Boat Cruise in Murchison Falls National Park

Boat Cruise in Murchison Falls National Park : Murchison falls National Park is among the 10 National parks in Uganda, which is well known as the Largest Park covering a total surface area of 3,840 square kilometers and located in the northern part of Uganda in Masindi district.  The Uganda Wildlife Authority which role is to protect wildlife and antiquities in all the national parks in the country manages it.  This Park was first gazetted as a game reserve in 1926 and at the same moment it was split into two by the Victoria Nile and later in 1952, it was established as a National park, which also makes it one of the oldest National parks in Uganda.

The name Murchison falls National Park was derived from the Murchison falls, which Sir Samuel Baker who came after Sir Roderick Murchison, who happened to be the President of the Royal Geographical Society, named.  Back then, in 1970’s Idi Amin Dada the former president of Uganda named the falls KABAREGA just after the Omukama/ king of Bunyoro kingdom. In addition, later in 1979, the name of the park was changed to Murchison falls after the downfall of the king.

Murchison Falls National Park harbours 76 mammal species and 451 bird species for example; African bush elephants, buffaloes, eland, antelopes, hippos, duikers, giraffes, Nile crocodiles, and aquatic birds like the rare shoebill stock.

Boat Cruise in Murchison Falls National Park.

Boat cruise in Murchison Falls National is one of the unique and most entertaining activity to very many tourists who come to Uganda the pearl of Africa to explore.  Most tour operators never miss out to include boat cruise activity in their tour packages for the most Uganda safaris hence emphasizing the point of how a boat cruise in Murchison falls is always seen as a switch to other activities that tourists involve themselves in while on the cruise or before, after the cruise and these include; bird watching at the Albert Delta and Hiking to the top of the falls.

Murchison Falls National park offers its visitors with two types of Boat cruise experiences for example; the boat cruise downstream to the bottom of the falls and the Boat cruise upstream to the Albert Delta.

The Boat Cruise downstream to the Bottom of the fall.

All Launch trips in Murchison Falls National Park begin from Paara dock the landing areas and sails towards the upstream towards the falls. Launch trips on a boat cruise to the bottom of the falls is done in the morning, hours from 9am which normally lasts for 3 hours and is combined with a hike to the top of Murchison falls.

The boat cruise downstream to the bottom of the falls is the most exciting experience because this ride amidst the Nile beauty is a memory which is not worth forgetting and. This boat ride, always creates an opportunity for tourists to get clear, amazing, beautiful views of hippos floating on water, crocodiles, warthogs, beautiful water birds, and a number of elephants showering on the river banks and tourists who are bird lovers can also get a chance to look at many birds like; cormorants, kingfishers, and the rare shoebill stock. 

The Boat Cruise Upstream to the Albert Delta.

Same as the bottom of the falls boat cruise; also, the Albert Delta launch trips start from Paara. This boat cruise is best done in the evening hours from 5.30pm which is always referred to as the SUN DOWNERS because it is always an awesome, romantic trip that offers visitors with classic beautiful views of an equatorial sunset which reflects on the river. Tourists enjoy watching the dusk falling and sunset down from the sky. More so, this is the period where individuals use their cameras or phones to take pictures of themselves and a sunset at the Nile.

This boat ride  always goes between 4 to 5 hours where tourists get a chance to explore by looking at the beautiful nature and wildlife animals such as; Nile crocodiles, elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, hippos and many others. Bird lovers also get see various bird species like; Goliath Heron, Swamp flycatcher, rare shoebill stock, Abyssinian ground hornbill, Red-throated bee-eater, African Quail finch, Malachite, Giant king fishers and the Northern red bishop.

Furthermore, Boat cruises in Murchison Falls are always combined with other activities that tourists can pick in interests to participate in after the cruise and these include; Hikes to the top of the falls, Game drives, Sport fishing, Nature walks, hot air balloon tours, bird watching, community visits and Cultural Encounters

Best time to go for Boat Cruise in Murchison Falls National Park.

The best time to go for a boat in Murchison Falls is during the two dry seasons, in the months of  June to August and December to February because it is when tourists have high chances of getting a clear of most of the wild animals especially those in the park due to less rains. However, tourists can do boat cruises at any time they prefer in Uganda.

How much is a Boat Cruise in Murchison Falls National Park.

There are fixed prices for the boat cruise rides in almost all the national parks in Uganda including Murchison Falls National Park. The Uganda Wildlife Authority set up these fees. The Nile boat cruise costs 30 USD per person with a minimum number of people and the Delta boat cruise costs 40 USD per person.

How to get to Murchison Falls National Park.

Tourists excited to pay a visit to Murchison Falls National Park can access the park through using either road or air transport.

Air transport.

Tourists who wish to cut their journey short to Murchison Falls National Park can choose to travel by use of Air transport means where they will take their flights from Entebbe International Airport or in Kajjansi airfield that will lead them straight to Pakuba airfield in the park. In addition, there are other airfields near the park such as chobe and Bugungu airfields.

Road transport.

Tourists travelling from Kampala to Murchison Falls National Park, tourists will take a drive of approximately 4-6 hours and 305 kilometers heading to the headquarters of the park at Paara which is just 85 kilometers to Masindi town or tourists will opt to use some routes that lead you directly to the park through the Southern and Northern gate that lead you straight to the interesting sections of Murchison falls National park.

 Uganda Safaris is always half complete without a boat cruise tour. Tourists panning a safari to Uganda should not miss out to include a boat cruise in the itinerary and also contact our entrusted , experienced tour operators for the best options and offers of your tour in Murchison Falls National Park.