Murchison Falls Overview
Murchison Falls National Park, located in northwestern Uganda, is one of the country’s oldest and largest conservation areas, covering approximately 3,840 square kilometers (1,480 square miles). Established in 1952, the park is named after its most famous feature, Murchison Falls, where the mighty Nile River explodes through a narrow gorge only 7 meters wide before plunging 43 meters down, creating one of the most powerful natural water flows anywhere on Earth. This dramatic spectacle forms the heart of the park and is a highlight for visitors.
The park’s landscape is incredibly diverse, ranging from dense rainforests in the south, home to chimpanzees and other primates, to vast savannahs in the north, where visitors can spot four of the “Big Five” – lions, leopards, elephants, and buffalo. The Nile itself, bisecting the park from east to west, is teeming with hippos, crocodiles, and a variety of waterbirds, making boat trips along the river a must-do activity for an up-close experience with the park’s aquatic life.
Murchison Falls National Park is also renowned for its rich biodiversity. In addition to the large mammals, the park is a haven for bird watchers, with over 450 recorded bird species, including the rare shoebill stork. The park’s varied ecosystems provide habitats for numerous other species, making it a critical area for biodiversity conservation in Uganda.
Tourism activities in Murchison Falls National Park include game drives across the rolling savannahs, boat cruises to the foot of Murchison Falls, nature walks, bird watching, and cultural encounters with local communities. The park also offers a range of accommodations, from luxury lodges to tented camps, catering to all preferences and allowing visitors to immerse themselves fully in the natural beauty and tranquility of the area.
With its breathtaking landscapes, abundant wildlife, and the majestic Murchison Falls, Murchison Falls National Park offers an unforgettable safari experience, showcasing the best of Uganda’s natural heritage.
Park Map
Murchison Falls National Park Highlights
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Engaging Murchison Falls
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Sources
- Africa Geographic Travel, Murchison Falls National Park, https://travel.africageographic.com/destinations/uganda/murchison-falls-national-park/#information, retrieved March 2023.
- Britannica, Murchison Falls National Park, https://www.britannica.com/place/Murchison-Falls-National-Park, retrieved March 2023.
- Global Conservation, Murchison Falls National Park, https://globalconservation.org/projects/murchison-falls-national-park-uganda/, retrieved March 2023.
- Lonely Planet, Murchison Falls National Park, https://www.lonelyplanet.com/uganda/northern-uganda/murchison-falls-national-park, retrieved March 2023.
- Murchison Falls National Park, park site, https://www.murchisonfallsnationalpark.com/, retrieved March 2023.
- Murchison Falls Park, national park, https://www.murchisonfallsparkuganda.com/information/hiking-and-nature-walks%EF%BB%BF/, retrieved March 2023.
- Uganda Wildlife Authority, Murchison Falls National Park, https://www.ugandawildlife.org/explore-our-parks/parks-by-name-a-z/murchison-falls-national-park, retrieved March 2023.