Where to stay at Murchison Falls
Accommodation in and around the park sits on both banks of the Nile. Around Paraa you find places on the north bank, and the south bank has riverside places of its own. The Budongo and Kichumbanyobo area is a different part of the south: a forest and gate area, not the river at the Paraa jetty. Do not mix them up when you read a map.
Distance matters more than most visitors expect. From the south entrance, many places are another 1 to 2 hours by road, and the park gates are open from 07:00 to 19:00. Plan your arrival for daylight. If you are still choosing a trip, the Murchison Falls tours from Kampala show what a multi-day trip covers.
The stay areas compared
What each area is good for, and what to check.
| Area | Good for | Check |
|---|---|---|
| North bank near Paraa | Game drives in the open northern savanna | Boats start at the south bank, so ask for a pickup at your lodge |
| South bank, riverside | Boat trips start from the south bank jetty: the 07:00 delta cruise and the 14:30 waterfall cruise | Whether the place is inside the park boundary |
| Budongo and Kichumbanyobo | Chimpanzee tracking and forest birding | It is not at the Paraa jetty; the forest eco lodge is closed |
| UWA camping and dormitory | A low-cost bed or tent inside the park | Which camps are open, and book ahead |
For most first visits, a base on either bank near Paraa keeps the early boat departures short. If you stay on the north bank, ask for a pickup at your lodge.
Our pick: a trip with accommodation included
This three-day trip lists accommodation and meals in the price, so the stay is arranged for you.
Hand-picked tours, booked through Viator. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Murchison Falls tours with overnight stays
Multi-day trips, boat cruises and game drives, with live prices and availability.
Murchison Falls lodges: what to ask before you book
Five questions that save trouble later.
Is the place inside the park?
Night game drives are only for guests who sleep inside the park, and a UWA guide is required. A river view or a position close to the gate does not show that a place is inside the boundary. Ask directly.
What does the price include?
Ask whether meals, boat trips, game drives and park fees are in the price. Park entry is charged per 24 hours, and a vehicle fee comes on top. The park fees page has the current amounts.
How do I get there?
Ask for the road route and the time from the south entrance, and whether a pickup at the airstrip or the gate is possible. Gates close at 19:00.
Is it open this season?
The eco lodge at the Budongo forest site is closed, although the forest activities continue. Do not use old room rates for a place that has closed or changed its operation.
What is the total with taxes?
Local taxes and levies are extra for UWA camps and dormitory. For other places, ask for the full price in one figure before you pay.
UWA camping and dormitory rates
Tariff for July 2024 to December 2026. Check the current amount before you book.
| Type | Rate | Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Wilderness camping, category A | $40 per person per night | Up to 16 people |
| Private camping, category B | $30 per person per night | Up to 20 people including unpaid staff |
| Public camping, category C | UGX 40,000, students UGX 3,000 | – |
| Dormitory | UGX 25,000 adults, UGX 10,000 children, UGX 5,000 school groups | – |
Camping must be booked ahead, and local taxes are extra. Not every category exists at every camp, so ask UWA which sites are open and where the dormitories are. Fires and camping are allowed only in marked places.
Plan the rest of your trip
Link your stay to the days in the park.
Nile boat cruises
Departure times from the south bank jetty and what each trip covers.
Game drives
Day drives, night drives and the fees that apply.
Getting there
Road, flights and airport transfers.
Staying near gorillas as well? Lodges in the forest sectors are covered at Bwindi lodges.
Murchison Falls accommodation: frequently asked questions
Which side of the Nile is better for a stay?
Neither is better for everyone. The north bank suits game drives in the northern savanna, the south bank is closer to the boat jetty. Pick by your plan and ask about pickups.
Can I do a night drive from any lodge?
No. Night drives are for guests who sleep inside the park, and a UWA guide is required. Ask whether your place is inside the boundary.
How much does a night in a lodge cost?
There is no single price range. Ask for the total with meals, activities, park fees and taxes in one figure. Public UWA camps cost UGX 40,000.
Can I camp in the park?
Yes, at marked camps. Book ahead and ask which categories exist at your camp. Wilderness camping is $40 per person per night, and public camping is UGX 40,000.
Can I arrive after dark?
Plan to arrive in daylight. The park gates are open from 07:00 to 19:00, and many places are another 1 to 2 hours beyond the south entrance.