Paraa, a local word in the Luo language that means ‘home of the hippos’, is the tourism center in Murchison Falls National Park. All of the access roads within this park converge here, and also the northern as well as southern banks are connected by a passenger ferry at this point. In addition close to Paraa there are a number of accommodation facilities you will find there. There is a museum plus a gift shop on the northern side of the river bank, and the majority of the game drives, nature walsk as well as launch trips begin at Paraa.
Paraa is located in Nwoya District, in Acholi sub-region, within the northern Uganda. It is found in the renowned northern wildlife park known as the Murchison Falls National Park, one of the biggest wildlife reserves in the country. it covers an area of 5,000 sq km. Paraa area can be accessed by road as it is approximately 25km southeast of Pakwach district on the right-side of the Albert Nile, and approximately 86km from Masindi town.
There are several wildlife species living within the ‘Paraa’ area. Some of the wild animals you will see here include 4 of Africa’s Big 5 which are: elephants, lions, buffaloes and leopards. Others include crocodiles, giraffes, oribis, Hartebeest, Uganda Kobs, hippos plus several types of antelopes.
The much loved Murchison falls launch cruise / boat rides also begin here and these are conducted twice a day. During these you will have an opportunity to reach the bottom of the falls and see the numerous giant crocodiles and large school of hippos on the riverbanks.
Among the accommodation facilities in the Paraa area is the Paraa Safari Lodge a luxurious highly rated facility that offers 60 guestrooms, and beautiful suites. the lodge located along the northern river bank lies on a hill and offers breathtaking views overlooking the River Nile. it has a sizeable clean swimming pool, a well stocked bar, a restaurant, and each room has en-suite bathrooms plus a balcony.
This facility, was destroyed back during the reign of President Idi Amin in the 1970’s; however today has been beautifully renovated and its being managed by Madhvani Group. Back in the 1950’s Paraa Safari Lodge was privileged to host the Queen Mother on her visit in Uganda
Winston Churchill back in 1907, walked over 85km from Masindi simply to enjoy the beauty and wildlife of Paraa area; Ernest Hemingway a novelist from America also had a great passion to explore the Paraa area and see the beautiful falls, others were Theodore Roosevelt and Emin Pasha . Another early explorer Sir Samuel Baker wrote In 1864, about “a magnificent sight” as he describe the Murchison Falls which are not far from the Paraa Area.
So on Your Uganda Safari t the Murchison falls, don’t forget to visit the Paraa Area.
Uganda Safari News | AA Safaris & Tours Ltd
