A visit to Murchison Falls is incomplete with seeing the magnificent falls. They are best viewed from the top where the Nile River narrows dramatically to crash through a 7-meter gorge, falling 45 meters to the rocks below. Enjoy a walk around the Top of the Falls with many different viewpoints, and visit the Bat Caves, which house thousands of Egyptian Fruit Bats. Best viewing of the bats is at sunset, when these flying mammals set out in search of the insects that make up some 25% of their diet.
Another must do activity is the three-hour cruise to the base of the falls is truly unforgettable. You will experience the majesty of the Nile while onboard for the nineteen kilometre trip upriver, viewing abundant wildlife along the banks. You will see Hippo’s, Crocodiles, Buffalo, Uganda Kob, Elephants and Giraffe, to name a few.
Special boat cruises can be organized to travel down the Nile River from the park headquarters to the Delta, where the River Nile briefly enters Lake Albert before proceeding North to Khartoum in Sudan. The marshy channels of the delta and the interspersed islets are the perfect nesting place for the prehistoric looking Shoebill Stork.
The more adventurous traveler may want to hike the trails around the falls, including a 45 minute walk up from the bottom to the top – a real “Road Less Traveled.” The avid birdwatcher will want to look out for some of the 450 species recorded seen in this park.
Chimpanzee occur in several wild populations within or near the park. Visit Masindi Forest or Kaniyo-Pabidi Eco-tourism Center where you can take a forest walk in search of Chimpanzees and some of the other 10 species found in this habitat. See black-and-white Colobus, Grey-cheeked Mangabeys, Vervet monkeys, Red-tailed monkey, Olive Baboons and several species of pottos and bushbabies. Walks start morning or afternoon, but morning walk is usually more reliable. Walks can take from one to four hours, with two hours being the average. The terrain is gently rolling hills with small streams and dense vegetation, but transects are cut across most of the forest, making access relatively easy.
If you are a fisherman, you can test your skills above and below the falls where 20-100 kg Nile Perch can be caught, if you are patient enough for them. Huge crocodiles and hippo will keep you company at the Nile banks as you fish! Fish from the bank or hire a boat for the day. Come with your own equipment or rent on site. Other game fish found in the Nile include Barbel, Electric Catfish and Tiger fish.
During game drives, Cape buffalo, Rothschild's giraffe, Uganda kob, hartebeest and waterbuck are commonly seen. You may also spot oribi, bushbuck, Bohor reedbuck, the shy sitatunga, bush duiker, warthog and bushpig. Large carnivores found in the park include lion, leopard and spotted hyena. Chimpanzees and olive baboons head the list of six species of primates found in the park. Crocodile and hippo are seen along the river banks of the Nile. Some of the more common birds that are seen include Goliath heron, Egyptian geese, pelican, bee-eaters, kingfishers, hornbill, cormorant, saddle-bill stork and the rare Shoebill stork. A boat cruise to the delta is a highlight for the avid birdwatcher.
