Murchison Falls National Park lies at the northern end of the Albertine Rift Valley, where the bulky Bunyoro escarpment merges into the vast plains of Acholi land. One of Uganda's oldest conservation areas, it was initially gazetted as a game reserve in 1926 to protect the wildlife-filled savanna.
The park is bisected by the Victoria Nile which plunges an incredible 40 meters over the remnant rift valley wall at the dramatic Murchison Falls, the centerpiece of the park. The mighty Falls drains the last of the river's energy and transforms it into a broad, placid stream that flows quietly across the rift valley floor for to Lake Albert. This stretch of river provides one of Uganda's most memorable wildlife spectacles. Regular visitors include elephants, giraffes and buffalos while hippos and Nile crocodiles are permanent residents.
Trips to the top of the falls are the best way to appreciate the immense quantities of water that gush powerfully through the narrow gap in the escarpment – and send spray and rainbows over the viewpoint.
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, south of Masindi, is home to Uganda’s only rhinos.
Wildlife
The Park’s residents include elephants, an incredible number of giraffes, buffaloes, warthogs, lions, hippos, jackals the bizarre-looking hartebeest and bushbucks amongst others. Habituated chimpanzee groups live in the neighboring Budongo Forest Reserve, while Uganda’s only rhinos live at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, on the way to the Park from Kampala.
Birds
Murchison Falls National Park is also home to some of Uganda’s most iconic bird species – including the sought-after shoebill and the grey-crowned crane, the national symbol. Among the other 460 confirmed species in the Park, there are Abyssinian ground hornbills, saddle-billed storks, Goliath herons, weaver birds, African jacanas, and many migrant waders. Nocturnal species include nightjars and spotted eagle owls.
Monkey Practical Information
The following are some of the things that we will do on this 3 days trip:
- Launch trips to the base of the falls offer fine game viewing and bird watching.
- Boat trip to the Lake Albert delta provide a great chance of sighting rare shoebills.
- Chimp tracking at Rabongo Forest, and en route from Masindi in the Budongo Forest.
- Game drive allowing you to take in the vastness of the palm-tree filled savanna, and observe an astonishing quantity of wildlife.
I've been solo traveling for the last 9 months and chose this tour with G Adventures as my grand finale and I'm so happy that I did. Our CEOs were so knowledgable and helpful that I felt like my brain was off for half of the month. Every day holds some sort of fun adventure without the usual work that comes along with most travel because those logistics are being taken care of for you. In my option, there is not better way to overland Southern Africa than this tour. We got to see things and go places that we never would have been able to go to on our own. It was such a wonderful experience.
Wildlife
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Camping, Hotel, Hostel, Guest House, Resort
Age Range
18-39 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Cape Town, Johannesburg, Etosha
Cape Town, Johannesburg, Etosha National Park, Waterberg Plateau, Windhoek, Ghanzi, Maun, Okavango Delta, Gweta, Kasane, Victoria Falls, Cederberg, Matobo National Park, Tshipise, Kruger National Park, Orange River, Fish River Canyon, Kalahari Desert, Namibia, Namib Desert, Swakopmund, Spitzkoppe
Don't attempt this trip unless you know exactly what you're getting yourself into. And be aware that no matter how fit you are, altitude sickness can still strike you down. That's why you MUST use a reputable company like World Expeditions for a trek like this. My husband became ill on Day 3. Our trek leader was able to release a guide and a porter to get him back to Arusha and to hospital. I succumbed to a chest infection 5 days later and couldn't summit. Again, I was issued with a guide to get me safely to the next camp. Each of the 5 people in our group who did climb to the summit had a guide to ensure nothing went wrong. This was not the case for other tourists who attempted the climb. I heard stories of people wandering about alone at the top- disoriented and lost. Some groups didn't provide emergency oxygen. That meant their clients had to be dragged down the mountain, often barely unconscious.
Any travel company can be good when things go to plan. What's important is how they respond when things go wrong. And what they do to minimize the risk. World Expeditions could not have been more professional. If you're determined to climb Kilimanjaro, these are the guys you want to do it with.
Trekking and Hiking
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Camping, Hut
Age Range
18-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Arusha, Lemosho Big Tree Camp, S
Arusha, Lemosho Big Tree Camp, Shira Camp One, Shira Hut, Moir Hut, Buffalo Camp, Third Cave Camp, School Hut Campsite, Millenium Camp
Embark on a scenic, guided full day tour of Durban’s top 10 sites! An experienced and knowledgeable local guide will show you a variety of landmarks which highlight Durban’s diverse culture and history.
Gandhi’s house, situated in Inanda township, now stands as a museum dedicated to his 21 years in South Africa. Gandhi himself said South Africa was essential to his personal achievements. The racial oppression he felt during the 21 years he spent in South Africa shaped his future. In 1904 Mahatma Gandhi established a settlement at Phoenix devoted to his principles of Satyagraha [passive resistance] and printed his newspaper, the Indian Opinion was printed.
After Gandhi’s home, the tour will then include a drive through Inanda Township before progressing to Umhlanga Promenade and the pier.
At Victoria Street Market, you will be given time to shop for African inspired accessories, clothing, souvenirs, home decorations, paintings and luggage etc.
Next to the Victoria Street Market is the Zulu Medicine Market where your guide will take you on an informative tour of “Inyanga (Doctors) lane”. The Zulu Medicine Market is a unique place where Zulu culture has survived in the modern urban environment.
The Moses Mabhida stadium has become a defining feature of the Durban skyline. It has a high-rise platform on top of its arch which is accessible by an elevator called the Sky Car for an additional fee. Your tour guide will show you around the exterior of the stadium and will give you time to go to the sky platform if desired.
The tour also includes a visit to uShaka Marine World’s Village Walk on the famous Golden Mile Beachfront on Durban’s OR Tambo parade. There you will be given time to shop and have lunch. uShaka Village Walk is home to Durban’s most unique shopping experiences, offering a shopper’s paradise in an open-air environment, affording guests a world of entertainment, family fun, shopping and dining.
We won't forget a stop at the beautiful Botanical Gardens, which is the oldest Botanical Gardens in Africa, est 1849.
The KwaMuhle Museum was once the headquarters of Durban’s Native Administration Department and the centre of Durban’s harsh system of labour control. Now it has been transformed into Durban’s Apartheid Museum that seeks to reflect Durban’s urban growth and the history of its residents.
The tour also includes various quick stops which include Durban’s City Hall, Durban Harbour & Shiva Statue at the Umgeni Hindu Temple.