Murchison Falls National Park

Beautiful area where you can make a boat-trip to see the impressive Murchison Falls.

The immense power of the Nile going over Murchinson falls is breathtaking. There is plenty of wild game with Lake Albert and Congolese mountains in the distance.

It's hard to beat African wildlife, zero fences, the source of the Nile, and a torrential rainstorm.

While it was depressing to hear how four decades of war had decimated the local fauna, it was exhilarating to see wildlife rebounding at this preserve. We went without a guide and had a great time. We never spotted a lion, but we caught sight of just about everything else, from water buffalo to giraffes. A beautiful place.

A fantastic opportunity to view wildlife and scenery from the Nile River.

I visited Murchison Falls with Red Chili (out of Kampala) during a short break while I was in Uganda shooting photos for an NGO called One School at a Time. The trip was excellent. We stayed at the comfortable Red Chili camp, where the food and accomodations were comfortable (tent cabins and a large dining cabana), and where a short stroll from camp afforded opportunities to see warthogs and monkeys or the Nile River. The rolling landscape in the park includes forest and savannah vegetation, with large herds of giraffes, groups of elephants, many antelope, hippos, buffalo, monkeys, and occasional predators (lions and leopards), among other African animals. The highlight of the trip was a long boat ride up the Nile River to the base of Murchison Falls itself, where Ernest Hemingway once survived a plane crash that killed his companions. On the boat, one enjoys a fantastic vantage from which crocodiles, elephants, cape buffalo, families of hippos, and exotic birds can be observed in comfort, while sipping Nile Beer and enjoying the cool river breeze. The boat takes you to the very base of the spectacular falls before returning downriver to your starting point. In addition to the park, the drive from Kampala to Murchison is a chance to see a cross section of the Ugandan countryside, and to enjoy lunch and a walk around one of the towns en route. Overall, my trip to Murchison Falls with Red Chili was a highlight of my time in Uganda. Photos on flickr under my username: kdriese.

The falls and the river make this park different, but it's also very touristy.

The falls and the river make this park different, but it's also very touristy.

Easy introduction to safari experience, you´ll see plenty of animals, although big cats are not for granted. It is the most popular safari place in Uganda, hence more crowded, but still nothing compared to some parks in neighboring countries.

Plenty of animals to see in MF National Park. Although, it is a very tourist accommodated area. Probably best to do a game drive, enjoy a boat ride on the Victoria Nile and visit the falls before leaving.