Karuma falls is located along the Kampala -Gulu high way in the district of Kiryandongo which is an 80 km from Murchison falls national park and approximately 97.1km from Ziwa wildlife sanctuary. Karuma falls is a proximately 258km from Kampala city by road. These beautiful falls are situated along the high way which has made its viewing even much easier while on a road trip. Karuma falls also has a Hydro-electric dam that has been constructed a few meters from the falls which would be a very beautiful site to visit too. These beautiful falls are strategically located next to Budongo forest reserve approximately 88.7km and Bugoma forest that are home to numerous species of Chimpanzees that are worth viewing by a tourist while on a Uganda wildlife Safari at Karuma falls.
Tourist activities to carry out while at Karuma Falls
Visit Murchison falls national park; Murchison falls national park is Uganda’s biggest national park and one of the best destinations for game drives. It has Murchison falls which is the world’s most powerful falls. This national park is filled with numerous wildlife species such as; Lions, elephants, buffaloes that move in herds, leopards, crocodiles, chimpanzees, hippopotamus, Nubian giraffes, Jacksons hearte beast, Uganda Kob, sitatunga, warthogs, bush bucks, water bucks, hyenas, monkeys, oribis, Rhinos which are at Ziwa sanctuary, baboons, fish among others. These will indeed fulfil ones Uganda wildlife safari/ tour while at Karuma falls. It is important to note that Karuma falls is located at the route leading to Murchison falls which is approximately 80km from Karuma falls and this makes it easy to enroute.
Hiking; One can carry out hiking activities along the rocks of Karuma falls and hike up to the top of the falls. However, it is important to note that this activity must be done under the aid of a local tour guide as it is of a very high risk and also, they have experience of manoeuvring the different rocks with much ease and great sense of direction. Hiking can be a great fun filled activity that can be carried out as an individual or as a group of people. This indeed makes Karuma falls a great destination for Uganda Rock hiking tours/ safari.
Cultural tours; Karuma falls is surrounded by wonderful communities of people however the majority of people who surround them are the Luo and the Banyoro these group of people are filled with various believes and stories about the origin an existence of Karuma falls for example , the Local Luo people believe that the rocks on which water lands to create white falls is where the spirits reside and they believe that it is their ancestral spirits that arranged the rocks in such a way that the they create these stunning falls. While on a Uganda cultural tour, one is able to experience these diverse cultural believes and tales and more such as traditional dances, songs and crafts.
Bird watching; While on a Uganda safari/tour at Karuma falls, a tourist can excite their eyes with the different bird’s species that camp around the falls. They can also enroute to Murchison falls Uganda’s biggest falls which is near Karuma falls and get a deep bird viewing experience from the numerous bird species that are found at Murchison falls such as; Abyssinian ground hornbill these usually migrate from other country, blue-headed coucal, swamp flycatcher, African fish eagle, silver bird, Senegal thick-knee, Goliath heron, malachite kingfisher, African jacana, yellow-fronted tinkerbird, black –billed barbet, giant king fisher, Black –headed gonolek, Denhards bustard, malachite kingfisher, speckle-fronted weaver, silver bird, shoe bill, osprey, weaver birds, African jacana, African qualifinch, piapiac, osprey to mention but a few. Which indeed make ones visit at Karuma
Visit Karuma Hydro power Electric plant; This is one of Uganda’s recent Hydro- electric plants. While at Karuma hydro electric power dam, one can learn about the history of it being selected as a Hydro electric power dam site, its size, how much power it generates in watts, what is the significance of the power dam to Ugandans and more so learn about how it operates. This would be more of an educational tour as one is able to physically see and learn about generation of electricity from a water dam in Uganda.
The best time to visit Karuma falls is during the dry seasons of the year that include months of January, February, June, July, August, November and December. This is because during these days there are fewer down pours and tourist activities such as hiking, nature walks, wildlife viewing, bird watching, are much easier. This is because walking trails and paths are less busy and are easily accessible.
While at Karuma falls tours, tourists can also visit Ziwa Rhino sanctuary, Murchison falls national park, Budongo forest reserve for Chimpanzee trekking and so much more.
