Birding Safaris Murchison Falls National Park

Uganda’s most beautiful treasures are hidden in Murchison falls national park in the northwestern part of the country where it’s a blend of a variety of wildlife, water bodies and stunning landscapes. For over 50 years, Murchison falls national park has been famous because of the stunning Murchison water falls along the Victoria Nile. The park is located about 5 hours from Kampala and can easily be reached on a self drive for travelers who want to explore on their own.

Murchison falls national park is home to over 76 mammal species including elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, lions, leopards and lots of antelopes which highly entertain visitors during game drives. The park is also popularly known for its boat cruise tours along the Nile to the bottom of the falls and to Lake Albert in search of the shoebill stork. If you want to also trek chimpanzees at a relatively cheaper cost, then you can book for this activity and do it at Budongo forest which is adjacent to the park in the same conservation area.

Besides the big game and spectacular landscapes in Murchison falls national park, it is home to about 450 bird species found in the varying vegetation types including savannah grasslands, swamps, forest and along shores of water bodies. The numerous birds of Murchison falls national park are categorized as the Albertine endemic birds, forest birds, water birds and savannah birds easily sighted in the respective regions. Species of birds that are most commonly seen in the park include the Abyssinian hornbill, grey crowned crane, black headed lapwing, Marabou stork, Black-belied bustard, giant heron and Nightjars among others.

Bird watching in Murchison falls national park

Birding is one of the most enjoyable activities in Murchison. Birding enthusiasts get the best of the experience on boat rides on River Nile, game rives through the grasslands and woodlands, on nature walks through bushlands with guide rangers and forest walks in Budongo forest.

Birding on the boat cruise

Whether upstream to the bottom of the Murchison falls or downstream to the Albert delta, you enjoy the boat cruise where countless birds are spotted along the banks of the Victoria Nile and others in the thickets and woodlands close to the river. Species frequently seen during the boat rise along the Victoria Nile include African skimmers, African jacana, Swallow-tailed and Red-throated Bee-eaters, malachite kingfishers, pied kingfishers, Grey heron, Blue-headed Coucal, Swamp Flycatcher, Squacco Heron, Speckle-fronted Weaver, African Quail-Finch, Piapiac and Africa jacana among others.

Bird lovers interested in seeing the elusive shoe bill stork take head downstream to the Albert delta where the bird is seen in the swamps. Be aware that is seasonally found at this place. It is common during the dry season from January to March. 

Birding on guided nature walks

This involves moving on foot through the trails in the forests under the guidance of a ranger. The car drops tourists at the starting point or probably walk from the lodge to the starting point where they find the ranger and hit the trails to different locations in the park and the forests. Popular trails lead to Budongo forest, Rabongo forest, Kaniyo Pabidi and the top of the falls trail. Birds seen during these nature walks include Black-billed Barbet, Martial Eagle, Silver bird, Yellow fronted tinkerbird, Long-tailed Nightjar bird and Weaver Birds.

Game drives for birding

You need to hire a car that is suitable for game drives if you want to enjoy this activity to its best in Murchison falls national park. 4WD is recommended, and with a guide to take you through the different tracks of the park as they are very many connecting and leading to different locations. Game drives are conducted in the morning and evening and these are appropriate moments to spot more birds. Tracks where you can drive for birding here are Queen’s track, Buligi track and Albert track. The Abyssinian ground hornbill and Marabou stork are very common. Other bird species seen in these savannah include black bellied bustard, secretary birds, and weaver birds among others.

Best time for bird watching in Murchison falls national park

Birding is always rewarding in Murchison all year round. The best time for birding is November to April when migratory birds are present and therefore there more species are spotted. January to March is as well a good time to go bird watching because it is a dry season and it becomes easy to access more areas. April to May and august to October are wet seasons which make it difficult to get to some sites because of slippery and muddy trails, tracks and roads. 

What to carry for birding in Murchison falls national park

• Binoculars
• Camera
• Bird guide book
• Back pack
• Light clothes (long sleeved shirts and long trousers) and a warm jacket to keep you warm in the morning and in case it rains
• Wide brimmed hat and sun glasses
• Light shoes to enable free movement
• Insect repellant
• Drinking water and energy giving snacks

Are you planning for a birding safari in Murchison falls national park? Then be assured of fascinating experiences at all birding sites in the region. You can combine the safari with other exciting activities like chimp trekking, hot air balloon and hiking to the top of the falls for a more adventurous experience. You can book for a guided tour or a car for self drive to the park at any time of the year to explore this beautiful and rich jungle. Send an email to info@gorillaugandasafaribookings.com or call us directly on +256-775630809 or +256-701343598  to speak directly to our reservations team.