PARAA AND CHOBE LODGES RECOGNIZED BY TRIPADVISOR
Two of Uganda’s leading safari lodges, the Madhvani Group’s Chobe and Paraa Safari Lodges in Murchisons Falls National Park, have just received recognition as top rated properties by TripAdvisor the global industry leader in client based ratings of hotels, resorts, lodges, restaurants and other tourism attractions.
Both were presented with the coveted ‘Certificate of Excellence 2013’ which puts the two Marasa Africa managed properties into the top 10 percent of reviews given by visitors.
While Paraa is located in the lower part of the park, near the main ferry crossing of the River Nile, the Chobe Safari Lodge is set in the real wilderness of the upstream section of the Nile above the falls, and while just 12 kilometres off the main Kampala to Gulu highway, giving visitors a feeling to be as remote as they can be in the midst of a mature tropical rainforest with magnificent views over the white waters of the river.
More about the two lodges can be accessed through the respective websites but here below a brief overview of both properties, which incidentally were repeatedly reviewed here in the past.
The more recently opened and very luxurious five-star Chobe Safari Lodge, located in a little-known section of Murchison Falls National Park, is becoming one of Uganda’s key tourist destinations for adventurers, anglers, and aficionados of river-scapes. It comprises 36 elegant guest rooms, 21 luxury tents, four suites and a Presidential Cottage. A state-of-the-art Conference block can host up to 100 guests and is fully equipped for business meetings.
The lodge enjoys breathtaking panoramic views of the River Nile, coupled with the sounds of its frothing rapids.
Paraa, also known as the “Jewel of the Nile,” is situated in Murchison Falls National Park, with spectacular views of the river. Each of the lodge’s 54 rooms, suites, three luxury safari tents and Queen’s Cottage is designed with an authentic Colonial African style. Each has its own spacious balcony and en-suite bath, all overlooking the River. The Queen’s Cottage, named after Queen Elizabeth II’s mother who stayed there in 1959, comprises two bedrooms, a lounge, and a large balcony, and is ideal for families or friends traveling together.
Amenities include a holistic massage center, a gym and a large free-form swimming pool just above the entertainment area by the rustic bar, where bonfires and traditional African entertainment take place in the evening twice weekly. There is also a Business Center with internet and a gift shop selling local crafts and safari essentials. The Nile River itself offers world class game fishing for Nile Perch near the lodge which rents fishing gear and binoculars. The lodge operates a regular launch service to travel comfortably upstream to the bottom of the falls, where the mighty Nile squeezes through a gap of only 7 metres wide and falls nearly 50 metres, before it then meanders towards Lake Albert. Chimpanzee trekking may be arranged at a forest some 37 miles from the Lodge on a day excursion trip.
Watch this space for regular updates from Uganda’s national parks, game reserves and other tourism attractions.
