Murchison Falls National Park is one of the best places in Africa to find the prehistoric-looking shoebill stork. Sightings of this bird are almost guaranteed on a boat trip on the Victoria Nile towards the Lake Albert delta. This boat trip, as well as the more popular ‘launch’ trip towards Murchison Falls, are, in fact, great for checking off many water-associated birds. The park’s impressive checklist contains more than 450 species in total. Migratory birds are present from November to April. The birdlife in Murchison Falls is good year-round, but at its best from January to March. This is the low tourist season, but there is plenty of bird activity. December to February has the least rain, while April to May and August to October have the most rain. The heavy rains might result in delays due to impassable roads and slippery hiking trails and can limit your bird-watching time. Migratory birds are present from November to April.
Murchison Falls National Park
Background
Uganda’s largest and oldest conservation area and the location of the famous waterfall where the Nile River bursts through an 8m-wide gap and tumbles into a broad, placid stream that nourishes a huge diversity of wildlife in the park. Certainly, a highlight of Murchison Falls National Park is Murchison Falls itself. This powerful waterfall is the end point of the Nile River’s 80km-stretch of rapids where the energy of the river is confined as it passes through a narrow gap, bursting into a waterfall complete with rainbow. The deafening roar of the water is astonishing to witness. From this point, the Nile flows calmly towards Lake Albert, bisecting the 3800 sq. km national park along the way and sustaining its incredible population of wildlife and birds. Picture rolling green hills dotted with game and strewn with palm trees. An emerald haven.
Wildlife Experience
Murchison Falls National Park is one of the most abundant wildlife areas in Uganda, home to a staggering 450+ bird species and 76 mammal species in total. Its large surface area, verdant vegetation and greenery, and the presence of the Nile attract impressive quantities of buffalo, waterbuck, elephant, kob, hartebeest, giraffe, hippo, and crocodile. The predators are, of course, present in pursuit of the wandering plains game, with lion, leopard, and spotted hyena leading the troops. The Rothschild’s giraffe is one of the most endangered species of giraffe, but it thrives in Murchison Falls National Park, making for really special and exciting viewing. Chimpanzees live in the forested regions of the park and tracking excursions are offered at some of the lodges. The birdlife in this tropical park is fantastic, and special sightings include the shoebill, Rüppell’s vulture, Abyssinian ground hornbill, palmnut vulture, grey-crowned crane, and black-bellied bustard.
