Top 10 Best Things to do in Murchison Falls National Park:
It is a well-known fact that Murchison Falls National Park is one of the most popular safari parks in Uganda but, what are the things to do in Murchison falls that make it a compelling place to visit.
Alluring by her diverse wildlife and the falls, Murchison Falls National Park is an adventure of her own league. Let’s dive into the things that make Murchison Falls Safari Park irresistible destination.
Besides the most popular attractions such as the falls and wildlife, here is a list of all the best things to do in Murchison Falls National Park, in and around as they can be tailored in a tour package to this park.
Top Things to do in Murchison Falls:
- Wildlife Game Drive
The most convenient way to explore the variety of wildlife at Murchison Falls is through driving around the park watching wild animals in their natural habitats. Game drives are best done in the Northern part of Murchison falls National Park that’s dominated by open Savannah grasslands.
There are over 76 species of mammals in this spectacular destination and over 450 bird species have been spotted so far with the Shoebill stork, Gray crowned crane, Giant Kingfisher, Giant Heron and Abyssinian Ground being among. Game viewing undoubtedly tops the list of things to do in Murchison Falls National Park.
When you opt for game drive safari in Murchison falls National park, expect to see the endangered Rothschild Giraffes, kobs, warthogs, waterbucks, bushbucks, Jackson’s hartebeests and 4 of the big 5 game (elephants, lions, buffaloes and leopard) among other wildlife.
- Boat Rides – Launch Cruises
The home of the world’s strongest falls is also admired for its 2 boat rides one heading to the bottom of the falls and the other towards the shores of Lake Albert each offering striking experience.
The Nile Delta boat cruise (Albert Delta), it sets off from Paraa and follows the flow of the river towards shores of lake Albert. It is recommended for explores on a birding safari to join a morning cruise as it gives you a great opportunity to spot the dinosaur era bird, the shoebill stork and other bird species.
The Nile River Boat Cruise also known as the Launch cruise, it cruises towards the bottom of the mighty falls and it sails for about 3 hours. You will witness greatness of the falls from the boat with water turning into mist and splashing upon the boat.
Aboard, you will watch different wildlife along the shores of the river such as pods of hippos, the giant Nile crocodiles with their mouth wide open, elephants bathing, buffaloes wallowing and plenty of water birds.
- Hike to the Top of the Falls
Recommended for travelers with some of level of physical fitness, hiking to the top of the falls is another deemed way of walking through the path Winston Churchill took climbing down to catch boat to Sudan. This should be on your list of things to do in Murchison Falls.
You board the Nile River Boat and disembark when you reach to the bottom of the falls, you start the hike which is part of the Bakers Trail until the top of the falls. Listen to the roaring falls from the top as you are being reinvigorate by the splashing water drops.
- Sport Fishing
Another best thing to do in Murchison Falls is sport fishing. Those who love fishing will get a once in life time experience catching one of the biggest fresh water fish, the Nile patch. And if you trust your fishing skills, you can participate in one of the yearly fishing tournaments that happens on the Nile river in Murchison falls.
There are 2 options of participating in sport fishing either by boat or standing from the shores/riverbank. We organize fishing safaris and assign you a guide who will be by your side for further assistance. When you catch a Nile patch, you are obligated to release it back to waters.
- Birding (Bird watching)
There are thousands of birds at Murchison Falls National Park. They’re everywhere! If you’re lucky, you might see Gray crowned crane, Giant Kingfisher, Giant Heron, Abyssinian Ground and Shoebill stork flying around. They eat mostly fish, so they often live near rivers and lakes.
The boat cruise gives the best bird watching opportunity as you will spot different bird species along the river, most common being the African fish eagle, Giant and Malachite kingfishers, and others such as Black crakes, Red throated and Northern carmine bee eaters and African skimmer.
- Hot air Balloon Safaris
Though relatively new activity, hot air balloon safaris are another breathtaking experience you should participate in during your visit to Murchison falls. This is an upmarket way of exploring wildlife in Uganda that costs USD $380 per person and half the price for children.
Hot air balloon safaris are a perfect adventure for honeymooners and adrenaline junkies who seek once in a life time experience observing the beauty of park from the sky. The scenery up there is spectacular and the feeling of the fresh air blow in face and air is very sensational.
- Nature Walks in Kaniyo Pabidi or Rabongo forest
Walking within the forests not only rewards the travelers with fresh breathing air but also an opportunity for bird watching, spotting and learning about different plants and tree species and insects.
This is another way of killing stress and stretching legs that leaves you with jungle memories hence one of the best things to do in Murchison Falls. The rewards of nature walks are more experienced than said.
- Chimpanzee Trekking
The human’s distant cousins are no aliens to Murchison Falls National Park. Chimpanzee tracking is another amazing things to do in Murchison Falls that happens in Budongo forest, part of the park and home of the Jane Goodall Chimpanzee Research Station.
Chimpanzee encounter lasts for 1 hour on a trekking plan and if you are interested in habituation, book during the low season as you may almost spend a full day with the chimpanzees.
Besides chimpanzee trekking g, Budongo forest offers excellent birding experience, nature walks and the forest is historical for travelers from Poland as it hosted its refugees during world war 2.
- Boomu Community Visit
Boomu village is a women initiative that promotes African cultures near Murchison falls National Park. Visit Boomu village to learn how some items are made, such as dye from plants and how to sew African traditional crafts such as baskets, mats and more.
If you opt to spend a night, you will sleep in the traditional bandas there. You can as well escort the African women going to pick food in the garden and also help in preparing it the African way. Listen to stories at night before sleep.
- White Rhino Tracking.
Although not part of Murchison falls National park, Ziwa Rhino sanctuary compliments the big 5 game safari as part of the things to do in Murchison Falls. En-route to Murchison, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is the only Southern White Rhinos natural habitat that tourists flock to trek rhinos.
A Murchison Falls safari is almost incomplete without visiting Ziwa for rhino trekking. Its location makes it convenient for trips to Murchison Falls to visit and enjoy company of these large mammals.
Our Top 5 Uganda Safaris to Murchison Falls
4 Days Murchison Falls Wildlife Safari
This tour takes you to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary & Murchison Falls National Park for big 5 game, boat cruise & game drive for wildlife safari. 4 Days Murchison Falls Safari is available on a luxury, mid-range and budget cost plan all year round. This wildlife safari is designed to start and end in either Kampala or Entebbe… View Tour
7 Days Luxury Safari Uganda
This luxury Uganda safari is an ultimate wildlife and gorilla safari experience for travelers who prefer the highest level of service & attention to detail. We cruise in high-end private safari vehicles, sleep in 5-star hotels and lodges and enjoy fancy breakfasts and dinners. The luxury Uganda safari includes Murchison Falls… View Tour
2 Days Murchison Falls Safari
This is a top Uganda Safari weekend offer for travelers limited by time eager for things to do in Murchison Falls National Park. Book our 2 Days Murchison Falls Safari and experience wildlife, birdlife, world’s strongest falls and more with the 2 Days Murchison Falls National Park Safari. This trip will treat with a vivid game… View Tour
15 days Best of Uganda Safari
This Long Uganda safari holiday involves the most adventurous tourist activities in Uganda such as gorilla trekking, bird watching, wildlife game drive, chimpanzee trek and city tour. From the remarkable Murchison falls National Park to the verdant Kibale National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable… View Tour
3 Days Murchison Falls National Park Safari
This is about game drive & boat cruise for wildlife viewing in Murchison Fall National Park, white rhino tracking in Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary and hike to the top of Murchison falls. Our 3 Days Murchison Falls Safari tour introduces you to the largest and one of the oldest National Parks in Uganda- Murchison Falls National Park… View Tour
