Karuma Falls
Karuma falls are located on the eastern border of the Murchison fall national park seen from Karuma Bridge on the Gulu – Masindi highway. The bridge, under which the falls are, connects two districts Masindi and Gulu. It was constructed in 1963 to help the cotton farmers within the West Nile. It is a major landmark in Uganda since the explorer John Speke is said to have passed via the falls as he searched for the source of the Nile. The name Karuma derives from a local word that means “a great spirit”, which breaks the waters of the river. These roaring waterfalls found on the beautiful Victoria Nile are among the most impressive and one of the leading tourist attractions in Uganda. The land of the park around these falls pride in a broad diversity of birds, buffaloes, antelopes, monkeys,lions, baboons, elephants, leopards, Uganda Kobs, Hartebeest as well as giraffes The falls are about 110km North-East of Masindi town and about 70km South of Gulu. The average elevation of the waters of Karuma is about 1000m (3,300ft) above sea level. The falls are strong enough to accommodate a hydro-electric power station, thus Karuma power station can produce about 750 Megawatts.
Attractions
- The falls have beautiful rocks formation that cause magnificent white rapids that impressively ripple into the Nile offering a stunning white foam with amazing vegetation around it.
- The falls are situated at the place where the main road of Masindi-Gulu crosses the great river Nile, about 110 km northeast of the town of Masindi and only 70 km south of the town of Gulu. These 2 districts are connected by the Karuma Bridge, constructed in 1963 to assist cotton farmers within the west Nile. This bridge crosses the huge waterfall whereas the sprays of water of the white water move towards Southern Sudan in the northern part of Uganda.
- It is among the significant landmarks in Uganda since John Speke moved past it during his search for river Nile.
- The Karuma falls are habitat to the Karuma Power Station, which is a 750 Megawatts hydro power development that was implemented by the government of Uganda in partnership with its other foreign partners. Karuma falls are future underground hydroelectric station which lies in western part of Gulu, Eastern Apac and south Masindi is a tourist campsite on the Northern bank of the falls including tour executions.
- The falls were designated as a hazardous zone due the Lord’s Resistance Army also called the LRA rebel because they staged several attacks within this area. These rebels would hide within the bush, and from there attack cars as well as buses traveling to both directions. However, today it is very safe, given that the rebels were set out of this region by the Ugandan army
- Tourists can also view Atika colobus monkeys in Atika forest near Albert Nile with rear mammals and bird species in savanna short grasses.
Getting to Karuma falls
Karuma falls can be accessed via the northern side. Taking Kampala – Karuma – Pakwach road branching off from the road to Gulu after few kilometers from Karuma Bridge. This route opens to different entry gates of Murchison falls park including; Chobe gate 2km north of the Karuma Bridge, Tangi gate 110km west of the bridge of Karuma, Wankwar gate which is 10 km off the main highway and several Kilometers from Purongo.
Accommodation
There is up – market as well as budget accommodation offered just within the Murchison Falls National Park. Among the Budget accommodations are: Red chill Rest Camp for camping and Karuma Falls Campsite along Gulu Road among others.
Unfortunately, the site is banned from photography and a group of soldiers are there 24/7 to enforce this and other security interests. The Karuma water fall is the first of an 80km long stretch of low falls and rapids and represents the point where an enlarged Lake Kyoga burst its banks to scour a new source of the Nile to the Rift valley. To encounter the falls, book with us at terrain safaris or send us an email on (in**@*************is.com) to view these spectacular falls.
