Alien Safaris Uganda, Uganda Safaris

Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison falls National Park is Uganda's largest park with an area of 3840SqKm protecting a chunk of untamed African savannah bisected by the mighty River Nile. It is named the Murchison falls where the world's longest river explodes violently through a narrow cleft in the rift valley escarpment to plunge into a frothing pool 45meters below.

Wildlife population have largely recovered from the poaching of the 1980s in the lush borassus grassland to the north of the Nile,Elephants, Buffalo, Giraffe and a variety of Antelopes are regularly encountered on a game drive while Lions are seen with increasing frequency and many more.

In the South East, Bundongo Forest is a home to Chimps and other rainforest creatures.
The Nile itself hosts one of Africa's densest Hippos and Crocodiles populations and dazzling variety of water birds including the world’s most rare Shoebill Stork.

ANIMALS AND BIRDS
The Nile River calms itself after the falls into a rather more gentile flow and the best way to experience the abundance of animal and bird life along its banks.
The river is full of unbelievably large Nile crocodiles which sunbathe on rocks and display their entire 15-foot (4½ metre) reptilian bodies.
Occupying the same waterway are thousands of pink-eared hippos who take defending their territories seriously and can startle you with a sudden mock charge.

Buffaloes wade nonchalantly through the prolific floating water hyacinth fringing the banks, and huge herds of over 100 elephants cool themselves in shallow creeks and graze silently on the lush grasses.
The park is also home to giraffe, oribi, hartebeest, waterbuck and Uganda kob.

During the boat excursion your senses are bombarded with such diversity, it is hard to know where to look.
It is a bird spotters’ paradise and is especially good for seeing the bizarre looking and very rare shoebill (or whale-headed) stork.
It stands alone four-feet high (over 1 meter), with a head like a wobbly wooden mallet and a timid pouting expression. It is almost matched in height by the goliath heron, who appears elegant in comparison.

LOCATION AND DISTANCES
The Park is located in the Northwest approximately 90km from Masindi town.
It is 5-6 hours drive from Kampala to Masindi on a tarmac road passing through Kichumbanyobo gate. or by charter flight.

Kampala-Para via Kichumbanyobo gate via Bugungu gate 353km
Masindi via Bugungu gate 136km
Para to top of the falls 35km
Para to Bugungu gate 13km (rift valley)
Para to Tangi gate 25km (North bank).

ACTIVITIES CARRIED OUT
• Game viewing
• Launch Trip to the base of the falls.
• Bird watching
• Chimp tracking at Budongo forest.
• Nature walks to the top of the falls.
ACCOMODATION FACILITIES
1. Sambiya River Lodge
2. Nile Safari Lodge
3. Chobe Safari Lodge
4. Red Chilli Camp
5. Busingiro Eco Tourism Site
6. Kaniyo Pabidi Camp
7. Shoebill Campsite
8. Para Safari Lodge
SEASONS
Dry Season: June to September is the driest time when most animals remain near water, but be prepared for afternoon thunderstorms at any time.

The hot dry time is January to February and is a good time to visit. Dry season temperatures average 80°F (25°C).

Rainy Season: It rains anytime from October to December and March to May when many roads become impassible.

FACTS
The national parks covers 600 miles² (1,500 km²)

The Nile's flow is dam regulated so the water levels remain more or less constant throughout the year.