Murchison Falls National Park
Murchison Falls National Park is Uganda's largest National Park. The park is cut in half by the Nile and its landscape varies from dense rainforest on the hills in the South-West, to undulating savannah in the North-West. The forest shelters many primate species, including Chimpanzees, while the river attracts various antelopes, buffalo, giraffe and elephants. The elephant population has slowly recovered from the brutal slaughter they suffered in the recent past.
The prime area for game-viewing is the peninsula between the Victoria and the Albert Niles, known as the Buligi Circuit. The concentration of animals is highest in this area, and the lush patches of forest along the waterways and the conspicuous Borassus Palms, dotting the ridges and valleys in-between, add to the attraction of the park's landscape.
The world-famous Murchison Falls are a must for any visitor to Uganda. The view from the top is very impressive, here the Nile forces its way through a 7 meter gap in the rocks and tumbles 40 meters down. A path leads from the parking above the falls all the way to the bottom and offers spectacular views of the foaming waters rushing into the gorge, with a deafening roar. In the background the pacified river winds its way towards Lake Albert.
A boat trip on the Nile is a highlight of any trip to this park. Hippos can be seen in hundreds from a boat trip along the Nile while on sandbanks huge crocodiles bask in the sun, along the shores one can often spot elephant giraffe, buffalo and various antelope species.
Another major focus of interest, however, are the birds, which can be observed all around you, in the swampy reeds, the sandy beaches, or the huge trees along the water. Their variety is impressive and ranges from the tiny malachite kingfisher and carmine bee-eater, to the african fish eagle and the saddlebill stork. The most conspicuous bird, however, is the Whale headed (or Shoebill) Stork, which, with a little luck can be seen standing motionless along the water's edge.
A Uganda safari circuit could combine Murchison Falls with Semliki Valley, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kidepo Valley and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest to make a very varied and exciting safari holiday in Uganda.