Shoebill stork boat trip in Murchison falls National park
Shoebill stork boat trip – Birding Trips to Murchison Falls National Park, is one of Uganda’s most popular parks for both game viewing and birding. Bird through this amazing park on game drives, launch trips along the Nile and on nature walks. This will offer you an opportunity to come across distinct birdlife .Over 650 bird species have been recorded to be existing in the conservation area classified in broader categories of Savannah forest birds, water birds and Albertine endemic. The commonest of the large birds found in the plains include the marabou storks, ground horn bills, secretary birds, black-bellied bustards, Open-billed storks, Widow birds, wheatears, bishops and weavers among others. Closer to the river where there are more thickets and woodlands, the commonest bird varieties include the black bee- eater, swallow tailed bee-eater, red-throated bee- eater, woodland king fisher, francolins, hornbills, grey heron, Hamerkop, doves, mouse birds, shrikes, flycatchers, cuckoos, coucals, woodpeckers, crombecs and warblers. The area close to the river is also home to ducks, geese, stilts and plovers.
About Shoebill stork
The shoebill (Balaenceps rex) also known as whale head, whale-headed stork, or shoe-billed stork, is a very large stork- like bird. It derives its name from its enormous shoe -shaped bill. It has a somewhat stork-like overall form and has previously been classified with the storks in the order Ciconiiformes based on this morphology. However, genetic evidence places it with the pelecaniformes. The adult is mainly grey while the juveniles are browner. It lives in tropical east Africa in large swamps from South Sudan to Zambia.
Best time for shoebill stork boat trip in Murchison falls national park
The best time for birding in Murchison falls national park is, all year long, however, it is best in January to march the peak tourist season. Birding in Murchison falls national park is also done in the low season, that is, December to February with the least rain.
Other Activities in the park
- Game drive
Murchison Falls National Park is a nice place for game drives take a drive and try out look for wild animals including Elephants, Lions, Leopards, Giraffes, Uganda kobs, Waterbuck, Jackson’s hurtbeast, the visitors can also spot different species of birds over 450 in number.
- Nature Walk
The guided nature walk at Murchison Fall can be done at Budogo forest that normally takes two to four hours with number of different tree species including fig trees, mahogany trees, Albania trees, Alstonia Bonei, velvet monkeys, Black and white Columbus moneys, and the Chimpanzee as well.
- Community Visits
Murchison Falls National Park is surrounded by number of tribes, the Alur, Acholi and the Banyoro here people who visit them, experience the original African culture by these tribes and also to know their different way of life, tourist can buy their locally craft made from local materials and go with them for remembrance.
- Chimpanzee Trekking
The guided Chimpanzee trekking that can last two to three hours in Budongo forest is also another memorable experience the visitors can enjoy on their visit to the beautiful Murchison Falls National Park.
- Sport Fishing
Murchison falls offers sport fishing experience on the Nile, take a chance to enjoy this adventure which is best done in months of December, march, June to October. Visitors are advised to take the fishing adventure with an expert experienced tourist guide who knows more about this activity.
Murchison Falls can be accessed from Kampala by road and the drive takes 5-6 hours and it passes through Budogo forest . Alternatively, a tourist can fly from Entebbe International Airport to Pakuba or Bugungu Airfields depending on which lodge you are booked on and this takes you one hour.
Murchison Falls National Park has many options of accommodations where tourist can stay and these include Paraa Safari Lodge, Budogo Eco Lodge, Chobe Safari Lodge, Red chill backpackers and many more other but it depends on the tourist budget.
Murchison Falls National Park is known of its famous activities in East Africa and worldwide which are best done by the tourist all round the year. Great Adventure safaris arranges shoebill stork boat trip in Murchison falls to the delta point.
