Big Attractions in Murchison Falls National Park : Murchison falls national is found in the northern part of Uganda in Masindi district. This park is identified as the largest and oldest national park among all other national parks in the country. It was first published as a game reserve in 1926 where it was commonly known as Kabalega national park and later it was established as a national park in 1952. Murchison falls national park is marked as the largest national park in the country because it covers a total surface area of 3900 square kilometers and it crosses boarders with; Buliisa district, Nwoya district, and Kiryandongo district.
Earlier in 1970’s, this is when the former Ugandan president known as Idi A min Dada named again the park as Kabarega after the Omukama/ king of Bunyoro kingdom and later it was changed to Murchison falls after his downfall in 1979. This park was named as Murchison national park due the presence of Murchison falls which were named by Sir Samuel Baker after Sir Roderick who happened to be the president of the royal geographical society. At the present time, Murchison falls national park is managed by Uganda wildlife Authority under the Ministry of Tourism.
The park has two sections; the northern and southern sections. The Northern section of the national park is filled with savannah grasslands, borassus palms, acacia tree, and marshy woodland while the southern part is filled with forests and woodlands.
Murchison falls harbours a variety good number of 76 mammal species and 451 bird species and these include; African bush elephants, buffaloes, antelopes, duikers, buffaloes, Nile crocodiles, elands, giraffes, lions, chimpanzees, water-bucks, and aquatic birds like the rare shoebill stork, giant kingfisher, red- throated, and silver bird which make it a point of disembarkation for all the tourists.
Attractions in Murchison Falls.
Karuma Falls.
Karuma falls wildlife reserve is the main attraction in Murchison falls national park which is located in Chobe in the eastern part of the park. These falls are known as a good spot for fishing activities and also seen as one of the many blasting water falls with high speed running waters strategically located on Victoria Albertine Nile in Uganda.
Murchison falls.
The most important fact stated about these falls is that it connects two lakes which are; lake Albert and Lake George and well characterized by splashing waters violently through the narrow gorge creating a permanent rainbow that show cases tourists with a great views while on Uganda wildlife Tours .
More so, the Uhuru falls were created in 1962 when the river burst its banks and this gives a chance to visitors to view the famous Nile river that split into smaller Uhuru falls.
Paara.
Paara name is a local word, which means home of hippos and it is picked from Luo language. This is a Murchison top attraction where visitors use a ferry to connect to the northern and southern banks and also tourists use their time to nature walks around the park and also go for boat cruises.
Wildlife.
Murchison falls national is the best place where visitors can be able to have their best sights over all wonderful wildlife animals in Uganda. This park has 76 animal species that stay within the park and these animals include; Nile crocodiles, buffaloes, water- bucks, bush pigs, baboons, hippos, impala, topi, cape buffalo, Uganda kob, and giraffes and more so, the park also harbours 451 bird species such as; the giant kingfisher, the giant heron, shoe bill, nightjars, Abyssinian ground hornbill and crowned crested crane. The park is also composed of very long swamps, lake kyoga, woodland and savannah grasslands.
Kaniyo Pabidi forest.
The kaniyo pabidi forest is situated on the Masindi road which is 8 kilometers from the Kichumbanyobo gate in the southern part of Murchison falls national park. this forest harbours a variety numbers of tourist attractions such as animal species which include; Savannah elephants, olive baboons, black and white colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, leopards, a habituated chimpanzee group, buffalos, lions, leopards and many others. This forest is known also well at safe guarding number of bird species as their home and these birds include; the chocolate-backed kingfisher, the white-thighed hornbill, and puvel’s illadopsis and many others.
Rabongo forest.
This forest covers an area of 4 square kilometers and is known as a good place for spotting birds due to the fact it harbours a number of bird species and this makes it one of the attractions in Murchison falls national park.
The Nile Delta-Lake Albert.
The Nile Delta- Lake Albert is an area the best spot for birding, with the papyrus banks graced with beautiful birdlife creatures such as; Great Egrets, African fish Eagles, the rare shoebill stork and Goliath Herons. And the presence of these birds, it affirms it the more how it is the best place for bird lovers to visit. Tourists also happen to see a number of wildlife animals in the delta such as; giraffes, water bucks, lions, elephants and many more. More so, the Nile Delta marks the point where Victoria Nile flows into Lake Albert.
River Nile.
River Nile is famous for being marked as the longest the river in the world and Uganda happens to be the source of it. This Nile is located in Jinja, which is a 1- 5-hour drive from Kampala the capital city of Uganda, and this Nile is unique because it is known to be passing through nine African countries. It is best to explore and enjoy the new experience on the Nile on a boat cruise where tourists get lovely sights on the beautiful nature and wildlife animals, mammals, birds and reptiles. Tourists also participate in can be able to participate in different activities while at the Nile such as; White water rafting, sport fishing, and nature walks and hiking along both the north and the south banks of River Nile.
There are also areas of attraction outside/ near Murchison Falls National Park.
There are also a few places of attractions near the park the tourists tend to also check out these places either before or after visiting the Murchison falls national park and these include the following;
Ziwa Rhino and wildlife sanctuary.
The Rhino Sanctuary is always visited because it is seen as a haven to the endangered rhinos in the whole of Uganda. It is located just 125 kilometers from Murchison falls National park.
Budongo forest.
Budongo forest harbours 24 mammal species, 465 plant species, 360 bird species, and 289 butterflies. This forest lies in the south west of the park and it is known to be neighbours with Kaniyo Pabidi forest. In Budongo forest, this is where chimpanzee trekking is such a thrilling and marvelous activity that most of the visitors do not miss it out.
