Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison is the biggest park in Uganda with its 3840 km2. In the sixties, this park contained an incredible fauna; it was possible to see elephant herds with up to 500 individuals.

The history of Uganda is filled with dictators and civil wars. These two elements have had a devastating impact on the park. By 1990, there were only 250 elephants left in the park.

Nowadays, peace is back in the country and the fauna has greatly increased. It is not back to the level of the sixties, but it is possible to do great safaris with a bit of luck. In addition to the fauna, the major attraction of the park is the impressive Murchison Falls.

Murchison Falls.

Rainbow near the waterfall.

Once, there was a bridge.

On the road to the falls, we met buffaloes taking a mud bath.

Small lizard near the falls.

Hartebeest.

The fauna is especially prolific north of the river that splits the park from east to west. We saw some very pretty animals. Some are similar to those we have already seen, but there were some new species: oribi, Rothschild's giraffe, patas monkey and some birds.

A patas monkey and a giraffe.

Rothschild's giraffe.

Black Crowned Cranes.

Black Crowned Crane.

Showing off for the female.

Warthog.

Hippopotamus.

Hartebeest.

Heron.

Uganda kobs.

African Fish Eagle.

Patas monkey.

Uganda kobs.

Oribi.

Hartebeest.

Warthog.

Small elephant herd at the end of the day.

It is always interesting to explore the seldom-visited areas of a park. One can have some nice encounters.

Can someone identify these footprints?

Velvet monkey.

Patas monkey.

Yes, there are a lot of photos about giraffe. Melanie and I love this animal. We think it is pretty and graceful.

Can you count the number of giraffes on this picture? I count 15 individuals.

Note the colour variation.

Giraffe game?

May we drive on, please?

Traffic jam.

Seldom seen, the two-headed giraffe.