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Uganda's largest national park protects a chunk
of untamed African savannah bisected by the
mighty river Nile.
It is named for the dramatic Murchison Falls,
where the world's longest river explodes
violently through a narrow cleft in the Rift
Valley escarpment to plunge into a frothing pool
43m below. Wildlife populations have largely
recovered from the poaching of the 1980s; in the
lush borassus grassland to the north of the
Nile, elephant, buffalo, giraffe and a variety
of antelope are regularly encountered on game
drives, while lion are seen with increasing
frequency.
In the southeast, Rabongo Forest is home to
chimps and other rainforest creatures.
The Nile itself hosts one of Africa's densest
hippo and crocodile populations, and a dazzling
variety of waterbirds including the world's most
accessible wild population of the rare shoebill
stork.
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SIZE:
3840 sq km
LOCATION:
In the northwest, approximately 90km from
Masindi
GETTING THERE:
A long day's drive from Kampala, with a possible
overnight break at Masindi. There is only public
means of transport from Kampala to Masindi town.
WHAT TO DO:
Regular launch trips to the base of the falls
offer fine game-viewing and bird watching. Boat
trips to the Lake Albert delta provide the best
chance in Africa of sighting shoebills.
Chimp tracking at Rabongo Forest, and en route
from Masindi in the Budongo Forest. Game drives
on a good network of roads.
WHEN TO VISIT:
Any time of year.
WHERE TO STAY:
Two up market lodges and a luxury tented camp.
Simple but comfortable chalets run by Red Chilli.
Camping is permitted in designated locations |
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TANZANIA