Getting to Murchison Falls National Park
Getting to Murchison Falls National Park: Murchison falls National Park is located in the northwestern part of Uganda. It covers 3,840 square kilometers making it the largest national park in the country. The national park is home to 76 species of mammals and over 451 bird species; some of which include the Blue-headed Coucal, Eastern Grey Plantain-eater, Red-throated Bee-eater and the Speckle-fronted Weaver to mention but a few.
Murchison falls national park is home to the Big 4 wildlife namely; lions, leopard, savannah elephant and the Cape buffalo. Visitors can spot any of these animals during a guided game drive or boat cruise in the park.
How to get to Murchison falls National Park.
The national park is located about 305 kilometers from Kampala city and can be accessed either by road or air transport means.
Accessing the park by Road
The park is divided into two sections by Victoria Nile. The northern sector of Murchison falls national park is the most visited sector because it harbors a high concentration of wildlife species as compared to the southern sector of the park. When using road transport you can either use private means by self-drive, a tour company safari vehicle or public means that is by use of a bus.
Northern entrance gates
Tangi gate, this is located in the northern sector 110 kilometers west of Karuma bridge, Tangi gate can be accessed by visitors in Paraa.
Chobe gate, this gate is also located in the northern sector of the park near Pakwach 2 kilometers north of Karuma Bridge. Chobe gate can be accessed from Paraa and Karuma falls.
Wankar gate, this is located near Purongo 10kilometres off the main road on Arua-Gulu highway in the northern sector
Mubako gate, this gate is located in the northern sector of the park and visitors can access it by crossing the Nile river from Karuma falls bridge along Kampala- Pakwach road.
Southern entrance gates
Kichumbanyobo gate, this gate is located in the southern sector heading to Kaniyo Pabidi forest hence can be accessed from Masindi town which takes about 85kilometres.
Bugungu gate, Bugungu gate can be accessed through Budongo forest in the southern sector 135 kilometers from Masindi town.
When using the northern entrance gates you can either enter via Chobe, Mubako, Tangi or Wankar gate by driving from Kampala city using Pakwach road which crosses the Nile at Karuma bridge and the journey takes about 4 to 5 hours’ drive and from Entebbe airport it takes about 6 hours’ drive.
The northern gates can also be used by visitors travelling from Kidepo valley national park in north eastern Uganda and Gulu city. Though using road transport is tiresome you will have spectacular views on the way such as
The national park can also be accessed by public means of transport in that there are buses that travel from Kampala via Masindi daily therefore when using public means of transport you will board a bus in the bus station from Kampala to Masindi town and then hire a private taxi to the park headquarters. Public means of transport is however not advisable because it takes more time and you can be cheated when hiring a private taxi.
Air transport
There are domestic airlines that operate scheduled and chartered flights to national parks in Uganda like Aerolink Uganda limited. Aerolink Uganda organizes domestic flights to Murchison falls national park on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.
When travelling from Entebbe airport or Kajjansi airfield the flight departs at 12:30pm and arrives at 13:30pm at either Pakuba airstrip in the north Chobe airstrip in the east or Bugungu air strip in the south; and when travelling from the park the helicopter departs at 13:45pm and arrives in Entebbe airport at 16:30pm hence taking one hour.
How to book a flight to Murchison falls national park
Visitors who wish to travel to Murchison falls national park by air can always book a scheduled flight through Aerolink Uganda. You can visit their offices personally or contact them through email, telephone calls. You can also book your flight to the national park through a trusted tour operator company like Explore Rwanda Tours and set the dates and month when you plan on travelling to the park. Visitors are advised to book 2 days in advance before the actual day. Flying to the national park is the best option because it’s fast, less tiresome and convenient for visitors who do not like travelling long distances.
What to do in Murchison falls National Park.
There are a variety of activities offered to tourists visiting the national park such as; chimpanzee trekking in Budongo forest, boat cruise, day and night game drives, bird watching, nature walks, top of the falls hike, hot air balloon tours, and cultural encounters among others.
