Prasanna Vee
Google
A DATED DELIGHT!
Perched majestically on the pristine banks of the White Nile in Uganda's legendary Murchison Falls National Park, this Safari Lodge is pure African magic incarnate! Imagine waking to hippos greeting the sunrise just meters from your riverside terrace, while crocodiles bask in the golden morning light. This stunning sanctuary offers breathtaking panoramic views where wildlife roams freely, coupled with the sounds of the River Nile's magnificent rapids.
Here, raw nature meets refined luxury, creating an unforgettable safari experience where elephants roam freely and the roar of the Nile lulls you to sleep. A true paradise for wildlife lovers! And the best way to witness the spectacle of wilderness is at their sweeping terrace that offers legendary sundowners as golden light dances across the Nile while wildlife congregates at the water's edge below.
However, the property is clearly way past its prime and despite the recent refurbishment, in desperate need of a stronger facelift! Rooms are tired and old fashioned, the fittings inside the rooms are well beyond their expiry date, the bathroom is quite dated, etc. Also, what annoyed me most was how much non-eco friendly the place was. So much PLASTIC all around - and in fact they were audacious enough to keep selling WATER BOTTLES to us, every time we asked for regular water or hot water(something that most safari lodges offer as compliementary!) Overall, the place is riding high on its stellar location and is not a great value for money given you can grab better deals at other places like SAMBIYA LODGE nside the park!
LOCATION: Chobe Safari Lodge boasts a prime location on the banks of the Nile River, providing guests with stunning vistas and close encounters with wildlife. The lodge's proximity to Karuma Falls and its position within the national park make it an excellent base for exploring the region's natural wonders. However, it's worth noting that the lodge is situated a considerable distance from the park's main gate, which may require additional travel time for certain activities
DINE + DRINK:Dining at the lodge was a mixed experience. The Karuma Restaurant offers a variety of local and international dishes, and the views from the dining area are exceptional. However, the quality of the food was inconsistent, with some meals lacking freshness and flavor. Additionally, service during meal times was occasionally slow, and the absence of complimentary water with meals was unexpected . The Rapids Pool Bar near the water was CLOSED during our stay.
ROOM: We stayed in Room 29, so this review is based on that; SIZE: Spacious enough for 2 adults and simple baggage; VIEW: Million dollar views of the legendary NILE RIVER from a sweet Balcony attached to the room - a place that was hard to peel away from! ; AIR-CON: No AirCon , only a ceiling fan in the room that was barely enough to keep the room cool or comfortable!; BED: Very old and creaking bed that certainly needed an upgrade!; BATHROOM:Very Tired bathroom with a dated Stand-in shower; TOILETRIES: ok quality toiletries, bring your own!
FACILITIES: A tiring Gym with a basic range of weights, workout stations, and Cardio machines crammed into a very small space. A very different story from CNN's article that featured the Gym as the one of the TOP 10 GYMS WITH A VIEW in teh world! But good enough for a quick workout. They have multipel outdoor swimming pools, all with qa great view of the mighty NILE river and the Hippos floating in it! They also have a SPa on site, but I would stay away from this dingy looking suffacted space if you are looking for a relaxing experience!
SERVICE: Friendly staff that cared for all our needs with a smile and made us feel at home and well taken care of. Special Shout-out to VICTORIA at the Front desk for enhancing our stay, and the staff at the Bar/restaurant
HOW WIRED YOU WILL BE: Free Wi-Fi that works well all over the property, and the speed is Not too bad, but not too great either! BNo Television on site, just pure Jungle Chill!
