Bottom of the Falls Cruise at Murchison Falls NP
*all media was taken by JamPacked on our travels
Why Do It?
Can you guess the most powerful waterfall on Earth? Niagara? Victoria? Nope - Murchison Falls holds the title, where the longest river in the World, the Nile, squeezes through a 7 metre gap before dropping 45m to the ground.
And that’s why it’s one of the most iconic things to do in Uganda. Not only will you get to witness the power of the Falls, when you cruise up to the base of them, but you get a floating safari en route.
You are guaranteed to have animal sightings whilst on board, with common sightings including:
Hippos (thousands of them)
Giant Nile Crocodiles
Elephants
Buffaloes
Uganda kobs
Bush bucks
Water Bucks
Then keep your eyes peeled for ‘devil’s cauldron’: the point where the Falls squeeze through the 7 metre gorge, creating a bubbling mist that carries right out to the point where your boat stops.
If you’re visiting Murchison Falls National Park, this is a must do to get a different experience of the Falls.
Who to Go With?
Murchison Falls boat cruises start in Paraa inside the national park, so you can book a cruise with the Uganda Wildlife Authority or a number of tour agencies or rest camps in the area.
We stayed at Red Chilli Rest Camp, but you can book the cruise with the UWA for the following rates:
International Visitor: $30 *excluding NP entrance fees
The cruise travels eastwards from Paraa jetty for a distance of 17km for a total round trip time of 3 hours.
There are normal two departure time throughout the day:
Between 8am and 9am
Between 2pm and 3pm
The morning cruise is usually better for animal sightings (particularly the shyer animals) whereas the afternoon cruise is better for photography of the falls, with the best light at this time, as well as the sun being behind you on the outbound leg and when you reach the falls.
The alternative is to book onto a country tour. We did this on our first trip to Uganda, booking a 12-day trip with one of the leading ecotourism operators: Uganda Adventure Safaris. A local agency, we couldn’t recommend them enough for the ultimate experience at an affordable rate.
What To Take
If you’re planning a Murchison Falls boat cruise, you’ll want to make sure you have these on your packing list:
Loose-fitting clothing and a long sleeve for any mosquitoes
Insect repellent
Light shoes or boots
Sunglasses
Hat
Binoculars
Sunscreen
Snacks and beverages
A poncho or rain jacket (you never know at the Falls)
A camera
Top Tips For The Falls
Here’s a few top tips from our recent experience at the Falls:
Sit on the left side of the boat. On the outbound journey, most animal spotting happens on the North of Murchison Falls NP so the left bank has the best animal sightings
If you’re staying at a rest camp, combine a tour with staying for a package rate
Use the bathroom before the trip, as you’re not guaranteed to have one on board
Watch out for the opportunistic baboons at the launch jetty. Keep car doors shut, valuables and food close.
