Nile Safari Lodge

OVERVIEW:

For those looking for something a little different, a more remote and luxurious escape that’s off the beaten track, Nile Safari Lodge is a delightful option! Perched on the banks of the Victoria Nile and 20 kilometres downriver from the impressive, thunderous Murchison Falls, this elegant property offers amazing boating and big game safari in a beautiful setting. Murchison Falls National Park has a wide variety of landscapes and is home to plenty of elephant and lion, as well as buffalo, giraffe, hippos, and crocs. The boating opportunities here are pretty stunning, and you can also track chimps in nearby Kaniyo Pabidi Forest. With just seven luxury bandas secluded along the riverbank and one enormous interconnecting family suite, the lodge is the perfect place to get away from the crowds in a magnificent location that offers a little bit of everything.

ACCESS & LOCATION: 

Nile Safari Lodge is located on the south bank of the Nile river in Murchison Falls National Park, in northern Uganda. The property is set within a papyrus forest and has magnificent views out across the river. Super luxurious, eco-friendly, peaceful… it’s a stunning property in a stunning part of the world.

The lodge is a 5-hour drive from Kampala and usually accessed during a driving circuit of Uganda. However, please chat to one of our specialists about how best to incorporate this lovely place into your itinerary! There is a helipad, or you can charter a flight from Entebbe International Airport to Bugungu Airstrip, and from here it’s about a 30-minute drive to the lodge.

ACCOMMODATION & FACILITIES AT NILE SAFARI LODGE: 

Nile Safari Lodge has eight luxurious bandas secreted along the Nile riverbank. The emphasis here is on exclusivity and privacy, so it’s perfect for a romantic getaway! The rooms are very spacious, with lovely wooden décor and their own shaded decking overlooking the river. All are elegantly appointed, with large beds, en-suite bathrooms, and an outdoor shower option that allows you a view of the stars. The Mzezi honeymoon banda is even more special and has its own plunge pool and star bed. If you are a family group, the Dunia family suite can accommodate up to eight people and has its own private swimming pool, super-comfy living room area, and views of the Shoebill peninsula.

The food at Nile Safari is excellent. Chefs whip up fine international cuisine with local twists, and they bake bread and pastries daily for you! There are many secluded and beautiful spots for candlelit dinners, or you can eat communally and swap stories of the day’s adventures. Also worth mentioning is the great cocktail bar and the Mtoni Spa, where you can enjoy treatments with panoramic views.

ACTIVITIES AT NILE SAFARI LODGE:

There’s a lot to do here! The prime location of the lodge means you have some of the best boating around, while the forest and savanna are home to a wealth of wildlife, including both chimps and big game safari. Please note, some activities incur an extra cost, so please ask your safari consultant for more details.

• Expertly guided game drives

  - For the best chance to see big game, check out the savanna that lies between the Victoria and White Nile. Lions patrol this area, as well as buffalo, giraffe, elephant, and an assortment of antelopes. Guests take the Paraa Vehicle Ferry, which crosses every 2 hours in both directions. Your local guides will know where the best areas are, depending on the time of year.

• Hiking the falls, birding

  - The most popular quick hike is to the top of Murchison Falls (approx. 1 hour), but there are other longer excursions available and you can choose these while in the lodge. The birdlife in the national park is supreme, with over 450 different species, including Verreaux’s eagle owls, African fish eagles, and lots of types of flamingo. Visiting the falls can also be tagged onto a game drive or motorboat cruise.

• Boating

  - Due to the lodge’s amazing location, a river cruise here is a lovely way to see the sights and get up close to the local resident hippos and crocs. And it’s great for sundowners! The classic cruise is a 3-hour round trip to the base of Murchison Falls, and you can see a lot of game on the riverbanks, including giraffe, buffalo, elephant, and lion. Alternatively, you can take a trip in the other direction, towards the delta at Lake Albert, to look for the rare shoebill storks. Boat trips can be enjoyed during either early morning or late afternoon.

• Hot air ballooning

  - The launch site for this activity is about 18 kilometres’ drive from the lodge. Take to the skies and see the falls from the air (wind depending!). The balloon has an 8-person capacity and the flight lasts approximately 60 minutes. This is an activity that incurs an extra cost and includes a bush breakfast.

• Chimp trekking

  - Nearby Kaniyo Pabidi Forest is home to over 800 chimpanzees, and around 90 of them are habituated to humans and available to visit on a trek. It’s a pretty incredible trip to see these cheeky neighbours. Other locals in the forest include blue monkeys, baboons, and black-and-white colobus monkeys.

• Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

  - Here’s an opportunity to meet some of the last protected rhinos in the area! Please note, visiting the sanctuary involves a long day trip and it best accessed on your way in, if you’re driving from Kamala. Do discuss this with your consultant if you’re doing a driving tour, as he or she will know how best to include it in your trip.

*This property is unfenced and located in a wildlife area, so large and potentially dangerous animals do pass through. If you opt to stay here, always be alert when walking around the camp and request for a member of staff to escort you if you have any concerns. Any guest is escorted after dark as a matter of course.