If you are planning a tour to Murchison Falls National Park one of the most important logistics to plan for is where you will stay. The accommodation/lodge has a big impact on the price of the trip, more so if you are looking for an affordable stay on the safari.

Murchison Falls National Park has a range of affordable accommodation and because of this it is quite attractive for the budget travelers…like yourself.

Below I discuss some five good options you can consider.

Red Chilli Rest Camp

Red Chilli Rest Camp has for long been known as one of the cheapest places to stay in Murchison Falls National Park.

For those on a shoestring budget but want to stay in a cottage (do not want to sleep in tents) Red Chilli is the best option.

What makes it an even better option is its great location inside the park. Located on the southern bank of the Nile, just a couple of minutes from the bridge crossing to the northern side where game drives are done.

The camp has a variety of accommodation settings, from small cottages, to bigger family cottages ideal for groups of friends and to camping tents. There are both self contained bandas and cheaper non self-contained safari tents.

Pricing ranges from: $8 for camping with own tent, $35 sleeping in non self containted rooms, $40 for non self contained bandas, $55 for en suite bandas and $80 for family en suite bandas accommodating up to 5 people.

Because the camp is popular and has many travelers at any one time, the service is rather slow.

There is no swimming pool

Fort Murchison Lodge

This is our favorite budget lodge in Murchison Falls National Park. It is great for those traveling on budget but want a little comfort and a swimming pool. It is therefore not for those who plan to travel on a shoestring budget.

It costs way more than Red Chilli, but of course it is more comfortable, service is intimate and has a swimming pool. For some people this can pass off as a midrange lodge.

Fort Murchison Falls has two types of accommodation, the nice self contained rooms on block buildings, and the more affordable non self contained tents (for tight budget travelers).

Note that Fort Murchison Lodge is located outside the park on the northern boundary near the Tangi gate in Packwach. This implies a longer drive from Kampala. However, this also gives you a chance to experience the park even on your first day of travel as you will drive through the park and get to watch some wildlife along the way.

Prices are $230 sleeping in a double room and $140 sleeping in a double tent room.

Murchison River Lodge

Murchison River Lodge is actually a midrange lodge overall, however they do have budget accommodation options in their camping tents.

Murchison River Lodge, unlike Fort Murchison Lodge, is located on the southern bank of the Nile near the Bugungu gate.

The camping tents are priced from $75 per person sharing in a double room.

Heritage Safari Lodge

Heritage Safari Lodge is one of the older budget lodges on the northern bank of the Nile near the Tangi gate.

Accommodation is in self contained thatched cottages. The service is decent.

Rooms cost from $100

It is also popular for their open safari land cruisers, hence a good lodge for self drive tourists that would need safari vehicle for the game drives in the park.

The lodge organized Kanye West’s game drive in the Murchison Falls

Hornbill Bush Lodge

Hornbill Bush Lodge is another decent option for those on a shoestring budget, in case you cannot find space at Red Chilli Rest Camp.

Hornbill Bush Lodge is also located on the northern boundary of the park near the Tangi Gate in Packwach, so it gives you an opportunity to drive through the park as you transfer to the lodge for your night.

Rooms cost $100 for a double room, and 90 for a single room

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