Murchison River Lodge offers a unique experience for travelers seeking adventure in Uganda's Murchison Falls National Park. This review provides an in-depth look at the lodge's accommodations, dining options, activities, and essential considerations for planning your stay.
Location and Accessibility
The lodge is only accessible by road with your own safari guide and 4x4 vehicle from Kampala or Entebbe. This area of Uganda is usually accessed by road or air from Kampala or Entebbe.
The southern bank location of the lodge means it is close to villages. The southern area is not ideal for wildlife viewing due to the close proximity to villages. To get to the north, you need to use the Paraa ferry each day at designated times to cross over.
Accommodation Options
Guest accommodation at Murchison River Lodge comes in four categories, all dotted around the bush:
- Thatched Cottages
- Thatched Safari Tents
- Comfortable Camping
- Campsite
Thatched Cottages
There are four thatched cottages, each sleeping a maximum of four adults or a family. Each has twin beds at ground level, and a double bed on a mezzanine floor. Other features include solar lighting, mosquito nets, shower room, towels, and a stair gate for children if required. This option also benefits from a wide veranda with sofa, hammock, and superb bush views.
Read also: Murchison Falls National Park
Thatched Safari Tents
The Thatched Safari Tent category has many of the same amenities as the Cottage. All tents contain twin beds, and some have sufficient space for an extra bed and/or a cot. Two tents are positioned on the river bank, and every tent has a private permanent washroom.
Comfortable Camping
Comfortable Camping offers a similar set-up to the Tent option, except that guests have access to a toilet and shower block rather than use of their own facilities.
Campsite
Finally, the Campsite is perfect for adventurous travelers. Situated away from the river, in a wooded area, the Campsite has a car park, two kitchen areas, an outside water source, and access to the toilet and shower block.
Thatched cottages and thatched tents have variable views, with most located at the back of the property, away from the river.
Dining and Amenities
The communal buildings are made out of timber, stone, and thatch, blending pleasantly with the natural surroundings. They include an open-plan restaurant and bar that flows out onto a terrace. Gorgeous scenes of the river and the national park may be enjoyed while you tuck into tasty meals and beverages.
Read also: Majestic Zambezi Adventure
The restaurant offers an early-bird continental breakfast from quarter to six until seven in the morning, followed up with cooked breakfast from seven until ten, lunch from midday until two, and three-course dinner from seven until nine every evening. The lodge also has a fantastic little shop, Lion’s Den Craft Shop, which stocks an abundance of gifts as well as essential items. And there are two swimming pools - one is for babies and toddlers, the other for everyone else. Both are positioned close to a pool lounge, which contains changing room with shower, toilet, wash facilities, pool towels, and even a small bar.
Activities and Wildlife Viewing
You could start your stay in spectacular style, with a boat launch to the famous Murchison Falls. This involves a trip along the River Nile, with opportunities to observe plenty of wildlife on the way. The river is home to Nile crocodile and hippo, as well as a wonderful range of waterbirds. Big game may be spotted too - elephant and buffalo often come to the riverbanks to quench their thirst.
These species are commonly seen on game drives, as are big cats and lots of herbivores. If you like the challenge of a full-on hike, chimpanzee treks are available in Budongo Forest, which is adjacent to Murchison Falls N.P.
ACTIVITIES IN MURCHISON FALLS
Important Considerations
On some nights, expect noise including music from surrounding community villages and during festive events.
*This property is unfenced and located in a wildlife area, so large and potentially dangerous animals do pass through. If you opt to stay here, always be alert when walking around the camp and request for a member of staff to escort you if you have any concerns.
Read also: The Nile River's Influence
Customer Testimonials
Here are some experiences from travelers who have used AfricanMecca Safaris to plan their trips to Africa:
- Janet Brown (TEACH Rwanda Founder, United States): "AfricanMecca Safaris offers incredibly knowledgeable and skilled services! Our travel arrangements for 2 months of volunteering with TEACH Rwanda in country were made quickly and economically. Honored to work with Raza!"
- Carol Bobb (Pennsylvania, United States): "I just returned from a month in Africa, specifically Rwanda & Kenya. I am left breathless with my experience. AfricanMecca Safaris coordinated the entire trip for me and left no detail, nothing for me to do."
- Geoffrey Topliss (Northampton, United Kingdom): "Jambo Altaf, Many thanks for a brilliant holiday. Your choice of tented accommodation at the two Tsavos and Amboseli was superb, we didn't have a favourite. We would recommend AfricanMecca to anyone."
- Dan Kobick (Managing Director, PricewaterhouseCoopers, New York, United States): "I cannot say enough about the quality of AfricanMecca. Their teams in Kenya and Tanzania were top notch. Raza, again thanks to you and your entire organization! We will be repeat customers."
- Christine Milan (MT Carmel Travel, Connecticut, United States): "This is to let you know my guests, The Bryant's, had a wonderful time on the trip Samburu, Masai Mara/Kenya, Chobe/Botswana & Victoria Falls/Zambia. Everything was perfect! Thank you."
- Kim and Mike Claiborne (Texas, United States): "Raza and AfricanMecca Safaris did an outstanding job with all of the arrangements lined up to help make our trip unforgettable. We do thank you from the bottom of our heart."
- Anonymous: "Rwanda was amazing. The accommodations, food, and guides AfricanMecca arranged were great. Raza also helped us through the complicated process of getting permits for gorilla trekking."
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