Boat safaris in Murchison Falls National Park

Boat safaris in Murchison Falls National Park : Murchison Falls National Park is one of the most amazing travel destination in Uganda and at 3,840 square kilometers it is the largest wildlife national park in Uganda, the park is famous for Murchison Falls the world’s most powerful water fall created as River Nile forces its way through a 8 meters gorge before plunging 43 meters in the cloud mist and thunderous roar.

Murchison Falls National Park boasts 76 mammal species including 4 of the big Five (Lions, leopards, elephants and buffaloes) and 451 species of birds including Wire-tailed Swallow, Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, Snowy-crowned Robin-chat, Whistling Cisticola, Silverbird, White-crested Helmet shrike, Double-toothed Barbet, White-thighed Hornbill, Great Blue Turaco, Heuglin’s francolin, Brown babbler, Piapiac, Standard-winged nightjar, Brown twin spots, Denham’s bustard among others

Boat safari is one of the great safari activities to do Murchison Falls National Park

Boat safaris in Murchison Falls National Park are operated by Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and Paraa Safari Lodge (Marasa Africa) operating from the northern bank and Wild Frontiers on the South bank just west of the former Paraa ferry jetty.

boat cruise in murchison falls

The Uganda Wildlife Authority has double deck (African Queen) carrying a maximum of 45 passenger

Wild Frontier has a 16-seater (Alligator) and 5 Seater (Kingfisher) accommodating 39 passengers. Wild Frontiers also offers private cruises using various boats including Hippo (12 seater), Paraa Voyager (12-seater) and Jewel of the Nile (11 seater).

Timing for Boat Cruises in Murchison Falls National Park

Boat safaris / cruises in Murchison Falls National Park are offered on a daily basis in the morning and afternoon.

Morning Cruise – departs between 08:00 hrs and 9:00 hrs.

Afternoon Cruise – departs between 14:00 hrs and 15:00 hrs.

Note: Guests must arrive at the jetty at least 15 minutes before departure for the boat.

What to See on Boat Safaris in Murchison Falls National Park

Boat safaris in Murchison Falls national park is one of the wildlife rewarding safaris to do, this activity offers superb wildlife viewing and you will be able to see hundreds of hippos, giant Nile busking along the Nile shores, buffaloes, waterbucks, Uganda Kobs, Bush bucks, elephants and rare sights of giraffes and black and white colobus monkeys.

Murchison Falls Boat Cruise (Bottom of the Falls)

Boat safaris more especially launch to bottom of Murchison Falls National Park offers excellent bird watching opportunities such as goliath herons, saddle billed storks, African jacana, African fish eagles, piapiac, Africa skimmers, rock pratincole, black – headed gonolek, yellow-backed wear among others.

Nile Delta Boat Cruise in Murchison Falls National Park

This boat cruise is another exciting boat excursion in Murchison Falls National Park downstream to the Bile Delta, on this cruise you will enjoy sailing through the extensive papyrus delta through which the Victoria Nile flows into Lake Albert. The Nile Delta boat trip takes approximately 5 hours and during the trip you see a variety of bird species including the rare shoebill stork among others.

Nile – Lake Albert Delta Launch Cruise in Murchison Falls National Park

This kind of boat cruise takes you on an adventure at the bottom of the Murchison Falls and exploring the Nile Alberta Delta, the launch starts from Paraa Jetty and ends at the Delta Point.

The Launch Cruise departs from the Jetty at Paraa on the South Bank at 07:00 am, your trip can also be tailored basing on your interest and timing with a private boat. There is a scheduled boat cruise with breakfast on board, this option is offered in the mornings (subject to minimum number of passengers).

Also, there are full daily cruises in a shaded 16 seat boat by Wild Frontiers, the boat leaves Paraa at 07:00 am takes approximately 4-5 hours. Wild Frontiers also offer daily Sundowner Cruise leaving at 15:30 hrs offering visitors great sights of the sunset over the green vegetation creating a memorable sighting. This cruise comes with drinks and snacks.

The launch cruise is a 20 kilometers cruise downriver to the Lake Albert Delta on the gently flowing Nile waters which plunge in pool from the falls.

The highlight of the boat cruise is witness the power of Murchison as waters surge through a narrow 7 meter gorge, on clear days you will see a permanent rainbow produced by the spray of the falls.

Nile – Albert Delta Launch Cruise is perfect for birders as it offers the best birding opportunities with excellent sights of the rare Shoe bill. herons and other water birds.

Price for Murchison Falls Boat Cruise (Albert Delta Boat Cruise)

US$ 55 per adult

Note: The price is subject to the minimum number of people on board

Best Time for the Year to Go for Boat Cruises in Murchison Falls National Park

Boat cruises in Murchison Falls National Park are done all year round, however the best time to enjoy this entertaining activity is in the dry season from December to February and from June to August. In this period there is less or no rainfall with temperatures ranging from 25℃-32℃.

In this period of the year, animals gather around the banks to drink water and cool off, also birds such as shoe bill gather at the Nile Shores. Also the water levels of Victoria Nile are low making the navigation of the boat stable.

What to Wear for A Boat Cruise in Murchison Falls National Park

Boat cruise in Murchison Falls National Park is one of the most memorable safari experience in Murchison Falls National park, however to enjoy this excursion you need to have the right times and entire.

Long Sleeved Shirts and Trouser – they will give you protection from insects and bugs bites such as tsetse flies during the boat cruise, long sleeved shirts and trousers will also provide you with warmth in case it rains while on the safari and also protect your skin from direct sunlight.

Note: Always wear light clothes and dull-colored clothes.

Light Shoes or Boots – should wear light shoes since you will spend the whole experience on the boat having the best time of your life.

Polarized sunglasses – Sun glasses will protect your eyes from direct sunlight lights will on the boat

Hats or Caps – protect your head and face from direct hot sun while on the cruise.

What to carry for a boat cruise in Murchison Falls National Park

A pair of binoculars – you will need a good pair of binoculars for clear views of the wildlife along the shores and in the vegetation.

Poncho or rain jacket – weather in Uganda is unpredictable as it may rain at any time, this is why you need to have a poncho or rain jacket to keep you from getting wet.

Insect repellent – along the Victoria Nile, there are many water insects since there are swamps are surrounding the river.

Sunscreen – Murchison Falls National Park is one of the hottest areas in Uganda which why you need to have sunscreen to prevent the direct sun rays from damaging your skin.

A camera or phone – to capture unforgettable photographs or videos to share with your friends and family. Remember to charge your batteries and memory should have enough space.

Snack and beverages – to keep energized.