Sambiya river lodge is a midrange accommodation facility located about fifteen minutes from the top of Murchison Falls National Park, which makes it the closest lodging facility to the falls.
Sambiya river lodge is a midrange accommodation facility in Murchison falls National Park. It is located about fifteen minutes from the top of the majestic Murchison Falls and is therefore the closest lodging facility to the top of the falls.
The lodge is a newly refurbished family-run establishment, ideal for people who want to experience peace and privacy in the African wilderness.
The distinctive allure of Sambiya River Lodge lies in the intimate atmosphere it provides to guests, surrounded by an abundance of lovely trees.
Guests stay in one of 20 cottages designed as individual and family cottages with en-suite bathrooms, fans, screened doors & windows, and a balcony from which to relax and take in the sweeping views of Africa.
The lodge’s glass front provides a sweeping view of the Sambiya River and its grassy floodplain, where one may spot a variety of wildlife.
Observing a wide variety of local bird species is a popular pastime in this area. The park is hot during the day and pleasant during the evening for the vast majority of the year.
A refreshing dip in the pool is a welcome relief from the scorching heat of an African afternoon.
After dark, floodlights illuminate the river area, allowing residents and visitors to see the area while still hearing the sounds of the African night.
Sambiya lodge’s magnificent grounds feature more trees than any other lodge in the area. Within the lodge, guests can enjoy nature walks and birding activities.
Accommodation at Sambiya river lodge
The Sambiya river lodge provides great lodging facilities. For guests who want a little luxury and privacy, there are 20 secluded thatched-roof bandas with private restrooms and verandas.
But if you are on a tight budget, you can choose from 12 cheaper bandas, 9 of which have their own bathrooms and kitchens and 3 of which have shared bathrooms and kitchens.
Additionally, there are 7 Family Cottages, each with 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms with a private veranda overlooking the thick Sambiya Forest.
Besides the family cottages, there are 10 double/twin cottages with en-suite bathrooms and private verandas. One advantage that drivers have over other guests is that they get free accommodation.
Pricing
A yearly pricing plan is set at the beginning of each year. The plan usually runs from January to December.
| Type of room/Age group | Bed and breakfast | Half board | Full board |
| Single occupancy | $130 | $150 | $180 |
| Double occupancy | $220 | $250 | $290 |
| Pensioners (60years&above) | $90 | $100 | $120 |
| Children (13-18years) | $65 | $80 | $95 |
| Children (5-12years) | $65 | $75 | $90 |
To enter the national park, it costs UGX 20,000 for adults and UGX 10,000 for kids. These fees cover the whole day.
Vehicle entrance per day costs UGX 30,000.A local safari boat ride costs UGX 30,000 but is free for children aged 5 & below.
Meals/Dining
Sambiya river lodge features a restaurant and bar offering a variety of dishes from around the world with an emphasis on local and regional cuisines.
Breakfast is served between 6:00 am and 9:30 pm, lunch between 12:00 noon and 3:00 pm while dinner is available for 3 hours from 6:30 pm- 9:30 pm.
Services or amenities offered at Sambiya river lodge
- Spacious restaurant with a terrace overlooking the watering hole at the lodge.
- Extensive lounge with cosy sofas and a television displaying romantic films in the evenings.
- Bistro-style bar with views of the swimming pool and zipline
- Accessibility to the lodge by wheelchair
- A separate children’s pool
- Free Wi-Fi access in public areas.
- Forest swing
- Indoor and outdoor play spaces for children
- Conference facilities: Sambiya River Lodge provides an exceptional setting for conferences, corporate workshops, senior management meetings, team-Building, year-end functions, kick-off conferences, and strategy sessions. The lodge can accommodate up to forty delegates, and exclusive use can be arranged based on the size of the group.
Activities at Sambiya river lodge
Cruise to the bottom of the falls by boat: Numerous boats offer cruises up and down the Nile. One boat moves from the landing at Parra and travels up the Nile to the base of the renowned Falls.
The boats from Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) usually leave at 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. There are numerous hippos, crocodiles, Cape buffalo, elephants, and bird species, to be seen on your boat cruise.
For a $15 fee payable to the park authorities, visitors can disembark the boat and hike to the top of the Falls. This boat cruise costs UGX 30,000 per person. However, it is free for children aged 5 & below.
Guided game drives: The best times to observe and take pictures of animals and birds are early morning and late afternoons. By 10 or 11 a.m., many mammals seek shade beneath or in trees.
The Uganda Wildlife Authority installed a new game circuit in the “Heart of the Park” on the South Bank. Honeymoon Circuit is approximately 10 minutes by car from Sambiya lodge. It has loops off the road to Rabongo where visitors seldom fail to see lions.
If you’re lucky, you may also see Cape buffalo, waterbuck, bushbuck, Uganda kob, kestrels, vultures, plovers, doves, Jackson’s hartebeest, widowbirds, nightjars, cuckoos, forest elephant, warthogs, and many more.
Nature walk: At Sambiya river lodge, you will find resident UWA ranger guides who are willing to take guests on walking safaris. Guides are knowledgeable about the local flora and fauna. It is best to make arrangements 24 hours in advance to avoid disappointment.
Early morning and late afternoon walks are more comfortable and cooler. Guests can experience, feel, and see Africa’s vastness in the same manner as the earliest explorers.
Lions, buffaloes, wart hogs, colobus monkeys, baboons, kobs, waterbucks, and a variety of bird species have all been spotted in the past.
It is recommended to bring a hat, insect repellent, long-sleeved shirts and long pants, water bottles, and closed walking shoes with long socks. A riverside nature walk costs UGX 30,000.
Canopy walk: This is the most unique experience at the Sambiya river lodge and the first of its kind in Uganda. Tourists walk on a suspended bridge that is established at the level of tree canopies in the forest.
The canopy walk gives you a view of the Sambiya river below, bushes and some animals. The experience costs UGX 30,000. For residents at the lodge, it is a complimentary activity.
Zip lining: At about 120 meters long, the zipline at Sambiya river lodge is the longest in Uganda. This activity is suitable for both adults and kids.
It costs UGX 60,000 to enjoy zip lining at Sambiya river lodge. For residents, it costs UGX 30,000 and children have it free.
Events: With space for about 60 guests, the Sambiya river lodge is a great option for a weekend wedding.
Your wedding wishes and desires can be catered for at Sambiya River Lodge. Birthday parties, baby showers, graduation parties and all other kinds of events can be hosted at this lodge.
How to get to Sambiya river lodge
Sambiya river lodge is a 5-hour drive from Kampala, which is approximately 305km. The fastest way to get to the lodge by road is through the Kampala-Masindi Road.
From Kampala city centre, take the Kampala-Gulu Road until a few metres’ past river Kafu. At the Kafu river junction, turn left onto Kampala-Masindi Road.
Upon reaching Masindi town, turn right onto Bobi-Masindi Road and drive for 6 km before turning left and taking the straight Northern route to Sambiya lodge located in the heart of Murchison falls National Park.
By air, you can take a flight from Entebbe to Pakuba airfield in Murchison falls National Park. From there you can drive to Sambiya river lodge located on the Eastern side of the airfield.
How to make reservations
Reservations are made online through the website. After making a reservation, there is an option of making a payment through the website.
Here, you have to indicate the currency of payment, names and contacts of the payer. Bookings can also be done via email.
Images for Sambiya river lodge
Disclaimer: Booking.com is credited with all photos.
