Where the Nile Gushes
THE prime area for game-viewing is the peninsula between the Victoria and the Albert Niles, known as the Buligi Circuit. The concentration of animals is highest in this area, and the lush patches of forest along the waterways and the conspicuous Borassus Palms, dotting the ridges and valleys in-between, add to the attraction of the park's landscape.
The world-famous Murchison Falls are a must for any visitor. The most impressive view is at the top, where the Nile forces its way through a 7 meter gap in the rocks and tumbles 40 meters down. A path leads from the parking above the falls all the way to the bottom and offers spectacular views of the foaming waters rushing into the gorge, with a deafening roar. In the background the pacified river winds its way towards Lake Albert.
In the Fifties and Sixties, when Uganda's tourism was at its peak, the highlight of a safari was the boat-trip on the Nile. In those days the Paraa Lodge, dominating the northern shore of the Nile at Paraa, was a busy hotel with 150 beds. Some of the boats used during that time are now slowly falling to pieces along the banks of the river. Today's passengers are much fewer and so are the boats. After departing your captain will steer the launch from shore to shore, where Hippos can be counted in hundreds. Every little bay seems to be occupied with their bubbling and snorting sounds.On sandbanks huge crocodiles bask in the sun, and along the shores one can often spot elephants, giraffes, buffalos, etc..
The major focus of interest, however, are the birds, which can be observed all around you, in the swampy reeds, the sandy beaches, or the huge trees along the water. Their variety is impressive and ranges from the tiny Malachite Kingfisher and the Carmine Bee-Eater, to the African Fisheagle and the Saddlebill Stork. The most conspicuous bird, however, is the Wahleheaded (or Shoebill) Stork, which, with a little luck can be seen standing unshakeably along the water's edge. Once the currents become to strong to continue, the boat turns around, offering an unusual sight of the falls, after which you start the return journey. By then the sun setting on the river seems to invite the whole animal kingdom to come and quench its thirst, while across the sky, the birds write an ode to the Nile.
