Bird watching in Murchison falls national park; Murchison falls national park is the largest national park located in northwestern part of Uganda in Bulisa, Kiryandongo, Masindi and Nwoya districts. Murchison falls national park is one of the best bird watching destinations in Uganda in that it’s a home of over 450 recorded bird species including Albertine rift endemic species, savannah birds, water birds, forest birds and migratory birds. There are top bird watching destinations in Murchison falls national park including Kaniyo Pabidi forest, Lake Albert Delta, Budongo forest among others. Bird species in Murchison falls national park can be spotted during the game drives, nature walk on Lake Albert delta and bottom of the falls, nature walks through the savannah grasslands and tropical rainforests.
During your bird watching safari in Murchison falls national park, you will be able to spot different bird species including the elusive Shoebill Stork, African fish eagle, White-thighed hornbill, Olive-breasted green bul, Brown twin spot, Little Green Sunbird, Yellow-footed Flycatcher, Grey heron, Giant Kingfisher, Black-headed Lapwing, Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, Long-toed Plover, Veracious Dove, Black-billed Barbet, Martial Eagle, Silver Bird, Yellow-billed Stork, Grey-crowned Crane, Weaver Dirds, Rock Pratincole, Pied Kingfisher, Denham’s Bustard, Giant Heron, Swamp Flycatcher, Malachite Kingfisher, African Jacana, Standard-winged Nightjar, Red-throated Bee-eater, Senegal Thick-knee, Saddle-billed Stork, Red-winged grey warbler, Marabou Stork, Blue-headed Coucal, Goliath Heron, Squacco Heron, White-browed Sparrow-weaver, Palm-nut Vulture, Osprey, African Darter, Long-tailed Nightjar, Standard-winged Nightjar among others.
Best time to go for bird watching in Murchison falls national park
This can be done all year round though the best time is during the wet or low season in the months of January to March, November and April. During this period many birds will be in their breeding plumage and bird lovers will be able to view colorful and migratory bird species.
Bird watching in Murchison falls national park can also be done in the dry season during the months of June, July, August, September and December. During the dry season, there is less rainfall in the national park therefore access roads and birding trails will be dry and passable which makes trekking easy.
Where to stay during your bird watching safari in Murchison falls national park
There are several accommodation facilities in Murchison falls national park where you can stay during your bird watching safari. The accommodations range from budget, midrange and luxury including Murchison river lodge, Pakuba safari lodge, Fort Murchison safari lodge, Amuka safari lodge, Heritage safari lodge, Parkside safari lodge, Bwana Tembo safari camp, Kabalega wilderness lodge, New Court view hotel, Red Chilli rest camp, Bar Lyec safari lodge, Budongo Eco lodge, Global village guest house, Kalalo cottage inn, Boomu women’s group Bandas, Yebo safari camp, Uganda wildlife campsite, Nile safari lodge, Paraa safari lodge, Chobe safari lodge among others.
How to get to Murchison falls national park
Murchison falls national park is located in northwestern part of Uganda and can be accessed by road transport means whereby you will drive from Kampala via Masindi to the park headquarters which takes about 5 to 6 hours’ drive.
Murchison falls national park can also be accessed by air transport means where by you will book scheduled or charter flights from Entebbe international airport or Kajjansi airfield to Pakuba, Chobe or Bugungu airstrips and then connect to the park headquarters by road.
Other activities in Murchison falls national park
Murchison falls national park offers other interesting activities that you can engage in after bird watching including game drives where you will be able to explore the savannah plains in a comfortable safari van and view different animals like buffaloes, Jackson’s hartebeest, giraffes, elephants, Oribi, lions, leopards, waterbucks, Uganda kobs, warthogs , boat cruise to the bottom of the falls where you will be able to view hippos and Nile crocodiles in water, nature walks where you will be get an opportunity to explore the park on foot, sport fishing, hot air balloon experience among others.
Bird watching is an adventurous activity in Murchison falls national park which can be combined with other interesting activities like chimpanzee trekking, wildlife viewing or gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park. For more information about birding, do not hesitate to contact us at Achieve Global Safaris or visit our website for various Uganda safari packages.
