Budget Safaris to Murchison Falls National Park.
Are you planning a trip to see the strongest waterfalls in the world and wondering if you can get budget safaris to Murchison Falls National Park? Look no further, this blog will guide you on the things to do and where to stay while on a low-budget safari. Murchison Falls National Park is one of the most visited national parks in Uganda, found in the northwest region.
The park is known for its strongest waterfalls ‘’Murchison Falls’’ in the whole world, which attracts thousands of tourists across the world to witness as the River Nile squeezes itself into a 7 meter narrow gorge before plunging 43 meters down the Devil’s Cauldron, creating a booming sound and a mist that fills the air. It also has a rich biodiversity hosting over 144 mammal species like elephants, giraffes, leopards, waterbucks, hippos, Uganda kobs, hyenas, buffalo and over 453 bird species, including migratory birds, forest birds, and aquatic birds. This rich biodiversity contributes to various budget-friendly activities that travellers on budget safaris to Murchison Falls National Park can enjoy.
For the best deals, budget travellers should consider visiting during the low season, which runs from March to May and from October to November. During these times, lodges and local tour operators often offer discounts on their packages. Additionally, travellers can save more by using road transport instead of flying, as it is generally less expensive. For budget-friendly accommodation options, travellers can choose from various facilities, including Hornbill Bush Lodge, Red Chilli Rest Camp, Budongo Eco Lodge, Parkside Safari Lodge, Heritage Safari Lodge, and Shoebill Camp Site, among others.
Things to do on Budget-Friendly Safaris in Murchison Falls National Park.
Birding.
Birding is one of the best budget-friendly activities in Murchison Falls National Park. It’s one of the best bird watching destinations in Uganda, with over 453 bird species, including water birds, forest birds, and migratory bird species. The park has various sites for birding, such as Budogo forest, Royal Mile, and Kaniyo Pabidi, which provide memorable birding experiences. Visitors will spot various bird species such as the elusive shoebill, Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, Goliath Heron, African Fish Eagle, Pied Kingfisher, Red-throated Bee-eater, Grey Crowned Crane, Denham’s Bustard, the striking Secretary Bird, Black-bellied Bustard, Northern Carmine Bee-eater, Piapiac, Black-headed Lapwing, Senegal Thick-Knee, Heuglin’s Francolin, White-browed Sparrow-Weaver, Speckle-fronted Weaver, Shelley’s Sparrow, Black-headed Gonolek, Red-winged Grey Warbler, White-fronted Black Chat, Red-billed Quelea, Red-necked Falcon, Abyssinian Roller, Martial Eagle, among others.
Nature Walk.
A nature walk is among the activities that travellers on budget safaris in Murchison Falls National Park can do, as it allows visitors to explore the park on foot. This is a guided activity led by a knowledgeable park guide who gives more information about the wildlife species, tree species, and plants that you will encounter. The park has gazetted trails for nature walks like Budongo Forest, Baker’s trail, and Kaniyo Pabidi, all providing unique experiences. Visitors will have an opportunity to see various tree species, plants, and animals like Uganda kobs, waterbuck, black and white colobus monkeys, warthogs, buffalo, olive baboon, vervet monkey, and patas monkeys. Bird lovers will find the park a paradise for bird watching, with its rich birdlife. They will spot birds like Tawny Eagle, Grasshopper Buzzard, African Pied Hornbill, White-thighed Hornbill, Black and white Casqued Hornbill, Narina Trogon, African Dwarf Kingfisher, Blue-breasted Kingfisher, Chestnut wattle-eye, Forest Robin, White spotted Fluftail, and Ituri Batis. Butterfly lovers will enjoy various species of butterflies that call the park home.
Chimpanzee trekking in Budongo Forest.
Chimpanzee trekking is one of the amazing activities to do in Budongo Forest, located in the southern sector of Murchison Falls National Park. Chimpanzees are believed to be our closest relatives on earth, sharing 98% of human DNA. Having an encounter with them is one of the lifetime experiences that primate lovers should not miss while on their budget safaris in Murchison Falls National Park. This is a guided activity led by a park guide who gives more insights about the wildlife species that you may encounter in the forest. Searching for these playful chimps takes 30 minutes to 4 hours, depending on their movements, they keep on moving from place to place in search of food. Once located, participants are given 1 hour to be with them, observing and learning more about their behaviours.
Game Drives.
Game drives are among the activities to consider while on budget safaris in Murchison Falls National Park. This allows visitors to explore the savannah grasslands in a 4X4 vehicle while viewing various animal and bird species in the park. Visitors can have a morning game drive, an evening game drive, or a night game, all of which provide memorable game viewing safari experiences. Visitors will have a chance to spot animals like the 4 members of the big five elephants, lions, buffalo, and leopard, and other species like black and white colobus mokeys, giraffes, vervet monkeys, hyenas, hippos, warthogs, bushpigs, among more.
