How do I Get to Murchison Falls Park
How do I Get to Murchison Falls Park? Murchison Falls National Park is the largest national park in Uganda and has the most annual visitors. Depending on the location and direction, it is easily accessible from Entebbe and Kampala, mainly by road and air transport means. Thanks to better flights and roads within Uganda, the task is not too difficult. No matter where you are coming from, access to the park is simple because there are multiple ports of entry.
Getting to Murchison Falls from Kampala
How to access Murchison Falls National Park by Road
Drive northwest on the Gulu Highway from Kampala to Nakasongola, then make a left turn at Kafu after the bridge, then to Masindi town. You take a left turn on Pakwach Road from Masindi and head up to the main gate. Driving from Masindi town to the Murchison Falls National Park headquarters in Paraa, which is 305 km away, takes about 5–6 hours.
The easiest way to get to Murchison Falls is through the southern gates (Kichumbanyobo and Masindi South Gate), One can access the national park from Kampala. For visitors who would like to enter the park from the southwest of Uganda, a route leads directly from the southern gate. Venture off the usual path and down the rift valley escarpment for stunning views of Lake Albert and the Congo’s blue mountains. Then, enter the park through the Bugungu gate or Mubako gate, which is located 135 km from Masindi.
It can also be accessed through the northern gates of Tangi, Wankwar, and Chobe. As an alternative, the northern gates (Purongo or Tangi gate-Pakwach) are also a fantastic option. These are reachable via Kampala Pakwach Road, which is 260 kilometres from Kampala and crosses the Nile at Karuma Falls in the park’s north-eastern corner. Even though they are further away, they take you directly to the park’s most fascinating areas, which is especially beneficial for visitors from the north and northwest of the country, particularly those who are visiting Gulu, Kitgum, and Kidepo Valley National Park.
How to access Murchison Falls National Park by Air
You can take a daily scheduled flight from Kajjansi Airfield in Kampala or arrange a charter flight to get to the park. An hour is the average length of this flight. Given its closer proximity to the park headquarters and main accommodations than other air fields, Pakuba is the most convenient airstrip to arrive at. If you are determined to use the Chobe Safari Lodge, Paraa Lodge, or Pakuba Game Lodge, especially if you are travelling from the north, you can also fly to the Chobe airfield, depending on the activities. Furthermore, Bugungu Air Field, situated in the park’s southern section, is available for your use.
Attractions in Murchison Falls National Park
The park is one of the most popular safari destinations in the country, with a diverse range of wildlife that is good for game drives, Chimpanzee trekking and accommodation, landscape viewing, cultural encounters, sport fishing, boat rides, nature walks, and hiking, among others. This unparalleled safari adventure will create a memorable experience that will last for a long time.
Best time to Visit Murchison Falls National Park
Though December through February are thought to be the finest months to visit, Murchison Falls National Park is wonderful all year round. Another wonderful time to visit is from June to September. those months are the driest. This is because these months have little to no rainfall and a lot of sunshine. Low foliage offers good views of the numerous attractions, and the park’s walking routes and wildlife tracks are easier to use and dry.
During the rainy season, visitors—especially those on a budget and those who prefer less congested areas—can visit Murchison Falls National Park. Reduced expenses for lodges translate into more economical tour packages. Though the park receives a lot of rainfall, it should be noted that this leaves the walking trails and game trails slick and muddy. Fortunately, we can manoeuvre through the slightly muddy roads with the help of our knowledgeable guides from Journeys Uganda, who are familiar with the area. Furthermore, the dense vegetation blocks views of a number of park attractions.
Visitors can visit Murchison Falls National Park during the rainy season, especially those on a budget and those who prefer less crowded areas. Tour packages are more affordable when lodges reduce their expenses. It should be noted, though, that the park receives a lot of rainfall, which makes the game tracks and walking pathways slick and muddy, but with 4×4 vehicles and our experienced guides as Journeys, who are well versed with the roads, we can manoeuvre and overcome the slightly muddy roads. Furthermore, views of several park attractions are obstructed by the thick undergrowth.