Lodges in Murchison Falls National Park: Where to Stay

Looking for the best lodges in Murchison Falls National Park? This guide covers our top picks for every budget, from riverside luxury lodges with Nile views to comfortable midrange camps and simple budget bandas. Our Kampala safari team books these lodges for our guests and can help you choose.

Choosing between the many lodges in Murchison Falls National Park makes a real difference to your safari. The park is large, and the River Nile divides it into a northern half, best for game drives, and a southern half, close to the Top of the Falls and Budongo Forest. Below, we explain each area and help you choose the right lodge for your budget, group and plans.

Where to Stay: Murchison Falls Lodge Areas Explained

• Paraa and the south bank of the Nile: the centre of the park, close to the boat launch for the falls cruise. Lodges here have beautiful river views.
• North bank and the Albert Nile: closest to the Buligi game drive tracks, where you find giraffes, elephants and lions. Ideal if game drives are your priority.
• Southern approach and the Masindi road: near the Top of the Falls, Kichumbanyobo gate and Budongo Forest, good for chimp tracking and arriving from Kampala.
• The eastern Victoria Nile: remote and quiet, near Karuma, for travellers who want a hideaway away from the busy Paraa area.

A bridge at Paraa now links the south and north banks of the park, replacing the old ferry, so moving between your lodge and the game drive areas is easier than before.

Luxury Lodges in Murchison Falls National Park

1. Nile Safari Lodge

Nile Safari Lodge sits on the south bank of the River Nile, with sweeping views across the water. This eco-friendly lodge has a small number of private bandas spread along the riverbank, each with a large bed, an en-suite bathroom and a shaded deck facing the river. The focus is on privacy and comfort, which makes it a favourite for honeymooners.

The lodge is known for excellent food, freshly baked bread, a stylish bar, a swimming pool overlooking the Nile and a spa. Family suites are available for groups.

Best for: couples, honeymoons and travellers who want luxury with a river view.

2. Paraa Safari Lodge

Paraa Safari Lodge is one of the oldest and best-known lodges in Uganda, first opened in the 1950s. It stands on a slope above the north bank of the Nile at Paraa, with a large swimming pool, a colonial-style restaurant and a bar with views over the river.

The lodge offers a wide range of room types, from standard rooms to suites, which makes it good for families and groups. Its location is ideal for both the boat cruise to the falls and the game drive circuits north of the river.

Best for: families, groups and travellers who want a classic safari lodge with easy access to all activities.

3. Chobe Safari Lodge

Set on the Victoria Nile in the remote eastern part of the park, Chobe Safari Lodge is an upmarket lodge with river views, a spa, a gym and a three-level swimming pool. The river here is full of hippos and rapids, and the area is far quieter than Paraa. It is a good choice for travellers coming from northern Uganda or Kidepo, or anyone wanting a secluded stay.

Best for: travellers who want comfort, wellness facilities and a quiet setting.

Midrange Lodges in Murchison Falls National Park

4. Pakuba Safari Lodge

Pakuba Safari Lodge sits on the east bank of the Albert Nile in the north of the park, close to the best game drive areas. Rooms are large and modern, and there is a swimming pool with views over the river. Giraffes and warthogs often wander near the lodge, and the ruins of an old 1970s safari lodge nearby add a touch of history.

Best for: game drive lovers who want to be close to giraffes, elephants and lions.

5. Murchison River Lodge

On the south bank of the Nile, Murchison River Lodge offers thatched cottages, safari tents and camping, all set in a natural, relaxed setting. The family cottages suit groups and families, and the riverside tents enjoy wonderful views. The lodge runs on solar power and is known for friendly, attentive staff, who escort guests at night because hippos graze in the grounds.

Best for: families and nature lovers who want comfort in a relaxed bush setting.

6. Fort Murchison

Built in the style of an old fort, Fort Murchison overlooks the Albert Nile just outside the northern park boundary. It offers comfortable rooms with a safari feel, a rooftop deck with river views, a swimming pool and a campsite with tents. It is good value and well placed for the northern game drives and the Delta.

Best for: midrange travellers who want character and easy access to game drives.

7. Sambiya River Lodge

Sambiya River Lodge is set in the southern part of the park, on the road to the Top of the Falls, and offers cottages and family rooms in a quiet bush setting. It is one of the best-value lodges inside the park, with full-board packages available, and makes a convenient base for visiting the Top of the Falls before heading to Paraa for the boat cruise.

Best for: families and travellers who want good value inside the park.

8. Twiga Safari Lodge

Twiga Safari Lodge combines safari tents and thatched cottages on the banks of the Nile near Paraa. It is a friendly, affordable lodge with a restaurant, a bar and Wi-Fi. Birds, monkeys and even hippos are often seen around the grounds.

Best for: travellers who want a comfortable, budget-friendly stay close to Paraa.

Budget Lodges and Camps in Murchison Falls

9. Red Chilli Rest Camp

Red Chilli Rest Camp at Paraa is one of the most popular budget options in the park. It offers simple bandas, family bandas and safari tents, plus camping. The open-air restaurant and bar look towards the Nile, and evenings are spent around a campfire. Hippos graze here at night, so always use a torch and keep a safe distance.

Best for: backpackers, students and budget travellers.

10. Hornbill Bush Lodge

Hornbill Bush Lodge offers simple, comfortable double and single rooms on a full-board basis on the southern side of the park. It is a good choice for travellers on a tighter budget who still want a quiet bush setting and easy access to the park's main attractions.

Best for: budget travellers and small groups.

11. Budongo Eco Lodge

Budongo Eco Lodge sits inside Budongo Forest at Kaniyo Pabidi, on the main road from Masindi to Murchison Falls. It has a handful of forest cabins with private decks and simple dormitory rooms, all powered by solar. It is the perfect base for chimpanzee trekking in Budongo Forest, forest walks and birding.

Best for: chimp trackers, birders and nature lovers.

12. Heritage Safari Lodge

Heritage Safari Lodge is a short drive from the park, with cottages, tents and a campsite. Flexible room setups suit singles, couples, families and groups, making it a practical choice for budget safaris.

Best for: budget groups and families.

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More Lodges and Camps Around Murchison Falls

Beyond our top picks, there are more lodges in Murchison Falls National Park and just outside it, including:

• Elephant View Lodge
• Murchison Bush Camp
• Kabalega Wilderness Lodge
• Parkside Safari Lodge
• Uganda Wildlife Authority bandas and campsites
• Boomu Women's Group bandas, a community-run option near Budongo
• Ziwa Rhino Camp, at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary on the way to the park

What to Expect at Lodges in Murchison Falls National Park

• Meals: most lodges in Murchison Falls National Park offer full board, with breakfast, lunch and dinner. Many will pack a lunch or breakfast box for early game drives.
• Electricity and Wi-Fi: many lodges use solar power or generators, so power may be limited at certain hours. Wi-Fi is often available in the main area but can be slow.
• Wildlife around camp: hippos, warthogs, buffalo and even elephants can wander through unfenced lodges, especially at night. Always use a staff escort after dark.
• Swimming pools: most luxury and midrange lodges have a pool, welcome in the hot months from December to February.
• Mosquito nets: rooms usually have nets, and malaria precautions are recommended.

How to Choose Between Lodges in Murchison Falls National Park

• For game drives: stay north of the Nile or near the Albert Nile, such as Pakuba or Fort Murchison, to start early on the Buligi tracks.
• For the boat cruise and falls: stay around Paraa or on the south bank, such as Nile Safari Lodge, Murchison River Lodge or Red Chilli.
• For chimps: spend a night at Budongo Eco Lodge or on the Masindi road before or after the park.
• For families: look for family cottages or suites, such as Paraa Safari Lodge, Murchison River Lodge or Sambiya River Lodge.
• Book early: riverside rooms sell out fast from December to February and June to September.

Lodge Prices in Murchison Falls National Park

Prices for lodges in Murchison Falls National Park vary widely. As a rough guide, budget bandas and camps start from around US$30 to US$80 per person per night, midrange lodges usually cost about US$100 to US$250 per person per night on a full-board basis, and luxury lodges range from about US$300 to over US$600 per person per night. Rates change by season and room type, and many lodges offer special promotions, so contact us for current prices and the best deal for your dates.

Plan Your Murchison Falls Safari

For everything else about the park, including animals, the boat cruise, entrance fees and the best time to visit, read our complete guide to Murchison Falls National Park. Popular trips that include these lodges:

• 2 Days Murchison Falls Safari and Ziwa Rhino Tracking
• 3 Days Murchison Falls Safari
• 4 Day Murchison Falls Wildlife Safari
• 7 Day Uganda Wildlife Safari

Tulambule Uganda Safaris is a licensed, 100% Ugandan-owned tour operator. We book lodges in Murchison Falls National Park for our guests and can match you with the right one for your budget. Call or WhatsApp +256 782 915 447 or +256 703 171 855, or email info@tulambule.com.

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