Papa’s Camp In Murchison Falls National Park

Papa’s camp is a newly built small safari luxury accommodation owned and run by wild place portfolio that run unique and best properties in Uganda. Located deep within the heart of Murchison Falls National Park, Papa’s Camp is nestled among beautiful Fig trees on the south bank of the River Nile. Named after Ernest ‘Papa’ Hemingway who nearly lost his life after two plane crashes in the area, Papa’s Camp reminds us of safari travel back in the day. The bush camp offers a spectacular wildlife experience that one can enjoy almost exclusively in untouched surroundings. The drive to the top of Murchison Falls is an easy 1.5-hour game drive away – full of lions, Buffalo, Giraffes, and many different antelope species such as Jackson’s Hartebeest, Waterbuck, Ugandan Kob, Oribi, and more.  With just 5 tents set along the river bank, the camp is a traditional bush camp that celebrates its remote location.  This is wilderness at its best, the heart and soul of what Wildplaces is all about.

Papa’s camp contains of 5 Luxury and comfortable En suite tents with the view of the River Nile reflecting African traditional building style and comfort.  Tents are well decorated, elevated and furnished with private en suite facilities of clean Flushing toilets, safari style outdoor hot and cold showers, Bathtub, solar energy available, wooden chairs and tables, mosquito nets, complementary bottled water, ironing service, free toiletries, slippers to mention but few. Tents have sitting areas and terraces overlooking the breathtaking views of the wilderness, river Nile and surrounding area. Tents are well equipped with comfortable clean and washed beddings with queen sized bed with single beds for individuals, double/ twin as well as family rooming options.

Facilities and Services at Papa’s Camp In Murchison Falls National Park

A stunning dining area that serves meals both continental and African- inspired meals that meet guests’ appetite. They offer Buffet breakfast, picnic lunch and dinner served by well trained, friendly and organized staff. You can have meals in the place of your choice either in the dining area or in the bush/ river banks (bush breakfast and diners) while enjoying the stars in the sky in the night and Morning sunrises.

A well -stocked bar with variety of drinks, local cocktail, wines, spirits and international beers, you relax either in the garden and sip the drink of your choice while overlooking the stunning view over The Nile, Murchison park, wildlife roaming around the camp especially Antelopes, Uganda Kobs, Zebras, Buffaloes etc.

Services;

Airport pickups and drop-offs are offered, massage services are offered, free parking space available, Laundry and house- keeping services are offered.

WIFI internet available that will keep you connected and enabling you/ visitor s to keep in touch with their families and friends,

ACTIVITIES TO DO

Boat Cruise on River Nile – One of the most popular activities is the motorboat safari to the base of the Murchison Falls. This three-hour round trip takes you up the Victoria Nile, where you can spot hippos, crocodiles, buffalo, Rothschild’s giraffes, elephants, and lions along the Nile banks.

For a more tranquil experience, guests can take a three-hour motorboat safari in the other direction, downstream towards the delta at Lake Albert. This trip is an excellent opportunity to view rare shoebill storks and other papyrus endemic bird species. Guests can choose between an early morning ride with breakfast onboard or a late sunset ride.

Wildlife Viewing Game Drives – Game drives are also a must-do activity in Murchison Falls National Park. The savannah grasslands of the Buligi area, around the Victoria Nile delta on Lake Albert, offer the richest wildlife for game drive safaris. Guests can access this area via the Paraa Vehicle Ferry, a motorized pontoon that offers crossings every couple of hours in each direction. On the southern side of the Victoria Nile, where the landscapes are more heavily wooded, guests can explore the trails on their way to the Top of the Falls.

Chimpanzee Tracking in Kniyo Pabidi & Budongo Forest – Chimpanzee tracking is another exciting activity that guests can experience in the nearby Kaniyo Pabidi Forest. This natural forest is home to over 800 chimpanzees, about 90 of which are habituated for tourism and available for chimpanzee trekking. Black-and-white colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, and olive baboons can also be spotted in the forest. The forest is also a bird-watching paradise, with highlights such as chocolate-backed kingfishers, white-thighed hornbills, and the exclusively endemic Puvel’s illaposis.

Budoongo Forest is another great place to watch primates and bird species near Nile Safari Lodge. This forest is an island of tropical river forest set in a sea of grassland in the southeast of the conservation area, with sightings likely to include a similar range of wildlife but without the habituated chimpanzees.

Nature Hiking – For guests who prefer hiking, the trail to the top of the waterfalls is a popular option. This 45-60-minute trail offers breathtaking views of the mighty cascade from different angles and elevations. Guests can also reach the trail as part of a game drive safari or a motorboat safari up the Paraa stretch.

Balloon Safari – For a unique experience, guests can opt for a balloon safari with Dream Balloons, which operates from a take-off site on the river’s north bank, around 17km from Nile Safari Lodge. The balloon uses an 8-passenger basket with a pilot and flies either east towards the Murchison Falls or west towards Lake Albert, depending on the prevailing wind conditions. Flights last 45-60 minutes and include a bush breakfast wherever the balloon lands.

Birdwatching – Birdwatching is a wildly endowed activity in Murchison Falls National Park, with over 450 recorded species. The park offers an opportunity to spot incredible bird species such as ground hornbills, secretary birds, black-bellied bustards, open-billed storks, weavers, swallow-tailed bee-eaters, red-throated bee-eaters, woodland kingfishers, francolins, grey herons, martial eagles, African fish eagles, papyrus gonoleks, lesser flamingoes, greater flamingoes, white-tailed larks, Verreaux’s eagle owls, and shoebill storks.

Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary – Finally, guests can visit the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, a 70 sq km sanctuary that offers guided walks to get up close and personal with the last of Uganda’s white rhinos. While the sanctuary is over 100km south of most of the lodges in Murchison Falls, it is a project well worth supporting, and guests can make it a long day trip if they’re driving out from Kampala.