Murchison: Of gushing crystal waters and magnificent wildlife

The Murchison water falls are a sight to behold, as they make their way through the rocks. There are plans to renovate the place from where people can see the top of these falls. 

While the park has lost a little of its glow, all hope is not lost. As a matter of fact, it is still a gem and plans are in the works to make it one of Africa’s best again. It is partly land and partly water, which allows tourists to enjoy sceneries on and off shore in its locations both in Masindi District in western Uganda and in Amuru District in the North.

One of Murchison’s most beautiful points is its southern bank, where the water is wild and loud, creating a beautiful view as it gushes into nestled rocks into a sight of cloud-like water.

It offers a photographic moment as it splashes out from high up in the rocks and all the way down to the river’s bed which is more peaceful. One should get ready to become wet and be careful to protect the camera from the strong water drops bouncing out of the falls.

The falls
Standing at the metallic belvedere, you experience that childhood feeling of playing in the rain. This is the point that stretches from the all-green equatorial forest, along the northern Albertine Rift valley.

Simon Okurut, a guide and caretaker of the soon-to-be refurbished welcome point, says this Lake Victoria outlet sends around 300 cubic metres (300,000 litres) per second of water over the falls, squeezing into a ravine that is 10 metres wide and seven metres high, down to the serene waterbed as the Nile drains its energy.

Surrounding what has been described by some as the world’s most powerful water fall, are green plains of beautiful flora, which attracts several bird species.

It is no wonder that Winston Churchill described the land around the falls as “Kew Gardens and the Zoo on an unlimited scale”. He might have said these words over a century ago but their truth rings to this day.

The view from the top of the falls is the best anyone visiting will experience as you get to enjoy not just the sight but also the sound of the falls making their way down the gorge.

One of the park’s highlights are the boat trips to the bottom of Murchison fall.

Wildlife
But it is not just the waterfalls that make Murchison falls tick, there are the wild animals too. 
By the way you might want to learn that this park was once known as Kabalega, after the Omukama (king) of the Kingdom of Bunyoro- Omukama Chwa II Kabalega - who ruled during the 19th century and is famed for resisting British colonial rule.

The name Kabalega was former president, Idi Amin’s idea in the 1970s, although this was never legally promulgated. It was later renamed Murchison Falls National Park after Sir Samuel Baker “discovered” the falls and named them after Sir Roderick Murchison, president of the Royal Geographical Society at the time.

An early morning drive through the park is most ideal as you have the chance to see a variety of wild animals. Murchison is famous for big Nile crocodiles, a checklist of mammals that includes 80 species, with large ones like elephants, giraffes, buffalos, Jackson’s hartebeests, hippos, Ugandan Kobs, waterbucks, lions, and leopards as the main game attraction.

You will also get to enjoy forest walks that double as educational tours since tour guides are willing to share information about the park, the animals, birds and any vital information. The park, after all, is only part of the Murchison Falls Conservation Area (MFCA) which also comprises Bugungu and Karuma Falls Wildlife Reserves, translating into more scenery.

If you are to spend a night, there are different lodging facilities to choose from. One thing is for sure though; Murchison Falls National Park is one place that stamps the fact that motherland Uganda is truly gifted by nature.

By: Bruce Amp