Bwana Tembo Safari Lodge – the name means ‘Mr Elephant’ in Swahili – is a quiet tented lodge on the south bank of the Nile near Bugungu Gate, at the upper mid-range to luxury end of the market. It is smaller and calmer than the big north-bank lodges, with tented cottages spread through the bush above the river, and its position near Bugungu makes it especially handy for guests combining Murchison with Budongo Forest or entering the park from the Hoima side.
Where it is
On the south bank near Bugungu Gate, which is the southern entrance used by traffic coming up from Hoima and the oil region. That puts Budongo Forest within easy reach for a morning chimpanzee trek, and the top-of-the-falls trailhead a reasonable drive away. The northern game-drive circuit is reached via the Paraa ferry, about 30 to 40 minutes from the lodge, so an early drive means an early crossing. The location is a good fit for itineraries that pair Murchison with the parks further south.
The setting
The lodge is set in bush above the river, quiet and unhurried, with the tented cottages well spaced among the trees and a central lounge and dining area with a view toward the water. The atmosphere is relaxed and low-key, with a fire pit for the evenings and a good bird list around the property. It is a place to slow down between game drives rather than a hub of activity.
Rooms
A small number of tented cottages on raised platforms, each en-suite with a comfortable bed under a mosquito net, a proper bathroom with hot water, and a private veranda. The tents are spacious and comfortable, at the upper end of what ‘tented’ usually means. Power is generator and solar; there is no air-conditioning, but the riverside bush position keeps the rooms cool at night.
Facilities and food
A central lounge and bar, a dining area serving a set menu with choices and dietary flexibility, a fire pit, and, seasonally, a small pool. Wi-Fi is available but slow. The lodge arranges all park activities, with Budongo chimpanzee tracking a particular strength given the location, plus game drives, the launch cruise and the falls hike.
Who it suits
Bwana Tembo suits travellers who want a quiet, comfortable, upper-tier tented lodge on the south bank, especially those combining Murchison with a Budongo chimpanzee trek or arriving from the Hoima direction. It works well as a first or last night on a longer western-circuit trip. Guests who want to be right on the northern game tracks or in a large full-facility lodge may prefer other options.
What it costs, as a guide
Luxury lodges and tented camps at Murchison typically run from around US$250 to US$650 per person per night sharing a double, full board, with the small riverside camps at the top of that range and a suite or a fly-in package higher again. Park entry fees, your vehicle and guide, and the activities are all separate – a full safari quote from us wraps everything into one figure. Rates move with the season and the room type and change from year to year, so the prices here are indicative and for planning only; we always confirm the exact current rate for your dates directly with the property before you commit to anything.
How it fits your safari
Bwana Tembo is on the south bank near Bugungu Gate, which makes it convenient for a Budongo Forest chimpanzee trek and for the top-of-the-falls hike, and a natural first or last night if your route runs through Hoima and the oil region. The northern game drives are reached by the Paraa ferry, so we often pair a night here with a night on the north bank.
Good to know
Rates, room types and exact facilities change from season to season, so we confirm the current price and availability for your dates directly with the property before you commit to anything – there is no charge for this and no obligation. Power at most Murchison lodges is a mix of mains, solar and generator and may switch off overnight, so a head torch and a power bank are worth carrying; Wi-Fi, where it exists, is slow and best treated as a way to send a message home. Meals are usually full board, and any lodge will pack a breakfast or lunch box for an early game drive if we let the kitchen know. A yellow-fever certificate is required to enter Uganda and malaria prophylaxis is recommended for the whole country.
Check availability at Bwana Tembo Safari Lodge
Send us your travel dates and the style of safari you have in mind and we will come back within 24 hours with current rates and availability at Bwana Tembo Safari Lodge, along with a full day-by-day itinerary and a clear quote – no deposit to enquire. Browse our Murchison Falls safaris, read the park guide, see the rest of our Murchison Falls accommodation, or get in touch now.
