Bird watching in Murchison falls national park.
Bird viewing in Murchison Falls National Park: Situated in the northern part of Masindi district, Murchison Falls National Park is the biggest and most renowned bird watching site in Uganda. The 76 mammal species found in Murchison Falls National Park include the big four or big five mammals, which include buffaloes, elephants, lions, and leopards, as well as primates like chimpanzees, red-tailed monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, olive baboons, and other creatures like waterbucks, oribi, Jackson’s hartebeest, giraffes, warthogs, hippos, and Nile crocodiles.
One of Uganda’s top birding locations, Murchison Falls National Park is home to approximately 460 known bird species, including migratory, forest, savannah, and aquatic birds. One of the fascinating things to do in Murchison Falls National Park is birdwatching, which can be done in the morning or at night with a knowledgeable bird guide.
There are several ways to observe birds in Murchison Falls National Park, including game drives in the Buligi area, guided nature walks in the Budongo and Rabongo forests, and boat cruises to the bottom of the falls or the Nile Delta. The prehistoric shoebill stork, Red-throated Bee-eater, Spur-winged Lapwing, Grey Crowned Crane, African Darter, Common Ringed Plover, Papyrus Gonolek, Egyptian Goose, Great Cormorant, Grey Heron, Little Stint, African Open Billed Stork, Rock Pranticole, Black-crowned Night Heron, Little Egret, Pied Kingfisher, Malachite Kingfisher, Hadada Ibis, Purple Heron, African Fish Eagle, Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, Helmeted Guinea Fowl, Secretary Bird, Denham’s Bustard, Red-chested Cuckoo, Double Toothed Barbet, Long Crested Eagle, Blue-headed Coucal, Black-crowned Tchagra, Cassin’s Hawk Eagle, Blue-breasted Kingfisher, White-thighed Hornbill, Chestnut-capped Flycatcher, Yellow-footed Flycatcher, Senegal Among them are Pels Fishing Owl, Green-winged Ptyilia, and Thick-knee.
The price of visiting Murchison Falls National Park to observe birds
It costs 30 USD for foreign visitors, 25 USD for foreign residents, and 20,000 UGX for East African nationals to go bird viewing in Murchison Falls National Park. Other activities and the entrance charge to Murchison Falls National Park, which costs 25,000 UGX per person for East African citizens, 35 USD per person for foreign residents, and 45 USD per person for foreign non-residents, are not included in the rates.
The ideal time of year to observe birds at Murchison Falls National Park
The best time to go bird watching in Murchison Falls National Park is during the rainy season, which runs from January to March and November to April. This is because there is an abundance of food for the birds during this time, which allows you to see a variety of bird species. Birdwatchers will also be able to see migrating and colorful bird species during this time.
Observing birds at Denham’s Bustard in Murchison Falls National Park
Because birding routes will be dry and accessible throughout the dry season, which runs from June to September, bird watching in Murchison Falls National Park is also possible during this time.
What to bring to the Murchison Falls National Park bird watching safari
A pair of binoculars, a field guidebook, a camera and extra batteries, long sleeves, comfortable hiking shoes, a water bottle, insect repellent, a hat and sunscreen, a waterproof rain jacket or poncho, and a backpack are just a few of the things you should bring on your Uganda bird watching safari.
Accommodations at the National Park of Murchison Falls
Red Chili Rest Camp, Paraa Safari Lodge, Pakuba Safari Lodge, Murchison Falls Bamboo Village, Sambiya River Lodge, Fort Murchison Lodge, Murchison River Lodge, Twiga Safari Lodge, Budongo Eco Lodge, Amuka Safari Lodge, Murchison Tree House, Nile Safari Lodge, Parkside Safari Lodge, and Tilenga Safari Lodge are just a few of the lodging options available in Murchison Falls National Park where you can spend your birding safari.
How to travel to the National Park of Murchison Falls
Murchison Falls National Park is situated in northern Uganda and is accessible by road. It takes roughly five to six hours to drive in a safari vehicle from Kampala via Masindi to the park headquarters.
Additional activities in the National Park of Murchison Falls
In addition to bird watching, Murchison Falls National Park offers other exciting safari activities, such as game drives where you can see a variety of animals, such as buffaloes, elephants, lions, leopards, giraffes, oribi, and waterbucks; boat cruises to the bottom of the falls and the Nile Delta where you can see hippos and Nile crocodiles in the water; sport fishing where you can catch a variety of fish; cultural tours where you can interact with the locals; chimpanzee trekking where you can spend time with the chimpanzees; and guided nature walks where you can explore the park on foot.
