Hiking, Nature Walk Safaris in Uganda – Murchison Falls National Park
Have you ever thought of hiking and nature walking safaris in Uganda but you do not which place to go to? Have you ever been to Murchison Falls National Park? Well, for lifetime hiking and nature walk experiences, Murchison Falls National Park should be a must to include in your bucket list. This park is situated in northwestern Uganda and covers an area of about 3840 square kilometers making it the country’s biggest protected area with stunning sceneries and landscapes.
The park features mainly the open savanna plains, swamps, forests, wildlife, waterfalls and many others. Murchison Falls National Park features a number of remarkable wildlife species most of which include the warthogs, antelope families, Jackson’s hartebeests, elephants, lions, leopards, over 470 bird species, buffaloes, butterflies as well as plant species such as the sausage trees, whistling acacia.
The park’s natural wonders are best explored while on foot along various trails and only the designated trails are to be followed most of which include trails to the top of the falls, Rabongo and Kaniyo-Pabidi forest. For nature enthusiasts, hiking and nature walks in Murchison Falls should be a must to include in your travel plan for you to explore most of the protected area’s low hills, riverine forests that are filled with variety of floral and faunal species, gullies and others.
- Hiking to the top of Murchison Falls
Visitors can embark on hiking adventures to the top of Murchison Falls where you will connect while on a launch cruise to its base. Up on reaching to the base of the waterfalls, you will start your guided hiking adventures to the top of the falls which lasts for about 45 minutes. The hike comes with incredible views of the surrounding hills, distinct vegetation and bird species especially the aquatic birds and the powerful waterfalls with thunderous roar and permanent rainbow. At the top of the falls, you will view this powerful waterfall as it squeezes itself into a narrow gorge of about 7-8 meters wide forming a 45 meter waterfall.
- The Kaniyo-Pabidi walk
The Kaniyo-Pabidi forests feature among Uganda’s most spectacular natural forests that are found in Budongo forest about 8 kilometers off Kichumbanyobo gate on Paraa route in Masindi. These forests are a few most remarkable areas that you should consider a must to visit for hiking and nature exploration while on safari in Murchison Falls National Park and if you are interested in chimpanzee trekking adventures in Uganda. While walking through these magnificent forests, you will also have a chance to sight at most of the huge ironwood and mahogany trees, forest birds especially hornbills, chocolate backed kingfishers and many more.
- Rabongo Forest
Rabongo Forest is situated in the southeast of Murchison Falls National Park about one and half hours’ drive off Paraa. If you are looking for the best areas for hiking and nature walk safaris then this is one of the best sites that shouldn’t miss out in your bucket list. The area features spectacular savanna grasslands with incredible forest cottages and campsite. While on walking safaris through this forests expect to sight most of the incredible avian species, medicinal trees, primates especially vervet monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, red tailed monkeys, chimpanzees, baboons and many more.
You may also embark on a 2 to 4 hours’ guided swamp walk to the Nile delta which rewards visitors with rare views of its varied wildlife species including the elusive shoebill stork. And for visitors around the Sambiya River Lodge, you can as well set off for a 2 hours’ walk from the lodge on the southern bank and or walk to the northern side of the protected area through Emmy River.
From the above discussion, Murchison Falls National Park is not only popular for game drives and fantastic boat cruise but also for its most thrilling hiking and nature walk experiences. For visitors on Uganda safari, Murchison Falls National Park is such a remarkable destination that is worth including in your bucket list.
