Location:
The rest camp is located in the Murchison Falls area and you can book affordable packages through the Red Chilli Hideaway located in Kampala. Specifically, the camp is located approximately within a 10-minute walk to the river where you can spot hippos and crocodiles. The camp is located on a quiet, grassy area and has wild hogs coming to its property to feed on the grass. Although the hogs are used to people we still kept our distance as they are wild animals and can get aggressive. Hippos also come to the camp on occasion but it's during the night so it is rare to see one.
Room Comfort:
The accommodations available range from camping to private bandas. We chose to rent a private banda with a private bathroom. All bandas have twin beds and are decorated in traditional African decor. The beds were comfortable and had mosquito nets which are a must in this area. The water source for the rooms comes from a bore hole and isn't heated. Because of where it comes from it has a brownish colour and an odd odour as it contains a high concentration of lead. Electricity is available (roughly) between 8:30am to midnight, so a flash light is handy. Even though electricity is limited, the bandas do have electric sockets. If you stay in a tent then you can charge your batteries at the front desk. The rooms are basic and comfortable but and given the nature of the accommodation and the area, it is common to find large bugs in your room. Toiletries are rarely provided at these types of accommodations but a bar of soap was provided in the room.
Cleanliness:
The banda and the bathroom were clean. Bandas are cleaned daily and clean towels are provided.
Service:
The service was great. The staff was very friendly and efficient. Everything ran on schedule as most people staying here were part of the Murchison Falls tour and had schedules planned for the day.
Food:
The food was tasty and very reasonably priced. The beer was also cheap and cold.
Overall Value:
We really enjoyed our stay as the accommodations were clean and the staff were friendly. The vibe at this place is very laid back and friendly and this is a good place to meet other travellers or just to hang out. We recommend the tour and this accommodation to those on a budget. Package tours in Africa can be very expensive and if you're looking for a great budget tour this is probably your best option to this area.
Other Notes:
The rest camp is located along a dirt road which you can jog on if you are brave enough. You will rarely find a vehicle on this road but you will run into some locals who are very friendly. The jog can get your heart rate going before you even start as the noises from the bushes can be quite scary since you know there are leopards, lions and other predatory animals nearby. With Murchison Falls National Park right around the corner, you never know what kind of animal is lurking in the bushes.
Our Rating: 3.9/5 Year Reviewed: 2009
For the best possible price, please visit Expedia.ca
or try Priceline.com. You can also visit the hotel's website at: www.redchillihideaway.com/murchisontrip.htm
Photos:
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