Guides
Fishing at Murchison requires expert assistance, to ensure both client safety in this adventurous destination, and the best opportunity for successful fishing. For this reason we currently recommend that our specialist guides such as Paul Goldring, who resides in Uganda, are utilized for any client groups traveling here for fishing.
Getting there
Murchison Falls National Park is approximately 5-6 hours drive north west from Entebbe, via Kampala with the majority of the roads before reaching the park being tarred. Within the park there are murrum roads. Our fully inclusive trips include private transport with a driver in 4 x 4 vehicles which are comfortable and spacious, including room for fishing equipment! Alternatively scheduled flights (minimum 3 persons) or charter flights can be used between Entebbe and Murchison Falls National Park, these are at an additional cost which is provided on request.
Traditional Fishing Season
The fishing at Murchison varies from year to year as to which are the most successful fishing months, but generally it is accepted that the drier months of the year produce better fishing results – January to March and July to October.
Fishing area and conditions
Sport Fishing at Murchison Falls National Park is currently conducted in the area at the base of the falls. The fishing is either from the rocks on the bank of the river or slightly lower down stream in the pools from a boat. Access to the fishing spots is either by boat from a point further down stream or by walking down the gorge to the river from the top of the falls. It’s a long steep climb back up (around 45 minutes for a reasonably fit person) and hence most people tend to go fishing equipped for the day to avoid climbing up in the heat of the day.
The temperatures at Murchison are high (sometimes over 40 degrees C) – especially at mid day and anglers should be equipped with sun protection including sun tan lotion, hats and long sleeved shirts. Tsetse flies also abound at certain times and we recommend trousers and long socks as well as insect repellant as protection against their bites.
Methods of Fishing / Equipment
Fish caught on live bait / casting lures include Nile perch and various species of cat fish. There are also a large variety of smaller species, (used as live bait), obtained by spinning including tiger fish. We recommend a rod between 11feet (3 metres) and 8 feet (2.4 metres) together with a fixed spool or multiplier reel.
For the smaller species a 7’ spinning rod with 3/5 kg line is adequate.
Reels - For Nile perch and catfish any reel fixed spool or multiplier with 30-35 lb line(17kg) will do. It depends on personal preference and skill with a multiplier. For tiger fish and smaller species any reel you can comfortably cast is suitable.
Accommodation
There are several facilities available for accommodation in the park – which one we utilise will depend upon budget and requirements. Prices quoted are based on utilizing Paraa lodge or Nile Safari Camp. We are also able to offer client groups that prefer to camp (fit experienced anglers only) , a mobile camp, which we will erect at the camp site at the “top of the falls” area above Murchison Falls .
Due to the remoteness of the area power is usually by generator in the evenings and early mornings only at the lodges/camps.
Drinks
Drinks are cooled by gas run fridge/freezers. Bottled water is available for drinking and a variety of other drinks are available for sale at the lodge/camps, however IF you have specific requests we suggest you notify us in advance so we can do our best to accommodate you. Whilst they try their best to accommodate guests NOT all drinks available in other parts of the world are available (e.g. good wines or whiskey are not easily obtained and so very expensive).
What to pack
There are no shops in the National Park - all necessary supplies such as sun tan lotion, cigarettes, spare batteries for electronic equipment and cameras, and mosquito spray must be brought with you. We suggest you bring as much sun protection as possible - hats, sunglasses, creams as it can be very hot. Hiking boots are best for foot wear, especially for shore fishing from the steep, rough rocks. Lightweight and light coloured clothes for fishing are best as they are cooler and the tetse flies are less attracted to them. Long sleeves and long trousers are best, but avoid blue where ever possible as this colour seems to actually attract the tetses! A light weight rain jacket and a sweater for the evenings is also recommended.
Optional additional excursions
Excursions for game drives, Nile river cruises and chimpanzee trekking can be arranged in conjunction with the fishing. These excursions are not included in the pricing quoted but we would be happy to advise you, should you be interested in further information.
PRICES - DAY TRIPS
Included: Use of boat on the Nile with skipper/fishing guide services, fuel, drinking water, and use of fishing equipment with USD100 deposit fee per rod paid before departure(except for breakages / damaged equipment which is charged for).
Excluded: National Park Entry Fees of USD25 per day, National Park Fishing Fees of USD50 per day which are payable directly to Uganda Wildlife Authority.
Full Day Trip on NILE RIVER - Prices from effective to December 2010 in USD
|
| No. of Guests / Boat |
Price per person |
| 1 |
USD470 |
| 2 |
USD255 |
| 3 |
USD180 |
| 4 |
USD215* |
* Please note – A larger boat is used to accommodate 4 persons fishing – hence the price per person is higher than for fewer persons
PRICES - OVERNIGHT MURCHISON FALLS FISHING SAFARIS
Included: Airport transfers and return transport in 4 x 4 with driver/guide from Entebbe, accommodation, meals, boat use on the Nile river, fishing guide services and national park entry fees.
Excluded: National Park Fishing Fees of USD50-70 per day which are payable directly to Uganda Wildlife Authority and fishing equipment hire as detailed below.
International Prices from January to December 2010 per person sharing in USD
|
|
NUMBER OF NIGHTS / DAYS AT MURCHISON |
| No. of Guests |
2N / 3 D |
3N / 4 D |
4N / 5 D |
5N / 6 D |
6N / 7 D |
| 1 |
USD3614 |
USD4270 |
USD4880 |
USD5770 |
USD6490 |
| 2 |
USD2085 |
USD2440 |
USD2885 |
USD3477 |
USD3932 |
| 3 |
USD1580 |
USD1980 |
USD2225 |
USD2710 |
USD3081 |
| 4 |
USD1325 |
USD1826 |
USD1990 |
USD2320 |
USD2650 |
| Single supplement |
USD160 |
USD240 |
USD360 |
USD400 |
USD480 |
More than 4 guests by specific quotation
EXTRAS / OPTIONS
Fishing Permit – Uganda Wildlife Authority requires that each angler purchases an official fishing permit for each day of fishing – the prices are dependent upon the total number of days you fish for – between USD50 – 70 per person per day. We ask you to please bring sufficient USD cash to pay for this directly to UWA at Murchison Falls upon arrival at the National Park.
Fishing Equipment - is not included in the above overnight trip prices as there is a variety of different types required, depending on the fish species and size anglers seek. A limited amount of basic equipment is available for hire from us from USD20.00 /day/rod & reel (lost or broken lures charged in addition) depending on type and quantity required. Alternatively own equipment can be brought, especially the more specialized items, and we will supply a list of suggested kit suited to local conditions.
For example - we can supply the following (or similar) for Nile perch and catfish fishing at USD20 /day.
Rod/reel Set – 11feet shore casting rod - fixed spool 9 Feet 6Inch casting or trolling – with a shimano bait runner reel 6500b 35lb line
LOST / DAMAGED FISHING EQUIPMENT
For both the day trips and overnight fishing safaris we operate our fishing equipment used on the basis that if any of our equipment that is used and is lost, damaged or not returned to us at the end of the fishing period it needs to be paid for at our ruling rates. A full detailed list of these costs is available on request and will also be detailed on to you before the start of your fishing safari.
