Karuma Falls, Visit Karuma Falls and Murchison Falls- What you need to know, how to get there & Karuma Falls Accommodation
Karuma falls is known to be one of the most attractive Murchison falls national park destinations.
Karuma falls has a name derived from the Luo local language meaning ‘Great Spirit‘. The local people believe it is the spirit that positioned the rocks on which the water hits to form the white waters of karuma falls.
These roaring waterfalls found on the beautiful Victoria Nile are among the most impressive and leading tourist attractions in Uganda.
The stunning Karuma Falls are located on the eastern border of the Murchison Fall National Park which is the largest reserve in Uganda, and just an hour drive from the district of Gulu in north-western Uganda. The park is managed by the Uganda wildlife authority.
Murchison Falls Conservation Area is one of the oldest and is the largest, protected area in Uganda.
It is comprised of Murchison Falls National Park, Bugungu Wildlife Refuge and Karuma Wildlife Refuge.
Suggested Safari Itineraries
Currently, the national park itself encompasses 3,893 sq.km. Bugungu Wildlife Refuge (501 sq.km) and Karuma Wildlife Refuge (678 sq.km) are adjacent and act as buffer zones for the park.
Around the falls are a broad diversity of birds, buffaloes, antelopes, monkeys, lions, baboons, elephants, leopards, Uganda Kobs, Hartebeest as well as giraffes.
The falls are situated at the place where the main road of Masindi-Gulu crosses the great river Nile, about 110 km northeast of the town of Masindi and only 70 km south of the town of Gulu.
These 2 districts are connected by the Karuma Bridge, constructed in 1963 to assist cotton farmers within the West Nile.
The Karuma falls aided the construction of the Karuma Power Station by providing the water pressure, the power station provides 750 Megawatts of hydropower.
The project was implemented by the government of Uganda with the aim of increasing the power supply in the country.
Getting to the Karuma Falls:
The distance from Kampala to Karuma falls is 297 km and it is just a five hours drive from Entebbe International Airport.
Karuma falls is found along the Kampala -Gulu highway at the point where the road crosses the River Nile.
The falls stretch on an area of approximately 97 kilometers by road northeast of Masindi town.
On the other hand, karuma falls is 77 kilometers south of Gulu the largest city in the northern region of Uganda.
Suggested Safari Itineraries
Accommodation
Accommodation around Karuma falls depends on your budget. These are some of the lodges and accommodation facilities around Karuma Falls:
Red chili camp, Boomu women’s group camp, Uganda wildlife campsite, Pakuba safari lodge, Nile safari lodge, Chobe safari lodge, Baker’s lodge, and Yebo safari lodge.
You can visit the falls as a supplement activity to your Murchison falls national park safari.
The sounds at the falls really show the liveliness of nature.
You can take a lot of photos at karuma falls. Perhaps you can also visit karuma town and enjoy the road trip while learning about the culture of the local people in the area.
If you love trying out new things, you can try sport fishing at these falls, it will be a memorable adventure for you.
You can include these falls on your Murchison Falls Safari to add to the adventure.
If you would like to book a safari to Karuma Falls, Nata Adventures Safaris is your number one tour operator. Click here any inquiry.
Customize this tour using our local expertise. We will recommend the best lodges to suit your travel style and book your permits for your travel dates.
We take care of all the ground logistics so you can relax and enjoy a perfect getaway!
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