Karuma falls
Karuma falls are the most nice looking waterfalls that are found on Victoria Nile in the eastern boundary of Murchison falls national park which is the largest and most visited national park in Uganda due to abundant wildlife including bird species like the elusive shoe bill stork, animals like elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, Uganda kobs, lions, leopards, waterbucks, Jackson’s hartebeest, warthogs, primates like chimpanzees, baboons, monkeys, vegetation types like savannah grassland which attract visitors. They are locally called Karuma falls and the name Karuma was derived from a conception that Karuma a great spirit placed the stones that break the river waters. Karuma falls are made up of natural and beautiful looking rock formations all the way at the base of Victoria Nile which makes the waters of the great River Nile to ripple hence giving the Nile an appearance of the good looking white foam.
Karuma falls are one of the major attractions in Uganda due to its location on Victoria Nile and the fact the first explore John Speke moved past the falls when he was searching for the source of River Nile which is the longest river in the whole world. Karuma falls are situated on Gulu-Masindi high way which crosses River Nile, the two districts of Masindi and Gulu are connected by Karuma Bridge which was constructed in 1963 mainly to support the West Nile cotton farmers. The bridge crosses a massive waterfall where the splashes of the white water move towards Southern Sudan in northern Uganda.
Karuma is a home to the power station which is 750 megawatts hydropower development which was implemented by the government of Uganda in collaboration with the foreign development partners. In the past years the falls was once considered a danger zone in that the Lords Resistance Army used hide around in the bushes to attack buses and personal vehicles which used to travel to northern Uganda or to Masindi. In 2007 the Uganda people’s defense forces chased them out of the country to Democratic Republic of Congo and now the area is considered safe for visitors to visit any time.
Karuma are surrounded by attractions like wild animals, birds among others due to its location near the most visited Murchison falls national park therefore visitors who visit the area will enjoy great views of bird species, animals like buffaloes, elephants, Uganda kobs, giraffes, baboons, monkeys, lions which are occasionally seen among others. While at Karuma falls you can also engage in nature walks along the banks and sport fishing which is the most done activity at Karuma falls.
Due to the fact that Karuma falls are found on the eastern boundary of Murchison falls national park which is the largest and oldest national park in Uganda, you can combine your Karuma falls safari with Murchison falls national park safari so as to engage in interesting and exciting activities like Game drive which is commonly done in the northern sector due to high concentration of wildlife like savannah grassland, animals like elephants, buffaloes, lions, leopards, giraffes, warthogs, waterbucks, bushbucks, Boat cruise which is done at the bottom of the falls and downstream Victoria Nile Delta which offer spectacular views of the hippos, Nile crocodiles, buffaloes, elephants, antelopes which will be drinking water on the river banks, bird species like the elusive shoe bill stork, Bird watching which can be done in Rabongo forest, Budongo forest, Nature walk in Budongo forest, Chimpanzee trekking in Kaniyo Pabidi forest where you will get an opportunity to spend one hour with the chimpanzees and also view other primates like olive baboons, red tailed monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys among others. Activities in the park will offer you with incredible and unforgettable experiences on your safari in Uganda.
Where to stay while at Karuma falls
There are a number of up-market and budget accommodation facilities where visitors can stay on their tour at Karuma falls such as Chobe safari lodge, Karuma falls campsite, Red Chilli rest camp, Sambiya River lodge which offer services like free Wi-Fi, some lodges offer free breakfast, restaurant which serves traditional and international dishes among others.
Getting to Karuma falls
Karuma can be accessed by road transport means where visitors will travel from Kampala via Masindi-Gulu highway to Karuma falls which is 255 kilometers and takes about 3 to 4 hours’ drive. Visitors can also use public means of transport like busses which travel from Kampala to Gulu on daily basis, you will get out at Karuma falls which takes 4 hour drive. In case you are travelling from Gulu town to Karuma its 78kilometres which is approximately 1 hour drive, 241 kilometers from Arua town which is about 3 hours drive and 97 kilometers from Masindi town which is equivalent to about1 hour and 30 minutes.
Karuma is one of the beautiful waterfalls in Uganda that can be visited any time throughout the year and also combined with activities in Murchison falls national park to make your safari extraordinary.
