Nile Safari Lodge Luxury Accommodation in Murchison Falls National Park
Nile Safari Lodge a luxury ecofriendly safari lodge located on the southern bank of River Nile, deep in Murchison Falls National Park northwestern Uganda. best for travelers who want comfort and style during their safari experience, the lodge offers a peaceful retreat surrounded by breathtaking views of the river and the national park.
Established in 1993, Nile Safari Lodge was created to give luxury travelers a special place to stay while exploring Murchison Falls National Park. The lodge features 8 beautifully designed grass-thatched bandas (traditional cottages), each facing the River Nile. These bandas offer complete privacy and are equipped with en-suite bathrooms, large comfortable beds, mosquito nets, private seating areas, and spacious verandas with stunning views of the river and wildlife.
Accommodation at Nile Safari Lodge includes deluxe bandas, exclusive bandas, and a spacious family villa. Guests can choose from single, double, or twin room setups. The lodge also offers a wide range of top-class facilities including a swimming pool, indoor dining area, Mtoni Spa for relaxation, Peponi Bar for drinks, an on-site restaurant serving local and international cuisine, and a campfire area perfect for evening storytelling or star gazing.
Booking Your Stay at Nile Safari Lodge
Guests can book their stay directly through the lodge’s website or through a trusted tour operator. It is highly recommended to make reservations at least 3 to 4 months in advance, especially if you plan to visit during the dry season, when the demand is high and rooms get booked quickly. To secure a booking, travelers should provide the intended dates of their visit and make a deposit payment.
Top Safari Activities While Staying at Nile Safari Lodge
Staying at Nile Safari Lodge offers more than just beautiful views and luxurious accommodation. Guests can enjoy a variety of exciting activities that showcase the best of Murchison Falls National Park.
Chimpanzee Trekking in Budongo Forest
One of the top adventures available is chimpanzee trekking in Budongo Forest, located a short drive from the lodge. Guests can choose between morning and afternoon trekking sessions. The experience begins with a briefing by rangers who explain the guidelines for safe and responsible tracking.
Guided by armed park rangers, guests will walk through forest trails in search of chimpanzees. Along the way, there’s a chance to see other primates, mammals, and various bird species. Once chimpanzees are found, visitors are given one hour to observe them in their natural environment. This is a great opportunity to take photographs and learn about chimpanzee behavior and social life.
Game Drives in the Park
Game drives are among the most popular activities for visitors at Nile Safari Lodge. These drives offer a chance to explore the park’s savannahs and spot wild animals. Guests have a chance choose either to do morning, afternoon, or night game drives within Murchison Falls National Park. While daytime game drives are self-guided, night drives are done with a park ranger to ensure safety within the park.
Murchison Falls National Park harbors a wide variety of wildlife. On a game drive, you may see lions, elephants, leopards, buffaloes, giraffes, waterbucks, oribis, hyenas, duikers, topis, and Uganda kobs. Each game drive offers a unique experience depending on the time of day and the animal movement.
Bird Watching
Bird lovers staying at Nile Safari Lodge will enjoy birdwatching in and around the lodge or deeper inside the national park. With over 450 bird species recorded in Murchison Falls National Park, the area is a paradise for birders.
Guests may spot species such as the grey crowned crane, marabou stork, rock pratincole, black-billed barbet, white-browed sparrow-weaver, yellow-throated greenbul, spotted Verreaux’s eagle-owl, double-toothed barbet, and fawn-breasted waxbill, among many others. Whether you are an experienced birder or just starting, there’s plenty to discover.
Boat Cruise on the River Nile
The River Nile is just a short distance from the lodge, making boat cruises easily accessible. There are two main boat trip options—one heading to the bottom of Murchison Falls and the other going downriver to the Nile Delta.
The boat cruise to the base of the falls is especially popular and not to be missed. This trip starts at Paraa Jetty and lasts about 2 to 3 hours. During the cruise, visitors can enjoy close-up views of hippos, crocodiles, water birds, and other wildlife like elephants and antelopes that gather at the riverbanks. Most importantly, the cruise gives great views of Murchison Falls, one of the world’s well known strongest waterfalls.
Sport Fishing on the River Nile
For guests interested to do spot fishing, Nile Safari Lodge offers chances along the River Nile to involve yourself in fishing while in the park. The activity is conducted on a catch-and-release basis and offers the thrill of catching fish like Nile perch, tilapia, and catfish. Fishing trips are guided and suitable for both beginners and experienced anglers. It’s a unique way to connect with the river and enjoy a peaceful time in nature.
Guided Nature Walks
Nature walks are another relaxing activity for guests at the lodge. These walks are led by expert guides and take you through various parts of the park. It’s a chance to explore the area on foot, learn about the local flora and fauna, and enjoy quiet moments in the wilderness.
One of the best known nature walk is the hike to the top of Murchison Falls. The 45 minute walk offers beautiful views of the waterfall and the Murchison Falls National Park at large. Guests can also choose to drive to the top if they prefer not to hike. At the top, you’ll see where the mighty Nile forces its way through a 7-meter-wide gorge before plunging 40 meters into a rocky pool.
How to Reach Nile Safari Lodge
To get to Nile Safari Lodge, guests must first access Murchison Falls National Park. This can be done either by use of road transport or by air transport.
By road, the journey from Kampala or Entebbe takes about 5 to 6 hours. The scenic drive passes through towns like Luwero, Nakasongola, Masindi, and finally enters the park through Kichumbanyabo or Mubako Gate.
For faster travel, guests can choose charter flights from either Kajjansi Airstrip or Entebbe International Airport to Bugungu Airstrip. The flight takes around 1 hour and 15 minutes and offers amazing aerial views of the park and River Nile.
Best Time to Visit Nile Safari Lodge
The lodge is open all year, but the best time to stay is during the dry seasons, from June to September and December to February. During these months, the park receives very little rainfall, making it easier to enjoy outdoor activities like game drives and chimp trekking. The vegetation is thinner, offering better visibility of animals and landscape.
Budget-conscious travelers can also visit during the rainy seasons—March to May and October to November. During this time, the lodge may offer discounted rates. However, some activities may be limited due to heavy rains that affect road conditions and wildlife visibility.