The Parkside Safari Lodge is set about 2 km from Tangi gate on the northern edge of Murchison Falls National Park.
About 2 kilometers from Tangi gate, Parkside Safari Lodge is situated on the northern edge of Murchison Falls National Park. The lodge is located on the banks of Albert Nile, just outside the park and is a 5-minute drive away from the gate.
Parkside safari lodge is convenient and reasonably priced while providing guests with a spectacular view of the Albert Nile, wildlife, and the surrounding area.
It takes about 5 hours to drive (305 kilometres) from Kampala to the park via Masindi, but just an hour to fly from Entebbe airport to the nearby Pakuba airstrip and another 50 minutes to drive to the lodge.
Accommodation at Parkside Safari lodge
The rooms at the Parkside Safari Lodge are both big and pleasant, combining elements of traditional African architecture such as a grass thatched roof with more contemporary design elements.
There are flushing toilets, hot and cold showers/bathtubs, mosquito nets, flat-screen TVs, solar electricity, driers, chairs, tables, and many other amenities in each room.
Each room also features a wooden balcony, veranda, or sitting space from which you can take in panoramic views of the Albert Nile, Murchison Falls National Park, and beyond. The beds are soft and fresh, and each room has a ceiling fan made of wood.
Guests can also stay warm during the night at the lodge thanks to the lit bonfires. The rooms are separated into single, double, twin, and triple/family categories.
Pricing
| Type of room | Bed and breakfast | Half board | Full board |
| Single | $70 per night | $80 per night | $90 per night |
| Double /Twin cottage | $110 per night | $130 per night | $150 per night |
| Family cottage | $150 per night | $200 per night | $240 per night |
The family cottage can hold a maximum of 5 people while the double room can hold a maximum of 2. All rooms have free access to Wi-Fi, room service and daily housekeeping.
Meals/Dining
The restaurant serves a variety of foreign and African-inspired dishes to satisfy guests’ cravings. The well-trained, courteous, and organised staff serve continental breakfast, picnic lunch and supper in the dining room.
Breakfast is served daily between 5:30 am- 10:00 am. They also serve bush diners for those looking for a wild dining experience.
You may unwind and enjoy the view of Murchison Falls National Park while sipping a cocktail or mocktail from the well-stocked bar, which offers a wide selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, including local and international beers, wines, and spirits.
Services/Amenities at Parkside Safari lodge
- Free Wi-Fi access in all rooms. Some public areas have Wi-Fi access too.
- Breakfast
- Free Parking
- Restaurant
- Bar
- Laundry services
- Daily Housekeeping
- Soundproofed rooms
- 24/7 front desk
- Laptop workspace
- Luggage storage
- Multilingual staff
- Gift shop
- Picnic area
Activities at Parkside Safari lodge
While staying at Parkside Safari lodge, there are several activities you can engage in, most of which are within the Murchison falls National Park.
Game drive
Game Drives in Murchison Falls National Park are an excellent way to experience the African Wild in Uganda.
Murchison Falls National Park is home to a variety of attractions, including the well-known Murchison Falls, four of the “big five” animals, such as lions, elephants, buffalos, leopards, and 76 species of mammals.
Game drives are some of the most rewarding activities that you should partake in to view several attractions within the park. These game drives can be conducted along the Buligi peninsula, where you will have exceptional views of lake Albert and the Victoria Nile.
It is also interesting to note that lions in the park are frequently spotted in the area hunting for prey, which is commonly the Uganda kobs. Game drives last approximately three hours, which is not too long for a family safari with young children.
Birding
Birding involves identifying and observing birds in their natural habitat as a form of recreation. There are over 300 types of birds in Murchison Falls National Park.
The endangered shoe bill stork is the main bird species that can be seen in the park. Still, other bird species can be seen, such as the Black-bellied Bustards, Widow Bird, Open-billed Storks, Red-throated Bee-eaters, Marabou Stork, Malay Kingfishers, Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, Secretary Birds, and the Swallow-tailed bee-eater.
There are also ducks, geese, stilts, and plovers on the riverbanks. The best months for birding in the park are January, February, and March.
Hiking
Murchison Falls National Park offers numerous options for nature walks and hikes. As you stroll through Rabongo Forest with your guide, you may catch a glimpse of a chimpanzee or another primate among the trees.
Budongo Forest is one of the best hiking places in the park, where you may observe a variety of species, including monkeys and birds. Additionally, guided walks are available in the Chobe region of the park.
Boat cruise
The boat ride up to the bottom of the falls is a highlight of any safari trip to Murchison Falls National Park.
On a boat safari up the river Nile, you will observe Elephant herds coming to wash and drink, hippos playing in the water, buffaloes in large numbers, several species of antelopes, and countless water birds.
The Murchison Falls Boat Safari allows passengers to disembark at the base of the falls. From there, you can trek up to the Falls’ summit. Other activities include hot air balloon safaris and sport fishing.
How to get there
Parkside Safari lodge is located 324km from Kampala via the Masindi route. The lodge can be found just 2 kilometres from Tangi gate in Murchison Falls National Park.
To get there by car, follow the Kampala-Masindi Road to the Western region of Uganda. This is about 219km from Kampala, before crossing the Sambiya river bridge to enter the Northern region.
After going past the Sambiya river bridge, take a slight left turn towards Gulu-Arua road. Once you are on Gulu-Arua road, drive for about 2km before turning left onto Bwana-Tembo Road.
After 2km, you will see the Parkside Safari lodge signpost on your left. At that point, turn left towards the road adjacent to the signpost, Parkside Safari lodge will be on your right.
Using air transport, you can take a flight from Entebbe Airport to Pakuba Airfield in Masindi. This flight takes about 1 hour. After landing at Pakuba Airfield, drive to Parkside Safari lodge which is 50 minutes away.
Images for Parkside Safari lodge
Reservations
For reservations, book through the Parkside Safari lodge website or via email at reservations@parksidesafarilodge.com.
Last but not least, for the perfect Murchison Falls National Park safari experience, make sure to stay at Sambiya River Lodge, Kabalega Wilderness Lodge, Pakuba Safari Lodge, Mama Washindi Lodge, and Budongo Eco Lodge located nearby.
Disclaimer: Booking.com is credited with all photos.
