
The Story of Africa’s Last Mountain Gorillas
Eye-to-eye with giants
Thunderous, explosive and completely spectacular, Murchison Falls is the world’s most powerful waterfall. Formed by the fast-flowing Nile as it squeezes through a seven-metre gap in the Albertine Rift Escarpment, the roaring cascade is mind-blowing from all angles. Take a boat to the base for a close-up view (watch animals drinking unconcernedly at its base) or hike to the top for the angels' aspect. The eponymous park is Uganda’s oldest and largest conservation area, and although its wildlife was a casualty of the Amin era, it’s recovering well. Leopard, lion, buffalo and elephant can all be found – as well as the elusive shoebill (which grows to 1.5 metres!).
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If there’s one thing that characterises a visit to Murchison Falls, it’s water. Not only is the park dissected by the mighty Victoria Nile, the namesake Falls are powerful, spectacular and a definite highlight. Most, if not all, lodges offer boat trips to the base to soak up the spray (literally), and if you’re feeling active, enquire about a guided hike to the top for the best views. Other water-based activities include cruises on the Nile itself, which should lead to a sighting or two of the magnificent shoebills in the reedy papyrus. This is one of only a handful of places to see them on the continent. Onto the traditional, there’s plenty of scope for game drives and lots of wildlife to keep your binos happy. North of the river are the savannah plains where lion and large herds of elephant and buffalo roam next to Ugandan kob, rare Rothschild’s giraffe and hartebeest. South is the Budongo Forest, prime chimpanzee habitat where trekking is possible. And in between is the Nile; if you’re not on the water, we highly recommend a game drive along the edge to spot pods of hippo and Jurassic crocodiles.
In 1907, Winston Churchill described Murchison Falls National Park as, "Kew Gardens and the zoo combined on an unlimited scale". We can’t think of a better reason to love it!
Pay a visit to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, the only sanctuary for rhino in Uganda, and handily located just outside Murchison Falls National Park. Embark on a full-blown rhino trek, or try your luck with a guided nature walk and see what crosses your path.
Sadly, the range of accommodation at Murchison Falls is rather limited, and most of the lodges are larger and less personal than in other areas of Uganda. But don’t let that put you off – they’re all very comfortable and we use only the best of the bunch.
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