Out of the many lodges servicing safaris to Murchison Falls National Park, only a handful are located inside the Park. Most of them are outside the parks and may require you to drive a couple of minutes to enter the park. Staying at a Lodge outside the park means you can only access the park gates between 07:00 am – 07:00 pm, and you are not allowed to enjoy activities like a night game safari when staying at a property outside the park.
Lodges INSIDE the Murchison Falls National Park
What are the advantages of staying at Lodges INSIDE the Park?
Staying at a lodge inside a park can offer many advantages, including:
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You’ll enjoy the Beautiful surroundings
Lodges inside the Park are often designed to be in close touch with nature, with views of wildlife, woods, natural springs, and the night sky.
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Head start into the park
Staying inside the park can give you a head start to reach scenic destinations and trailheads much earlier than if you were staying outside the park.
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Spend time enjoying the park
You can make your agenda and spend more time enjoying the park’s scenery without rushing to get back to your car to beat the Park closing time.
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See more wildlife
Lodges inside the park are usually not fenced meaning wildlife can freely roam around the lodge grounds which will allow you to see more wildlife at its most active times, like just before sunrise and after sunset.
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Reduce your carbon footprintStaying inside the park can help reduce your carbon footprint by avoiding the emissions from commuting to and from the park.
Staying at Lodges OUTSIDE Murchison Falls National Park
Staying outside Murchison Falls National Park is a great, affordable option. Similar accommodation outside the park will be a fraction of the price; you might even feel inside the park as some properties border the park and therefore feel as if inside the park. The main issue is the gates and the gate times. Gates to Park have specific times they open and close daily, often before sunset and after sunrise. The prime time for game viewing, especially for predators, is during the early morning and late afternoon hours. Staying outside the park may cause you to miss these opportune moments. While spotting crocs, hippos or a herd of Elephants in a distance from one of the lodges outside the Park may be pleasant, it sure doesn’t compare to the experience of lying in bed within Murchison Falls National Park, treated to the unmistakable calls of hyenas whooping, lions roaring, and hippos “honking” nearby.
When is the Best time to visit Murchison Falls National Park?
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Dry seasonDecember–February and June–September are the best times for safaris because animals are easier to spot. The weather is also good for game drives and sightseeing, and there are fewer mosquitoes.
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Wet seasonMarch-May and September–November are the best times for bird watching. The vegetation is lush and green, and there are fewer people.
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January–MarchIf you’re a bird watcher, consider visiting during these months when birth activity is at its peak.
Things to see & do in Murchison Falls National Park
The Top 5 Things to See and do in Murchison Falls National Park include;
