Conservation and activities at Murchison Falls
Murchison Falls
is an major reserve
in the Rift Valley
History of the Murchison Falls
conservation started way back in the early 1900s
The first Europeans to visit the Murchison Falls area were explorers John Speke and James Grant in 1862.
It was more thoroughly investigated by Samuel and Florence Baker in 1864, who named the falls Murchison Falls after the geologist Roderick Murchison, then president of the Royal Geographical Society in London.
Between 1907 and 1912 the indigenous inhabitants were cleared from an area of around 13,000 square kilometres, officially due to the high risk of sleeping sickness.
In 1910 the Bunyoro Game Reserve was created south of the River Nile. In 1928 the boundaries were extended to include a substantial area to the north of the river.
In 1952, the British administration increased the conservation status and upgraded the reserve to Murchison Falls National Park.
The Karuma Falls lie on the eastern boundary of the reserve and are the site of the largest hydro-electric power station in the country.
Conservation in Murchison Falls
much improved since the 1980s poaching epidemic
Like virtually all the wildlife areas in Uganda, Murchison Falls National Park suffered from very heavy poaching during the 1980s and wildlife was decimated.
There has been a significant improvement since and animal numbers have now returned to levels where decent safari experiences can once again be delivered.
Whilst the poaching issues are now much reduced, there is still considerable concern about the levels of protection being offered to the reserve by the Uganda Wildlife Service.
One particular challenge to the attractiveness of the area is the increasing presence of oil prospecting rigs. The fear is that the park does not presently generate enough revenue from tourism to set against the commercial pressures exerted by the oil industry.
Key activities in Murchison Falls
motorboat safari up to the falls
The number one activity in the Murchison Falls area is to take a motorboat safari up the Victoria Nile to the base of the falls, where hippos, crocodiles, buffaloes, antelopes and a range of birds can usually be seen.
It is also possible to approach the top of the falls by vehicle and walk to a prominent viewpoint.
Another option is motorboat safari downstream towards the delta at Lake Albert, with chances of sighting rare shoebill storks.
The main savanna area for vehicle safari lies between the Victoria Nile and the Albert Nile and is accessed by means of a motorised pontoon.
To the south the Budongo Forest provides an alternative to Kibale Forest as a chimpanzee tracking location.
Further reading
let us know your thoughts about Uganda
and we will help you create the perfect trip
Extraordinary tailor-made adventures,
from earthy and edgy to easy and extravagant
From around USD 2500 per person, you set the ceiling
Sample Trips
Here are some of our popular trip shapes
Get started on your trip
It’s never too soon to get in touch, we are here to help with every stage of your planning.
Best Lodges
We regularly inspect and photograph all of the the best lodges, to ensure that we always recommend the most suitable options
Key Locations
Take a look around related locations. Click ‘View more’ to explore locations further afield.
