Uganda National Parks

Murchison Falls Conservation Area| Africa Adventure Safaris|Wildlife Tour|Uganda Safari

Introduction
Murchison Falls Protected Area (MFPA) comprises of Murchison Falls National Park (MFNP), Bungungu and Karuma Wildlife reserves. Murchison Fall National Park derives its name from the Murchsion Falls where the mighty River  Nile explodes through a narrow gorge and flows down to become a placid river whose banks are thronged with hippos, crocodiles, waterbucks and savannah, riverine forest and woodland. like some some of our uganda national parks Wildlife includes lion, leopards, elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, hartebeests, oribis, Uganda Kobs, chimpanzees and many bird species including the rare shoebill.

Game Drives
In the cool early morning before the sun rises too high, you will see plenty of wildlife on the Buligi, Albert and Queen’s tracks north of the River Nile. At Nyamusika Cliffs you can picnic, enjoy the view and watch elephants and other game on the grassy hillsides. Go well prepared for a four- hour game drive. Ensure you are accompanied by a guide. The best time is 0700hr and 1600hr.

Sport Fishing
Nile Perch and tiger-fish provide an exciting challenge to anglers. Sport fishing is possible in the river sections above and below the falls. Prior booking with the park has to be regulated. Do bring your on fishing equipment. Some boats are available for hire on prior booking

Launch Trips on the Nile
One of the uganda national parks that feature highlights of a visit to Murchison Falls National Park is the launch trip from Paraa to the foot of Murchsion Falls. Hippos and crocodiles are abundant and you will see elephants, buffaloes, waterbucks and variety of birds like herons, cormorants, ducks, bee-eaters, fish eagles, kingfishers and sometimes the rare shoebill. The launch trip from Paraa to the falls (17km) and back takes about three hours. A boat trip from Paraa to the Delta (28km) and back takes about four to five hours and you can see a similar variety animals  and birds. The boat trip is scheduled for 0900 hr and 1400hr everyday. Any special time arrangement can be made with Park management.

Nature Walks
Murchison Falls Protected area offers the opportunity to explore the wild on foot. Animals, birds and plants can be closely and quietly observed. Nature walks are offered at Rabongo Forest, Top of the falls and Kaniyo Pabidi in Budongo forest.

Top of the fall
Trails around the top of the falls go right up to the water’s edge. You have the opportunity to hike to the top of the falls from the boat landing and to get close to the narrow gorge through which the river explodes into the falls. Campsites, picnic sites and walking safaris are available here.

Kaniyo Pabidi
Kaniyo Pabidi is an undisturbed area of natural forest within Budongo Forest reserve, where you can walk beneath mature mahogany and iron wood trees. Chimpanzee tracking is the most famous activity. You certainly see many forest birds, including the chocolate-backed kingfisher, the white –thighed hornbill and puvel’s illadopsis found nowhere else in East Africa. Kaniyo Pabidi is on Masindi- Paraa road, 8 kms from Kichumbanyobo gate. There is a campsite where water and firewood are available. Kaniyo Pabidi is managed by the National Forestry Authority.

Rabongo Forest
Rabongo Forest Ecotourism Centre is situated in an island of tropical riverine forest in the southeast of the Protected Area. The forest is surrounded by savannah grassland and is 11/2 hour drive from Paraa. Guide will help you explore the forest on foot, spotting primates like black ad white colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, baboons and occasionally chimpanzees, identifying animals, birds, medicinal plants and trees. You can picnic and camp by the Wairingo River. The place is also ideal for student groups.

Access
By road from Kampala through Masindi (via Kichumbanyobo gate), Paraa is a 41/2 hours drive, 2 hours on tarmac and 2 ½ hours on murram roads. A four wheel drive is recommended. The ferry at Paraa operates on scheduled time between the southern and northern bank of river Nile.
By air: Charter services are available to all-weather aerodromes at Pakuba about 19 kms northwest of Paraa and Bugungu 13 kms from Paraa.

Distances (km)
From Paraa Park Office to:
Rubongo forest ------------------------------------------------67
Nyamusika cliffs-------------------------------------------------14
Top of falls (by road)-------------------------------------------34
Top of falls (by water)-----------------------------------------17
Kichumbanyobo gate-------------------------------------------69
Bugungu gate----------------------------------------------------15
Tangi gate--------------------------------------------------------25
Bottom of falls----------------------------------------------------14
The Delta--------------------------------------------------------- 28
Bottom of falls to Albert Delta--------------------------------- 55
Red Chilli Rest Camp---------------------------------------------0.6
Paraa Safari Lodge----------------------------------------------- 02
Sambiya River Lodge----------------------------------------------25
Nile Safari Camp-------------------------------------------------- 22

From Paraa to Masindi Via:
Kichumbanyobo gate----------------------------------------------86
Bungungu gate-----------------------------------------------------136

From Paraa to Kampala via:

Kichumbanyobo gate-----------------------------------------------304
Bugungu gate--------------------------------------------------------353

Accommodation
Campsites are available at the Top of the falls, Rabongo Forest, Paraa and delta area. Toilets or pit latrines/ showers or bathing shelters are provided at these sites. Traditional and self-contained bandas are available at Red Chilli Rest Camp. Meals and beverages are offered. In addition, luxurious accommodation is available at Nile Safari camp, Sambiya River Lodge and Paraa Safari lodges.

Facts about the conservation area

• Mean temperature; high 29oClow 21oC.
• Dry seasons: mid-December to mid-February, June and July.
• Wettest months: April and November
• Altitude: 619 m at the delta and 1,292 m at Rabongo hill.
• Total area of MFPA: 5025 KM2, (MFNP 3,877SQ KM, Bugungu Wildlife Reserve 473 sq km, Karuma Wildlife Reserve 675 sq km).
• Wildlife 76 mammal species and 450 bird species.

Dos and Don’ts while in the Park

• Enter the Protected Area through Kichumbanyobo, Bugungu or Tangi gate.
• Retain all official receipts issued for park activities
• Drive only on designated roads.
• Do not sound your horn.
• Walk only on designated campsites.
• Do not pick flowers, do not cut plants nor destroy any vegetation
• Dogs or any other domestic animals are not allowed in the Protected Area.
• Fire arm and ammunition are not allowed in the Protected Area
• Do not litter
• Drive only between 6:30 am and 6:30 pm
• Light fires only at the fire rings at the campsites