Although the park is renowned for the stunningly powerful Murchison Falls, it is an amazing place to take a safari and witness some of Africa’s incredible wildlife. The falls are on the Victoria or White Nile River. The park is home to the largest population of Nile crocodiles.
In addition to the large population of crocodiles, there are around 75 species of mammals. Some of the larger and more popular wildlife species include lion, leopard, giraffe, elephant, waterbuck, hartebeest, buffalo, hippopotamus, and chimpanzee. There are about 800 chimpanzees living across the national park boundaries.
Murchison Falls National Park is also a haven for bird watchers with over 450 species of birds that nest or migrate through the park. The Goliath Heron is a nice treat to see since it is the largest heron in the world. Many of the species are waterfowl, however, there are many other species such as the red-throated bee-eater.
With over 500 different recorded bird species, Murchison Falls National Park is like heaven to birders. Some of the birds are residential like the Albertine rift valley endemic birds, others are migratory, water and forest birds.
Some of the bird species you will see include; The pied King fisher, Abyssinian ground, shoebill stork, giant king fisher, yellow-fronted tinkerbird, veracious dove, grey-crowned crane, silver bird, black-billed barbet and so many others.
The boat cruise towards the bottom of the falls takes 2-3 hours while the one along the Nile delta and the shores of Lake Albert takes between 4-5 hours
Boat cruising along the Nile towards the shores of Lake Albert and cruising to the bottom of the Murchison falls happens to be among the best activities which tourists anticipate to participate in when at Murchison Falls National Park.
Game drive in Murchison falls national park can be done in several designated game viewing areas. These areas include, the Buligi Peninsula, the southern sector which is also known as the heart of Murchison and the Delta region with high concentration of lions.
The Buligi Peninsula is a triangle of grassland surrounded by the Nile entering Albert and at the same time; the Albert Nile flowing out of it. In this area visitors can see buffaloes, antelopes, elephants, leopards and lion. The game track network converges at Delta point where the Nile flows out of Albert; this is the best place to stop for refreshment and see hippos and water birds from a distance.
This southern part of Murchison falls national park is covered by forests and bushes with huge number of herds of Uganda kob. This area is also known as a major site to spot lions. In 2016, 15 giraffes were translocated to this area and now one can spot giants on the honey moon road.
Murchison falls national park and the surrounding conservation area can be walked on foot. Tracks over Rabongo forest and Kaniyo Pabidi gives sightings of bird species and primates like chimpanzees. During swamp walks, tourists can see shoebill on Albert Nile when the water level is low and this can take 2- 4 hours, you can also hike 45 minutes through woodland to the top of Murchison falls.
This is an experience that brings all the minds into play when watching the waves of white water fall hypnotically through this six- meter gap, taste the spray on your face and feel the rock shake beneath your feet, listening to the roar, sheer sensory overload.
In Murchison falls national park, spot fishing is fairly rewarding for the passionate angler and there are great opportunities to land on a large cat fish, Nile perch, Tilapia, Electric cat- fish, Tiger fish and among others.
