Booking a Memorable Boat Cruise in Murchison Falls
Boat cruises in Murchison Falls National Park is one of the most interesting and unique tourist activities tourists do, the boat cruise is the highlight of the many activities in the park. The boat cruise in Murchison Falls National Park is usually done in two sessions, one in the morning and the other one in the afternoon. The morning boat cruise starts from 8:30 am to 11:30 am and from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm, it’s an afternoon boat cruise.
Murchison Falls National Park is renowned for being the largest national park in Uganda. The Park is located in the northern part of Uganda in Masindi district covering a total area of 3,840 square kilometers. This Park is managed by the Uganda Wildlife Authority which is also responsible for safeguarding the flora and fauna found in all national parks in Uganda. It was officially gazetted as a wildlife reserve in 1926, the year when Victoria Nile splinted it into two, and later, was named a national park in 1952, making it one of Uganda’s first national parks.
A boat cruise in Murchison Falls National Park is the most enjoyable activity for tourists compared to a boat cruise in other countries like Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, or the Congo. It is perfectly ok for a traveler to choose to replace another activity with a boat ride in the Murchison Falls National Park. For example, you cannot visit the top of the falls or go birdwatching in the Albert Delta unless you also arrange a boat journey. The Bottom of the Falls boat ride and the Albert Delta boat tour are the two available boat trips.
The bottom of the Falls boat cruise
The boat cruise at the bottom of the falls in Murchison Falls National Park is the most popular activity tourists prefer because of the freshwater they can see that splash at the base of the fall. The boat cruise begins from the Paraa dock, where qualified guides navigate the vessel upstream toward the falls. While on a boat cruise sailing on water in Murchison Falls National Park, expect to come across a school of hippos floating on water, and herds of elephants, among other wildlife species, you may also see crocodiles, water birds, flocks of warthogs, and a few oribis. Since a boat cruise at the bottom of the fall may bring tourists closer to some aquatic animals like crocodiles and hippos, it’s an excellent moment for tourists to capture the best photographs (photos) of these creatures and this ride becomes more enjoyable when you have a few bottles of cold drinks among others.
The Albert Delta boat cruise
The Nile Albert Delta boat cruise is also suggested for a safari in Uganda in Murchison Falls National Park. This boat cruise also begins from the Paraa Jetty and ends at Delta Point where the bottom of the fall also begins from. The Nile Delta lies in Murchison Falls National Park twenty kilometers downstream. Nile Delta is home to numerous waterbirds and the shoebill stork is believed to be the most attractive bird guests are familiar with on the Nile Delta boat trip.
The time spent on the Nile Delta boat cruise is quite longer than the one spent on the bottom of the Falls boat cruise, It takes around 2 to 3 hours to reach the bottom of the fall, and it takes about 4 to 5 hours on the boat launch at the Nile Delta. While on these boat cruises, take some time to relax in the delta before you sail back up the Nile to the Paraa jetty and sight some wildlife animals including several elephants, Nile crocodiles, a school of hippos, herds of elephants, and other fascinating animals.
Best time to take a boat cruise at Murchison Falls National Park.
The best time to go for a boat cruise in Murchison Falls is during the two dry seasons, which are from June to August and December to February. It’s in these months that you will have a high chance of viewing most of the wildlife species, especially those that are found in the park. However, boat cruises can also be done during the rainy season.
Wildlife safaris in Murchison Falls National Park
Murchison Falls National Park is the biggest of Uganda’s 10 national parks because of its unique combination of beauty and wildlife. One of the things that make Murchison Falls National Park unique is the massive waterfall.
It’s in Murchison Falls National Park where most of the African big animals can be found. Four of the Big Five animals are present, except for rhinos which are absent but can be seen at the nearby Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.
Murchison Falls Wildlife Safaris
3 days Murchison Falls safaris
Our 3-day safari will take you to Uganda’s largest national park known as Murchison Falls National Park which is located in North-western Uganda covering a total area of 3,840 square kilometres. In the year 1926, Murchison Falls National Park was gazetted as a game reserve and it is categorized with savannah grasslands and Victoria Nile flowing through the north and south banks. It is home to over 451 bird species such as black-billed barbet, shoe bill stork, grey crowned crane, great blue turaco, and dwarf kingfisher among others, 76 mammal species, a large number of crocodiles, enjoy variety of wildlife species such as elephants, buffaloes, hippos, giraffes, waterbucks among others and above all attractions, don’t forget the magnificent and thunderous Murchison falls forcing their way through a gorge which is believed to be 8m wide. Having said all these, you will also get an opportunity to engage in other activities such as nature walks, game drives, and boat cruises along the Nile River.
Tour highlights
Day 1: Transfer from Kampala to Murchison Falls National Park.
Day 2: Morning game drive and boat cruise on River Nile
Day 3: Chimpanzee tracking in Budongo forest and return to Kampala
Activity highlights
Visit the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Boat cruise on River Nile
Game drive
Visit the top of the falls
Detailed Itinerary.
Day 1: Transfer from Kampala to Murchison Falls National Park
After you have had your early morning breakfast, our tour guide will pick you up from your hotel at exactly 7:00 am, He will brief you about your 3-day safari to Murchison Falls National Park, especially about the rules and regulations, and then start your journey which will take you 6-hour drive. On your way, you will have a stopover at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for rhino tracking and then continue up to Masindi town where you will have your luncheon. Immediately after lunch, proceed with your journey to the park through the Kichumbanyobo gate, make all your payments for car entry, and then drive towards the falls.
Accommodation options.
Red chill rest camp or Heritage safari lodge (budget accommodation)
Pakuba Safari Lodge or Murchison River Lodge (budget accommodation)
Paraa Safari Lodge or Chobe Safari Lodge (luxury accommodation)
Day 2: Morning game drive and afternoon boat cruise along River Nile
After your early morning breakfast at the lodge where you could have spent a night, you will get into your safari car and go for an early game drive on the Northern banks of the River Nile which will take you about 3 to 5 hours, and encounter a variety of wildlife species such as elephants, buffaloes, Kobs, waterbucks, oribis among others. Drive back to the lodge for lunch as you prepare for an afternoon boat cruise on the Nile which will give you a clear view of the mighty Murchison Falls. Still along the way while on a boat cruise, you will encounter crocodiles in the water, buffaloes, elephants, hippos swimming, and birds at the river banks like kingfishers, herons, and storks among others.
Day 3: Chimpanzee tracking in Budongo forest and return to Kampala
After you have enjoyed your early morning breakfast, you will start your journey to Budongo Forest the largest mahogany forest in East Africa which is home to over 80 habituated chimpanzees. This activity will start very early in the morning and it will begin with searching for chimpanzees in the forest which is likely to take about 2 to 4 hours depending on their movement. Once they are found, you are given one hour to interact with them as you get to know their lifestyle, the way they play, and watch them eat, and rest among others. After all, these, check around yourself whether you have packed all your belongings and finally departed from the park. Still on your way, you will have a stopover at Masindi town for your lunch, and then embark on your journey to Kampala or Entebbe for an evening flight. This day will mark the end of your safari, thank you
The package includes
Chimpanzee permits
Park entrance fees
English speaking guide
Accommodation
Bottle water
Meals
The package excludes
Alcoholic drinks
Tips to local people
Tips to local people
International flights
laundry services
Items of personal nature
