Attractions near Murchison Falls Uganda

Top Attractions

Murchison Falls Uganda, is home to many unique wonders and top attractions in Africa. It’s the oldest and biggest national park in Uganda. Attractions in the park include:

  • Paraa
  • River Nile
  • Murchison Falls
  • Albert Delta
  • Buligi Peninsula
  • Heart of Murchison
  • Karuma Falls
  • Budongo Forest Reserve
  • Rabongo Forest
  • Kaniyo Pabidi Forest
murchison falls kabalega falls

Paraa

Murchison Falls and Paraa go hand in hand. It’s rare to visit this national park and not reach Paraa, a key tourism center in Murchison. The word Paraa means place of hippos in the Luo language. You can see groups of hippos in the Victoria Nile while enjoying a boat cruise safari.

Paraa, located on the banks of the Victoria Nile, is of great importance. Paraa bridges Masindi Road (southern bank) to Pakwach Road (northern bank).

It’s also famous as the starting point for boat trips to Murchison Falls and the Albert Delta. Most lodges in Murchison Falls are close to Paraa, making it a great hub for top attractions in the park.

River Nile

The longest river in the world, the Nile, flows from Uganda to Egypt. It covers over 6,600 kilometers (4,100 miles) before reaching the Mediterranean Sea. In Murchison, there are several falls along the Nile. Murchison Falls and Karuma Falls are the most notable. These falls form as the Nile exits its source in Jinja City, Uganda.

John Hanning Speke claimed in 1863 that Lake Victoria is the source of the Nile. But, rivers like Semuliki and Kagera are contributing sources too. Visiting Jinja City to see how the Nile flows from Lake Victoria to Egypt is a must during a Uganda safari.

In the Murchison Falls Conservation Area, two different boat trips leave from Paraa. One goes upriver. The other heads downstream to the Lake Albert delta. This delta is home to wildlife like the threatened shoebill. Boat safaris along the Nile in Murchison leave at 9 am and 2 pm daily.

Murchison Falls Uganda

These falls, once known as Kabalega Falls, are a stunning waterfall on the Victoria Nile. They rush through a 7-meter-wide gorge and drop 43 meters into the “Devil’s Cauldron,” making a roar.

Typical Murchison Falls National Park safaris feature a hike to the falls’ viewpoint. They also include a boat cruise upstream from Paraa. A safari car or boat in Murchison can take you to the top of the Murchison Falls viewing point.

A boat safari on the Nile is magical. You can see how the river pushes through rocks to form a waterfall. Elephants, crocodiles, hippos, buffalo, and many water birds are always along the banks.

Murchison Falls – Lake Albert Delta

This delta, filled with several rivers from the Victoria Nile, flows into Lake Albert. Then, it flows out to create the Albert Nile. The Albert Nile and the Victoria Nile both combine to form the White Nile in Uganda. The White Nile joins the Blue Nile waters, descending to a final destination in North Africa.

Murchison Falls-Albert Delta wetland is a globally protected area. It covers 17,293 hectares. The Albert Delta is a Ramsar site in Murchison Falls National Park. This delta has plants and animals, especially birds. This area is an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) in Uganda.

The Albert Delta is a strategic breeding area for fish in Uganda. Fish stocks in Lake Albert rely on the wetland system. This system stretches from the park near Murchison Falls to the Albert Delta. Birds like the saddle-billed stork and shoebill also breed in the Albert Delta.

Buligi Peninsula in Murchison Falls Uganda

The Peninsula is an open grassland above the Victoria Nile. It borders the Albert Delta wetland. Many animals thrive in Buligi, making it a top spot in Murchison for game viewing and drives. The delta is a stable and reliable water source for Buligi animals, and it never dries up, even during the dry season. Buligi game tracks are best explored during a day game drive and a hot air balloon safari in Murchison.

Buligi Peninsula is a vibrant home for wildlife in Murchison. This top game-viewing area hosts:

Elephants, crocodiles, hippos, lions, leopards, buffalo, warthogs, giraffes, antelopes, and more.

Buligi circuit offers a long drive for adventure seekers. Those seeking an extended game drive in this national park. It includes tracks like Albert, Victoria, Research, and Commonwealth.

Heart of Murchison

Another spot to check out is Heart of Murchison. It’s found below Victoria Nile in Murchison Falls National Park. The savanna from Rabongo Road to Victoria Nile has great game drives, right behind Buligi. Giraffes, lions, Uganda Kobs, among others, are present in this part of the park. This part of the park is near Honeymoon Track.

Rabongo Forest

Rabongo Forest, an evergreen area northeast of Kaniyo Pabidi, is vital for biodiversity. It shares an ecosystem with Kaniyo Pabidi and Budongo forests. All are part of the Murchison Falls Conservation Area. The dominant tree species here is Uganda Ironwood (Cynometra alexandri). Major activities include nature walks, butterfly watching, and birdwatching. You can reach this small tropical forest via the Masindi–Paraa road.

The Rabongo River plays a key role in the wildlife of this natural forest. Many plants and animals rely on the river for food and shelter. Butterflies, primates, and birds are permanent residents in this lush forest of Murchison Falls Uganda.

Bird watching is popular in Rabongo. Common species include the Shining Blue Kingfisher and the African Finfoot. Camping offers a great option for nature lovers wanting to spend a night in this vibrant forest.

Kaniyo Pabidi Forest

Kaniyo Pabidi Forest lies northeast of Budongo Forest Reserve. This ecotourism site is a tropical forest south of Murchison Falls National Park. It is accessible via the Masindi–Paraa road. The main tree species are ironwood and mahogany.

Kaniyo Pabidi is home to primates. You can find chimpanzees, baboons, blue monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, and vervet monkeys there. You can also spot buffalo, warthogs, and antelopes. Notable birds include the White-thighed Hornbill, Yellow-footed Flycatcher, Ituri Batis, and Chocolate-backed Kingfisher.

Popular activities in Kaniyo Pabidi are;

  • Chimpanzee trekking,
  • Bird watching,
  • Chimpanzee habituation and nature walks.

Ecotourism activities offered by local organizations include

  • Community walks
  • Camping
  • Craft making and
  • Cooking African foods.

The Boomu Women’s Group Bandas showcase authentic African culture. The Asera Azora Women’s Group also promotes local ecotourism.

Budongo Forest

To the southwest of Murchison Falls lies Budongo Forest Reserve. This tropical forest has Africa’s tallest trees. The East African mahogany (Khaya anthotheca) grows over 81 meters high. It is Uganda’s tallest tree. The dominant species is Cynometra alexandri, known as Uganda Ironwood. Other common trees include Ficus and Celtis.

In Budongo, you find many primates and birds. Chimpanzees, black-and-white colobus monkeys, and red-tailed monkeys feed on Celtis and Ficus trees.

Top activities in Budongo Forest Reserve include

  • Chimpanzee tracking
  • Forest hikes,
  • Bird watching, and
  • Chimpanzee habituation.

Stay at Budongo Eco Lodge if you want to enjoy the fresh forest air. The lodge is a peaceful retreat away from busy cities.

Karuma Falls: An Impressive Waterfall near Murchison Falls Uganda.

On the Kampala-Gulu highway, as you head to northern Murchison Falls or Gulu City, you’ll see Karuma Falls. This giant waterfall is part of the Victoria Nile. The river flows over Karuma rocks, dropping several meters to create stunning falls.

The Karuma Power Station, fed by these falls, has boosted Karuma town’s growth. Tourists on a Murchison Falls safari usually choose to stay in or near Karuma town.

At Karuma, you can spot olive baboons and various birds. Fishing trips are also possible with local tour operators. Nearby, Chobe offers fly-in options and upscale lodging within Murchison Falls National Park.