Wonders of Murchison Falls National Park
Wonders of Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s marvel, is famous for its unique biodiversity, including savannahs, wetlands, tropical forests, rivers, riverine, and unique wildlife species. Due to its rich ecosystem, the park is one of the most visited destinations in Uganda, attracting different tourists globally. The major attractions of the park are endless; one could say that the main attraction is the world’s most powerful waterfall that forces its way through a narrow gorge of just 7 metres and 43 feet, and another one could be considering its members of the BIG FIVE mammals (Lions, Leopards, Elephants, Buffaloes, and Rhinos), it depends only on everyone’s desires.
Originally, the conserved area comprised two game reserves: Karuma and Bugungu Wildlife Reserves. It has been expanded slowly by the authorities from a reserved area to a national park. Formally, the park is known as Kabalege National Park; the renaming came after the visit of Florence Baker, who named it Murchison Falls National Park in recognition of Sir Roderick Impey Murchison, the geologist and president of the Royal Geographical Society who served from 1855 to 1871.
Before the visit of Florence Baker and Sir Samuel Baker, who named the park Murchison Falls National Park, the park had already received some other European explorers who partially discovered it, and those were John Speke and James Grant.
What makes Murchison Falls National Park unique?
There are various reasons why one would choose Murchison Falls National Park among the many safari destinations in Africa. There is a lot to do at Murchison Falls National Park, mainly for a nature enthusiast.
Location—Wonders of Murchison Falls National Park
The park is located in the northwestern part of Uganda, spanning the districts of Bulisa, Nwoya, Kiryandongo, and Masindi, and covers about 3893 square kilometers, making it the largest national park in Uganda. From Kampala, a coverage of approximately 310 km is expected in 4-5 hr by road, and by air, one is expected to fly from Kajansi airstrip to Pakuuba airstrip in the park.
Wildlife
The area is considered the richest in biodiversity; it contains grassland, wooded savannah, tropical forests, wetland, and open water. The park houses over 144 mammals, of which members of the BIG FIVE are the key factors, and these include lions, elephants, leopards, and buffalos. Other animal species include hippopotamuses, antelopes, giraffes, Uganda kobs, and many others. The tree species that are found within the park number over 100, and over 400 bird species are also recorded within the park, including the endemic/elusive shoebill stork, which is rarely seen anywhere.
Grassland and savannah woodland:
The relatively flat landscape of the Buligi plains in the southern part of the park has favoured the growth of savannah vegetation and scattered woodland, enabling the thriving of various animals. Being the best side for the game drive, the northern part has acted as a grazing area for various animals, including herds of buffalo, elephants, Uganda kobs, and many others.
Apart from rhinos, which are not found within the park but rather are trekked along the way to Murchison Falls National Park in the Zziwa Rhino sanctuary, the conserved area harbours all four other big mammals, that is to say, Elephants, Lions, Leopards, and buffalo.
The boat cruise trip on both Devil’s Cauldron and the Victoria Nile is the key point for watching water-associated birds. With over 50 species recorded, raptors are also very well represented. From November to April, the park also receives migratory bird species, which number over 400. The Victoria Nile is also a magnet for crocodiles and hippos, which are most times often seen thriving in the water.
Budongo Forests, the extension of Budongo forest, has been called up for the presence of various primates such as the Chimpanzee, the black and white colobus monkey, vervet monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, and so many others; hence, activities like chimpanzee tracking and natural walk activities in Budongo forest
Game drives
This activity offers the opportunity for both day and night game drives. The northern sector of the park is the best option for the full dream of the activity since it is the highest site for the concentration of various mammals due to its ecosystem that favours grazing of different species of animals. For the tourist interested in nocturnal animals, a guided night game drive is also conducted within the park, and animals like leopards, lions, and hyenas are spotted in their natural habitats, which also adds to the experience of an enthusiast.
Boat Cruises
Boat cruises in Murchison Falls National Park have put themselves at the forefront as the most iconic and enticing activity in the park; it is unique from that of other destinations like Rwanda, Kenya, and Tanzania since this one is the switch for other activities. For example, birding at the Albert delta and hiking to the top of the falls are only achievable if you book the boat cruise too. There are always two boat cruises, the Bottom of the Falls boat cruise and the Delta boat cruise.
A lot of nature enthusiasts (tourists) visit Murchison Falls National Park to experience the strongest waterfalls in the world. However, it turns out to be the complement to the terrific launch cruise along the River Nile.
Birding—Wonders of Murchison Falls National Park
Murchison Falls National Park is a great destination with over 400 bird species. These recorded birds are easily spotted in the park; the park’s ecosystem of both savannah and riverine forests provides a perfect habitat for numerous bird species. The Albert Nile bank is also home to aquatic birds and raptors. Occasional and rare birds inhabiting Murchison Falls National Park include the elusive shoebill stork, king Fisher, Abyssinian ground hornbill, Marabou stork, and others.
Cultural encounter
Learning about the ways of life by the local people and practically engaging in their economic activities, like craft making and weaving by the Boomu women’s group. By visiting Mubako Village, a tourist experiences the village life where local music and dances are practised by the Bunyoro, Alur, and Acholi communities, which adds to their adventurous experience.
Challenges—Wonders of Murchison Falls National Park
Various challenges have been associated with the conservation effort injected by both the government and the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), including human-wildlife conflicts. This is mainly due to animals that close the park territories and enter the community farms. Animals like elephants go beyond their gazetted area and enter the household boundaries. This has brought conflicts between wildlife and humans; hence, conservation is seen as a deterrent to human lives. Hence, it slows down the conservation work. However, sensitization of the locals about the animals that go beyond the boundaries has been done, but people are still resistant.
Poaching. Poaching has been a common practice that is carried out within the park. In recent years, poaching has been the major challenge in conservation programs, where the search for bush meat and ivory is the main cause of this problem. This habit led to the total washing away of one of the Big Five members, the rhino. Up to now, rhinos are not trucked within the park, but the management institutes are working hand in hand to reintroduce them to the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary to enable a visitor to fulfill the experience of the package of the big five animals.
conclusion
For those seeking a safari experience, Murchison Falls National Park is the answer since it provides you with an experience beyond your expectations, which combines a beautiful landscape for scenic views and biodiversity in the ecosystem that harbors the big five game like lions, leopards, buffalo, and elephants; so many other animal species; and various bird species that number over 400. Murchison Falls National Park, being the only national park that has ever registered the visiting of so many prominent people in the world, like Theodore Roosevelt, the former president of the USA, brings it to the forefront of the must-visit safari destinations, since one might want to follow in the footsteps of legendary prominent people.
