Wildlife in Murchison Falls National Park

Wildlife in Murchison Falls National Park to see on Uganda safari are enormous. Located in the remotest North-western Uganda, Murchison Falls National Park formerly called Kabalega National Park is a home to over 76 mammal species, 451 bird species making it a valuable Uganda wildlife safari destination.

Murchison Falls National Park is perched on the edge of Albertine Rift Valley and it is divided into two sections by the Victoria Nile. This creates the Northern and Southern sections. The park consists of riverine forest, savanna and woodland, the key habitats of large and small faunal species and floral species of visitor desire on Uganda safari.

Animals-Wildlife in Murchison Falls National Park

Large and small mammals, reptiles all reside in the different habitats of Murchison Falls National Park. The park consists of interesting animals such as lions, elephants, buffaloes, spotted hyenas, hippos, crocodiles, hartebeest, oribis, warthogs, Uganda kobs, grey duikers, the Rothschild giraffes, etc. Large mammals thriving in the Northern section of Murchison Falls National Park are best viewed during a game drive -morning/afternoon.

Primates

Additionally, Murchison Falls National Park supports a range of primates in the lush Budongo Forest and Kaniyo-Pabidi Forest. These comprise of over 800 chimpanzees, blue monkeys, bush babies, pottos, olive baboons, red tailed monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, etc.

Birds

Murchison Falls National Park is a true birder’s paradise, hosting an estimate of 451 bird species. The birds in Murchison Falls consist of white thighed ground hornbill, yellow foot kingfisher, shoebill stork, red-throated bee-eaters, shallow-tailed, black headed gonoleks, African jacanas, Denham’s bustard;

Malachite kingfishers, speckled fronted weavers, Eastern grey plantain eaters, black billed barbet, squacco heron, swamp flycatchers, white browed sparrow weaver, African quail finch, black billed barbet, sandpipers, blue headed coucal, malachite kingfishers, etc. These interesting birds can be spotted on actual birding expedition, guided game drive, boat cruise or guided nature walk/forest walk.

Uganda Safari Activities – Murchison Falls National Park

There are lots of amazing activities to indulge in while on Uganda safaris in Murchison Falls National Park. Each activities offers a unique experience and they include hot air balloon safaris, game drives, launch trips/cruise, guided nature walks, cultural encounters, hiking/trekking to the top of the falls, whitewater rafting, chimpanzee tracking in Budongo Forest, chimpanzee habituation experience, etc.

Boat Cruise on Murchison Falls National Park

Best time to visit for Africa game viewing – Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison Falls National Park enjoy favorable climatic and weather conditions all year-round. However, excellent game viewing experience is possible during the dry season -the lengthy dry months of the year in this Uganda safari park run from June to September and shortest dry spell runs from December to February.

Accommodation

Murchison Falls National Park consists of many places for visitor overnight stay. The Uganda safari lodges to book here include among others Pakuba Safari Lodge, Chobe Safari Lodge, Paraa Safari Lodge, Budongo Eco-Lodge, Baker’s Lodge, Murchison River Lodge, Nile Safari Lodge.

Getting to Murchison Falls for Uganda safari

Two options are available for Uganda safari tourists to have access to Murchison Falls National Park. By road: Drive for 6-7 hours on Kampala-Gulu highway with a stopover possible for you to make at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. A rhino trekking can be done at Ziwa and you connect to the park via its main gate in the South- Kichumbanyobo.

By air: There are 3 airstrips where Uganda flying safari tourist can land in at Murchison Falls National Park. These include Pakuba Airstrip (this is found in the Northern section of the park), Chobe Airstrip and Bugungu airstrip. Flying safaris to Murchison Falls NP, Uganda begin at Entebbe International Airport and Kajjansi airfield.