The Uganda Wildlife governing body, Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), has temporarily stopped tourist boat trips in the country’s largest and oldest protected area, Murchison Falls National Park, following the bursting of River Nile’s banks.
In a press statement issued on Monday morning (8th/June/2020), UWA claimed that the rising water level has inundated the landing points for ferries on both sides of the falls making it hard for vehicles to cross.
“There will be no boat trips to the bottom of the falls due to the high flow of water on River Nile which can destabilize the boats and cause serious problems,” reads part of the statement.
Adding that, “As we wait for the water to recede, we advise our visitors intending to stay north of the river to access the park through Tangi or Wankwar gates.”
According to Uganda Wildlife Authority, visitors who intend to stay south of the Park should access it via the Kicumbanyobo, Bugungu and Mbako gates.
It is to be remembered that on the 6th/June/2020 UWA reopened Uganda’s savanna national parks, including Murchison Falls NP, following the temporary closure that had happened in April after Uganda registering its first covid-19 cases.
Therefore Murchison Falls National Park was reopened to tourists following the easing of the lockdown but the rising water level has interfered with cross movements. Tourists and travelers therefore have to abide to the aforementioned guidelines issued by UWA, whenever visiting this Park during this period.
Murchison Falls National Park:
Murchison Falls National Park is a Park located in northwestern Uganda and it’s among the country’s most treasures. The Park is widely known for its major attraction – the Murchison Falls that annually lure mammoths of visitors all over the globe.
There are very many activities done on the Murchison Falls but the most popular are boat trips/cruises. Boat cruises beneath the Murchison Falls offer you an opportunity to see a variety of wildlife like Cape buffaloes, Savanna Elephants, and several antelopes with are regular visitors at the shores – they usually go there to drink water. You will also see the permanent inhabitants such as the Nile Crocodiles and Hippos.
Besides the beautiful Murchison Falls, the Park also comprises of various attractions such as animals and a myriad of birds including the tourists’ most treasure – the rare shoebill stork. Among the wildlife species to spot in the Park include; Cape buffaloes, Savanna Elephants, African Lions, African Leopards, Rothschild’s giraffes, Warthogs, Waterbucks, Bushbucks, Uganda Kobs, Jackson’s Hartebeests, Hippos, Nile Crocodiles, among others.
Murchison Falls National Park is the only Ugandan Park a tourist can visit and get an open opportunity to spot all the most treasured African wildlife species – the big five of Africa, which include; African Lions, Savannah Elephants, Cape Buffaloes, African Leopards, and Rhinos. On your way to the Park, you will by-pass the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary (only wild rhino refuge in Uganda) – so you can first track the rhinos in the sanctuary before proceeding to the Park and spot the remaining four wildlife species of the ‘Africa Big Five’.