Twiga Safari Lodge

On the southern bank of the Nile, just outside Murchison Falls National Park, Twiga Safari Lodge sits opposite the park boundary near Paraa. The Mubako gate lies a kilometre off, and the Paraa ferry crossing is a five-minute drive, putting the lodge at the centre of the area's activity. Ten thatched cottages stand raised off the ground, each fitted with mosquito nets, en-suite bathrooms and a stretch of outdoor furniture facing the river. Hippos and elephants move along the water by day; at night they graze closer to the grounds, and guests have reported waking to the sound of hippos outside their rooms. Monkeys and birds pass freely through the property. A restaurant and bar overlook the Nile, serving continental meals alongside a stocked drinks list. From the lodge, activities reach into Murchison Falls National Park itself: game drives across the river, boat rides and hikes up to the falls, sport fishing, and bird watching at the Lake Albert delta. The drive from Kampala runs about 350 km, via Masindi and the Kichumbanyobo gate, through Budongo Forest and past the escarpment to the ferry junction. It is a slow approach on murram roads, which suits the pace once you arrive. Access to the park's Big Five sightings, including rhino at the nearby Ziwa sanctuary, makes it a practical base for a short safari.