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Murchison Falls National Park

January 06, 2023

Murchison Falls National Park (MFNP) is a national park in Uganda and managed by the Ugandan Wildlife Authority. It is in north-western Uganda, spreading inland from the shores of Lake Albert, around the Victoria Nile, up to the Karuma Falls.[2]

Murchison Falls National Park
Kabalega National Park
Location of Murchison Falls National Park
LocationUganda
Nearest cityMasindi
Coordinates02°11′15″N 31°46′53″E / 2.18750°N 31.78139°E / 2.18750; 31.78139Coordinates: 02°11′15″N 31°46′53″E / 2.18750°N 31.78139°E / 2.18750; 31.78139
Area3,893 km2 (1,503 sq mi)
Established1952
Governing bodyUgandan Wildlife Authority
Official nameMurchison Falls-Albert Delta Wetland System
Designated15 September 2006
Reference no.1640[1]

Together with the adjacent 748 square kilometres (289 sq mi) Bugungu Wildlife Reserve and the 720 square kilometres (280 sq mi) Karuma Wildlife Reserve, the park forms the Murchison Falls Conservation Area (MFCA).[3] As of 2022, the East African Crude Oil Pipeline being built includes the construction of 10 oil well pads, a feeder pipeline, and a refinery in and around the Murchison Falls national park.[4]

Location

The park straddles the Ugandan districts of Buliisa, Nwoya, Kiryandongo, and Masindi.[2] The driving distance from Masindi, the nearest large town, to the Kibanda area of the national park is about 72 kilometres (45 mi).[5] This area is about 283 kilometres (176 mi), by road, north-west of Kampala, the capital and largest city of Uganda.[6] The coordinates of the park near the Kibanda area are 02°11'15.0"N, 31°46'53.0"E (Latitude:2.187499; Longitude:31.781400).[7]

History

The explorers John Speke and James Grant were the first Europeans to visit the present day MFCA in 1862. It was more thoroughly explored by Samuel and Florence Baker in 1863–4. Baker named the falls Murchison Falls after the geologist Roderick Murchison, then the president of the Royal Geographical Society.[8]

Between 1907 and 1912, the inhabitants of an area of about 13,000 square kilometres (5,000 sq mi) were evacuated due to sleeping sickness spread by tsetse flies. In 1910, the Bunyoro Game Reserve was created south of the River Nile. That area roughly corresponds to the part of the MFNP that is in the districts of Buliisa, Masindi, and Kiryandongo. In 1928, the boundaries were extended north of the river into the modern-day Nwoya District.[3]

In 1952, the British administration established the National Parks Act of Uganda. The area described above became Murchison Falls National Park.[3]

Overview

 
Murchison Falls

MFNP is Uganda's largest national park. It measures approximately 3,893 square kilometres (1,503 sq mi).[3] The park is bisected by the Victoria Nile from east to west for a distance of about 115 kilometres (71 mi).

The park is the location of the Murchison Falls, where the waters of the Nile flow through a narrow gorge only 7 metres (23 ft) wide before plunging 43 metres (141 ft).

Also in the park, adjacent to the Masindi-Gulu Highway, are the Karuma Falls, the location of the 600 megawatt Karuma Power Station, which will be Uganda's largest power station when it comes online circa 2022.[9]

As of 2022, the East African Crude Oil Pipeline being built includes the construction of 10 oil well pads, a feeder pipeline, and a refinery in and around the Murchison Falls national park.[4]

Wildlife

MFCA and the adjacent Bugondo Forest Reserve have 76 species of mammals as well as Uganda's largest population of Nile crocodiles. There are 450 known bird species in the park, including the rare shoe-billed stork, dwarf kingfisher, Goliath heron, white-thighed hornbill and great blue turaco.[10]

Since 2005, the protected area is considered a Lion Conservation Unit.[11] In 2010, it was estimated that only 250 giraffes were in the park. A population of 37 Rothschild's giraffes was transferred from the north side of the Nile River to the south side in 2016 and 2017, when population was around 1,500.[12][13]

Tourism

Murchison Falls National Park is Uganda’s most popular national park, receiving the highest annual number of visitors of any park in the country.[14] Popular visitor activities include game drives, night drives, boat cruises to the delta and Murchison Falls waterfall, nature walks, bird watching and chimp tracking.[15] Tourists visiting Murchison Falls National Park make a 5 hours 40 minutes drive from Kampala to reach the park.[16] The park is also connected by daily domestic flights from Entebbe International Airport, to Kidepo Valley National Park and Queen Elizabeth National Park, which land at Pakuba Airstrip and Bugungu Airstrip.[17] The park offers a range of tented camps and safari lodges to accommodate visitors.[18]

See also

 
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Murchison Falls National Park.

References

  1. ^ "Murchison Falls-Albert Delta Wetland System". Ramsar Sites Information Service. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
  2. ^ a b Google (3 November 2016). "Map Showing The Location And Boundaries of Murchison Falls National Park" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved 3 November 2016.
  3. ^ a b c d UWA (3 November 2016). "About Murchison Falls National Park". Kampala: Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). Retrieved 3 November 2016.
  4. ^ a b Felicity Bradstock (2022-07-26). "East African Governments Clash With Environmentalists Over New Oil Pipeline". OilPrice.com. Retrieved 2022-08-01.
  5. ^ Globefeed.com (3 November 2016). "Distance between Masindi Hotel, Masindi, Western Region, Uganda and Murchison Falls National Park, Kibanda, Western Region, Uganda". Globefeed.com. Retrieved 3 November 2016.
  6. ^ Globefeed.com (3 November 2016). "Distance between Kampala Road, Kampala, Uganda and Murchison Falls National Park, Kibanda, Western Region, Uganda". Globefeed.com. Retrieved 3 November 2016.
  7. ^ Google (3 November 2016). "The Geographical Coordinates of Murchison Falls National Park" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved 3 November 2016.
  8. ^ Thomas Paul Ofcansky (2004). Baker, Sir Samuel White (1821–1893). Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press. Retrieved 3 November 2016.
  9. ^ Nakkazi, Esther (17 August 2009). "Karuma Heralds Ea of Abundant Power". The EastAfrican. Nairobi. Retrieved 3 November 2016.
  10. ^ "Murchison Falls National Park: Biodiversity". 3 November 2016. Retrieved 3 November 2016.
  11. ^ IUCN Cat Specialist Group (2006). Conservation Strategy for the Lion Panthera leo in Eastern and Southern Africa. Pretoria, South Africa: IUCN.
  12. ^ Expeditions, Simba Africa (21 December 2016). "Murchison falls Giraffe translocation | Trekking Giraffes in Uganda". www.africa-expeditions.com. from the original on 22 September 2020.
  13. ^ "Nubian Giraffe Conservation in Uganda". Giraffe Conservation Foundation. 23 February 2016. from the original on 20 September 2020.
  14. ^ "Visitation to National Parks". Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife & Antiquities. Retrieved 2022-06-01.
  15. ^ "Murchison Falls National Park – Uganda Wildlife Authority". Retrieved 2022-06-01.
  16. ^ "Distance between Kampala, Uganda UG and Murchison Falls, Masindi Uganda UG (Uganda)". distancecalculator.globefeed.com. Retrieved 2022-06-01.
  17. ^ "Flight Schedule to Murchison Falls National Park". Savannah Wings. Retrieved 2022-06-01.
  18. ^ "Murchison Falls National Park – Uganda Wildlife Authority". Retrieved 2022-06-01.

External links

 
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Murchison Falls National Park.
  • BirdLife International. "Important Bird Areas factsheet: Murchison Falls National Park".
  • Overview at Uganda Wildlife Authority

January 06, 2023
murchison, falls, national, park, mfnp, national, park, uganda, managed, ugandan, wildlife, authority, north, western, uganda, spreading, inland, from, shores, lake, albert, around, victoria, nile, karuma, falls, kabalega, national, parkiucn, category, nationa. Murchison Falls National Park MFNP is a national park in Uganda and managed by the Ugandan Wildlife Authority It is in north western Uganda spreading inland from the shores of Lake Albert around the Victoria Nile up to the Karuma Falls 2 Murchison Falls National ParkKabalega National ParkIUCN category II national park Murchison FallsLocation of Murchison Falls National ParkLocationUgandaNearest cityMasindiCoordinates02 11 15 N 31 46 53 E 2 18750 N 31 78139 E 2 18750 31 78139 Coordinates 02 11 15 N 31 46 53 E 2 18750 N 31 78139 E 2 18750 31 78139Area3 893 km2 1 503 sq mi Established1952Governing bodyUgandan Wildlife AuthorityRamsar WetlandOfficial nameMurchison Falls Albert Delta Wetland SystemDesignated15 September 2006Reference no 1640 1 Together with the adjacent 748 square kilometres 289 sq mi Bugungu Wildlife Reserve and the 720 square kilometres 280 sq mi Karuma Wildlife Reserve the park forms the Murchison Falls Conservation Area MFCA 3 As of 2022 the East African Crude Oil Pipeline being built includes the construction of 10 oil well pads a feeder pipeline and a refinery in and around the Murchison Falls national park 4 Contents 1 Location 2 History 3 Overview 4 Wildlife 5 Tourism 6 See also 7 References 8 External linksLocation EditThe park straddles the Ugandan districts of Buliisa Nwoya Kiryandongo and Masindi 2 The driving distance from Masindi the nearest large town to the Kibanda area of the national park is about 72 kilometres 45 mi 5 This area is about 283 kilometres 176 mi by road north west of Kampala the capital and largest city of Uganda 6 The coordinates of the park near the Kibanda area are 02 11 15 0 N 31 46 53 0 E Latitude 2 187499 Longitude 31 781400 7 History EditThe explorers John Speke and James Grant were the first Europeans to visit the present day MFCA in 1862 It was more thoroughly explored by Samuel and Florence Baker in 1863 4 Baker named the falls Murchison Falls after the geologist Roderick Murchison then the president of the Royal Geographical Society 8 Between 1907 and 1912 the inhabitants of an area of about 13 000 square kilometres 5 000 sq mi were evacuated due to sleeping sickness spread by tsetse flies In 1910 the Bunyoro Game Reserve was created south of the River Nile That area roughly corresponds to the part of the MFNP that is in the districts of Buliisa Masindi and Kiryandongo In 1928 the boundaries were extended north of the river into the modern day Nwoya District 3 In 1952 the British administration established the National Parks Act of Uganda The area described above became Murchison Falls National Park 3 Overview Edit Murchison Falls MFNP is Uganda s largest national park It measures approximately 3 893 square kilometres 1 503 sq mi 3 The park is bisected by the Victoria Nile from east to west for a distance of about 115 kilometres 71 mi The park is the location of the Murchison Falls where the waters of the Nile flow through a narrow gorge only 7 metres 23 ft wide before plunging 43 metres 141 ft Also in the park adjacent to the Masindi Gulu Highway are the Karuma Falls the location of the 600 megawatt Karuma Power Station which will be Uganda s largest power station when it comes online circa 2022 9 As of 2022 the East African Crude Oil Pipeline being built includes the construction of 10 oil well pads a feeder pipeline and a refinery in and around the Murchison Falls national park 4 Wildlife EditMFCA and the adjacent Bugondo Forest Reserve have 76 species of mammals as well as Uganda s largest population of Nile crocodiles There are 450 known bird species in the park including the rare shoe billed stork dwarf kingfisher Goliath heron white thighed hornbill and great blue turaco 10 Since 2005 the protected area is considered a Lion Conservation Unit 11 In 2010 it was estimated that only 250 giraffes were in the park A population of 37 Rothschild s giraffes was transferred from the north side of the Nile River to the south side in 2016 and 2017 when population was around 1 500 12 13 Tourism EditMurchison Falls National Park is Uganda s most popular national park receiving the highest annual number of visitors of any park in the country 14 Popular visitor activities include game drives night drives boat cruises to the delta and Murchison Falls waterfall nature walks bird watching and chimp tracking 15 Tourists visiting Murchison Falls National Park make a 5 hours 40 minutes drive from Kampala to reach the park 16 The park is also connected by daily domestic flights from Entebbe International Airport to Kidepo Valley National Park and Queen Elizabeth National Park which land at Pakuba Airstrip and Bugungu Airstrip 17 The park offers a range of tented camps and safari lodges to accommodate visitors 18 See also Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to Murchison Falls National Park List of national parks of UgandaReferences Edit Murchison Falls Albert Delta Wetland System Ramsar Sites Information Service Retrieved 25 April 2018 a b Google 3 November 2016 Map Showing The Location And Boundaries of Murchison Falls National Park Map Google Maps Google Retrieved 3 November 2016 a b c d UWA 3 November 2016 About Murchison Falls National Park Kampala Uganda Wildlife Authority UWA Retrieved 3 November 2016 a b Felicity Bradstock 2022 07 26 East African Governments Clash With Environmentalists Over New Oil Pipeline OilPrice com Retrieved 2022 08 01 Globefeed com 3 November 2016 Distance between Masindi Hotel Masindi Western Region Uganda and Murchison Falls National Park Kibanda Western Region Uganda Globefeed com Retrieved 3 November 2016 Globefeed com 3 November 2016 Distance between Kampala Road Kampala Uganda and Murchison Falls National Park Kibanda Western Region Uganda Globefeed com Retrieved 3 November 2016 Google 3 November 2016 The Geographical Coordinates of Murchison Falls National Park Map Google Maps Google Retrieved 3 November 2016 Thomas Paul Ofcansky 2004 Baker Sir Samuel White 1821 1893 Oxford Dictionary of National Biography Oxford University Press Retrieved 3 November 2016 Nakkazi Esther 17 August 2009 Karuma Heralds Ea of Abundant Power The EastAfrican Nairobi Retrieved 3 November 2016 Murchison Falls National Park Biodiversity 3 November 2016 Retrieved 3 November 2016 IUCN Cat Specialist Group 2006 Conservation Strategy for the LionPanthera leoin Eastern and Southern Africa Pretoria South Africa IUCN Expeditions Simba Africa 21 December 2016 Murchison falls Giraffe translocation Trekking Giraffes in Uganda www africa expeditions com Archived from the original on 22 September 2020 Nubian Giraffe Conservation in Uganda Giraffe Conservation Foundation 23 February 2016 Archived from the original on 20 September 2020 Visitation to National Parks Ministry of Tourism Wildlife amp Antiquities Retrieved 2022 06 01 Murchison Falls National Park Uganda Wildlife Authority Retrieved 2022 06 01 Distance between Kampala Uganda UG and Murchison Falls Masindi Uganda UG Uganda distancecalculator globefeed com Retrieved 2022 06 01 Flight Schedule to Murchison Falls National Park Savannah Wings Retrieved 2022 06 01 Murchison Falls National Park Uganda Wildlife Authority Retrieved 2022 06 01 External links Edit Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Murchison Falls National Park BirdLife International Important Bird Areas factsheet Murchison Falls National Park Overview at Uganda Wildlife Authority Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Murchison Falls National Park amp oldid 1125931914, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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