Flights to Murchison falls national park : Flights to Murchison falls national park are among the ways of getting to the destination during Uganda safaris to the north western part of Uganda. The different airstrips around Murchison falls national park where tourists can fly during their wildlife safaris include Pakuba airstrip, Chobe airstrip and also Bugungu airstrip which are found in different parts of the national park.
- Pakuba airstrip
The Pakuba airstrip is among the airstrips used when flying to Murchison falls national park and it is located in the northern part of the national park.
Flights to Pakuba airstrip can be booked through domestic airlines such as Aerolink Uganda. Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) manages the Pakuba airstrip which offers daily flights to tourists visiting Murchison falls national park.
Tourists can also get flights to other destinations such as Kidepo valley national park from Pakuba airstrip during Uganda safaris Tours to Murchison falls national park. Pakuba airstrip is located about 19km from Pakwach town and 95 km from Masindi town.
- Chobe airstrip
The Chobe airstrip is owned by Chobe safari lodge which is among the luxury lodges found in Murchison falls national park.
This airstrip can be used by both residents and nonresidents of the Chobe safari lodge when visiting Murchison falls national park.
- Bugungu airstrip
Another airstrip which is used during safaris in Murchison falls national park is the Bugungu airstrip found in the southern part of the national park.
Flights to Murchison falls national park can be booked by tour operators or independent travelers when visiting Uganda. It is important to check availability of seats on the flights to Murchison falls national park.
Rates for the flights to Murchison falls national park depend on the airline offering the flight to the park and also the season of travel. During the low season, flight costs are discounted as compared to flying during the high season when prices are high.
The low season is also in the rainy season which runs from March, April and May and November in Murchison falls national park and fewer tourists visit the destination during this time of the year. Tourists can also travel in the dry season (June to October and December to February) which is part of the high season of travel.
Another way to get to Murchison falls national park is by driving via the Kampala-Luwero-Masindi route which takes about 5 to 6 hours. Tourists can also drive to Murchison falls national park from Kidepo valley national park which is another wildlife viewing destination in Uganda.
The different activities which can be done after getting to Murchison falls national park and they include the following;
- Game drives
Murchison falls national park is among the destinations where game drives can be done throughout the year and the activity can be done in the morning, afternoon or evening.
Game drives in the morning makes it easy to spot the early risers around the savannah plains of Murchison falls national park while driving around the destination in the afternoon or evening is the perfect opportunity to see the different wildlife species roaming in the savannah plains and also enjoy the views of the surrounding area and also watch the sunset.
Wildlife species found in Murchison falls national park include giraffes, elephants, lions, buffalos, warthogs, impalas, waterbucks, dik dik, elands, Uganda kobs among others. Four of the big five (elephants, lions, leopards, buffalos) are found in the national park and can be spotted during game drives in Murchison falls national park.
- Viewing of the top of the Murchison falls
Viewing of the top of the falls can be done by tourists visiting the Murchison falls national park ad brings tourists closer to the Murchison falls during their Uganda safaris.
- Hiking to the top of the Murchison falls
Safaris in Murchison falls national park also involves hiking to the top of the falls following different trails to the top of the Murchison falls.
From the viewpoint at the top of the falls, tourists can enjoy views of the rest of the national park and also the Murchison falls. This activity costs about 15 USD per person during tours around Murchison falls national park.
- Bird watching
Bird watching is another activity to take part in when visiting Murchison falls national park which is home to over 450 bird species.
Some of the bird species found in Murchison falls national park include the Grey crowed crane, Giant Heron, Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, Open Billed Stork, African Wattled Lapwing, Giant Kingfisher, Black Headed Lapwing, Great Blue Turaco, Long Crested eagle, Long-Toed Plover, Grey Headed Kingfisher among others.
- Chimpanzee tracking in Budongo forest
Chimpanzee tracking is another activity which can be done when visiting the Budongo forest during tours around Murchison falls national park.
There are different primate species which can be seen around the Budongo forest during the chimpanzee tracking experience and these include black and white colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys, red tailed monkeys, baboons among others.
The search for the chimpanzees in Budongo forest can be done in the morning or in the afternoon and the chimpanzee tracking experience costs about 140 USD per person. Tourists are accompanied by ranger guides as they explore the forests in search of the chimpanzees which take about 4 hours and once the chimpanzees are found, tourists observe their behavior and take photos for about 1 hour before returning to the briefing point.
- Boat rides to the bottom of the Murchison falls
Boat rides to the bottom of the falls is another activity which takes place during Uganda safaris Tours around Murchison falls national park.
The boat rides take about 2 hours along the Nile and they can be done in the morning or afternoon when visiting Murchison falls national park. Wildlife species such as buffalos, hippos, elephants, giraffes, Nile crocodiles among others can be seen by the water shores.
Tourists can use private boats or the UWA boat when engaging in the boat ride to the bottom of the Murchison falls.
