Night game drives in Murchison Falls National Park
Night game drives in Murchison Falls National Park are the most extraordinary experiences that gives visitors an entirely different perspective of the park and its wildlife. Murchison Falls National Park which is part of the east African rift valley in the Murchison Conservation Area in north-western Uganda is Uganda’s largest national park of about 5,072 square kilometers.
During night game drives in Murchison Falls National Park is the best way for you to encounter most of the nocturnal species. You will get an opportunity to see traditional nocturnal animals such as leopards, hyenas, hippos, porcupines, genets, civets, bush babies, various reptiles, owls and night jars which generally top the wishlist.
At Nyamsika cliffs is where one can enjoy beautiful sceneries and gaze at elephants and other wildlife on the green grassy hillsides and the river below. Murchison Falls National Park in north-western Uganda is an excellent destination for you to lookout for the four big game; the giant African elephants, lions, buffaloes, and leopards. There are as well many antelopes such as topis, reedbucks, kobs, bushbucks, elands, and impalas among others. Don’t miss over 550 bird species including the elusive shoebill storks, and a variety of primates.
Organized night game drives in Murchison Falls are usually in an open-topped game viewing vehicle, which gives the best way to explore the park after 18:00 pm. This is also offers the best chance of seeing some of the nocturnal species and it could take you about 2-3 hours.
These game drives are best done in a good 4 wheel drive safari vehicle. Visitors are always accompanied by a professional driver guide, armed ranger guide, with spot lights that gives you a clear lighting fixture to see animals and enjoy the experience.
Other activities to do in Murchison Falls National Park include day game drives, bird watching, nature walks, cultural encounters, hiking to the top of the falls, boat trips, and hot air balloon safaris among others.
Best time to do night game drives in Murchison Falls National Park
Night game drives in Murchison Falls can be done at any time of the year. However, it is perfect to visit the park during dry seasons. These occur in the months of June to September and December to February.
During the dry seasons, the trails along Murchison Falls are kept relatively drier which makes it easier to navigate through in a 4 wheel drive safari car.
It is also possible for you to embark on a night game drive during wet seasons, for different exceptional experiences. The wet seasons, also known as the rainy season in Murchison Falls occur in the months of March to May and October to November.
Other national parks in Uganda where night game drives can be done include Kidepo Valley National Park which is known for its exciting wilderness located in the far north-eastern Uganda. There is Queen Elizabeth National Park – the most popular national park in Uganda, situated in western Uganda. Don’t miss Lake Mburo National Park which is also a perfect place for night game drives. Lake Mburo lies within the rain shadow area that is between Lake Victoria and the Rwenzori mountains, and it is also located in the western part of the country.
How to get to Murchison Falls National Park
By road, there are a number of routes that can be used to reach Murchison Falls. The journey, which is about 305 km, may take approximately 6 hours from Kampala the capital of Uganda.
The park has five (5) gates which give you access. These include Chobe, Wankar, Tangi, Bugungu, Mubako and Kichumbanyobo gates.
By Air, Murchison falls has three (3) air fields which are accessible and two of these are within the park. Pakuba Airfield is located in Nwoya district, on the northern side of the park, and it serves both Pakuba and Murchison Falls National Park.
It takes about 1 hour to reach Chobe Airfield on the eastern side of the park, from Entebbe International Airport. There are airport shuttles that are arranged to Chobe Safari Lodge. There is also the Bugungu airstrip which is a domestic airstrip located on the western side, within the park.
