In the heart of Murchison Falls National Park, Murchison River Lodge provides a peaceful and eco-friendly family retreat on the southern riverbanks of the Victoria Nile between the Albert delta and Paraa jetty.
The Murchison River Lodge, located on the southern bank of the Victoria Nile between the Albert delta and Paraa jetty in Murchison Falls National Park, offers an affordable family retreat in a serene and eco-friendly setting.
The concept and design of Murchison River Lodge, located in one of Uganda’s most remote locations, strikes a balance between safari luxury and respectful interaction with nature without compromising comfort.
From the lodge’s bar and restaurant, guests can enjoy breathtaking views of the park and the famous River Nile as it meanders downstream through papyrus islands and hippo pods.
Murchison Falls, a mighty Nile River waterfall, is the centrepiece of the park, which is also home to an abundance of species, including elephants, lions, hippos, Rothschild’s giraffe and buffaloes.
One of the most well-liked activities in the park is the Paraa stretch boat safari tour, which travels along the Nile to the foot of the waterfall. On the Nile delta, downstream from the River Lodge, birdwatchers can locate the most coveted shoebill stork.
Accommodation at Murchison River Lodge
The accommodations at Murchison River Lodge are dispersed over 30 acres of natural bushland. The lodge campus is frequently visited by wild animals, especially at night.
Therefore, guests are often escorted between buildings at night to prevent wild animal assaults.
Murchison River Lodge is a popular safari lodging option in Murchison Falls National Park due to its casual atmosphere. It allows families to unwind and the proximity to wildlife will expose a child’s eyes to the beauties of the African wilderness – a priceless opportunity.
Murchison River Lodge offers 4 villas with en suite bathrooms, 13 traditional safari tents with en suite bathrooms, 3 comfortable tents, and camping grounds with facilities.
The thatched cottages feature an open floor design with two single beds on the ground floor and a double bed on the mezzanine level.
The expansive veranda with a view of the bush is furnished with a sofa and hammock for guests to unwind and enjoy the area’s wildlife. They are ideal for families travelling with up to four children aged 4 to 12 or four adults.
The ensuite traditional safari tents are erected beneath thatched roofs and situated among the trees and bush around the lodge grounds. The traditional tents can accommodate two adults or a family with a maximum of two young children.
They have outdoor furniture, including a table and chairs, for use on their porch.
The view from the twin shared river tents is what distinguishes them from the other lodge rooms. They are situated near the river Nile in a magnificent setting with a private veranda where you can relax and take in the scenery.
For more adventurous guests travelling with their own gear, the lodge has set up a campsite where tents can be pitched beneath the velvety African night sky.
The campsite is situated in an area of a natural environment and provides ample tent-pitching and relaxation space. Campers have access to facilities such as restrooms.
Murchison river lodge prices
Thatched cottages
| Room description | Rate (USD) |
| Single room occupancy | $185 per person |
| Double//Twin occupancy | $150 per person |
| 3rd or 4th guest in cottage | $100 per person |
| Family (2 adults, 4 children aged between 4-16 years) | $330 per person |
Thatched safari tents
| Room description | Rate (USD) |
| Single occupancy | $135 per person |
| Double//Twin occupancy | $115 per person |
| 3rd or 4th guest in tent | $85 per person |
| Family (2 adults, 4 children aged between 4-16 years) | $260 per person |
Comfortable camping tents
| Room description | Rate (USD) |
| Single occupancy | $85 per person |
| Double//Twin occupancy | $70 per person |
River tents
| Room description | Rate (USD) |
| Single occupancy | $135 per person |
| Double//Twin occupancy | $115 per person |
There is an option of private camping if you have your own equipment. This costs USD 50 per person.
Meals/Dining
Enjoy your lunch or dinner while taking in the fresh air, bush life, and riverfront wildlife from the open thatched building at the lodge.
Every day, the kitchen staff prepares fresh, cooked meals and accommodates special diets. Fish from the Nile and Lake Albert, as well as other locally grown products, are staples on the menu.
After a full day of exploring the park on a safari game drive, visitors are welcome to relax and unwind with complimentary tea, coffee, homemade cake, and bar snacks in the main lounge.
There is a variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, including sodas and juices, available at the lodge’s main bar.
After a thrilling day of wildlife viewing on your Uganda safari, cool off in the pool or enjoy some live music while taking in the breath-taking scenery of the Nile.
Services offered at Murchison River Lodge
Services provided at the lodge include laundry, En-Suite Bathrooms, Restaurant & Bar, Swimming Pool, patio, Free Wi-Fi, childcare, mosquito net, and USB charging ports.
Activities at Murchison River Lodge
A variety of guided safari activities are accessible from the lodge’s vantage point. Please confirm with your booking manager at the lodge to know which activities are included in the accommodation price.
Game drive safari
Between the Victoria and White Niles is where you’ll find the most diverse species in the savannah, perfect for game drives on a safari.
The Paraa Vehicle Ferry, a motorised pontoon that crosses the channel every couple of hours in both directions, provides guests with access. Buligi’s savanna grasslands, namely the Victoria Nile delta on Lake Albert, are some of the most fascinating places to visit.
While animals may be harder to observe on the southern bank of the Victoria Nile due to the denser forest cover, the trails up to the top of the falls are certainly worth investigating.
Motorboat safari to the base of the waterfalls
If you’re in Murchison Falls National Park, you can’t leave without experiencing the three-hour motorboat safari up the Victoria Nile to the base of Murchison Falls.
You will likely see hippos, buffaloes, crocodiles, elephants, Rothschild’s giraffe, and lions along the banks of the Nile.
Nile Delta Motorboat Safari
To see the endangered shoebill storks and other papyrus indigenous bird species, take a relaxing three-hour motorboat safari downstream towards the delta at Lake Albert.
Guests can choose between a sunrise cruise with breakfast served on board, or an evening cruise as the sun sets.
Hiking
The most popular hiking option is the 45- to 60-minute trek to the top of the waterfalls, where you can witness the magnificent cascade from a variety of vantage points.
Guests can also access the route during a game drive safari or a motorboat safari up the Paraa stretch.
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
En route to Murchison Falls National Park, the 70 sq. Km Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary offers guided hikes to get up close and personal with the last of Uganda’s white rhinos. It is a project worthy of support.
Unfortunately, the sanctuary is located over 100 kilometres south of the majority of lodges in Murchison Falls, making it an inconvenient day trip for most people. However, if you are leaving Kampala by car, it is close to the main road and a great place to break up your safari journey.
Bird-watching
Over 450 species of birds have been seen in Uganda’s Murchison Falls National Park, which is a haven for birdwatchers.
Ground hornbills, secretary birds, black-bellied bustards, open-billed storks, weavers, swallow-tailed bee-eaters, red-throated bee-eaters, woodland kingfishers, francolins, grey herons, martial eagles, African fish eagles, papyrus gonolek, lesser flamingos, greater flamingos, white-tailed lark
Other activities include hot air balloon safaris and chimpanzee tracking.
How to get there
The Murchison River Lodge is a 5-hour (305 km) trip through the park from Kampala through Masindi, Kichumbanyobo Gate, and Mubako Gate. The lodge is also accessible through the escarpment road that passes through Bulisa and Wanseko for the more daring.
The closest airport for small chartered aircraft from Entebbe International Airport is Bugungu Airstrip, a 25-minute drive from the property.
Consequently, you can connect a gorilla safari in Bwindi to the northern savanna plains using a small chartered or scheduled flight. Bugungu Airstrip is approximately 13 kilometres (25 minutes) from the property.
Images for Murchison river lodge
Reservations
For reservations, please book through the Murchison River lodge website or call the front desk team at the lodge.
For the best Murchison Falls National Park safari experience, check out the following best accommodation nearby: Fort Murchison Safari lodge, Sambiya River Lodge, Grassroots Cottages and Tours, Parkside Safari Lodge, Kabalega Wilderness Lodge, Pakuba Safari Lodge, Mama Washindi Lodge, and Budongo Eco Lodge.
Disclaimer: Credit goes to tripadvisor.com for all photos.
