National Parks - Valverde Safaris - Murchison Falls

A mountain gorilla munching on a stick at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

National Parks Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park (Bwindi Forest National park) is a typical tropical rain forest with an annual mean temperature range of a minimum of 7–15°C to a maximum of 20–27°C. Its annual rainfall ranges from 1,400 to 1,900 millimeters. The heavy rains climax from March to April and from September to November. Bwindi Impenetrable forest became popular to the world because of Gorilla trekking! It is a habitat for more than half of the world’s remaining Mountain Gorilla population. These gentle primates are highly endangered species and the forest possesses more than 360 individuals of the plausible 800 plus mountain gorillas in the entire world. They are highly endangered because of poaching, habitat loss and diseases. This national park generates one of the highest revenues to Uganda Wildlife Authority amongst all the safari parks in Uganda. Gorillas at Bwindi Impenetrable Forest About Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Bwindi, located in the southwestern region, on the edge of the rift valley. Commonly referred to as the impenetrable forest, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is bordered by the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on the western side; Kabale town to the southeast is the nearest main town to the park, 29 kilometers away by road. It covers an area of 331 square kilometers and is located in the highest parts of Kigezi highlands with an altitude of 1,190 to 2,607 meters above sea level and 60% of this magical park has an elevation of over 2,000 meters above sea level. The highest elevation in the park is Rwamunyonyi hill at the eastern edge and the lowest part of the park is located at its most northern tip. Bwindi Forest National Park is approximately an 8 hour or 9 hour drive from Entebbe by road and just 1 hour away by chartered flights. Usually the first and last days of Uganda gorilla tours are reserved solely for traveling and a few other minor activities along the way. The journey is quite long especially when you are traveling by road but its worth it after when you experience a close encounter with the mountain gorillas in it’s forests. A majestic mountain gorilla in its natural habitat, surrounded by lush greenery in the forest at Bwindi Impenetrable National PARK – Valverde Safaris Uganda A mountain gorilla peacefully munching on a leaf in its natural habitat at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park – Valverde Safaris Uganda Activities at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is ranked as one of the top tourist destinations in the world reason being the park consists of a wide range of activities. The activities at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park include: Gorilla Trekking: This is by far the most popular activity though it doesn’t have to be so considering how diverse the forest is. Bwindi is the best park to track mountain gorillas in East and Central Africa. About half of the remaining population of mountain gorillas is found in Bwindi Impenetrable forest. Bwindi also has the highest number of habituated gorilla families – 14 in total. It is only in Bwindi that tourists can go for the gorilla habituation experience. Gorilla tracking usually begins with briefing early in the morning. The briefing covers important topics such as how to act around the primates, what to expect and what to pack. The actual tracking can take between 30 minutes to 4 hours depending on the gorilla family and their location. An advance team of trackers is sent earlier to locate the primates. This advance team of trackers then locates the gorilla family before communicating by radio to the rangers leading the tourists with details about their location. It is because of this advance team of trackers that the chance of spotting mountain gorillas is very high. Tourists are allowed only one hour with the gorillas. This is because the animals are semi-wild and prolonged presence of humans may get to their nerves. In the extremely rare cases where a gorilla charges, it is never wise to run away. Simply lay low in a submissive posture and all should be fine. Eating near gorillas is prohibited. You cannot make loud noises or fun of the gorillas. Gorilla Habituation Experience: The gorilla habituation experience was introduced in Bwindi more recently. This experience is currently only possible in Bwindi forest – not in Rwanda and not in Congo. This activity allows primate lovers more time (four hours) observing the primates instead of the standard gorilla trekking (four hours). Tourists taking part in the 3 Days gorilla habituation experience get a chance to move with experienced trackers and some of the best primate researchers. The scientists share information about the gorilla habituation process and current issues related to gorilla conservation. This experience costs more than the standard one hour gorilla watching. Only four people can take part in the gorilla habituation experience. You can read more about gorilla habituation vs trekking in another article. Hiking and Nature Walks: Bwindi is a park with great biodiversity and the park authorities have ensured that visitors also experience the other good things that the park has to offer. To that end, several trails have been established to allow visitors marvel at the forest, its creatures like birds, butterflies and primates. One such trail starts from Buhoma to Nkoringo, from Nkoringo to Lake Mutanda and them from Nkoringo to Kisoro. These trails go through amazing scenery and provide opportunities to mingle with the locals. The Buhoma Village walk in particular takes tourists to local communities where they can learn about how members of an indigenous African tribe spend their day. The waterfall trail on the other hand exposes visitors to pristine forest with orchids, ferns, birds and butterflies. This particular trail ends with a sighting of beautiful waterfalls containing pure water. The short Munyaga River trail at the valley below Buhoma park office provides opportunities to see birds and primates like L’Hoest’s monkeys and Colobus Monkeys. Visitors need the help of a guide to find direction and a porter if they plan to move with heavy bags or equipment like cameras. If you plan to travel with your granny,

The strong Falls at Murchison Falls National Park in Uganda - Valverde Safaris Uganda

Murchison Falls National Park Uganda

Blogs, National Parks

National Parks Explore Murchison Falls National Park: Where The Nile Meets The Wild In northern Uganda, the Nile River surges through a narrow cleft of rock, creating a magnificent spectacle known as Murchison Falls. The force of the water’s plunge creates a mesmerizing display of power and beauty, leaving visitors spellbound. But Murchison Falls National Park is not just about the falls; it’s a mosaic of ecosystems that harbor a staggering variety of wildlife. Embark on game drives across the savannas to spot elephants, giraffes, lions, and more. Take a boat safari along the Nile to witness hippos, crocodiles, and an array of water birds. Murchison Falls National Park promises a holistic experience that blends nature’s drama with the serenity of the wilderness. About Murchison Falls National Park Murchison Falls National Park, locally known as Kabalega National Park is situated at the end of the Albertine Rift Valley and it is Uganda’s oldest and largest safari park. Murchison is located 305 kilometers north of Kampala in Masindi District and can be accessed by road or flights. Murchison Falls National park was first gazetted as a wildlife reserve in 1926 and is home to 76 different mammal species and 451 birds. Murchison Falls Conservation Area is made up of Bugungu, Karuma wildlife reserves and Murchison Falls National Park. Murchison Falls National park is bisected by the Victoria Nile, which plunges 45m over the remnant valley wall, creating the dramatic falls, the park’s unique attraction and the final event in an 80km stretch of rapids. The mighty cascade drains the last of the river’s energy, transforming it into a broad, placid stream that flows quietly across the rift valley floor into Lake Albert. This stretch of river provides one of Uganda’s most remarkable wildlife spectacles that can only be expereinced through Uganda safaris / Uganda tours/ Uganda trips . This is something you will clearly see when you visit Murchison Falls National Park on a murchison falls safari. Regular visitors to the riverbanks include elephants, giraffes and buffaloes; while hippos, Nile crocodiles and aquatic birds are permanent residents. Notable visitors to Murchison Falls National Park include Winston Churchill, Theodore Roosevelt, Ernest Hemingway and several British royals. Common activities include: wildlife viewing safaris at murchison falls / game viewing, launch trips to the bottom of the falls and hikes to the top (Devil’s Cauldron), birding and nature walks. Launch trips stand out as the most common exciting activities because it gets you close to the centerpiece of the park. For those that want an aerial wildlife viewing experience, hot air ballooning activities are available within the park. The vegetation of Murchison Falls National Park is made up of Savannah, Riverine forest and woodland. Some of the wildlife includes kobs, elephants, Rothschild giraffes, hartebeests, oribis, leopards, lions Uganda kobs, chimpanzees, and many bird species. This safari park is an all year wildlife destination but can best be visited on a uganda safari during the months of June to late September or January to mid-March. Getting There There are many ways to get the Murchison Falls National Park. By Air: You can catch a flight to Pakuba Airstrip with Aero Link or Bar Aviation. The Park can be reached by air charter services. There are airstrips at Paraa and Rabongo which can accommodate light aircraft of up to six seats capacity. By Road: You can also reach the park by road. By road, it is a 3 hour drive from Kampala to Masindi, 217 km on tarmac and 40 km on high grade murram, then an additional 2 hours (97 km) from Masindi to the Falls on murram. A 4 wheel drive vehicle is advisable as the Masindi-Paraa road is rough. Gates to Murchison Falls National Park There are also multiple entrances to access the park Plan Ahead Popular gates are Kichumbanyobo Gateand Mubako Gate in the south of MFNP, Wankwar Gate, Tangi Gate in the North, and Chobe Gate. When is the Best Time to Visit Murchison Falls Park? The park can be visited all year round. However the trend for African safari goers affects the park. You will find more travelers visiting the park during the months of June to October as well as December to March. Murchison Falls National Park is often included in safari circuits that include visits to leading Uganda parks. It is often combined with other popular adventure activities that include gorilla safaris in Bwindi and Mgahinga, chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest, wildlife safaris in Kidepo and Queen Elizabeth National Park. Given that most visitors to Uganda go gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga Park, Murchison Falls Park receives the highest number of visitors in June to September and December to March. Going on Safari in Murchison Falls National Park during the dry season makes animal viewing easier if compared with the rainy months. It is wise to plan your safari well so that you can see all the animals on your wishlist. Start planning your next Uganda safari today with our free trip planning information and get up to date travel information, news & safari deals from our preferred travel partners. A view of falls at Murchison Falls National Park in Uganda A view of Hippos on River Nile at Murchison Falls National Park in Uganda – Valverde Safaris Uganda A shoebil bird at Mabamba swamp – Valverde Safaris Uganda Attractions at Murchison Falls National Park The Attractions at Murchison Falls National Park are quite many and fact is are all beautiful. The list below highlights some of them. Murchison Falls Murchison Falls is characterized by eternal war between rock and water. The waters violently compress through a narrow gorge, spraying misty droplets along their wake over a 50m radius. This creates a permanent rainbow over the battlefield and causes a continuous roar. From Baker Point on the southern side, you can also view the Nile splitting into the smaller Uhuru Falls, created in 1962 when the river burst its banks. River Nile A boat ride along the Nile to the foot of Murchison Falls is a rewarding experience for nature lovers, as the northern bank

Zebras at Kidepo Valley National Park - Valverde Safaris Uganda

Explore Uganda’s Kidepo Valley National Park

Blogs, National Parks

Discover the wild beauty of Kidepo Valley National Park Uganda, one of East Africa’s most remote and spectacular safari destinations.

Nestled in the far northeast of Uganda, Kidepo offers an authentic wildlife experience with abundant Big 5 sightings, including lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopards, and rhinos.

The park’s dramatic landscapes, from golden savannahs to rugged hills, provide breathtaking scenery and countless photo opportunities.

Beyond the wildlife, visitors can engage with the unique cultures of local tribes such as the Karamojong, making each safari a rich blend of nature and culture. Ideal for adventurous travelers, Kidepo Valley is perfect for game drives, guided walking safaris, and birdwatching, with over 460 bird species recorded.

Whether you are seeking thrilling wildlife encounters or serene landscapes far from the crowds, Kidepo Valley National Park Uganda promises an unforgettable safari adventure.