Nature walks and hiking in Murchison Falls National Park

Nature walks and hiking in Murchison Falls National Park are a perfect way to immerse deeply the park’s hard-to-reach habitats by car. On a nature walk/hiking, visitors are led by experienced and well-trained Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) park ranger guide.

Nature walking and hiking in the spectacular protected area such as Murchison Falls National Park is all about discovering the hidden treasures that visitors can see while in the car. This is typically foot-walk through the rich wildlife trails in the park as you interact with wildlife, birds and learn the important medicinal plants.

The park guide accompanying you will enrich you with information about different animals, plants, and birds. Murchison Falls National Park –MFNP Masindi is 3840sq.km African safari park, dominated by both natural rainforest and savannas. There are many hiking/nature walking opportunities to take advantage of while on Uganda safaris in Murchison Falls National Park.

Where to go for nature walks and hiking in Murchison Falls National Park

Kaniyo-Pabidi Forest

Kaniyo-Pabidi is found 8km from Kichumbanyobo gate, the Southern gate of Murchison Falls National Park. This natural rainforest is home to diverse primate species including olive baboons, red-tailed monkeys, chimpanzees, galagos, vervet monkeys, l’hoest monkeys, blue monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys.

Kaniyo-Pabidi forest forms the northeastern extension of Budongo Forest Reserve, a natural forest consisting of mahogany and iron wood trees.

This forest reserve protects more than primates. For bird lovers, there is a chance to identify diversity of birds including the Guinea-Congo forest species, western and central African species. Some of the unique birds to identify on a nature walk here include little greenbul, great blue turacos, Ituri batis, kingfishers, white-thighed hornbills,

Other birds include African shrike-flycatchers, grey apalis, chocolate backed kingfishers, dwarf kingfishers, yellow-footed flycatchers, chestnut wattle eye, pygmy kingfishers, chestnut winged starling, Puvel’s illadopsis and others.

Aside from normal nature walks, there is also an option of embarking on a guided chimpanzee trekking in Kaniyo-Pabidi forest/Budongo Forest. The chimp treks in this natural forest are conducted twice a day –morning and afternoon. Briefing is done at Kaniyo-Pabidi eco-tourism offices.

Alternatively, tourists can take part in full day chimpanzee habituation experience, a unique primate adventure involving following semi-habituated chimpanzee communities. Chimpanzee habituation is all about exploring in depth about the daily behaviors of chimpanzees in the wild and the purpose is to make chimpanzees get used to human presence before they are opened for tourism.

Best time to visit Kaniyo-Pabidi forest

Kaniyo-Pabidi is an all year-round primate destination, but the most ideal time to explore its nature trails is during the dry season. There is long dry season –from June, July, August and December, January to February. These are the perfect months of the year to go trek chimpanzees and if you are interested in birds, then consider traveling in March, April, May or September, October to November.

Rabongo Forest nature walks

Rabongo Forest is another prime location worth considering for guided nature walks on Uganda tour in Murchison Falls National Park. This scenic rainforest is located in the Southern edge of the park, and contains a significant primate population. On a guided nature walk, tourists stand a chance to encounter lots of monkeys and chimpanzees plus birds.

Hike to the top of the falls –Uganda vacation

Enjoy a 45 minutes’ walk from the bottom of Murchison Falls to the top with the lead of an experienced guide. Once you get to the base of the falls, the boats dock at Sir Samuel Baker rock, capture incredible views and pictures of the falls then start

trekking through hillside to the top where you will watch the powerful falls squeeze itself into a narrow rock of 7-8m.

When to go nature walking in Murchison Falls National Park

The best time to consider traveling for a vacation in Murchison Falls National Park is during the dry season. This often falls from June, July, and August to September, and December, January to February.

Where to stay

Here is the list of lodges to stay in Murchison Falls National Park: Murchison Falls Bamboo Village, Fort Murchison Lodge, Heritage Lodge, Red Chilli Rest Camp, Sambiya River Lodge, Twiga Safari Lodge, Pakuba Safari Lodge, Bakers Lodge, Paraa Lodge, Nile Safari Lodge, Budongo Eco Lodge and others.

How to get there

From Kampala, traveling to Murchison Falls National Park takes 5-6 hours and en route, there is a chance to make a stopover at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for rhino trekking. By air, fly from Entebbe airport to airstrips near Murchison Falls NP –Chobe Airstrip, Bugungu, and Pakuba Airstrips.