Big Five Animals In Murchison Falls National Park: Murchison Falls National Park is Uganda’s oldest and largest national park gazetted in 1952. It is located in northwestern region of the Albertine rift valley around Victoria Nile. The park is situated in the districts of Buliisa, Nwoya, Kiryandongo and Masindi (the nearest large town). Its is about 283 km by road northwest Kampala Uganda’s capital and largest city.

The park well known for its strongest falls and covers an area of 5,025 square kilometers the area is traversed by the Victoria Nile connecting Lake Kyoga with Lake Albert.

It is a home of wild animals including the big five elephants, lions, buffaloes, leopards and Rhinos (kept at Ziwa Rhino sanctuary) other animals include giraffes, hyenas, Uganda kobs, water buck, warthogs, Oribis, bush buck jackal and many others. The park is also a home of over 450 bird species.

Species found In Murchison Falls National Park

The park is a home of four out of the big five animals. The big four include; Elephant, Buffalos, Lions and Leopards. To make a complete big five you have to see the Rhinos but they are not inside the park, one has to meet them on their way to Murchison falls National Park.

These Rhinos are kept at Ziwa rhino sanctuary the best and most wonderful destination that harbors wild and endangered rhinos in Uganda. The Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is the only place in Uganda where you can find endangered rhinos. It is found in the Nakasongora district, enroute to Murchison Falls national Park on the Gulu Highway.

Besides the big five, Murchison Falls national Park is a home of many other species. It habours over 76 mammals such as Giraffes, Bushbucks, Warthogs, Uganda kobs, Crocodiles, Hippos, Jackson’s hartebeest to mention but a few.

The park also shelters primates like Chimpanzees, Olive baboons, blue monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, Red tailed monkeys, (all the primates are spotted in Budongo forest in the Murchison Falls conservation area)

Murchison falls also shelters over 451 bird species and some of these include; shoebill stock, African Darter, Yellow fronted tinkerbird, Black headed lapwing,  Veracious Dove, Gray crowned crested crane, Martial Eagel, Read-throated bee eater, Red winged grey warbler, black headed coucal, black billed barbet, grey headed kingfisher, Osprey, Giant kingfisher, Rock pratincole,  African Jacana, pied Kingfisher, Secret speary bird, palm nut vulture, Piapiac, Squacco heron, African  qualifinch, Speckle-fronted weaver to mention but a few.

Best time to visit Big Five Animals In Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison Falls National Park can be visited all year round from January to December but the best and advisable time is December through to February then October through January. In these months, the park is dry and less slippery giving visitors the best tracking experience when all animals are out of the bush and surrounded by water bodies making it accessible for the visitors to spot them.

Other activities to do in Murchison Falls National Park

Boat rides to the bottom of the falls and hike to the top of the falls

This activity is enjoyed in the afternoon along the Victoria Nile to the base of Murchison falls, which offer a beautiful sighting of wildlife like crocodiles, hippos, elephants, buffaloes, and lots of water birds. After the boat ride you can opt to hike on top of the falls.

Game drive in Murchison falls national park

Game viewing is enjoyed while on a game drive in designated game drive areas like delta where there are great chances of seeing Lions, elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, hyenas, Uganda kobs, water buck, warthogs, Oribis, bush buck and jackal. In order to enjoy this game drive a well-trained driver guide is highly recommended.

Spot fishing in Murchison falls national park

To carry out spot fishing in Murchison falls one must secure a permit from UWA.  Fishing is permitted in designated sites; spots fishing are most enjoyed at the banks if the Nile below Murchison falls.

Bird watching in Murchison falls national park

Best sighting of birds’ takes place during game drive and launch trips. The park’s main birding attraction is the shoebill best sighted in the dry season from January to March. Other birds include; savanna forest birds, water birds, Albertine rift endemics, marabou stock, secretary birds, window bird and many others.