The largest and oldest conservation area in the nation, Murchison Falls National Park is located in the northern Nwoya district of Uganda. It is bordered by the Bugungu and Karuma game reserves and is divided into two by the Victoria Nile, which has the southern and northern banks of Pakuba. The park is well-known for the magnificent Murchison Falls, after which it was named. Despite the fact that rhinos are extinct in the park, they can still be seen en route at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary in the Nakasongola district. Game drives are the highlight of any safari to the national protected areas; it is one of the few places to see the big five of the wilderness (lions, leopard, elephants, rhinos, and buffalo).
When it comes to the number of attractions in Uganda, Murchison Falls National Park is the greatest. Among these are the falls themselves, animals, a verdant forest, and the Victoria Nile, which serve as home to mammals, birds, amphibians, and reptiles. It’s a special place with contrasting habitats. In the Murchison Falls National Park, game drives are primarily held along Pakuba’s northern bank, with views of Lake Albert and the Victoria Nile. These drives are done within designated times.
The best time to go on a game drive is in the early morning, when they start at 6:30 am east African time to catch the morning risers. During this time, animals come out to graze while carnivores are hunting, and the wilderness is bustling with activity. In the afternoon, game drives start at 2:30 pm east African time in search of wildlife; during this time, one can expect to encounter a relaxed lifestyle in the shelter of the bush shrubs. In the evening, game drives end at 4:00 pm east African time, perfect for a sundowner while drinking beer. It’s a lovely experience to watch the sunset in front of animals.
Expect to see a variety of animals during game drives, including lions, leopards, Jackson’s hartebeests, oribi, side-striped hyenas, jackals, elephants, buffaloes, hippos, and crocodiles, to name a few. The park’s widely spaced game trails make it simple to see the animals. A game drive along the Victoria trail allows you to see animals that come to drink from the river banks. The bulk of the action starts on the Buligi trail. One of the rare locations where night game drives are permitted is the National Park; these drives are conducted to find nocturnal animals such hyenas, lions, leopards, and bush babies.
The best times to go on game drives in Murchison Falls National Park are from December to February and July to early September. During this time, the grasses tend to be shorter, making it easier to see animals. There are also more mammals in the area as they search for pastures, and the trails are less slippery. Game drives are done in 4×4 wheel drive vehicles to get over the challenging terrain of the savannah, and they are accompanied by an experienced guide. The park is run by the Uganda Wildlife Authority, and visitors must pay a mandatory park entrance fee of $40 for non-resident foreigners, $30 for foreign residents, and 20,000 shillings for citizens of East Africa.