Karuma Falls | Facts, Location, things to do

Karuma Falls, located on the Victoria Nile, are among the most captivating waterfalls to visit during a safari in Uganda. The rocks are intricately arranged, creating a natural oasis as water cascades to the base of the falls, producing a striking view of flowing water adorned with white foam.

Karuma Falls are located in the eastern section of Murchison Falls National Park, at the intersection of Gulu, Oyam, and Masindi districts. Murchison Falls is the largest and oldest in the country, while the renowned Karuma Bridge connects northern Uganda to southern Uganda. John Speke, one of the initial explorers to reach Uganda, used this bridge during his early expeditions in search of the Nile’s source.

Karuma Falls derives its name from the term “Karuma,” believed to refer to a powerful spirit from ancient times that positioned the rocks in their current arrangement, resulting in the diversion of the Nile waters. The Karuma Falls Bridge was constructed in 1963 to facilitate the transportation of cotton by growers to other markets.

Tourists at Karuma Falls can enhance their safari by visiting the renowned Murchison Falls National Park, where they may observe the Big Five during a game drive, along with several other creatures including as baboons, giraffes, warthogs, zebras, bushbucks, waterbucks, reedbucks, oribis, and numerous primates, including monkeys.

Tourists may explore the world’s most powerful waterfalls at Murchison Falls by embarking on a boat cruise lasting 2-3 hours, during which they can observe aquatic wildlife such as crocodiles and hippopotamuses, along with various water birds inhabiting the Nile. The journey culminates at the impressive Devil’s Cauldron, where visitors can disembark and undertake a hike to the summit of the falls for an exhilarating experience and enhanced views of this stunning natural marvel.

Murchison Falls National Park is home to around 450 bird species, including both resident and migratory varieties. Birdwatchers can bring binoculars to observe species such as sunbirds, yellow-throated leaf-lovers, grey-cheeked cranes, kingfishers, cormorants, and numerous others awaiting exploration.

Karuma Falls is situated within Uganda’s largest hydroelectric power station, which has a planned capacity of 600 megawatts and an elevation of approximately 1,000 meters above sea level. Years ago, this area was a hazardous zone due to attacks by the Lord’s Resistance Army rebels on various private and public vehicles traversing the bridge. However, in 2007, the rebels were driven into the rainforests of the Democratic Republic of Congo by Ugandan forces, making Karuma Falls one of the safest destinations to visit in the country, free from the threat of attacks.

Karuma Falls may be reached from either Masindi or Gulu towns; it is approximately a one-hour drive from Masindi and 48 minutes from Gulu. It is located on the Kigumba-Gulu highway. The waterfalls are situated at 311 kilometers from Kampala city.

Fauna and Ecosystem.

Both Murchison Falls and Karuma Falls are located in regions rich in wildlife, including the Big Five: leopards, lions, elephants, rhinos, and hippos, as well as other species such as crocodiles, giraffes, hartebeests, warthogs, hyenas, waterbucks, Uganda kobs, buffaloes, and various primates, including vervet monkeys, olive baboons, black and white colobus monkeys, and l’hoest monkeys.

Murchison Falls National Park is regarded as a birdwatcher’s paradise, as it hosts a diverse array of avian species, including the black-headed lapwing, Abyssinian ground hornbill, Senegal thick-knee, yellow-fronted tinkerbird, black-billed barbet, rock pratincole, giant kingfisher, swamp flycatcher, standard-winged nightjar, red-throated bee-eater, silver bird, Eastern plantain, among numerous others.

In addition to the aforementioned, both Karuma Falls and Murchison Falls possess distinct historical significances; for instance, Murchison Falls is named after Roderick Murchison. Both may be visited by road, but via different routes, among other factors.

During a visit to Karuma Falls, guests can choose from a variety of accommodation options, including mid-range, budget, and luxury lodgings, located within Murchison Falls National Park, Masindi Town, or Gulu Town. The units include Karuma Falls Campsite, Masindi Hotel, Shoebill Campsite, Paraa Safari Lodge, Chobe Safari Lodge, and Bwana Tembo Safari Camp, among others.