Boat Cruises in Murchison Falls National Park

Of all of Uganda's national parks, Murchison Falls National Park is the biggest and most popular. It is one of the best locations for Uganda wildlife safaris and boasts of a wide variety of distinctive tourist attractions that provide visitors with amazing and memorable safari experiences. The park is well-known for the magnificent Murchison waterfall and the variety of activities available to park visitors. Boat cruises in the park are one of the great activities that visitors to Murchison Falls National Park enjoy since the west Nile River runs through the park.

Largely covered by savannah grassland you will be able to see some animals like elephants, buffaloes, the Rothschild giraffes, zebras, impala antelopes, lions, and leopards among others. Primates in the Budongo forest, such as the chimpanzees, the white and black monkeys, are also noticeable.

A boat cruise in Murchison falls national can either be done with the Nile boat cruise or the delta boat cruise. These vary in their schedules and time spent for the ride but they give almost the same experience of Murchison falls national park.

Nile Delta Boat Cruise

The Victoria Nile delta, a 20-kilometer journey downstream from Paraa to Albert delta, is home to rare wetland birds such as shoe-bills and papyrus endemics. Delta area cruises come with a "breakfast on board" option always available in the mornings. It is experienced along where the river merges into Lake Albert.

The Nile delta boat cruise lasts approximately 4-5 hours and departs from Paraa jet at 7:00am. It operates on various schedules throughout the day. During the Nile delta boat cruise, you will have the opportunity to see various bird species along the riverbank as well as the Murchison falls gorge, such as the African fish Eagle, African Jacana, saddle bellied, and yellow footed king fisher, papyrus Gonolek, open billed stork, Goliath heron. This cruise costs USD 55 per adult.

Bottom of the falls boat cruise

The “bottom of the falls” boat cruise is the most admired and it is also the link to the “hike to the top of the falls”. Starting from Paraa jetty, the launch voyage travels upstream in the direction of waterfalls. The boat passes several floating hippo schools, herds of elephants bathing in the river, a few Oribis, warthogs, crocodiles, and stunning water birds. Cruising across the genuine splendor of the Nile is amazing. With a few bottles of cold beverages and the buddies, the journey continues more smoothly as it approaches the base of the falls.

Due to the boat always going near to animals like crocodiles and hippos, it offers a prime chance for you to take stunning photos of the wildlife along the Nile. Even though the boat doesn't approach Devil's Cauldron too closely, the journey to the bottom of the falls is breathtaking. As a result of the power with which the water droplets strike the ground below the cliff, the rocks are rough, the resistance of the rocks only allows soft rocks to shatter which led to the formation of small holes in them through which you can see different birds like the King fisher.

A pair of binoculars comes in handy while watching the diverse beautiful bird species as some are too small Other great activities carried out in Murchison falls National Park.

Game Drives

Game drives take about 3 hours maximally and while on them you get to view different animal species like giraffes, Zebras, Warthogs and lots more. This is done during daytime so you will mostly see animals that rummage during the day.

Nocturnal Game Drive

One can go on a nocturnal game drive in the Murchison Falls National Park to witness nighttime predators like leopards, lions, hyenas, and several cats’ species like tigers, cheetahs, and many more. The 2-hour nighttime game drive allows you to witness nocturnal animals in their natural settings. When doing a wildlife drive at night in Murchison Falls National Park, enjoy the spotlights. The night drives are accompanied by armed guides for protection just in case.

Chimpanzee Trekking in Budongo Forest

Aside from taking in the scenery of the Riverine Forest and its surroundings, this birding safari tour is another thing you may do while taking a nature walk.

Hiking through the Rabongo forest, one of the best places to observe birds, chimpanzees, and other primate species.

Search for the Shoebill Stork

Murchison falls National Park is home to the famous shoebill stork which is located along the banks of the River Nile and Lake Albert, in case you are interested in them here is the to go to place.

Birding Trips

This birding safari tour is another activity to encounter during the nature walk, where you will enjoy the views of the landscape of Riverine Forest, landscape, and spot a variety of bird species.

Hiking in Rabongo forest which is one of the best birders paradises as well as to spot the chimpanzees and other primate species.

Cultural Tours; including a visit to Boomu Women's village for a few hours. You will take walks in this village and interact with the locals, enjoy their dances, taste the food and so much more.

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