Bar Lyec safari lodge |  Accommodation in Murchison Falls National Park

Bar Lyec safari lodge is referenced as a budget accommodation situated in the Pakwach District, Nwoya, Northern Uganda, outside the famous Murchison Falls National Park, which is regarded as a highlight of Uganda.

Located near Tangi Gate at about a 15 miles distance, the lodge is a beautiful place to stay.  This lodge is located in a perfect location for budget travelers, tourists or holidaymakers who are interested in exploring the park with breathtaking views of the river Nile, as well as seeing the animals that frequent the lodge, including elephants and other animals in the area.

There are 17 comfortable and spacious rooms at Bar Lyec Safari Lodge, of which 10 are cottages and 7 are tents. Each one has a stunning view of the Nile River and the surrounding wilderness, combining African traditional building styles with bamboo-thatched roofs, local woods, and comfortable proximity to the safari lodge.

The tents and cottages are well furnished and elevated, with private en suite facilities that include a flushing toilet, a hot and cold shower, solar power, wooden chairs and tables, mosquito nets, complimentary bottled water, free toiletries, slippers, and fans in all rooms, to name just a few.

Each of the cottages and tents is equipped with a sitting area, a terrace and a wooden balcony that overlooks the breathtaking views of the river, the wilderness, and the wild animals wandering around the lodge and the area around it.

The lodge has two fireplaces for guests to relax by in the evenings, which glow with the flickering light of the fire, accompanied by comfortable wooden chairs where guests can share their Uganda safari /trip experiences and enjoy the sunset. It does not only provide warmth during those cold evenings but also provides a cozy atmosphere.

Services and facilities at the Lodge

Restaurant: There is a restaurant within the main building that serves both continental and African-inspired meals that satisfy the appetite of guests.

Bar: The bar is well stocked with a wide variety of drinks, including local beers, wines, spirits, and beers from around the world.

Swimming Pool: The pool at the lodge is a refreshing spot on a hot afternoon after a Uganda safari. You can relax on the poolside chairs in the shade as you enjoy the breezes that blow around the lodge to cool you off.

Bar Lyec safari lodge

Activities to do at Bar lyec safari lodge

Game Drives

This is an adventurous activity to take part in while at Bar lyec safari lodge. The game drives are done both early in the morning and evening.  During the game drive, you will follow different game tracks such as the Queens track, the Buligi track and the Albert track

You will spot animals including large herds of elephants, buffaloes, waterbucks, warthogs, giraffes, and Uganda kobs, among others, which will be grazing in the open savannah grasslands; view predators like lions, leopards, hyenas, and jackals; and see different bird species like spur-winged lapwings, Abyssinian ground hornbills, grey-crowned cranes, and Senegal thick-knees, among others.

Birdwatching 

Murchison Falls National Park is considered one of the most important birding sites in Uganda.

The park has recorded over 451 bird species, including forest, savannah, and water birds as well as endemic species of the Albertine rift. Bird species in the park include Gray crowned crane (Uganda’s National bird), Giant Kingfisher, Giant Heron, Shoebill stork, Abyssinian Ground Hornbills, nightjar, Marabou stork, Black headed lapwing, Back-bellied Bustard  Shoe bill, African darter, giant kingfisher, osprey, long-toed plover, Gray-headed kingfisher, veracious dove, black-headed lapwing, Abyssinian ground hornbill, rock pratincole, yellow-fronted Tinkerbird, black-billed barbet, long-tailed nightjar bird, weaver birds, yellow-billed stork, martial eagle, silver bird, gray-crowned crested crane, sandpipers, pied kingfishers, standard-winged nightjar, malachite kingfishers, blue-headed coucal, Denham’s bustard, swamp flycatcher, giant heron, African jacana, secretary bird, red-throated bee eater, saddle-billed stork, Senegal thick-knee, red-winged grey warbler and many more.

Boat cruise

A boat cruise can be taken either upstream to reach the bottom of the Murchison Falls or downstream to reach the Victoria Nile delta, which stretches all the way out on the shores of Lake Albert in the Murchison Falls national park.

 In addition to viewing large concentrations of hippos in water during the boat cruise, you will also be able to see Nile crocodiles basking on the shores, and you will also be able to see animals like elephants, buffaloes, and waterbucks drinking water along the shoreline, as well as waterbird species like the shoebill stork, malachite kingfisher, hornbills, cormorants, and bee-eaters.

Guided Nature walks

A nature walk is one of the interesting activities to do in the park. It offers you the opportunity to get out of the vehicle and explore the park on foot along with a park guide and park ranger who will keep you safe from dangerous animals and ensure you have an enjoyable experience. You can get up close and personal with a number of mammals, primates, and bird species; enjoy the cool breeze; relax your mind; and take photos while taking guided nature walks, they are commonly conducted in Rabongo forest, Kaniyo Pabidi in Budongo forest, and at the top of the falls.

Getting to Murchison falls national park

In order to access the Murchison falls national park, one needs to travel either by the road or by the air from the north-western part of Uganda

Air transport: if you are using air transport to travel to the park, you will have to take a domestic flight with Aerolink Uganda from Entebbe International airport or Kajjansi airfield to Chobe, Pakuba or Bugungu airfields and then transfer to the park by road.

Road transport, when using road transport, means you are either going to use a private or a registered tour company vehicle to travel from Kampala or Entebbe to the Murchison Falls National Park, which is about a five-to-six-hour drive using a four-wheel-drive vehicle