Karuma Falls
Karuma falls : Karuma falls are one of the greatly considered key tourism attraction in Uganda given its strategic location at the base of the Victoria Albertine. They are the most beautiful waterfalls that one cannot stop viewing their scenic beauty and great appearance. Karuma falls is dominated by a series of natural nice looking rocks that formed on the base of Victoria Nile and because of this; the arrangement of this great beautiful rocks has been rippled with great outlook and appearance of the Nile with incredible and impressive white foam and a roaring sound of the waterfalls.
The Karuma falls are strategically located along the Kampala – Gulu highway in the Northern part of Uganda close to Murchison falls national park in the Eastern part of this park. Murchison falls national park is actually the largest Uganda national park and it is best known as a home to the mighty Murchison fall and is also home to a great number of wildlife surrounding these waterfalls including the Karuma falls which include the big four game – Lions, Leopards, Buffaloes and Elephants, Giraffes, Buffaloes, Uganda kobs, Baboons, and Monkeys in addition to a wide range of birds.
Thus a visit to Karuma falls can be combined with a wildlife safari to Murchison falls national park, one of the top destinations for Uganda safaris tours.
Karuma falls became famous when John Speke one of the first explorers in Uganda during his mission for the true source of the river Nile which is the longest River in the World from Jinja where we find the source of the Nile flowing southwards in Sudan while he walked past the Karuma falls then also discovering the great Murchison falls, thus marking it as one of the very important landmarks as far as Uganda’s ancient history is concerned.
On these Karuma falls is a 750 Megawatts hydropower station -the Karuma Power Station, this was opened up by the Ugandan government in partnership with foreign partners. The Karuma Bridge was constructed to act as a connecting point between Gulu district and Masindi district.
It was also constructed to support the cotton farmers in West Nile region of Uganda. Karuma falls derived its name from a belief that the Great Spirit called Karuma placed these beautiful and nice looking rocks to block the river waters of Victoria Nile that is why the falls in Karuma.
The Karuma falls used to be a danger zone for the Lord Resistance Army Rebels in 2007 when the rebels attacked every passing vehicle on the road, killing and abducting young boys and girls. However they were defeated by the Uganda government and were forced out of Uganda when they moved and settled in the tropical rain forest in the Democratic Republic of Congo till date.
Activities at Karuma fall
Sports’ fishing is the main tourist attraction activity at Karuma falls. Visit the Karuma falls themselves is a tourist attraction. The view of the falls are simply interesting to view and photogenic. Karuma falls is one of the great and beautiful waterfalls visited throughout the year regardless of which season in Uganda.
Karuma falls can be customized together with a wildlife safari to Murchison fall national park. Game viewing in Murchison falls national park is one of the best wildlife experience. Murchison Falls National Park has about 76 species of mammals that call the park their home including four of the big five.
Commonly seen animals around Karuma falls include the Elephants, Giraffes, Buffaloes, Uganda Kobs, Bushbucks, Jacksons Hartebeests, Oribi, waterbucks and warthogs to mentions but a few. It is also home to several primates including Baboons, Patas monkeys, Blue monkeys, Red-tailed monkeys and Black-and-white Colobus monkeys
Boot cruise ride on the Victoria Nile will offer you an amazing you an amazing adventure experience as you will enjoy viewing different wildlife and birds at the river banks such as the Nile crocodile, the hippos, elephants taking water, antelopes among others.
Boat cruise can be done with the delta boat to the Nile boat that is done on the bottom of the falls and at the downstream of the Albertine Nile.
Nature on Budongo forest that will give an insight to explore the tropical forest that is home to various primate animals such as the grey checked Mangabey, the white and black colobus monkeys, the red tailed monkeys, the olive baboons, among others as well as different bird species such as the Exclusive shoebill stork and many others.
Where to stay at Karuma falls
There are a wide range of accommodation facilities where travellers can stay at when visiting Karuma falls. These accommodations range from budget, mid-range as well as luxury facilities. Some of the accommodation facilities include; Eco Cultural Village and Karuma falls Campsite for budget option, and Karuma Travellers’ hotel for mid-range option.
However, visitors can also stay at Murchison falls national park, closer lodges to Karuma falls include; Chobe Safari lodge for luxury option, Pakuba Safari lodge for mid-range option among others that offer excellent service to all visitors.
How to get to Karuma safari lodge
Karuma falls can be accessed by road from Kampala via to Kampala – Gulu highway which takes about 4-5 hours’ drive covering a distance of about 255 kilometres either by private or public means such as buses.
Private services can be offered by tour operators such as Achieve Global Safaris. From Gulu town to Karuma falls, it takes about one hour drive covering a distance of 78 Kilometres. From Arua town to Karuma falls, it takes about 4-5 hours covering a distance of 250 Kilometres via Karuma – Pakwach road. From Masindi town, it takes about 1-2 hours covering a distance of 97 kilometres.
