Traveling Information - preparation

Marahaba/Welcome to Africa Assasi Safaris

Bringing Africa to the World!

Planning for Murchison Falls National Park Safari

Located in the northwestern side of Uganda, Murchison falls is the biggest national park in the country covering a total area of 3,840 sq km. It is the most popular national park in the country due to its variety of attractions and is also the top tourist destination in Uganda. It has different vegetations including savannah plains, savannah woodlands, swamps and forested areas which are all habitats to numerous species of mammals, birds, primates and reptiles. Those interested in game viewing will go for game drives and animals like lions, leopards, elephants, giraffes, waterbucks, buffaloes, warthogs, Uganda kob, Jackson’s hartebeest and many more animals are spotted. Other activities include boat cruise along the Nile to the mighty waterfalls, birding, chimp tracking in Budongo forest and hiking to the top of the water falls.

The peak season in Uganda comes in the dry season during the months of December to February and from June to September. During this period, Uganda receives a lot of tourists to the national parks. All the major national parks including Murchison fall national park are flooded with tourists and each site like sites for game drives have big numbers of safari cars. This is the time of the year when prices of accommodation in and around the parks are high and they including budget lodges are full. Those who want to stay in luxury lodges on their safari during this period are advised to book early enough.

What to carry when traveling to East Africa

We have analyzed the climate at the destination and after deciding on when to travel, you need to know the things that are necessary during the trip so that you are not caught by surprise when you are already out of your home. It is important to carry the appropriate clothes for the weather and others essentials as well those that may not be essential but could be required.

Passport

This is one of the items you must carry when traveling to Uganda’s Murchison falls. It is a travel document that you must have for you to be allowed to go through any entry point to the country.

Yellow fever immunization card

You must have a certificate or card showing that you are immunized against yellow fever.

Airline ticket

You need to confirm your ticket early enough so that your plans are not interfered with. When you obtain it, keep it safe.

Visa

Apply for the VISA before your travel and obtain it from your country or at Entebbe airport or border on arrival. You will not be allowed to enter the country without a Visa. You can also obtain an East African Visa that takes you to Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda if you are going to travel to all the countries. The above items are the most important when planning to travel and you are advised to photocopy them and keep the copies differently. Keep them safe. Other things that you need to carry with you include the following;

Travel and health insurance

We can help you secure your travel with a good insurance company so that you travel with confidence regarding your health when traveling.

Passport size photos

Take some passport size photos and carry some when traveling. There can be any reason they may require you to use them.

First aid kit

Since traveling will involve long distances to the destination, it is important to have some pain killers, plasters, bandages, anti-diarrhea medicine, and other essential medicine. The fact that you are also changing the environment, it is important to carry these medicines.

Anti- malarial medicine

You are advised to seek advice from your physician as you plan to travel to Uganda which is a malaria zone. They will advise you on if to take and carry some anti-malarial tablets. You also need to carry insect repellant

A credit card and enough cash

Do not carry a lot of money in cash but have what you are going to use in the mean time and withdraw the rest when you are already at the destination. Let your bank be aware that you travelled and you will keep needing cash for different things.

Binoculars

You’ll need binoculars on most activities in Murchison falls national park such as game drives, when birding and also on boat cruise.

Camera

You are going to see amazing things and reach places where you’ll need to takes photos and videos for memories. Make sure you have a good camera, a charger.

Back pack

You need a back to carry the simple necessities that you’ll be using when you move out for an activity for example the camera, sun cream, power bank and other small things.

Clothes

Carry clothes that you’ll be comfortable in but remember that they should be descent because you need to be descent when you travel to villages in Uganda so that you don’t attract people’s attention. Let the clothes that you’ll wear when traveling around the destination is loose. Carry a scarf, t-shirts, long sleeved shirts and sweaters to wear in the evening, caps, night dress. It’s not good to wear clothes of very bright colors when travelling around wildlife areas because they attract animals.

Shoes

You need to carry strong water proof shoes, sandals and strong boots if you plan to go for chimp tracking.

Hygiene and beauty items

These include deodorants, toothbrush, cleansers, shampoo, lotion and others that you may need. Sun glasses, books for reading, headlight and flashlight and a driver’s license

We thank you for your visit and hope to see you again soon!