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Photo of the devils cauldron
Murchison Falls National Park
-The World's Most Powerful Waterfall
Murchison Falls National Park is Uganda's largest National park and the oldest conservation area. It covers approximately 3,893 km2 (1,503 sq mi) of land. It is famed for having the most powerful waterfall in the entire world.
History
First protected in 1926 and declared a national park in 1952, Murchison Falls has shaped the roots of Uganda’s conservation journey. It was here that colonial explorers like Winston Churchill and Theodore Roosevelt were captivated by the untamed beautiful wilderness. The park’s cinematic beauty even earned it a role in the 1951 film, The African Queen, filmed along the banks of the Nile and Lake Albert.
Murchison Falls was named by British explorer Sir Samuel Baker in 1864, in honor of Sir Roderick Murchison, who was then the President of the Royal Geographical Society. Later, when the area was designated as a national park in 1952, it adopted the name Murchison Falls National Park, reflecting the iconic waterfall that serves as the centerpiece of the park.
Safari Tours with Murchison falls National Park
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5-Day Murchison falls big five safari with a Kampala City tour
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6 days Uganda big 5 and Gorilla Trekking
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20 Day ultimate Uganda wildlife safari with Kidepo & Sipi falls
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15 days Mabamba, big 5 and cultural safari
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4 Days Murchison falls National Park with Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
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11 Days Uganda Jungle safari
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10 Days wildlife safari with Pian Upe Game Reserve
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15 Days Big 5 shoebill and source of the Nile wildlife safari
Geographical Features:
Murchison Falls National Park lies along the northern edge of the Albertine Rift Valley, where rolling escarpments collapse into sun-drenched savanna and palm-studded plains. The Albertine Rift Valley, a globally recognized biodiversity hotspot, supports a high level of endemic species and plays a vital role in maintaining ecological balance.
The park spans across four districts in Uganda: Masindi, Buliisa, Nwoya, and Kiryandongo. These districts encompass the park's diverse landscapes, including savannas, woodlands, riverine and forested areas, which are very crucial habitats for the park's rich array of wildlife.
The mighty Victoria Nile splits the park in two, as it races through the rift, the river narrows to just 8 meters before hurling itself down a 45-meter drop into the churning basin below, a spectacle known as the Devil’s Cauldron. Rainbows swirl in the mist while Wildlife flocks to its banks. And for many visitors, it’s the rawest moment of their Ugandan adventure.
From there, the Nile softens and widens, flowing quietly into Lake Albert, a stretch of water rich with hippos, crocodiles, and birdlife.
Elusive apex predator
King of the Jungle!
Biological Diversity:
Murchison Falls is home to a remarkable variety of wildlife. The park hosts over 144 mammal species, 556 bird species, over 750 plant species and numerous reptiles and amphibian species.
It is the only park in uganda where you can experience the complete members of the legendary Big Five: lions, buffaloes, leopards, elephants, and rhinos.
Over 1,300 elephants roam the plains, often seen in family herds trudging through the savannah. More than 10,000 buffaloes and over 35,000 Uganda Kobs fill the landscape with drama, while Rothschild’s giraffes, only found in the northern sector stride among Borassus palms like sentinels.
The park boasts at least 9 other primate species, including chimpanzees, Olive baboons, Red-tailed monkeys, Blue monkeys, Black-and-white colobus monkeys, Vervet monkeys and the rare Patas monkey.
Birdlife is explosive. The rare elusive shoebill, is the park’s bird crown jewel, often searched for near the Albert Delta. It shares the trees and skies with woodland gems like the white-crested turaco, African fish eagle and red-winged grey warbler.
The Apex predator population is alive and vibrant and crucial: lions lounge in the shade or prowl at dusk, their roars rolling across the savannah while the Leopards stalk silently while servals and caracals keep low in the grass.
The spotted hyena is a notable predator and scavenger, present in the park. Their distinctive laugh-like calls echo across the park, especially in the night adding to the unique soundscape of the region.
The Nile teems with crocodiles, some enormous, basking lazily on the banks. Other reptiles include various lizards, geckos, and snakes such as pythons and cobras. These reptiles thrive in the park’s diverse habitats, from wetlands to savannas, and play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance as both predators and prey.
The northern section of the park contains savanna and Borassus palms, acacia trees, and riverine woodland. The south is dominated by woodland and forest patches.
Chimpanzee Tracking
In the southern sector of Murchison Falls National Park lies Budongo Forest, a vibrant tropical rainforest where chimpanzee tracking takes place. The tracking experience, guided by expert rangers, follows forest trails in search of habituated chimpanzee communities.
Watching these intelligent primates interact; feeding on trees, grooming each other, or playfully swinging through the branches offers a rare glimpse into one of the most complex social structures in the animal kingdom.
Budongo Forest is home to more than 600 chimpanzees, with tracking primarily conducted in the Kaniyo Pabidi area. Permits are limited, ensuring low-impact visits and quality experiences. Treks take place in the morning and afternoon, with visitors allowed up to one hour in the presence of the chimps once they’re located.
Besides chimpanzees, Budongo supports an impressive range of biodiversity: colorful birds, forest elephants, monkeys, and rare tree species like the massive East African mahogany. The forest also forms part of a larger conservation corridor linking Murchison Falls to other key wildlife areas like the Bugungu, Karuma Wildlife Reserves and others.
Park Activities
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Morning and Evening Game drives
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Boat cruise to the base of the falls
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Top of the Falls hike
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Nile delta boat safari
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Birdwatching
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Chimpanzee tracking in Budongo Forest
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Nature walks
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Sport fishing
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Cultural visits
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Night game drives (in select areas).
Conservation efforts:
Murchison Falls National Park is a focal point of Uganda’s conservation efforts, with the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) working tirelessly to protect its unique ecosystems and wildlife. Conservation initiatives focus on maintaining biodiversity, preventing poaching, and preserving the park’s natural habitats.
Efforts are also made to involve local communities in conservation, promoting sustainable tourism and wildlife-friendly practices. Additionally, the park’s growing elephant and buffalo populations are closely monitored, and programs to protect endangered species like the shoebill stork are ongoing. Through these combined efforts, Murchison Falls continues to thrive as a crucial conservation area in Uganda.