Murchison River Lodge Mid-Range Safari Accommodation on River Nile

Murchison River Lodge is a comfortable mid-range Accommodation lodge located on the southern banks of the River Nile, offering guests a relaxing stay with beautiful views of Murchison Falls National Park Uganda’s largest protected area. The lodge provides sweeping views of the Nile and the surrounding park, making it a favorite spot for nature lovers and safari travelers.

This lodge is known for its excellent customer service, quality facilities, and friendly staff. Murchison River Lodge features 4 en suite thatched cottages, 13 en suite classic safari tents, and 3 cozy tents. All accommodations have spacious verandas facing the river and surrounding bush, allowing guests to enjoy the natural beauty from the comfort of their rooms.

Guests can unwind in the lodge’s swimming pool, gather around the outdoor fireplace, or let children enjoy the play area. The on-site bar serves a range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, while the restaurant offers both local and international meals, freshly prepared by experienced chefs. While tourists can book the lodge directly, partnering with a local tour operator may provide better rates.

Activities to Enjoy While Staying at Murchison River Lodge

1. Game Drives

Game drives are one of the most popular activities for visitors staying at Murchison River Lodge. These drives give guests the chance to explore Murchison Falls National Park and see a wide variety of animals. The park is home to over 76 mammal species and 13 types of primates.

Morning and afternoon game drives are common and included in most safari packages. Guests can also choose to go on a night game drive for an extra fee to spot nocturnal animals. During these adventures, you may see giraffes, lions, elephants, buffaloes, hyenas, leopards, waterbucks, Uganda kobs, topis, oribis, bushbucks, Jackson’s hartebeest, duikers, olive baboons, and various monkey species.

2. Bird Watching

For bird lovers, Murchison Falls National Park offers an amazing birding experience. The park is home to more than 450 bird species, many of which live in the savannah, woodland, and wetland areas. Guided bird walks are available in several parts of the park.

Birds commonly seen include the grey crowned crane, white-faced whistling duck, black-headed plover, long-tailed nightjar, bar-breasted firefinch, malachite kingfisher, yellow-fronted tinkerbird, red-throated bee-eater, silver bird, white-browed sparrow-weaver, secretary bird, pygmy crake, spotted thick-knee, papyrus gonolek, and the beautiful sunbird, among others.

3. Exploring the River Nile

Located just a 5-minute walk from the River Nile, Murchison River Lodge offers easy access to the world’s longest river. The Nile divides Murchison Falls National Park into north and south sections, with the lodge on the southern side.

One of the best ways to experience the river is through a boat cruise, which lasts 2–3 hours. During this scenic trip, guests can see hippos, Nile crocodiles, and many species of water birds, such as the shoebill stork and giant kingfisher. The boat cruise can also take you to the bottom of the mighty Murchison Falls, the world’s most powerful waterfall.

4. Sport Fishing

Due to its location along the Nile, Murchison River Lodge is an ideal base for sport fishing. Tourists who enjoy fishing can take part in guided sport fishing activities, which are available at an additional cost. Professional anglers will assist you in catching species like Nile perch and tilapia. The fishing is catch-and-release, helping to preserve fish populations in the river.

5. Nature Walks

Murchison River Lodge is surrounded by rich vegetation and wildlife, making it perfect for nature walks. Guided walks around the lodge or within the park allow guests to explore the environment on foot. These walks provide opportunities to spot a variety of birds, primates, and mammals, as well as learn about the plants and ecosystems in the area. You may also get close views of the River Nile and its surrounding landscapes.

6. Hike to the Top of Murchison Falls

Guests at Murchison River Lodge can also go on a guided hike to the top of Murchison Falls. This hike is a great way to see how the Nile squeezes through a narrow 7-meter gorge before dropping powerfully down the rocks. From the top, you’ll enjoy incredible views of the national park, river, waterfalls, and surrounding wildlife. The experience is thrilling and highly recommended for nature lovers and adventure seekers.

Best Time to Stay at Murchison River Lodge

Murchison River Lodge is open year-round, and tourists can stay at any time. However, the dry season—from June to September and December to February—is considered the best time to visit. During this period, the weather is warm with little or no rain, making game drives and other park activities more enjoyable. Roads and tracks remain dry and accessible, and the animals are easier to spot as they gather around water sources.

That said, staying at Murchison River Lodge during the rainy season (March to May and October to November) has its own benefits. This is the low tourist season, so accommodation prices are often discounted. However, some challenges include muddy and slippery roads, dense vegetation that makes animal sightings more difficult, and occasional interruptions to planned activities due to heavy rainfall.

Getting to Murchison River Lodge

By Road
Travelers can reach Murchison River Lodge by road from Kampala via Luwero, Nakasongola, and Masindi. From Masindi, continue to Mubako Gate, where you will pay park entrance fees. From the gate, it’s just 1.5 kilometers to the lodge.

By Air
For a faster and more convenient option, tourists can take domestic charter flights. Airlines such as AeroLink and Bar Aviation operate flights from Kajjansi Airstrip or Entebbe International Airport to Pakuba or Bugungu Airstrips inside the park. The flight takes about 1 hour. Upon arrival, a lodge vehicle or tour guide will pick you up and transfer you to the lodge.

Final Thoughts

Murchison River Lodge offers a great balance between comfort and affordability for travelers exploring Murchison Falls National Park. With its scenic location, quality services, and wide range of safari activities—from boat cruises and game drives to birdwatching and hiking—it’s a perfect choice for nature lovers, families, and wildlife enthusiasts. Whether you’re on a short getaway or a full safari adventure, staying at Murchison River Lodge guarantees a memorable experience close to nature and the wild beauty of Uganda.