Baker’s Lodge is a luxury lodge located in a serene environment on the southern bank of the Nile River in Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda. The Lodge derives its name from the historic English explorer Sir Samuel Baker.
This intimate, safari styled lodge is set within a large private area with direct river access, large shady trees and wetland areas that host abundant birdlife along the water’s edge. The views onto the river are vast and magnificent with islands hosting nesting egret birds, bathing elephants, and pods of hippos that can be regularly viewed.
Accommodation and Cottages at Baker’s Lodge
Each cottage is strategically positioned, offering magnificent views of the nearby rivers. All rooms are fitted with beds draped in mosquito nets, wooden furniture and en-suite bathroom. These have flushing toilets and a hot water solar shower and bathtubs for some.
Each of the individual thatched safari suites is raised from the ground on supporting pillars with its own deck overlooking the river. Care has been taken to ensure that each of the ten suites has privacy as well as excellent views, either up or down the stream.
The large, airy facilities are fan cooled. They have netted windows with opening options, customized solid wooden furniture, hanging mosquito nets, and selected locally crafted items as accessories. The en-suite bathrooms are open plan with solar hot water showers and baths with a view in some units. Solar lighting completes the services for this eco-friendly top-quality establishment.
Restaurant and Bar
The thatched central lounge, bar and dining area which is raised with wooden decks all around allows guests to savor the morning sunrise for breakfast. Here, you can enjoy the sunset in the evening with 180-degree river views and the cool breezes thereof.
The restaurant offers an array of delicious meals ranging from local to continental dishes. Coupled with a team of efficient bar attendants, the cottage’s bar area provides a wide range of assorted drinks from both local and international brands.
Meals and drinks can be enjoyed at the outdoor dining area which is set on the lush garden. Guests can engage in recreational activities such as excursions, waterfall viewing, hikes and game drives.
Airport pickups and laundry services attract additional charges.
In keeping with standards expected of an establishment such as this, full multi course dining with choices are offered as well as a good selection of wines and other bar items, all these are served by our well trained and experienced Ugandan staff team.
Hot beverages are available throughout the day on a self-service basis, but, are delivered to your cottage with early morning wake up calls as required. This allows you to awake gently and enjoy the early morning riverside views. When weather conditions allow, guests can enjoy al-fresco dining on our decks or besides the river.
Getting to Baker’s Lodge by Road
From Kampala you will drive northwards on Kampala – Gulu highway, turning off to Masindi at Kafu River junction, that is approximately 3 hours after leaving Kampala. In Masindi town, you will turn to the opposite side of shell fuel station, on the corner of Masindi Hotel, to follow the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) signs along the murram road to the national park’s Kichumbanyobo gate.
You will drive through the Kanyo-Pabidi section of Budongo forest, down the escarpment that turns to the top of Murchison Falls but continuing onwards towards the Paraa ferry point.
Shortly before reaching the river Nile, approx. 90-120 min from Masindi, depending on varying road conditions), there are two (2) left hand turns. The second of these hosts a large Uganda Wildlife Authority signpost as well as signage for Baker’s Lodge and various other facilities within the same area.
Turn left right here and drive past the park offices, through Mubako village and pass out of the park gate, that’s approximately 2.5km. The entrance to Baker’s Lodge is approximately 50 metres on the right-hand side, after the park gate.
For the more adventurous, one can also access the Lodge via the escarpment road passing through Bulisa and Wanseko.
Getting there by Air
Scheduled and chartered flights land at Bugungu airstrip, which is within a 20 minutes’ drive away to the southern bank. From Pakuba airstrip, on the northern bank of the river, it’s approximately 90-120 minutes’ drive away, depending upon the road conditions and ferry timings.
Baker’s Lodge is in close proximity to Budongo Forest and is situated on the southern bank of the mighty Nile River. So, expect a lot to enjoy while at the Lodge, including views of chimpanzees and a variety of wildlife animals along the riverbank.
The Lodge is capable of organizing bundles of activities within the park. These include safari game drives, boat cruises, sport fishing, hiking to the top of Murchison Falls, nature walks and chimpanzee tracking.