Set on the eastern banks of the slow flowing Albert Nile, Fort Murchison Lodge revokes the idea of a well-maintained isolated outpost safari lodge. From the times when Arab traders frequented the African hinterlands and legendary explorers led expeditions in search of the source of the Nile, the lodge brings out all this history.
Built in the right spot and inspired by the historical background, Fort Murchison is unlike any other lodge in Murchison Falls National Park and Uganda at large. The massive tower, the earth-colored walls, and the touch of Swahili style, will impress you right from your arrival up to your departure. The Lodge faces the great Nile and is often visited by several wildlife species.
Fort Murchison offers a variety of comfortable accommodation facilities that suit both mid-range and budget travelers. Be it in our beautiful rooms or our comfortable thatched tents, a great value for money is guaranteed.
Fort Murchison is situated in the former Aswa Lolim Game reserve, just outside the northern boundaries of Murchison Falls National Park. It is set in a beautiful surrounding and looks out on the majestic Albert Nile.
Accommodation and facilities at Fort Murchison.
Tents at Fort Murchison.
Aside from the main accommodation, Fort Murchison offers non-self-contained tents. These are comfortably furnished with 2 single beds with mosquito nets, a bedside table and a power outlet for charging your electrical equipment.
All tents are placed under a grass thatched roof which creates your private terrace and provides some welcome shade. The tents share a communal ablution block with showers and flushing toilets. No need to worry about linen because all bedding and towels are provided.
Rooms and cottages.
Fort Murchison consists of 12 en-suite units comprising of a spacious bedroom with comfortable beds, and bathrooms. There are countersunk basins and showers with plenty of hot water from solar heaters. All rooms boast a writing desk and a private balcony with its own sofa. Therefore, the atmosphere is a mix of African luxury with a touch of Swahili style.
Restaurant & Bar.
The rooftop terrace is the perfect spot for your sundowner drink. After enjoying the breathtaking views of the Albert Nile, guests descend towards our restaurant where a fine 4 course diner awaits you. The restaurant décor has a Swahili touch and is decorated with picture and drawings from the first explorers’ adventures.
The restaurant is proud to serve you the best. It bakes its own bread since fresh supplies are hard to find within the area, so most of the goods are picked from Kampala. The Lodge started its own vegetable garden and has planted plenty of fruit trees, from citrus, mango and pawpaw to jackfruits, passion and avocado trees.
Although there are several solar fridges and freezers, there is a limited stock, so the lodge doesn’t usually provide a la carte but has a fixed menu instead. You will be kindly asked to let them know in time if you have any dietary requirements so that your requests can be catered for. Though breakfast, lunch and dinner have flexible times, the staff can adapt to your time schedule. Nothing is too early; Nothing is too late.
Activities around Fort Murchison.
Murchison Falls National Park lies at the northern end of the Albertine Rift Valley, where the Bunyoro escarpment merges into the vast plains of Acholi-land. The park is Uganda’s largest national park at 3,840 sqkm and is bisected by the Victoria Nile, creating one of the most spectacular waterfalls in East Africa.
The river, near Fort Murchison is the park’s center piece, with surroundings that provide memorable wildlife spectacles. This is because of regular visitations by elephants, giraffes and buffaloes and permanent residents like hippos and the Nile crocodile.
Safari game drives.
Most visitors come to Murchison Falls for safari game drive experiences. The park provides home for 76 mammal species, including lions, leopards, elephants, Rothschild’s giraffes, Cape buffaloes, and hartebeests among others. The Buligi area is the park’s best game viewing spot, with early morning and late afternoon schedules, which are the optimum times for game drives.
A Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) ranger guide is recommended to help you make the most of your game drive. Kindly note that Fort Murchison does not have any safari vehicle, therefore it cannot offer game drive safaris on its own.
Other tourist activities that can be done around Fort Murchison include: –
- Boat Launch to Murchison Falls.
- Boat Cruise to the Delta.
- Fishing.
- Viewing the the top of Murchison Falls.
- Chimp Trekking Around Murchison Falls.
- Birdlife in Murchison Falls.
- Hiking and Nature walks.
Getting to Fort Murchison.
Fort Murchison is situated in the former Aswa Lolim Game reserve, just outside the northern boundaries of Murchison Falls National Park. The lodge is in a mere 5 km distance from Tangi gate, just off the main Karuma – Pakwach road. Watch out for the signpost a few kilometers before the Pakwach bridge.
Explore Uganda in the most inspirational ways by complimenting your safari with other destinations. Down to the south of Murchison Falls National Park is Kibale Forest home to chimpanzees in Africa and popular for chimpanzee habituation experience. Further down is Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, which is home to the rare mountain gorillas and suitable for your life changing experience gorilla tracking safari in Uganda.