Picture this: You and your loved one cruising down the majestic Nile River, sipping on an ice-cold cocktail, gazing and enjoying the staggering natural beauty all around you. An impossible dream? Not if you spend your holiday at the enchanting Murchison Falls National Park, North-Western Uganda. An experience you’ll never forget.
Fall in love all over again in Murchison falls. As far as romantic backdrops go, they don’t come any more spectacular than this. Everything about this huge natural national park seems to provide a thrilling accompaniment to a romantic holiday.
This is the largest park in Uganda, covering over 4000 sq. km, and is one of the most spectacular parks in all of Africa. Renowned for its scenic beauty and the spectacular falls from which it gets its name, Murchison Falls NP supports an abundance of flora and fauna to delight the visitor. From rolling savannah and tall grasslands to thick bush and woodlands, the diversity of this park never ceases to amaze visitors and residents alike. The magnificent Murchison Falls thunders from a height of 43 meters, catching and refracting the sunlight in a never-ending kaleidoscope of prismatic patterns.
The wildlife variety is amazing and can be enjoyed by taking game drives and enjoying a leisurely 3hour cruise on the Nile, viewing the animals on the banks as they come to quench their thirst. For your cultural experience, you will have the delight of visiting the local community groups like the Boomu Women’s group, Asera Azola Women’s group, and the Kafalo Association. Marvel at the beautiful crafts they make and you can have a chance of purchasing souvenirs for your friends and family back home.
To the avid birdwatcher, the thrill of seeking out some of the 424 species identified in the park is unmatched. Try out your fishing skills by waiting patiently above and below the falls, for 20-100 kg Nile Perch. Other game fish found in the Nile include Barbel, Electric Catfish, and Tigerfish. While on the delightful 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 lions, leopards, and spotted hyenas. Chimpanzees and olive baboons head the list of six species of primates found in the park. Crocodiles and hippo will be seen along the banks of the Nile. Some of the more common birds that can be 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.
The accommodation is as lavish as the park. Two luxury safari lodges are perched atop a gorge, towering above the mighty Nile River, an economy/budget lodge is also available. There are numerous places where you can pitch your own tent and enjoy the mystery and excitement of spending a night in wild Africa. Also, a budget campsite is available. One of the things you’ll definitely enjoy is relaxing on the verandah, sipping cocktails while drinking in the panoramic sights and the atmospheric sounds of authentic Africa.
Savor the exquisitely prepared lunches and candle-lit dinners over a cool glass of wine, or leap at a chance to taste the flavors of a bush dinner. Poolside BBQs and buffets complete the menu of mouth-watering ways to eat and be merry at Murchison falls NP, before retiring to bed, anticipating the beauty the morning brings.
