Soaring adventure to Murchison Falls National Park
Embark on a flying safari to Murchison Falls National Park, the second largest and one of the most frequented protected areas nestled in the northwestern region of Uganda, specifically in Masindi district. The national park, established in 1952, boasts a vibrant array of mammal species such as buffaloes, lions, leopards, elephants, giraffes, Uganda kobs, waterbucks, warthogs, Jackson’s hartebeest, duikers, hippos, oribi, and various primates including chimpanzees, black and white colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, and vervet monkeys, along with more than 450 bird species.
Several companies offer both scheduled and charter domestic flights to Murchison Falls National Park every day, including Aerolink Uganda and Bar Aviation. Daily flights to Murchison Falls National Park take off from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airfield around noon, landing at Pakuba, Chobe, or Bugungu airstrips by 1:00 PM. Travelers have the option to take flights from Kasese airstrip, Apoka airstrip in Kidepo, Kihihi airstrip, and Kisoro airstrip to Murchison Falls National Park. As you touch down in Murchison Falls National Park, a driver guide from Achieve Global Safaris will be eagerly awaiting your arrival at the airstrip to whisk you away to the lodge, setting the stage for an exhilarating safari experience ahead.
In addition to air travel, Murchison Falls National Park can be reached by road, where you’ll embark on an exciting journey from Kampala or Entebbe through Masindi, ultimately arriving at the park headquarters. This adventure typically takes around 6 to 7 hours in a safari vehicle. There are a variety of thrilling activities awaiting you during your safari, including,
Exciting experiences to enjoy during your flying safari to Murchison Falls National Park
Exciting excursions through the wild
Embarking on a game drive in Murchison Falls National Park offers an exhilarating chance to discover the park’s wonders from the comfort of a pop-up safari vehicle. Embarking on game drives in Murchison Falls National Park offers thrilling opportunities, whether you choose to venture out at the crack of dawn when the wildlife is bustling with energy, during the afternoon, or under the stars at night to catch a glimpse of the elusive nocturnal creatures. On the game drives, you will encounter a variety of wildlife, including buffaloes, elephants, waterbucks, lions, leopards, Jackson’s hartebeest, giraffes, oribi, bushbucks, Uganda kobs, and hyenas, among others.
Embark on a thrilling boat cruise
A boat cruise offers an exhilarating experience in Murchison Falls National Park that you can dive into during your safari. In Murchison Falls National Park, you can embark on two exhilarating boat cruises: the Nile Delta boat cruise and the journey to the base of the falls. On the boat cruise, you will encounter hippos and Nile crocodiles gliding through the water, spot animals along the shores, and observe various water birds, among other exciting sights.
Sport fishing
Sport fishing is an exhilarating activity in Murchison Falls National Park, primarily taking place at the base of the falls, whether from a boat drifting down the stream or from the rocky banks of the Nile. In your sport fishing experience, you will have the chance to reel in a variety of fish, including Nile perch, tiger fish, and catfish, among others.
Exploring the world of birds
Murchison Falls National Park boasts an impressive array of over 450 bird species, including water birds, savannah birds, forest birds, and endemic birds, establishing it as one of the premier birding destinations in Uganda. While exploring the wonders of bird watching in Murchison Falls National Park, you will be guided by an expert who will assist you in discovering a variety of bird species. Keep your eyes peeled for the elusive Shoebill Stork, African Jacana, Black-billed Barbet, Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, Black-headed Lapwing, Grey Crowned Crane, Red-throated Bee-eater, Squacco Heron, Secretary Bird, Giant Kingfisher, Palm-nut Vulture, Denham’s Bustard, Blue-headed Coucal, Malachite Kingfisher, Swamp Flycatcher, Silver Bird, Martial Eagle, Long-toed Plover, Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird, and many more.
Chimpanzee exploration
Chimpanzee trekking is an exhilarating experience that takes place in Budongo forest, beginning bright and early with a briefing on the rules, regulations, and expectations at the park headquarters. Following the briefing, you will embark on a trek through the forest, lasting anywhere from 2 to 5 hours, as the chimpanzees tend to roam in search of food. While trekking, you will encounter various primate species and birds, and when you locate the chimpanzees, you will have the opportunity to spend an hour with them in their natural environment. This experience allows you to observe their behaviors and habits, watch them feed, play, rest, breastfeed, and capture photos and videos.
Embarking on a thrilling aerial journey to Murchison Falls National Park
Budongo Chimps
Ideal moments to explore Murchison Falls National Park
Murchison Falls National Park welcomes visitors throughout the year, but the prime time to explore is during the dry season from June to September and December to February. During these months, rainfall is minimal, leading to shorter vegetation and drawing numerous animals to the water bodies. This creates an excellent opportunity for clear and abundant wildlife viewing. In the dry season, the hiking and trekking trails become accessible, making the experience of chimpanzee trekking a thrilling endeavor.
Murchison Falls National Park is a fantastic destination to explore during the rainy season, from March to May and October to November. This period offers the perfect opportunity for bird watching, allowing you to encounter a variety of bird species in their natural habitat.
Where to rest during your thrilling journey in Murchison Falls National Park
Murchison Falls National Park offers a variety of accommodation options to suit every traveler’s needs, from budget-friendly spots to luxurious retreats. You can choose to stay at places like Nile Safari Lodge, Chobe Safari Lodge, Twiga Safari Lodge, and many more, including Pakuba Safari Lodge, Paraa Safari Lodge, and Murchison River Lodge. Other options include Murchison Falls Bamboo Village, Sambiya River Lodge, Kabalega Wilderness Lodge, and Red Chilli Rest Camp. For those seeking a more communal experience, there are Murchison Backpackers, Fort Murchison Lodge, and Murchison Giraffe Camp, as well as Ikorom Safari Lodge, Murchison Bush Lodge, and Bwana Tembo Safari Camp. You can also explore unique stays like Boomu Women’s Group Bandas, Geo Lodges Nile Safari Lodge, Heritage Safari Lodge, and Budongo Eco Lodge, along with Bar Lyec Safari Lodge, among others.
For additional details regarding the flying safari to Murchison Falls National Park,