Uganda Game Drive Safari in Murchison Falls National Park.
Game Drive in Murchison Falls National Park: Murchison Falls National Park is the largest protected area in Uganda and an essential stop on the tourist trail in the country. Located in the northwest of Uganda, the park has a wealth of wildlife and amazing scenery. There are over 76 mammal species in the park, including elephants, buffalo, lions, leopards, Uganda kobs, waterbucks, Jackson’s hartebeest, warthogs, bushbucks, giraffes, hyenas and hippos. There are also a good number of primates, including chimpanzees, red-tailed monkeys, black and white colobus and L’Hoest monkeys. In addition, the park features over 450 species of birds, providing a good opportunity to see African birds along with Uganda wildlife safaris.
One of the best activities for tourists to do at Murchison Falls National Park is a game drive safari. It is here that visitors are able to venture out across the vast savannah plains in the comfort of 4WD pop-up safari vehicles, accompanied by knowledgeable driver guides. You can expect to see large herds of elephants and buffalo, especially in the northern part of the park and the banks of the river, where the Murchison Falls game drive is the most productive.
Game drives in the park are usually in the morning and afternoon. Morning game drives start at around 6:30 am and make for great wildlife watching during the cool part of the day. The afternoon game drive departs at around 4:00 pm, giving you a chance to enjoy wildlife when animals tend to be more active in the late afternoon. These thrilling safaris are included in the best Uganda wildlife safari, and they offer an unforgettable experience for wildlife enthusiasts and adventure seekers.
On your game drive in Murchison Falls Park, you will have the chance to visit multiple game tracks, including, among others, the Albert Track, Buligi and Victoria Track. These routes offer excellent chances for Uganda wildlife safaris and game drive safaris. You’ll have the chance to spot animals such as buffaloes, waterbucks, elephants, giraffes, warthogs, Uganda kobs, lions, leopards, hyenas, bushbucks and Jackson’s hartebeest. Additionally, game drives in Murchison Falls also offer an opportunity to see other primate species such as baboons and various bird species like bee-eaters and Egyptian plovers, among others. This experience in the vast biodiversity of Murchison Falls National Park makes it a top choice for Uganda wildlife safaris.
Night drives are available at Murchison Falls National Park too, and you will have the chance to roam on the savannah grasslands with spotlight torches providing good light for you to watch nocturnal animals. During the night game drive, which starts in the evening after dinner, you will have an armed Uganda Wildlife Authority ranger guide at your side to assist and protect you while you are viewing animals you wouldn’t be able to see in the daytime, like lions, leopards, hyenas, porcupines, civets, genets, bush babies, nightjars, and view hippos feeding at night, and enjoy beautiful views of the moonlight and much more.
Vehicles to use for game drives in Murchison Falls National Park
Game drive safaris in Murchison Falls National Park offer a range of vehicle options for visitors, allowing you to find the perfect vehicle for your needs and comfort while experiencing the astounding wildlife of Uganda. The most common type of vehicle is 4WD (four-wheel drive) safari vehicles, which are built for the road less travelled, and they come with excellent visibility for wildlife viewing. These are purpose-built safari vans with a pop-up roof that enable unobstructed wildlife viewing and photography.
Other popular Land Cruiser options, known for their reliability and comfort on Uganda wildlife safaris, are the standard Land Cruiser, the armoured Land Cruiser and the extended Land Cruiser. For larger groups, coasters and similar vehicles can be hired, but the thrill of discovering the park’s incense-soaked secrets on a bike or a simple two-seater doesn’t get old.
Best time for game drives in Murchison Falls National Park
The best game drive time in Murchison Falls is during the dry season in the following months: July, August, September, December, January and February. You can go on a wildlife safari all year round, but the best time to see the animals is during the dry season. The vegetation is less dense and shorter during this time because of the decrease in the rains, making it easier to spot animals.
And many animals gather at waterholes to drink, which makes for great opportunities to see and photograph wildlife. If you want to combine the Uganda wildlife safaris and game drive safaris for an exciting visit, schedule your visit during the dry season so you have better opportunities to see the widest variety of animals in their natural environment.
Other activities to do while on a Uganda safari in Murchison Falls National Park
Launch trip
A boat cruise is one of the best ways to enjoy the Nile River during Uganda wildlife safaris, and Abidi, along with game drive safaris, can be combined in Murchison Falls National Park. The cruise departs from Para Jetty and takes visitors to the base of the majestic Murchison Falls. This scenic two-hour cruise provides many chances to see wildlife such as elephants and crocodiles drinking at the riverbanks.
You will also have the opportunity to view many bird species and hear the sound of the waterfall. For birders, the Delta cruise is simply the best way to see a number of bird species. You can go on a boat trip as a group or book a private boat for your tour.
Hike to the top of the falls
A hike to the top of the falls is a must for visitors on Uganda wildlife safaris in Murchison Falls National Park. It is a picturesque trek starting beneath the falls, following a boat trip on the Nile River, typically taking 1 hour.
The path leads you to an overlook to watch the roaring Nile as it rushes between the tiny 7-metre gorge. The hike is a great photo opportunity and a near-up-close encounter with one of the most amazing natural phenomena in Uganda.
Sport fishing
The lower Murchison Falls is a great spot for fishing in Uganda. Giant Nile perch (over 200 lbs.) can still be taken in this portion of the Nile. The tiger fish and tilapia are lbs. Other common species are caught here. You can fish on the River Nile by boat or fish from the bottom of Murchison Falls and throw your line. You can also fish at the Karuma Falls or in a pool on the side of the river.
Guests must obtain a fishing permit and bring their own equipment. You have to catch some smaller fish first and use them as bait to catch the Nile perch. Fishing can be done during game drives and boat rides in our 4-day Murchison Falls wildlife safari package.
Birdwatching
When it comes to birdwatching in Uganda, Murchison Falls Park ranks among the top. You could do it from a safari vehicle or on a walking safari. Being a vast park, Murchison Falls has endless birding opportunities and places to go. It may begin at your lodge door, then go on to the Savannah grasslands, the woods and the River Nile. Birdwatching may be practised at the Kaniyo Pabidi forest area.
Some of the birds in the park are Abdim’s Stork, Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, African Darter, African Fish Eagle, African Jacana, African Quail-Finch, African Skimmer, Bar-breasted Firefinch, Beautiful Sunbird, Black Crake, Black Scimitarbill, Black-billed Barbet, Black-billed Wood-Dove, Black-faced Waxbill, Black-headed Batis, Black-headed Gondola, Black-headed Gonolek, Black-headed Plover, Black-lored Babbler, Blue-headed Coucal, Blue-naped Moosebird, Bluff-bellied Warbler, Chestnut-crowned Sparrow Weaver, among others.
Where to stay in Murchison Falls National Park
There are numerous Murchison Falls National Park lodges and camps to stay in during a safari. These accommodations are budget, midrange and luxury and include Chobe Safari Lodge, Nile Safari Lodge, Pakuba Safari Lodge, Parkside Safari Lodge, Paraa Safari Lodge, Heritage Safari Lodge, Twiga Safari Lodge, Sambiya River Lodge, Budongo Eco Lodge, Fort Murchison Lodge, Murchison River Lodge, Murchison Tree House, Geo Lodges Nile Safari Lodge, Amuka Safari Lodge, Boomu Women’s Group Bandas, Tembo Safari Camp, Kabalega Wilderness Lodge, Kalalo Cottage Inn, Red Chilli Rest Camp and Uganda Wildlife Campsite, to name a few.
How to Get to Murchison Falls National Park
By Road: You can drive to Murchison Falls National Park on the main road circuit via the Kampala-Masindi highway, then turn off at the park. Alternatively, you can take the Kampala-Gulu highway, then connect to the park via Pakuba.
By Air: Murchison Falls National Park can be reached by air on organised daily charter flights for those wishing to visit this park by air. Aero Link Uganda Limited and Fly Uganda are among the domestic airlines which provide scheduled flights to Murchison Falls National Park. Flights are either from Entebbe International Airport or Kajansi Airfield; flights are to Pakuba or Chobe Airstrip. From there, you will drive to your lodge in Murchison Falls National Park, which could take you up to 1:30 minutes depending on your lodging arrangements.
For more exciting and unique experiences, game drives in Murchison Falls National Park can be combined with chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest National Park. For further information, kindly get in touch with us at Chopper Tours and Travel or visit our website to book a budget-friendly Uganda safari package.
