Paraa Safari Lodge Hotel in Murchison Falls National Park, North West Uganda. The 40 metre wide River Nile, on it's journey from its source at Lake Victoria to join Lake Albert, is suddenly compressed into a gorge only six meters wide, and cascades into a boiling pot 43 metres below. The earth literally trembles at Murchison Falls, one of the world's most powerful flows of natural water. Elevated high above the Falls on the north side of the river, the historical Paraa Safari Lodge enjoys simply astounding views. Paraa is the name of a lodge on the Nile River, deep in the Murchison Falls National park. However, “Paraa” in the local language means the “Place of Hippos”. With Pa meaning place and Raa meaning hippos. Paraa Safari lodge is a very attractive hotel, although it looks more like a luxury beach resort, than a game wildlife lodge because of the way it is designed overlooking the pool. It has a stunning pool area with the view of the river in the background.

Paraa Safari Lodge is set in dry woodland, and is an excellent area to look for Shikra, Grey Headed Kingfisher; Red throated Bee-Eater and Bar-breasted Firefinch. The bizarre Shoebill is regularly seen on the large papyrus island close to the falls, although it is usually present only when water levels are low. If your visit coincides with periods of high water and Shoebill is a priority, you would be better off taking a launch trip downstream to the delta. Bare, rocky islets at the foot of the impressive Murchinson Falls are favoured perches and breeding sites of Rock Pratincole. A variety of unique habitats and lots of superb birds make a visit to Murchinson Falls National Park a must for every birder. An impressive 450 species have been recorded in a national park that stretches over 3840km Square in size. The birding experience here is greatly enhanced by the abundant wildlife and scenic landscape; not least the spectacular falls for which the park is named. Once famous for its immense herds of big game, Uganda’s largest national park suffered greatly at the hands of poachers and hungry soldiers during the late 1970ís and 1980ís and is still in the process of recovery.

3 hour drive from Kampala to Masindi, 217 km on tarmac and 40 km on high grade murram. The Masindi-Paraa road through Kichumbanyobo gate is the direct road to Paraa Rest Camp. All the roads in Murchison Falls National Park have been recently upgraded as have the park access roads. The scenic approach from Masindi to the park is to use the escarpment road along Lake Edward. Bugungu airfield is located only a few kilometers from the park headquarters at Paraa on the Southern side of the River Nile to cater for safari tourists visiting the park and staying at Nile Safari Camp, the Red Chili Rest Camp and Sambiya River Lodge. It is the second major field in the park after Pakuba airfield, which is partly tarmacked, located on the North bank providing access to Paraa Lodge.

Paara Safari lodge Accommodation
Paara Safari lodge is situated on the north bank of the Nile. It consists of large luxurious and self contained rooms with mosquito nets and private balcony that face the river. The bath or showers are spacious and they also cater for the disabled people in that they do have 2 rooms for them. The rooms are fairly standard; some rooms with two beds, single and nice sized balconies the area around the lodge is fairly safe as the guides and staffs walk around freely. A couple of mean looking baboons caeasily be seen hanging around.
The accommodation at Paraa ranges from 43 well appointed rooms with balcony and private bathroom (34 twins/doubles, 6 singles), to the grandeur of one of the 2 suites and the charming and secluded Queen´s Cottage.

Paara Safari lodge Restaurant
Meals are a buffet type of affair, with a whole variety of dishes covering most tastes from starters (Soups / Salads) to desserts. They do prepare International cuisines and the daily choice for vegetarians, but besides that, they have good snacks for casual, which are not expensive. They also have a curvaceous swimming pool, which is well maintained and cleaned on a daily basis, giving you an opportunity to relax along day.
There is a morning wake up call for visitors going for the morning game drive. The drives start at 7.00 am and if you want breakfast, you need to eat it before you leave for the drive. Breakfast is served from 6.30 AM to 10.00 AM.

In the afternoons or when the sun is out visitors can relax under the hot African sun, near the swimming pool while enjoying cold drinks – what a life! (The hotel accepts most Credit cards, but adds commission) and most drinks are, by hotel standards priced reasonably. There is also a gift shop that carries a good selection of products, plus some necessities should you run out.