Fort Murchison

Fort Murchison stands on the banks of the Nile, where it flows towards Lake Albert, in the former Aswa-Lolim game reserve just outside the north of Murchison Falls National Park. It is built in a Swahili style inspired by the area’s history, and it is run by Nature Lodges, which also has camps in Queen Elizabeth, Kibale and Kidepo.

Rooms

The lodge has en-suite cottages with balconies over the river, and simpler tents under thatch with shared bathrooms for budget travellers.

Why we like it

• A unique, characterful building.
• A rooftop terrace for sunsets over the Nile.
• Rooms for midrange and budget travellers.

Who it suits

Travellers who like character and value.

Getting there

Murchison Falls is about five to six hours by road from Kampala via Masindi, with the option of stopping to track rhinos at Ziwa. Scheduled flights from Entebbe land at Pakuba and Bugungu airstrips. Vehicles cross the Nile at Paraa to reach the north bank for game drives.

Things to do nearby

• The launch trip to the foot of the falls. See launch trip to the foot of Murchison Falls.
• Game drives on the north bank’s Buligi tracks.
• The hike to the top of the falls. See hike to the top of Murchison Falls.
• The Nile delta boat trip for shoebills.
• Chimpanzees in the Budongo Forest.

About Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison Falls is Uganda’s largest national park, divided by the Victoria Nile. At the falls, the whole river is forced through a gap about seven metres wide before plunging about 43 metres. The north bank has open savannah with Rothschild’s giraffes, elephants, buffalo and lions, while the launch trip upstream from Paraa passes hippos and huge crocodiles. Read game drives in Murchison Falls.

Planning your stay

Two or three nights let you combine the launch trip, a morning game drive and the top of the falls. See our 3-day Murchison Falls safari and 3-day Murchison Falls and Ziwa rhino safari.