Discover the Beauty of Murchison Falls
Discover the Beauty of Murchison Falls: A hike to the top of the falls is one of the most exciting and jaw- dropping adventure activities that makes Murchison Falls National Park a famous destination. This magical world adventure attracts visitors from different parts of the world to come and witness the world’s most powerful water falls. This activity is always combined with wildlife safaris in Murchison Falls National Park and offers visitors great chance to explore the spectacular powerful waterfalls in the world.
These unique falls are situated within Murchison Falls National Park in in Nywoya district and due to the expansive size of the park, it spans districts of Nywoya, Kiryandongo, Masindi and Buliisa in north western Uganda. The name Murchison Falls was named after the first explorers who were led by Sir Samuel Baker, in relation to Sir Roderick Murchison who was by then the president of their Royal Geographical Society, hence the name Murchison Falls.
Hiking to the top of Murchison falls-Discover the Beauty of Murchison Falls
The hiking trail takes about 45 minutes emanating from the bottom of the falls to the top after the boat cruise from Paraa especially to visitors who prefer exploring the bottom of the falls and its wildlife species. From Paraa, the boat cruise takes about 2-3 hours to the bottom of the falls and this experience comes with chances of meeting several wildlife species such as crocodiles, hippos, monitor lizards and birds such as the African Fish Eagle, Malachite Kingfisher, Goliath Heron, African Darter, Saddle-billed Stork, African Jacana, Pied Kingfisher among others.
Along the river shores, visitors are able to discover the beauty of Murchison falls by spotting several wildlife animals along the river banks especially during the dry season especially during the afternoon hours when these creatures have come to quench their thirsty. These species include elephants, buffaloes, waterbucks, Uganda Kobs, and others. The entertaining boat cruise comes at a cost of $30 for non-foreign residents while citizens of East Africa pay a fee of UGX 30000.
Exploring the bottom of the falls offers visitors chance to take memorable photos and videos as you witness the cascading powerful water falls. To those who would love to begin their hike from the bottom, this point offers the best trail to hike up to the top of the falls, where visitors will traverse through the lush vegetation cover where visitors can come across several mammal species including vervet monkeys and several birds.
This hiking may take from 45 minutes to an hour depending on the trekkers speed and the nature of the ground. Upon reaching the top of the falls, you will get clear views from the rocky surfaces or pose for photos and videos next to the fence. Your site ranger guide will provide you with all the necessary information about the formation of these spectacular waters and their source as well. You will witness the terrific speed of these water falls as they plunge into a narrow 7-meter rock gorge downwards, dropping 43 meters down, hence producing a roaring sound. Visitors will witness the sighting of a rainbow atop the misty waters of the Nile River exposing the beauty of nature.
Hiking the top of the falls from the boat cruise along the bottom of the falls is a little expensive, however there is another way of exploring the top of the falls that involves using your safari vehicle where tourists trail or use the road to access the top of the falls to witness this magnificent water falls. Visitors who engage in hiking to the top of the falls should pay heed to the essentials especially wearing waterproof shoes, rain jacket, long sleeved shirts and pants, pair of binoculars, trimmed hat, insect repellent, hiking shoes, drinking water, camera, energy boasting snacks, water proof backpack, among others.
What is the cost of hiking to the top of the falls in Murchison falls national falls
Hiking to the top of the falls in the park costs at $15 for foreign non-residents, $10 for foreign residents, and UGX10,000 for citizens of East African. This fee is charged to cater for armed ranger guides who enforce security for the visitors against some wild animals that would be dangerous and also availing information concerning these water falls and the vast Murchison Falls National Park.
Other things to do in Murchison Falls National Park
Hiking in Murchison Falls National Park is always an option, where by visitors planning to visit Murchison Falls National Park majorly focus on Wildlife safaris than hiking. However, your tour agency combines this activity with wildlife adventure activities such as game drives where several animal species are spotted mainly in the northern part of the park. Other activities include nature walks, birdwatching, chimpanzee trekking, boat cruises, sportfishing, cultural encounters among others.
Accommodation in the Park
Accommodation in the park ranges from luxury, mid-range and budget options and these facilities include Fort Murchison Safari Lodge, Nile Safari Lodge, Paraa Safari Lodge, Twiga Safari Lodge, Amuka Safari Lodge, Sambiya River Lodge, Chobe Safari Lodge, Kabalega Wilderness, Red Chill Rest Camp, Budongo Eco Lodge, Heritage Safari Lodge, Fort Murchison Safari Lodge, Pakuba Safari lodge, Murchison River Lodge, Murchison Tree House, Nile Safari Lodge, among others.
Best time to visit the Park
The park can be visited throughout the year for several activities, however there are some months that seem to be better than others. The dry months that run from June to September and December to February offers the best time to visit Murchison Falls National Par. These months receive intermittent rainfall which makes the game tracks and hiking trails dry with sparse, short and scattered vegetation cover that enhance great clear views of the wildlife. During this dry season, the roads leading to the park are always dry and in good conditions, enabling easy accessibility.
Visitors can still access the park during the rainy season which runs from March to May and October to November. This period is always favourable for budget travellers and birdwatchers where most of the lodges offer discount to visitors due to less crowd in the park during the rainy season. More still, due to heavy rains, roads leading to the park are always slippery, muddy and slick, the vegetation is always thick and tall which obscures clear sightings of wildlife species.
