The Murchison Falls National Park, also known as the Kabalega National Park. It is popularly known for having the most powerful waterfall in the world.
It releases vast amounts of water around 300 cubic meters per second or 11,000 ft3/s at a very high pressure that causes the atmosphere to roar.
The first park to be opened in 1927 was in Uganda and it is still the largest Park covering a surface area of 3,893 km2. It is a regular safari destination of most Uganda safari tours itineraries. This is due to its numerous safari activities and rich wildlife.
Location | North Western Uganda |
Size | 3,893 km² |
Bird Species | 451 |
Established | 1952 |
Mammal Species | 76 |
Named after? | Roderick Murchison (Baker named the falls Murchison Falls after the geologist Roderick Murchison, then the president of the Royal Geographical Society.) |
In northern Uganda, northwest of the capital Kampala, is the location of Murchison Falls National Park. It stretches to border a number of districts within and outside the Bunyoro escarpment. These include Nwoya, Masindi, Kiryandongo and Bulisa.
It is positioned on the northernmost point of the Albertine Rift Valley, with the Victoria Nile bisecting its terrain.
Murchison Falls National Park Map
When we talk about Murchison Falls National Park animals, it is home to more than 76 animals species among which are four the ‘Big Five’ including buffaloes, leopards, lions and elephants (except rhinos).
The park has three-quarters of the world’s population of Rothschild giraffes plus a healthy population of herbivores which has recently doubled including the Uganda Kobs all of which can easily be seen on the Wildlife Safari Tours here.
There are various primates living within its verdant forests like the Budongo among are over 610 chimpanzees, in addition to 451 bird species including 23 Albertine rift endemics.
Read more about Murchison falls national park.
Africa, Uganda, Woman looks at the stunning Murchison Falls, on the Nile, Murchison Falls National Park
Launch Trip: This 2 hour launch trip begins at Paraa and offers holidaymakers an opportunity to see various wildlife including large numbers of giant crocodiles, hippos and various birds like the rare shoe-bill stork. This offers great photographic opportunities
Game Drives: These are conducted early morning as well as in the early evening offering you a chance to enjoy up-close views of the different animals. The Delta area, Buligi Penisular and the southern sector are the main game viewing areas
Cultural experience: Enjoy thrilling energetic cultural dances by the Mubako as you sit by a campfire, village tours to see the traditional lifestyle of the locals and the crafts shop by the Boomu Women’s Group
Bird Watching: With various species including Albertine Rift endemics, water birds and savanna forest birds. Birders will surely be well rewarded. Bird watching can be done during the launch cruise and game drives.
Nature Walks & Hikes: The park offers several trails that can be explored on foot through the Rabongo and Kaniyo Pabidi forests to see birds and primates
Weather & Climate of Murchison Falls National Park
Murchison Falls has a consistently hot climate, the minimal variation in temperature due to the park’s equatorial setting. It does, however, get noticeably hotter during the relatively brief Dry season (December to February).
Light rain is the order of the day in the Wet season (March to November), with the occasional tempest blowing through. Temperatures are also affected by the wide variation in altitude across the park.
The climate in Murchison Falls is tropical and hot. Temperatures are quite uniform throughout the year. Daytime temperatures of around 31°C/88°F are common, with it cooling down at night to around 18°C/64°F.
The Wet season runs from March to November, with a drier period from June to July. There is little rain during the Dry season (December to February).
Dry season – December to February
Wet season – March to November
Best Time to Visit Muchison Falls National Park
Wildlife spotting is easiest in the Dry season (December to February), when animals congregate at waterholes and there’s little undergrowth for them to hide in. But bring a broad-brim hat and plenty of sunscreen to ward off the fierce sunshine.
Most visitors tend to go in search of lions, elephants and other animals from June to September, when it’s cooler and the rain isn’t that bothersome.
Watching wildlife in Murchison Falls National Park is generally good and at its best during the Dry season, from December to February. However, January and February can be very hot and scenery is more beautiful during the Wet season from June to November.
Murchison Falls National Park Frequent Asked Questions
What is Murchison Falls known for?
Also known as the Kabalega National Park, the Murchison Falls National Park is popularly known for having the world’s most powerful waterfall that emits large volumes of water about 300 cubic meters per second or 11,000 ft³/s at a very powerful pressure that cause the surrounding to tremble.
Is Murchison Falls the most powerful waterfall in the world?
Murchison Falls National Park is famously known for having the most powerful waterfall in the world, where the longest river in the world squeezes through a 7-meter gap and then drops down 45 meters. … These majestic animals can live for around 20 years and can grow up to 6 meters tall.
How do I get to Murchison Falls National Park?
Murchison Falls National Park can also be entered via the Chobe, Wankwar, Mubako and Tangi gates north of the Nile. These are reached from the Kampala-Pakwach Road which crosses the Nile at Karuma Falls Bridge in the northeastern corner of the park, 260km from Kampala.
Why visit Murchison Falls National Park?
Uganda’s largest park, the wild and beautiful Murchison Falls National Park offers breath taking scenery of palm-dotted hills, swamps, riverine woodland and forest, East Africa’s most dramatic waterfall, and a remarkable diversity of wildlife on land and in the Victoria Nile, which teems with hippos and crocodiles.
How old is Murchison Falls National Park?
First gazetted as a game reserve in 1926, it is Uganda’s largest and oldest conservation area, hosting 76 species of mammals and 451 birds.
Which river is Murchison Falls located in?
Murchison Falls, Murchison also called Kabalega or Kabarega, waterfall on the lower Victoria Nile River in northwestern Uganda, 20 miles (32 km) east of Lake Albert.
Which river is Murchison Falls located in?
Murchison Falls, Murchison also called Kabalega or Kabarega, waterfall on the lower Victoria Nile River in northwestern Uganda, 20 miles (32 km) east of Lake Albert.
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