What is the largest national park in Uganda? Largest national park is Murchison Falls National Park which lies in northern Uganda in Masindi district but it also crosses in the districts of Mwoya, kiryandongo and Buliisa and it 3840 square kilometres, Murchison falls also known as Kabelega national park it was gazetted in 1952. Murchison falls national park is the largest park in Uganda with the big five animals and it is one of the best destinations where tourists on a Uganda safari can always opt for, because visiting this park will give you a chance to see variety of wildlife species because it is a home to over 76mammals like elephants, bushbucks, buffaloes, lions, leopards, primates, reptiles, birds like Abyssinian birds among others.
Attractions in Murchison falls national park
The top of the falls
These are the word’s strongest waterfalls and most attractive part in Murchison falls, these falls happen due to the squeeze of 8 metre gorge to plunge with a thunderous roar. There is also a rainbow which comes up when the sun hits direct into the water.
Animals
Murchison falls has so many mammals and these animals can well viewed during the game drives and these include lions, elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, hippos, bushbucks, warthogs, water bucks, Uganda Kobs and the Rhinos that can be seen in ziwa Rhino sanctuary and it is the only place in Uganda where you can spot the white Rhinos from.
Birds
Murchison falls national park has over 556 bird species, there is forest birds, savannah birds, and waterbirds. Murchison falls park is one of the best places where you can spot the shoebill from and other birds which include secretary bird, papyrus Gonolek, African Jacana, Egyptian goose, Great white pelicans to mention but a few those are some of the birds one can enjoy while on a birding safari tour in Uganda.
Safari activities in Murchison falls or things to do while in Murchison falls national park
Murchison falls has a variety of interesting activities to do while you are on Uganda wildlife safari
Game drives
These games in Murchison falls can best be enjoyed in the northern sector of the park because it has variety of animals and these game drives can be done in two shifts, the morning one and evening. Animals that are always spotted include elephants, buffaloes, hippos, warthogs, bushbucks, waterbuck’s lions, leopards and then hyenas are best seen during the evening game drives.
Boat cruise
Boat cruise gives you the best way to see hippos and Nile crocodiles, and boat cruise at Albert Delta is good for bird watchers as you get to see water associated birds including the rare shoebill. The boat cruise in Murchison is operated daily but in shifts of morning and afternoon so the client can book what is best for him or her.
Chimpanzee trucking
This interesting activity is done from southern part of the park in Budongo forest at the eco tourist site of kaniyo and the activity usually takes place in morning and evening, and you are able to see other primates like monkeys while trucking the chimpanzee.
Bird watching
Murchison falls is a birders paradise with over 556bird species including the big five birds, shoebill, Great Blue Turaco, long crested Eagle, Grey Crowned Cranes and Black and White Casqued Hornbill. And other birds like white pelicans, African jacana, papyrus Gonolek, Egyptian Goose to mention but a few.
Nature walks
During nature walks you will be able to view the park well and spot common animals like warthogs, bushbucks and waterbucks and some other birds, during a nature walk you will also encounter some reptiles like monitor lizards, snakes and others, and these nature walks are always enjoyed in budongo forest and Rabongo forest which usually lasts for two hours.
Cultural encountering
This one of the great ways to explore Uganda’s culture, you can visit cultural communities surrounding the park the Boomu women’s group and Mubako community and they all do different things like crafts and others.
Sport fishing
Sport fishing it is another activity that is always enjoyed by tourists where they catch fish using different methods and release them back if they are still alive, it done for fun generally and sport fishing is done from bottom of Murchison falls and below Karuma falls
Hiking to the falls
It is an amazing activity which gives you up close views of both Murchison falls and uhuru falls it starts from Bakers point where the boat leaves you and you hike to the top of the falls and takes about 45minutes.
Accommodation in Murchison falls national park
Tourists on Uganda safari tour can spend days and nights in the park in various accommodation facilities and these range from luxury, mid-range and budget
Luxury they include, para safari lodge, Nile safari lodge, pakuba lodge, Bakers lodge, and Chobe safari lodge.
Mid -range include Twiga safari lodge, sambiya river lodge, fort Murchison lodge, and Murchison River lodge.
Budget accommodation includes red chilli rest camp, Hornbill bush lodge, Boomu women’s group Babsas, Geo lodges shoebill campsite.
What is unique about Murchison falls national park and making it the largest park in Uganda.
Murchison falls has the worlds strongest waterfall in the world.
Murchison it is the top destination for wildlife safaris as it has the big five animals which makes it the best destination for wildlife viewing
It has the highest concentration of Nile crocodiles in Uganda along river Nile
The park is bisected by the longest river which is river Nile which forms Murchison falls and uhuru falls.
