Paraa Safari Lodge Luxury Accommodation Murchison Falls National Park
Paraa Safari Lodge a luxury accommodation located inside Murchison Falls National Park. This historic lodge, established in 1954, offers stunning views of the River Nile as it flows through the heart of the park. It is one of the oldest and most prestigious lodges in the area, known for its excellent service and comfort.
The lodge has 45 well-furnished rooms, each with a private balcony and en suite bathroom. These rooms are available in different categories including cottages, suites, double, twin, and single rooms. For guests who prefer a closer-to-nature experience, Paraa Safari Lodge also offers luxury safari tents. These tents are elegantly designed with modern interiors and are just a short walk from the main lodge building.
Every room at Paraa Safari Lodge features a fan, minibar, and large windows that provide breathtaking views of the River Nile. The lodge is equipped with a swimming pool, a gift shop, a conference center, a fully stocked bar, and a restaurant where professional chefs serve both local and international dishes.
Paraa Safari Lodge is ideal for travelers who seek a high-end safari experience. Guests are advised to book their stay 3 to 4 months in advance, especially during the dry season, to ensure availability.
Activities at Paraa Safari Lodge
Chimpanzee Trekking
Guests can enjoy chimpanzee trekking in Budongo Forest, located about 56 kilometers from the lodge. On the day of the trek, tourists are transported to the starting point, where they receive a briefing on the rules and guidelines. The group is then guided by armed rangers as they search for chimpanzees in the forest. The trek can take 1 to 4 hours, and during this time, visitors might also see other forest animals, birds, and unique plant species. Once chimpanzees are located, guests can observe them for an hour, learning about their behaviors and taking photos.
Bird Watching
The area surrounding Paraa Safari Lodge is excellent for bird watching. Tourists can take guided walks around the lodge or explore various parts of the park. Murchison Falls National Park is home to more than 451 bird species, many of which can be seen year-round. Notable species include the red-throated bee-eater, Abyssinian ground hornbill, black-headed plover, Senegal thick-knee, yellow-fronted tinkerbird, and the beautiful sunbird.
Game Drives
Game drives are a popular activity for guests staying at Paraa Safari Lodge. These drives can be done in the morning, afternoon, or at night. The scenic Buligi area, located west of Paraa, is a prime spot for wildlife viewing. Tourists may encounter animals such as giraffes, elephants, lions, leopards, buffaloes, hyenas, bushbucks, Jackson’s hartebeest, waterbucks, and Uganda kobs.
Visit Murchison Falls
One of the top attractions in the park is Murchison Falls, the strongest waterfall in the world, named by explorer Sir Samuel Baker. Guests can visit the falls by taking a boat cruise to the bottom or by hiking to the top. The boat cruise offers opportunities to see hippos, crocodiles, birds, and animals drinking along the riverbanks. At the bottom, guests can watch as the Nile squeezes through a narrow gorge, creating a dramatic waterfall.
Nature Walks
Nature walks are another way to explore Murchison Falls National Park on foot. These guided walks allow tourists to connect with nature while spotting animals like oribis, topis, duikers, buffaloes, elephants, giraffes, monkeys, baboons, and a variety of birds. Walks can be arranged around the lodge or other designated areas of the park.
Hot Air Balloon Safaris
A hot air balloon ride offers a unique way to experience the park. Located about 15 kilometers from Paraa Safari Lodge, these safaris are organized in partnership with Dream Balloons. Each balloon ride accommodates up to 8 people and provides an aerial view of the park’s wildlife, landscape, and water bodies. Passengers often see giraffes, elephants, buffaloes, River Nile, Murchison Falls, and more.
Getting to Paraa Safari Lodge
Paraa Safari Lodge is located within Murchison Falls National Park. Travelers can access the park by road from Kampala via Luwero, Nakasongola, and Masindi or Pakwach. The journey takes approximately 5 to 6 hours.
For a quicker option, chartered flights are available. These flights, operated by Aerolink Uganda and Bar Aviation Uganda, depart from Kajjansi Airstrip or Entebbe International Airport and land at Pakuba or Bugungu airstrips inside the park. The flight takes around 1 hour.
Best Time to Visit Paraa Safari Lodge
The best time to stay at Paraa Safari Lodge aligns with the dry seasons in Uganda. These occur from June to September and December to February. During these months, there is little or no rainfall, making game drives more enjoyable due to clear views and accessible roads.
Visitors can also choose to stay during the rainy seasons from March to May and October to November. Although these months bring more rain, they are considered low season, and lodges often offer significant discounts. However, park activities might be limited due to muddy tracks and tall vegetation that makes wildlife viewing more difficult.
Paraa Safari Lodge remains open throughout the year and provides an exceptional safari experience regardless of the season. Its luxurious amenities, rich history, and proximity to key attractions make it a top choice for travelers visiting Murchison Falls National Park.