Uganda Wildlife Campsite is the best option for you if you’re looking for a cheap way to stay in Murchison Falls National Park.
The Uganda Wildlife Campsite is one of the best places to camp in Murchison Falls National Park. It’s affordable, it’s beautiful, and it’s a great way to experience the outdoors.
Murchison Falls National Park is the largest national park in Uganda, encompassing an area of 3,480 square kilometres, and can be found in the country’s northwestern corner.
The Uganda Wildlife Campsite is located in the southern part of Murchison Falls National Park and offers guests budget-friendly accommodation.
The campsite is a perfect place to explore Africa’s wildness and become entangled with the wild’s whispers in a pitched tent.
Set on top of the Murchison Falls, Uganda Wildlife Campsite offers breathtaking views of the enormous national park and its abundant wildlife, including over 76 species of mammals, 450 species of birds, Karuma Falls, and the majestic Nile. Every night, a bonfire is lit, and expert tour guides will tell you stories to make your stay memorable.
The camping site is open to those who bring their camping equipment and pay less. It gives excellent security and a breathtaking landscape, and the sound of the waterfall is pleasant enough to serve as a sleep lullaby.
The campsite staff is extremely friendly and helpful, making you feel right at home. The Uganda Wildlife Campsite is managed by the Uganda Wildlife Authority.
Accommodation at Uganda Wildlife Campsite
In addition to a camping ground, there are also self-contained bandas which offer cheap accommodation to guests, making them an excellent option for those on a tight budget.
The bandas are outfitted with comfy beds and toiletries.
Tourists interested in camping at the campsite must provide their camping gear.
Uganda Wildlife Campsite fees
| Category A-Wilderness Camping for a maximum of 16 people | US$ 40 |
| Category B – Private –for a maximum of 20 people including non-paying workers | US$ 50 |
| Category C – Public with pit latrine/firewood/rubbish pitwater/fireplace/thatched shelter with security inclusive | UGX 20,000 |
| Students | UGX 5,000 |
The charges above are per person, excluding local tax and require booking before checking in.
Meals/Dining at Uganda Wildlife Campsite
You can bring your cooking equipment to the campsite and utilise the kitchen, or you can dine on delectable continental delicacies cooked by a team of well-experienced chefs. Additionally, a range of beverages is available at the campsite.
Services offered by Uganda Wildlife Campsite
- Private bathrooms
- Security
- Canteens
- Laundry services
- Campfire area
Activities at Uganda Wildlife Campsite
Game drives
Game drives are frequent at Murchison Falls National Park; you can rent a vehicle with a guide from the Uganda Wildlife Authority to explore the beautiful national park.
Elephants, lions, giraffes, leopards, hippos, warthogs, water bucks, and antelopes are just a few of the numerous species of animals that you may encounter. The cost of guiding is USD 20 if you do not bring your guide.
Boat cruise
You must take a boat to the bottom of the breathtaking Murchison Falls. The great river Nile cuts the park in half, forcing its way through a tiny gap on the rift escarpment to build the impressive waterfalls.
The boat ride typically lasts between two and three hours; you will be able to watch elephants satisfying their thirst on the riverbanks and numerous water birds chirping in the air. Combining the cruise with a safari drive, a hike up the top of the falls, or a sunset cruise is possible.
Chimpanzee tracking
Kaniyo Pabidi and Budongo forest reserves are suitable for tracking chimpanzees near Murchison Falls. Chimpanzees are distant relatives of humans, sharing 98% of our DNA. An encounter with these animals can be one of the most memorable moments of your life.
Typically, half-day sessions in the morning or afternoon are utilized for tracking. Once the chimps have been located, visitors can see them for up to an hour while they engage in forest activities.
In addition to bird watching, cultural interactions, sport fishing, nature-guided walks, and balloon safari, there are other additional activities you can partake in while visiting Murchison Falls.
Recreational fishing
The river Nile is a favourite site for daring fishermen. Diverse smaller species are commonly used as live bait for larger fish, such as the massive, muscular Nile Perch that inhabits the turbulent waters below the falls, as well as numerous species of catfish.
Expert local fishing guides are available to take you fishing under a strict “catch-and-release” system from the shore or in boats that are adequately sized and equipped to withstand the conditions and access the remote riverside pools.
Hike to the top of Murchison Falls
At the top of Murchison Falls, the Nile River squeezes through a 7-meter-wide gorge. It is an epic display of nature’s enormous strength. The top of the falls is an open area from which visitors can watch the valley from a variety of viewpoints.
A trail down the side of the gorge allows visitors to descend to the bottom, allowing them to observe the main falls from a variety of angles and heights, as well as the second “Independence”, falls. Combining the ascent with boat excursions is possible.
Hot-Air Balloon experience
This activity has only recently become available in Murchison Falls National Park.
Guests can see the sunrise across the park’s undulating savannah from the hot air balloon and, depending on the wind, either the falls or the delta. Upon landing, you are treated to a brunch in the bush.
Birding at Murchison Falls
Murchison Falls National Park has over 450 bird species. Some of the bird species that can be seen at the park include grey crowned crane, giant heron, grey-headed kingfisher, saddle billed stork and malachite kingfisher.
Other bird species include: martial eagle, open billed stork, red-throated bee-eater, widow bird, a silver bird, yellow fronted tinker bird and Abyssinian ground hornbill, among others.
How to get to Uganda Wildlife Campsite
The distance between Murchison Falls National Park and Kampala is approximately 300 kilometres. The park can be reached in 4-5 hours of driving.
Additionally, there are regular charter flights from Entebbe international airport or Kajjansi airfield to Chobe or Pakuba airstrip within the park.
Reservations
For reservations, check the Uganda Wildlife Authority website or contact the front desk team by telephone call. You can also book via email at info@ugnadawildlife.org.
