Paraa in Murchison falls national park. Murchison falls national park is the largest and oldest park in Uganda first gazette as a game reserve in 1926 and later as a game park in 1952 on an area of 3893 sq. km. The park is also known as kabalega national park named after omukama of bunyoro kabalega during Idi Amini’s regime the park was called kabalega but after he was over thrown the park was changed again to Murchison falls National Park.

Paraa region is characterized by savannah grasslands, swamps and riverine forests. The area is located in southern bank of Victoria Nile in north of Murchison falls national park in north western part of Uganda. Paraa is got from a local word from acholi language meaning place of hippos and its evident because a number of hippos are spotted along shores of the Nile day time and in the evening they are seen going to graze in the night, even though it does not only have hippos but also birds such as African jacana, rare shoebill stork, African darter among others.

Paraa region is accessed easily through south kichumbanyobo gate of Murchison falls national park for those visitors from Kampala via masindi route. But visitors from northern side of Murchison falls national park can get to Paraa by crossing the Nile using the ferry.

Paraa is the main tourist place in Murchison falls national park and all tracks and roads in Murchison meet here, games are conducted in Paraa side of Murchison falls national park because the southern part of the park is does not have as many wild animals like those in northern sector. Animals in Paraa region include lions, leopards, elephants, water bucks, bush bucks, olive baboons, red tailed monkeys and black and white monkeys among others.

What to do in Paraa region

You can enjoy so many activities in this region being a tourist hub. There is the boat cruise at the Albert delta where the river Nile enters Lake Albert and also you may choose to take the bottom falls of the boat cruise. The boat cruise will let you see the beautiful landscape of Murchison falls national park, wildlife at the banks ie rhinos, hippos, crocodiles and elephants among others. Birds’ i.e. African jacana, shoebill stork and marital eagle etc.

This region also gives you a chance to enjoy the top of the falls hike through Winston church hill trail which will expose you to the nature’s beauty from the top of the falls which are terrific with amazing features like the pressure of the water hitting the stones bordering with narrow gorge. You get a clear view of the Murchison falls national park and this would be something you shouldn’t miss out.

Best time to visit Paraa.

Just like and other travel destination in Uganda, Murchison falls national park is always open throughout the year. But the best time for game drives and other safaris at paraa region is dry season that is December, January, February when rain is least expected