Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls
Queen Elizabeth or Murchison Falls: Which Destination to Explore? The renowned savannah parks in Uganda, where explorers can encounter an array of wildlife, are Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls. Both national parks present incredible chances to encounter wildlife in its natural setting and boast a deep and fascinating history. Both parks offer thrilling game drives, allowing you to spot wildlife from a safari vehicle, along with exhilarating boat excursions, where you can witness massive herds of hippos, buffaloes, and a dazzling array of bird species.
We will strive to offer you a wealth of diverse information in this post, helping you determine which of the two national parks suits you best. Both destinations are worth exploring, and we promise that each experience will be unique and exciting. We trust this post will offer some valuable comparisons to help you make your choice.
WHY QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK
As you may have inferred from its title, Queen Elizabeth National Park is named in her honor. Yet, the park’s past is intertwined with various members of the Royal Families of the United Kingdom. Those eager to witness elephants, hippos, buffaloes, lions, leopards, antelopes, and chimpanzees often embark on thrilling safaris in Queen Elizabeth National Park. The snow-capped peaks of the Rwenzori Mountains create a stunning backdrop for every experience here.
The Mweya Peninsular, Kazinga Channel, and Ishasha Sector in the park are popular spots for wildlife enthusiasts to explore. Ishasha stands out remarkably, as it is the only location in Uganda where you can witness lions that have the ability to climb trees. They are truly captivating.
WHAT MAKES MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK A MUST-VISIT?
Murchison Falls National Park is Uganda’s largest and inaugural national park dedicated to wildlife conservation. The River Nile, home to the Murchison Falls, carves through a 7-meter gap to create one of the world’s most powerful waterfalls, splitting the park into two equal halves.
Murchison Falls National Park is a favorite among both local Ugandans and travelers from around the globe, thanks to its abundant wildlife. Visitors to Murchison Falls can encounter a thrilling array of wildlife, including lions, leopards, buffaloes, elephants, giraffes, crocodiles, and many more. Experience the thrill of spotting animals during wildlife game drives in the park and embark on the famous Nile boat trip, where you will encounter a variety of animals and birds along the banks.
QUEEN ELIZABETH VS MURCHISON FALLS: A COMPARATIVE EXPLORATION
Feathered creatures
In contrast to Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth National Park boasts an impressive array of over 600 unique bird species. Queen Elizabeth is the perfect destination for avid birdwatchers eager to expand their species lists.
However, Murchison Falls presents a greater chance of encountering the elusive shoebill stork. Home to over 1000 bird species, QENP stands out as the premier birding destination in Uganda, showcasing nearly 60% of these incredible creatures in one remarkable location.
Nature’s wonders
The Queen and Murchison Savannah Parks, the top destinations in Uganda, offer incredible opportunities to witness authentic wildlife in their natural habitats. Both parks are teeming with a wide variety of animal species. Ishasha’s Queen Elizabeth National Park boasts lions that can climb trees, while Murchison Falls National Park is inhabited by majestic giraffes.
Exciting boat trip
The boat tours on the Kazinga channel and the River Nile provide an incredible chance to encounter wildlife in the Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls National Parks. The Kazinga channel boat tour journeys from Lake George to Lake Edward, both named in honor of British aristocracy. The boat tour through the Nile delta journeys from Murchison Falls to Lake Albert.
Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls
Boat cruise in Murchison Falls National Park
Stay
In both national parks, you will find a variety of hotels and lodges, all equipped with a solid infrastructure for comfortable stays. There are plenty of choices to explore, whether you are seeking a lavish hotel experience or a night under the stars.
Openness
A 5-hour journey will take you to Queen Elizabeth National Park, located approximately 370 kilometers west of Kampala. On the other hand, the journey to Murchison Falls National Park will span approximately 4 hours, covering a distance of around 307 kilometers. Both parks feature outstanding airfields, and you can easily arrange domestic flights from Kampala, Entebbe, or any other national park in Uganda.
Exciting Places to Explore
Queen Elizabeth boasts a greater array of attractions compared to Murchison. The national parks of Bwindi, Mgahinga, Kibale, Semuliki, and Lake Mburo are all easily accessible from Queen Elizabeth, inviting exploration and excitement. Close to Murchison Falls, you will find the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary and Budongo Woodland.
If you are seeking additional parks and the diverse wildlife they offer, Queen Elizabeth presents a wider array of options. However, Murchison Falls is near Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, the unique place in Uganda where you can experience walking alongside rhinos. Visiting Queen Elizabeth National Park is the perfect option for those eager to encounter wildlife alongside the majestic mountain gorillas in Bwindi.
CONCLUDING REFLECTIONS
The decision rests on individual preferences, whether to explore the wonders of Queen Elizabeth or the breathtaking landscapes of Murchison Falls National Park. Both Queen and Murchison protect remarkable ecosystems that promise to make any journey unforgettable, whether it’s the allure of the Nile or the deep history of the Kazinga channel.
We trust that this post inspires you to consider exploring one of the parks. The perfect plan would involve exploring each national park individually and assessing their unique offerings. Above all, we believe that exploring each national park is made even more exciting by the presence of the others.