Flying Safari to Murchison Falls National Park

Flying Safari to Murchison Falls National Park

If you are considering travelling to Murchison Falls National Park, try a flying safari. A flying safari means travelling by air from either Entebbe or Kajjansi Airfield to the Park.

Murchison Falls National Park features multiple airstrips within and near its boundaries. Key among these are Chobe, Pakuba, and Bugungu airstrips. These facilities facilitate smooth travel for visitors to the park. Uganda has made significant investments in developing an air transportation network that serves nearly all tourist destinations throughout the country.

Murchison Falls National Park is renowned as one of the premier safari destinations, providing visitors with an unforgettable adventure. Opting for a flying safari allows guests to discover the park’s hidden treasures swiftly.

About Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison Falls National Park is Uganda’s largest tourist destination, covering an area of approximately 3,893 square kilometers. The park stretches across the Ugandan districts of Buliisa, Nwoya, Kiryandongo, and Masindi. The Victoria Nile, a tributary of the longest river in the world, bisects the vast wilderness of Murchison Falls National Park.

Murchison Falls National Park is not just a natural wonder, but a place steeped in history. Established in 1952, it’s the oldest National park in Uganda. Originally named Kabalega National Park after the King of Bunyoro, it was later renamed by Sir Samuel Baker and Florence Baker in honor of the President of the Royal Geographical Society, Sir Roderick Murchison, during their visit to Uganda in 1864.

Murchison Falls National Park hosts over 76 mammal species, including four of the Big Five animals in Africa. These include lions, elephants, leopards, and buffalo. The only missing Big Five animal in the park is the rhino, which was poached to extinction, with the last rhino killed in 1983. Fortunately, in 2005, rhinos were reintroduced to the country and can now be encountered and tracked at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary located in Nakasongola district near Murchison Falls National Park.

Beyond the Big Five, Murchison Falls National Park hosts incredible wild species, including antelopes, waterbucks, reedbuck, giraffes, and other primate species. The tropical rainforest of the Murchison Falls conservation area is Budongo forest, the second-largest rainforest in the country. It is popular for harboring over 600 chimpanzee primates.

What can you see and do in Murchison Falls National Park?

Murchison Falls National Park offers breathtaking tourist attractions that visitors can engage in. These tourist attractions include the following:

Wildlife

As mentioned earlier, Murchison Falls National Park is a top wildlife destination that harbors various wildlife species. With over 76 mammal species, the park exhibits the best wildlife adventure encounters. From the four Big Five animals in the park to other wildlife species, Murchison Falls National Park is a national treasure. Some of the wildlife species in the park include buffalo, lions, elephants, antelopes, giraffes, leopards, and elands, among others.

Murchison Falls

Murchison Falls, the most powerful waterfall in the world, is the crowning jewel of Murchison Falls National Park. This breathtaking natural spectacle, formed when the mighty Nile is squeezed between two narrow rock walls and plunges 43 meters into a pool below, is a testament to the river’s raw power and beauty.

The falls are the true definition of the River Nile’s power. The falls are towered over by an epic rainbow that adds color and excitement to this incredible marvel. Visitors from far and wide flock to Murchison Falls National Park to catch a glimpse and witness firsthand the falls.

Birding

Murchison Falls National Park does not stop at harboring only wildlife species, but also various bird species. The park harbors approximately 450 bird species scattered across its ecological systems. The park houses both migratory bird species and endemic bird species that are park residents. These bird species can be spotted during a birding adventure. Some notable bird species include the shoebill stork, back-billed bastard, giant kingfisher, giant heron, gray crowned crested crane, marabou stork, Abyssinian ground hornbill, African fish eagle, etc.

Game drives

The park’s vast wilderness, pervaded by various wildlife species, can be explored on a game drive safari adventure. This game-viewing experience exposes the park’s hidden gems of numerous animals and gives a chance to get close to the action in the comfort of their safari vehicles. 

Chimpanzee trekking

The park’s vast ecological systems ensure visitors have an untamed Chimpanzee experience at the Budongo Forest. With over 600 Chimpanzees in this forest, visitors are assured of encountering and spending approximately an hour in the presence of these primate species. Chimpanzee trekking is one of the park’s significant activities involving the forest canopies of Budongo Forest as they search for Chimpanzees. Chimpanzees are an interesting species that share over 98.8% DNA with us, making them humans’ closest cousins. Chimpanzee trekking in Budongo Forest in the park will surely leave visitors with everlasting memories.

Best Time to Visit Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison Falls National Park experiences an equatorial climate with two wet and dry seasons annually. The Park is best visited during the dry season, from June to September. During these months, the weather is reasonably dry, with little to no rainfall, ensuring that wildlife can easily be sighted and spotted close to the few remaining waterholes in the park.

However, the wet seasons also present a favorable time to visit the park, especially for visitors interested in birding safaris. The wet season is the breeding season for most bird species, and this is also the best time of the year to spot migratory birds.