Paraa Safari Lodge

Established in 1954, Paraa Safari Lodge is in Murchison Falls National Park. The lodge is located in the north west of Uganda over looking one of nature’s best kept secrets, the River Nile, on its journey from its source at Lake Victoria to join Lake Albert – here it is suddenly channeled into a gorge only six meters wide, and cascades 43 meters below.

The earth literally trembles at Murchison Falls – one of the world’s most powerful flows of natural water. Paraa Safari Lodge offers a unique blend of comfort, relaxation and adventure. Each of the rooms is a haven of style and serenity, complete with balcony and private bathroom.

Paraa Safari Lodge offers a unique blend of comfort, relaxation and adventure. Set in an area of landscaped gardens, the lodge recreates a mood that we have come to associate with the famous explorers of East Africa.

Paraa Safari Lodge offers a choice of fine dining throughout one’s stay, and the Explorer’s bar is the ideal watering hole after a day of wildlife discovery in Murchison Falls National Park.

ACCOMMODATION
Each of the 54 rooms at Paraa Safari Lodge are complete with balcony and en-suite private bathroom. In 1864, when the famous British explorer Samuel Baker first glimpsed the power of the Murchison Falls, his accommodation was rudimentary at best. He would have been as stunned by Paraa Safari Lodge today!

SAFARI TENTS
The lodge has 3 standard tents located a short walking distance from the main lodge building. These tents are perfect for those looking to have a more authentic ‘safari’ experience.

Even so and once inside, the tents are superbly furnished with modern interiors and linens – still reflecting and creating a mood of being ‘in the wild’. Get closer to the River Nile and have some more intimacy!

SUPERIOR ROOM
Our suites are the perfect accommodation for guests who want a little bit more space to relax. Our suites have a living room with sofas where you can use the space to either relax or entertain. Use the room’s mini bar to refresh yourselves after a long day out in the game park.

QUEEN’S COTTAGE 
For those of you seeking the ultimate comfort; the Queen’s cottage offers one a different world of experience, novelty and exclusivity. The unique architecture compliments the landscaped environment and fantastic views. The grand balcony does not disappoint, boasting spectacular views of lush vegetation and rich wildlife, as well as the famous River Nile.

DINING
Treat yourself to the mouth-watering menu of local and international specialties produced by our experienced chefs. The Captain’s Table restaurant is located on the upper floor in what was one of the lodge’s main halls before it was renovated.

You can choose to eat inside or outside on the balcony (which boasts a sweeping view of the River Nile). Special barbecues and traditional dancers make a Saturday evening at Paraa Safari Lodge an occasion to remember.

THE EXPLORER’S BAR
The Explorer’s Bar is located on the upper floor of the lodge, next to the restaurant. We invite you to sit on one of our sofa’s, cool off and enjoy a drink after a long day out in the bush.

THE BUSINESS CENTRE
Our Business Service Centre is open from 8am to 8pm, 7 days a week. It meets all the needs of the traveling business executive and includes 24-hour Internet access as well as printing facilities.

CONFERENCE FACILITIES
For corporate occasions or for those who like to mix pleasure with business, Paraa Safari Lodge can provide a conference room and facilities to cater for your conferencing/meeting needs.

MEETINGS & EVENTS
Paraa Safari Lodge is a fantastic location to hold special social events, such as weddings and birthdays, to corporate events and meetings.

CORPORATE FUNCTIONS
Imagine your next conference miles away from the hustle and bustle of the choking city. Why not enjoy the peaceful surroundings and wide open spaces of Murchison Falls National Park? If you are planning a conference Paraa Safari Lodge offers conferencing facilities guaranteed to make your meeting experience pleasurable and as comfortable as possible.

SOCIAL FUNCTIONS
As far as romantic backdrops go, they don’t come any more spectacular than at Mweya Safari Lodge. Everything about the place seems to provide a thrilling accompaniment to a romantic holiday, an experience you will never forget.

Perhaps let us plan a wedding for you at Mweya Safari Lodge and we will ensure that this once in a life time experience will leave an indelible experience to a start of a relationship.

SWIMMING POOL
We invite you to cool off after a long day out in the bush! The swimming pool at Paraa Safari Lodge even has a pool bar – come sip a cocktail in the water while overlooking the River Nile below at sunset. Priceless!

THE GIFT SHOP
Why not indulge in getting your loved ones a present from the pearl of Africa?! Our gift shop sells local East African crafts and souvenirs such as guidebooks, clothing, and safari essentials.

ACTIVITIES
The wildlife biodiversity in Murchison Falls National Park contains the most astonishing number of species – 76 types of mammals and 451 different birds.

The River Nile, on its journey from Murchison Falls, attracts a whole host of different wildlife such as crocodiles, hippos and water birds. Other animals include lion, warthogs, buffalo, rare aquatic sitatunga antelope, giant forest hog, Uganda kob, topi, waterbuck, elephant and leopard.

CHIMPANZEE TREKKING
Kaniyo Pabidi forest (8 kms from Kicumbanyobo Gate on Masindi Paraa road or 56kms from Paraa Safari Lodge) is a beautiful natural forest dominated by giant mahogany and ironwood trees. Chimpanzees can be tracked from Kaniyo Pabidi tourism site, which is run by the Jane Goodall Institute.

Bird-life here is abundant including; the Chocolate-Backed Kingfisher, the White-thighed Hornbill; and Puvel’s Illaposis, which is found nowhere else in East Africa. Rabongo Forest is an island of tropical river forest set in a sea of grassland in the south-east of the conservation area, 1 1/2 hours drive from the lodge.

The forest can be explored on foot in search of primates such as Black-white Colobus, red tailed monkeys, baboons and occasionally chimpanzees. A UWA Ranger Guide should accompany you on this nature walk.

SAFARI DRIVE
The most rewarding times for game drives are the early mornings and late afternoon/early evening. A drive through the scenic Buligi area west of Paraa to the Delta Point (where the Victoria Nile passes through the Norther tip of Lake Albert to become the Albert Nile), takes around three hours.

Expect to see elephant, buffalo, giraffe, Jackson’s hartebeest and oribi. With luck, lion and perhaps even a leopard may be sighted. Morning game drives start at 7am. Breakfast can be taken beforehand at 6.30am or later at around 10am. Evening game drives start at 4pm. With prior notice, the lodge will book a UWA ranger guide to accompany you and help spot game.

BIRDING
Murchison Falls National Park supports a remarkable 451 species of birds. Highlights include the rare yet famous Shoebill stalk, Martial Eagle, the African Fish Eagle, Papyrus Gonolek, Lesser and Greater Flamingo, White-tailed Lark and Verraux’s Eagle Owl.

Amongst the discerning ornithologists, Uganda has for long been the best kept secret in terms of its plethora of bird species with over 1,000 on record.

RIVER EXCURSIONS
A highlight of any visit to Murchison Falls Conservation Area is the launch trip to view the magnificent Murchison Falls. Trips normally depart at 9.00am and 2.00pm. Hippos and crocodiles are abundant and you will see plenty of game and bird life. The voyage takes about three hours.

HIKING
Guests who enjoy rigorous exercise may disembark from the launch in the Fajao gorge for the 45-60 minute climb to the Top of the Falls. One can then walk back to the boat (by prior arrangement) or be collected by a vehicle at the top. A UW A ranger guide is required for this activity.

DRIVE TO THE FALLS
The most rewarding times for game drives are the early morning and late afternoon/early evening. A drive through the scenic Buligi area west of Paraa to the Delta Point (where the Victoria Nile passes through the northern tip of Lake Albert to become the Albert Nile) takes around three hours.

Expect to see elephant, buffalo, giraffe, Jackson’s hartebeest and oribi. With luck, lion and perhaps even a leopard may be sighted.

MORNING GAME DRIVES
Breakfast can be taken beforehand at 6.30am or afterwards at around 10am. Evening game drives start at 4pm. With prior notice, the lodge will book a UWA ranger guide to accompany you and help spot game.

BOAT TRIP TO THE DELTA
Another interesting but more placid activity is the boat trip through the extensive papyrus delta through which the Victoria Nile flows into Lake Albert.

Here again there are plenty of animals and birds to see with an excellent chance of seeing the rare Shoebill. This trip takes four to five hours. The lodge can assist with booking seats on the boat. As spaces are limited it is advisable to check availability in advance.

NATURE WALKS
The wilds of Murchison Murchison Falls Conservation Area can be explored on foot as well as by vehicle. A trail from the lodge winds down to the river, passing gullies and low hills. A

nimals, birds and plants can be closely and quietly observed. Nature walks are also available at Rabongo Forest, the Top of the Falls and in Kaniyo Pabidi forest.UWA ranger guides must be hired for these nature walks.

FISHING
The Murchison Nile offers world class fishing such as the famous Nile Perch and abundance of Cat Fish – a record breaking 108 Kg Nile Perch was landed near the foot of the falls in 2002. Fishing permits can be obtained from the UWA park office in South Paraa. Limited fishing gear and binoculars are available for rent at the lodge.

BUSH BREAKFAST
A visit to Chobe Safari Lodge in the Murchison Falls National Park will not be complete without this unique & classic game safari bush breakfast. Our guests are normally woken up with a cup of coffee, which sets them up for a safari drive along the game tracks around the Chobe circuit.

The guests have the best chance of seeing 4 of the “big 5” – elephants, lions, leopards and buffaloes. Giraffes are also common, especially close to the lodge.

Proceeding ahead of the guests, the banqueting team is able to set up the tables with the necessary cutlery & crockery, chairs, umbrella canopy and the “bush kitchenette”, as well as a campfire, in time, at the bush breakfast site before the guests arrive.

Upon arrival, the guests are welcomed with a glass of chilled, freshly squeezed passion juice. They are then led to the tables to enjoy their classic ‘out of the Africa’ bush breakfast.

The chef will prepare any choice of eggs, as well as a choice of sausages, bacon, tomatoes, assorted juices, cereals, fruit platters, bread, assorted pastries, butter, marmalade, jam, honey, milk, coffee & tea. After breakfast, the guests do another safari drive on their way back to the lodge. Experience Africa, experience Chobe Safari Lodge.

HOT-AIR BALLOON SAFARIS
There’s no more thrilling way to see Africa’s incredible landscapes and animals than from a hot air balloon. Paraa Safari Lodge has teamed up with Dream Balloons to make this experience possible. The takeoff point is approx. 15 Km from Paraa Safari Lodge. Maximum capacity is 8 pax, the balloon safari includes a bush breakfast and lasts approximately an hour.

Rooms: 54

Price: from 356 EUR per night

Source: www.paraalodge.com