Visitors from around the world visit Murchison Falls National Park all year round mainly to climb or cruise to the top of Murchison falls for the sight and sound of river Nile roaring through a wide range. And one of the fascinating Facts About Murchison Falls National Park is the existence of the Murchison falls; this a name given to point where the Nile River is channeled through a narrow gorge within the Rift valley, hence forming a beautiful waterfall.
Here Are More Facts About Murchison Falls National Park.
FACTS:-
- The national park is sometimes referred to as Kabalega National Park. Kabalega was the Omukama of Bunyoro Kingdom from 1870 to 1899. He resisted colonization by the British, was arrested and was exiled by the British to the island nation of the Seychelles.
- It’s the largest and oldest national park in Uganda Covering 3,480 sq km situated in the northern part of the Albertine rift valley.
- The Park is split in half by the Victoria Nile.
- It has all the African Big Five (Lion, Elephant, Leopard, Buffalo and Giraffe).
- Murchison Falls Conservation Area (MFCA) encompasses of Murchison Falls National Park, Bugungu and Karuma Falls Wildlife reserves.
- MFNP has over 76 mammal species and 451 bird species. The Nile Riverbanks are a host to hippos, buffalos, waterbucks and crocodiles.
- The vegetation in Murchison is savannah and woodland. Wildlife to be seen in this area includes lions, giraffes, chimpanzees, hippos, leopards, elephants, antelopes and bird species.
- Murchison Falls is the name that was given to the point at which the world’s longest river, the river Nile, is channeled through a narrow gorge within the Rift Valley, descending almost 50metres below.
- The park is named after Sir Roderick Murchison (1851–1853), who was President of the Royal Geographical Society, which was the catalyst for many explorations within ‘colonial’ Africa, most notably the search for the source of the river Nile.
- Murchison Falls National Park has received well-known international visitors and movies have been shot in this place. These among others include Winston Churchill, Prince of Waless, Edward VII in 1930 and Queen Mother in 1959. In 1951, a movie was also shot with background scenery of the Murchison falls that was Humphrey Bogart in John Huston’s prominent movie. Another movie was the African Queen which was shot on the vicinity of the Murchison Nile along with Lake Albert.
- This park had rhinos which became extinct by 1983 due to poaching and wars which happened in Uganda back then.
The park is 300km drive from Uganda’s capital city, Kampala. Park can be accessed by road via Masindi or Packwach and air via Pakuba landing site Murchison Falls National Park is located in Northwestern Uganda in two Districts of Masindi district in west and Nwoya districts in northern Uganda.