothing for the weather along with other vital and sometimes unnecessary but yet necessary items.

Passport

When visiting Uganda’s Murchison Falls, you need to bring a number of things with you, including this. You need this travel document in order to pass through any border crossing into the country.

Immunization record against yellow fever
You must possess a card or certificate attesting to your yellow fever immunization.

Flight ticket

To avoid having your plans thwarted, you must confirm your ticket far enough in advance. Once you have it, keep it secure.

Visa

Before leaving, apply for a VISA, then pick it up at the border or at the airport in Entebbe. Without a visa, you won’t be permitted to enter the nation. If you plan to visit all three, you can also apply for an East African Visa, which allows you to travel to Uganda, Kenya, and Rwanda.

When making vacation plans, the aforementioned items are the most crucial, thus you are encouraged to photocopy them and store the copies separately. Keep them protected. Additional items you should bring with you are as follows:

Health and travel insurance

We can assist you in finding a reputable insurance provider so that you can travel without worrying about your health.

Passport-sized images

When traveling, take some passport-size photos and keep some with you. They may require you to utilize them for any number of reasons.

Medical kit

It is crucial to have some pain relievers, plasters, bandages, anti-diarrhea medicine, and other essential medicine because traveling will include long distances to the destination. The need to carry these medications is vital because you are also affecting the environment.

Antibiotics for malaria

It is advisable that you consult your doctor before traveling to Uganda, which is a malaria-prone area. They can advise you on whether to carry and take anti-malarial medication. Additionally, you need to have mosquito repellent.

a credit card and sufficient money

Carry only what you will need right away and withdraw the remainder once you get at your destination instead of carrying a lot of cash. Tell your bank that you traveled and that you will require cash for a variety of purposes.

Binoculars You’ll need binoculars for the majority of activities in Murchison Falls National Park, including boat cruises, bird watching, and wildlife drives.

Camera

You will visit locations where you will need to snap pictures and movies for your memories and witness fantastic things. Ensure that you have a reliable camera and a charger.

Carry-on bag

You need a back to transport the tiny items you’ll need for an activity, such as the camera, sunscreen, power bank, and other minor needs.

Carry comfortable clothes, but keep in mind that they should be decent. This is important when visiting Ugandan villages so that you don’t draw attention to yourself. Allow the clothing you’ll be wearing while traveling to be loose. Carry a scarf, t-shirts, long sleeved shirts, sweaters, hats, and a nightgown for wearing in the evening. When visiting wildlife areas, it’s best to avoid wearing brightly colored clothing because these hues attract animals.

Shoes If you intend to go chimpanzee tracking, you should have sturdy, water-resistant shoes, sandals, and heavy boots.