Cultural Encounters
Murchison Falls National Park is located in the northwestern part of Uganda, covering about 4000 square kilometers of land, making it the largest national park among the ten national parks in Uganda. Several tourist attractions can be explored in Murchison Falls National Park, including the river Nile, forming the Murchison Falls, the wild game, the climate, hot air balloon safaris, and the people.
The local communities around Murchison Falls National Park have presented an opportunity for visitors to visit and explore these local people in what we call “community cultural encounters.” The cultural encounters in the Murchison Falls National Park have attracted people, especially those that have finished their boat cruise safaris, or hiking and game drives, to visit the local community and take part in the evening cultural encounters within the communities around the Murchison Falls National Park. Thus, in this article, we explore the cultural encounters at the Murchison Falls National Park.
As I have pointed out, the Murchison Falls National Park is amidst the diversity of the local community and people that form different tribes in Uganda. The people or the communities surrounding the Murchison Falls National Park include the Acholi in the northeastern area, the Batooro and Banyoror, who occupy the southern part of the park, and the Alur community in the northwestern part of the country.
It is very good that all these tribes have different cultures that are unique in the way they do things, including the living conditions and the cultures, among others. Of all these communities, the Mubako community people can be uniquely seen staying on the extended grass plains of the Murchison Falls National Park, where they have erected their huts. This is the place where these people come and perform for the guests at various lodges where they are called to do so.
One of the prominent local groups that perform for the visitors is the Boomu community, and I would argue that you should visit this village as part of your cultural encounters with Murchison Falls National Park. The Boomu women’s community was formed to improve the living conditions of the people, especially the women, who were left helpless so that they could get money for their living.
These women have played it wise and they provide the accommodation facilities to the visitors who have decided to go for the cultural encounters within the Murchison Falls National Park. While visiting these communities, you will enjoy and purchase souvenirs made locally by these women, particularly the crafts, which include the blacksmith, baskets, and mats, and you will also participate in the cultural encounters, which are both interesting and wonderful.
Tourists visiting the cultures and communities at Murchison Falls National Park will be enthralled by the performance of the Alur people as they make the locally based guitar that can be made up of cowhide. You will also mingle with the local people during your cultural exploration and get a glimpse of how they do their activities best as you support them with the souvenirs they make, which you can take home.
The best way to get to Mubako is to walk with a local guide who will tell you about the history of the area. Whichever social center you visit, you will acquire valuable insight into different people groups’ ways of life, and you will be able to participate in their daily activities. The best place to stay while visiting Murchison is at Boomu Ladies’ Camp, although there are also other cabins such as Geolodges Nile Safari Hold Up, Rest Chili Camp, Sambiya River Lodge, Yebo Safari Lodge, UWA camping area, and Murchison Safari Lodge.
Animals such as elephants, lions, leopards, waterbucks, hartebeests, elands, giraffes, hippopotamuses, and others can be seen in Murchison Falls National Park in the following courses. With over 450 bird species, Murchison Falls Public Park is also one of the country’s top birding destinations. Visitors can go bird viewing or go on an exciting chimpanzee tour. You will enjoy a lot of safari experiences, which are very interesting. Please come and enjoy your cultural encounter safari at Murchison Falls National Park with us.
