How to Get to Murchison Falls National Park? Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest national park, encompasses a number of districts in the northwestern part of the city of Kampala, including Nwoya, Masindi, Kiryadongo, Bulisa, and a portion of Nakasongola, and is spread across 3,893 square kilometers.
The park is divided by the Albertine Nile and is home to the Karuma fall wildlife reserve as well as the Bugungu wildlife reserve, which form the Murchison fall conservation area of the protected national park that is owned and controlled by the Uganda wildlife authority, a government body in charge and responsible for all of Uganda national parks.
How to get to Murchison Falls National Park?
Murchison Falls National Park is a popular tourist destination that is in high demand by a large number of visitors who visit the Pearl of Africa. It is also one of the top destinations for Uganda safaris, which provide tourists with an opportunity to see the big five wildlife animals in East Africa as well as other wildlife wonders.
The park is accessible by both road and air for all those who come to Africa and want to experience the gem of Africa as well as have an excellent Uganda safari in the wilderness for a once-in-a-lifetime trip.
If you are planning a visit to Murchison Falls National Park, you can take a bus from Kampala, or private transportation services such as a self-drive from Entebbe international airport, or arrange for a pickup service by a professional tour operator/Uganda safari specialist who can assist you in organizing an unforgettable Murchison autumn safari. Murchison Falls National Park may be reached by one of five distinct gates, including:
Wankwar gate is located in the northern sector of Murchison Falls National Park at Purongo and is 10 kilometers from the Arua-Gulu main road. It may be utilized by visitors arriving from the Gulu or Kidepo Valley national parks.
Tangi gate, located 110 kilometers from Karuma Bridge, is located in the northern sector of Murchison Falls National Park and is only 2 kilometers from the park headquarters. Using this gate will require travelers to cross the ferry to access the park’s southern sector.
Mubako gate, which can be accessible from Karuma falls bridge on Pakwach road from Kampala, allows passengers to appreciate the beautiful grandeur of Karuma falls as they cross the Nile river from Karuma bridge.
Bugungu gate is located around 135 kilometers from Masindi town and is one of the gates located in the southern section of the Murchison Falls National Park. It may also be reached via the Budongo Forest National Park in the southern sector, which provides spectacular views of the rift valley escarpment as well as the Budongo forest.
Kichumbanyobo gate is about two to three hours’ drive and 85 kilometers from Masindi town. The gate is located in the park’s southern section and may also be entered via Kaniyo Pabidi forest. As previously stated, the park includes three air strip fields where aircrafts doing Uganda safaris may land, including Chobe air field, which is located in Nwoya district in the northern sector of Murchison Falls National Park, near Chobe safari resort.
Bugungu airstrip is located in the southern sector of Uganda, adjacent to the Uganda Wildlife Headquarters. Bugungu is also adjacent to Paraa Safari Lodge, one of the park’s finest accommodations; it may also be utilized by visitors at Red Chili Safari Camp, Simba Safari Lodge, and Nile Camp.
Pakuba airstrip is located in the northern sector of Murchison Falls National Park and is administered by the civil aviation authority. It is located 756 kilometers from Entebbe International Airport, 15 kilometers from Bugungu, and 72 kilometers from Chobe Safari Lodge.
When is the best time to visit Murchison Falls National Park?
Uganda wildlife safaris in Murchison Falls National Park are available all year, but the best time to visit the park is during the dry season, which we consider to be the peak season for Uganda safaris, which is from December to February, June to mid-October, when there is little expected rainfall.
During the dry season, a broad variety of wildlife creatures congregate at water collecting points to quench their thirst, making them plainly visible to visitors on a game drive safari in Murchison Falls National Park.
However, some visitors prefer to visit Murchison Falls National Park during the low season, which is usually the rainy season in Uganda, because many travelers dislike traveling in crowds, and others prefer to take advantage of the discounted rates offered by safari lodges and tour operators during the low season.
Whether travelers traveled by road in a 4×4 vehicle or by air, they all had incredible and exceptional adventure experiences on Uganda safari, and there is a great opportunity to easily access a wide range of accommodation facilities that they can use on their safari, the accommodation facilities range from mid-range to budget and luxury facilities depending on a traveler’s budget and interest.
They include the Chobe safari lodge, which is close to the Chobe airstrip, the Budongo eco-lodge, the Heritage Safari Lodge, the Pakuba Lodge, the Shoe Bill Rest Camp, and the Paraa Safari Lodge, among other accommodation facilities with very good and excellent services, as well as the welcoming staff who help travelers enjoy their stay while on safari in Murchison Falls National Park.
In summary, when traveling by car, tourists will drive from Kampala city through Karuma town, then Pakwach high way, and then split off from Karuma bridge and go to Paraa headquarters. It takes around 5-6 hours to drive from Kampala to Murchison Falls National Park in a 4WD vehicle, and the northern gates are suggested for visitors coming from Kidepo Valley National Park and Gulu town.
