An iconic landmark
since the 1950’s, Mweya Safari Lodge is perched atop a hill on the Mweya peninsula and offers
luxury accommodation in the heart of Queen Elizabeth National Park. As you approach the lodge from the road
below, it’s completely unassuming, blending into the natural
vegetation around it. Once inside the
lodge, opulence and mesmerizing views surround you. The ambiance of the
place takes you back in time and
makes you feel like an early explorer from a bygone era.
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| Mweya Safari Lodge Lobby |
On arrival to Mweya
Safari Lodge, the lobby gives you an overall feel for the place. Large, spacious and furnished with leather chairs, sofas and safari decor, it’s lavish
and inviting. On the opposite end of the
main entrance is a large picture window that draws you closer to the view over
Lake Edward and Katwe town. You can
see part of the Mweya peninsula
as well, dotted with
elephant, hippos and buffalo. Cold
juice and a cool towel welcome
every guest on arrival. The main lodge
of Mweya is sprawling and is well positioned great views no matter where you
are.
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| Inside a luxury tent |
Mweya Safari Lodge
offers various accommodation options ranging from 32 standard rooms, 12 deluxe
rooms with air conditioning, 2 suites, 2 standard and 2 luxury
safari tents and several cottages.
Standard and deluxe ensuite rooms are tastefully decorated in a safari theme and
deliver comfort all around. Most of the rooms at Mweya Safari
Lodge look out over the Kazinga
channel so you can enjoy great
views as you relax on your
private veranda. Mweya Safari Lodge has
4 different cottages which are perfect for families or those wanting more
space, privacy and amenities. For those seeking
the ultimate luxury safari experience, the safari tents are sure not to disappoint and are
thoughtfully placed to give guests the utmost privacy. Each tent has
its own large wooden veranda, a
perfect place to relax in privacy as you watch the animals on the far bank of
the Kazinga Channel as they wander
down to the waterside for a drink. With
plenty of vegetation around the tents, there is no shortage of birdlife flitting about.
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| Inside a luxury tent |
Inside the air conditioned luxury tent there is plenty of space.
A writing desk sits in
one corner with a basket
overflowing with fresh fruit, tea and coffee facilities and a hidden bar
fridge. In the other corner of the tent
is a cozy sitting area with
sofa, chair and coffee table. In the middle of the tent, a king sized bed rests underneath a whirring ceiling fan.
At the head of the bed is a partition wall which separates the main part
of the tent from a private
closet area with dressing room, dressing table, mirror, hair dryer and a
safe. The modern bathroom is situated at
the back of the tent. As you
enter the bathroom there is a spacious counter, double sinks and full over
counter mirror. To the left is a large
walk in shower and to the right a toilet and bidet. Overall the tent has ample space and every
creature comfort has been thought of.
What makes the tents so special is the mesh windows that
allow you to enjoy all the
sounds of the park from inside the comfort of your tent. Lie in bed and hear lions roar, hippos grunt
and hyena cackle.
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| The outside of the main lodge |
Mweya Safari Lodge is in the
middle of a wildlife setting making escorts essential when returning to your room at night after dinner. Golf
carts and driver get you back to the comfort of your room safely and swiftly. On our
first night at the lodge before
turning in for the night, we were relaxing on our veranda when we heard a rustling in the bushes next to
us. We sat wondering what was making the noise in
the bushes and to our surprise, a hippo emerged and walked calmly in front of
our veranda a mere few metres from where we sat. We were
thrilled as neither of us had
ever been that close to a hippo, it was an amazing experience and as
quickly as it began, it ended when the hippo disappeared into the bushes on the other side of our tent. We sat in awe. Not long after
that, we heard the breaking of branches and soon discovered it was seven elephants metres from where we
sat. We sat gazing at them as they ate
to their hearts content, and then moved on. Mweya Safari Lodge may offer all the creature
comforts, but it does so while keeping you amongst wildlife.
The Tembo Bar is in a
corner of the main lodge and has a nice veranda that wraps around three sides
of the bar. It's a perfect place to enjoy a cold drink and gaze
at the views. It has a wonderful atmosphere with various
seating options. Leather furniture and
safari decor abound while soft music plays in the background. With WiFi and panoramic views of Lake Edward
and the Kazinga Channel, the Tembo Bar is an excellent place to sit any time of the day. The bar is well stocked with an extensive
wine list, champagne and spirits as well as espressos and cappuccinos. The beer and soda are always icy cold to quench your thirst. The bar staff are friendly and always willing
to have a chat in between their drink mixing and glass polishing. The atmosphere in the Tembo Bar throws you right
back to the exploration era, so much so that you feel like an explorer yourself.
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| Mweya Safari Lodge with the boat launch below |
The Kazinga Restaurant is where meals are served at Mweya
Safari Lodge. The restaurant has both
indoor and outdoor seating. The outdoor
seating is nice for those looking to take in the view or to enjoy the vast
birdlife around the lodge. Be careful
though, the weaver birds are sneaky and love to steal a nibble from your food
and drink from your milk jug. They are
entertaining to watch to say the least, but with time have become brave around
humans. For me, they are part of the
charm of mealtime on the terrace at Mweya Safari Lodge. The restaurant serves meals both a la carte
and buffet style depending on the occupancy at the time. Both options offer a variety of cuisine from
vegetarian, Indian, Continental and local Ugandan dishes. On a busy night, there is a nice buzz in the
dining room, people chatting, laughing and enjoying the end of a day on safari
in Africa. BBQ dinners and pasta
evenings give an extra special dining
experience and coincide with traditional singing and dancing. Once the sun goes down, the lawn outside of
the Tembo Bar comes alive with people from the surrounding villages
traditionally dressed. The songs and
dances they perform are filled with local legend and storytelling accompanied
by the deep rhythms of African drums.
Guests can relish in the entertainment from the veranda of the bar
before heading to the dining room for dinner.
On the BBQ evenings, the chefs set up outside the dining room near the
pool with their charcoal grills where they grill and roast an assortment of
meat and vegetables. Here you can fill
your plate with delicious grilled food before heading inside to compliment it
with salads. During the pasta evenings a live cooking station is set up in the
dining room where a chef is on hand to prepare your pasta dish with the fresh
pasta and ingredients that you have chosen.
For guests looking for an exclusive dining experience
during their stay at Mweya Safari Lodge, the bush breakfast and dinner were designed
for this purpose. After an early morning
game drive, when your stomach is starting to rumble, rather than going back to
the lodge for breakfast, a full buffet breakfast is served in a seclusive
location several kilometres away from the lodge. Tables, chairs and a team of chefs and
waiters transform the bush into your own private dining area with a view
overlooking the channel. Bush dinners
are a magical experience. Late in the
day, when the sun is dropping in the sky, head out into the bush for a
sundowner overlooking Lake Edward. Once
the sun sets and the sky begins to darken, your bush dining room comes
alive. Lanterns light up the area beyond
which is complete darkness. Sitting
under a ceiling of stars, dinner is served while a bush campfire burns not far
away. Frogs, crickets, nightjars, lions,
hyenas and elephants are all part of the soundtrack. This is an experience of a lifetime, one that
will most likely stand out as a highlight of your safari.
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| The pool |
One of the highlights of Mweya Safari Lodge is the
beautiful swimming pool adjacent to the restaurant. Its crystal blue water is inviting,
especially on a hot day. The pool is a
lovely place to stay cool in the heat of the African sun while enjoying the view over the Kazinga Channel. Snacks and ice cream are also available at
the Kazinga Pool bar. Next to the pool a
wooden deck with chaise loungers and large patio umbrellas make for a nice
place to laze around.
Mweya Safari Lodge has a gift shop near the lobby that
is open daily. It offers local crafts
and curios for sale alongside books, maps, jewelry, souvenir shirts and caps
for you to commemorate your stay at the lodge. The gift shop also sells a few
essentials in case you have run out or forgotten something.
Other facilities at
Mweya Safari Lodge include a business center for those that need to tend to
work while on the road. The centre
offers a quiet atmosphere with internet access and computer facilities. If you're looking for somewhere unique to host a workshop or conference, the lodge has
amenities including a fully equipped conference room. The health club and spa is a quiet place to get
your daily dose of exercise. If you are
wanting a little pampering, they offer massage as well as other beauty
treatments.
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| Boat trip on the Kazinga Channel |
Mweya Safari Lodge is a popular choice among many
travelers. The location of the lodge is
unbeatable as it is inside
the park and boasts incredible
views. The staff at the lodge are helpful, friendly and strive to make every
aspect of your stay an enjoyable one. If
you enjoy comfort, ambience and outstanding views, then Mweya Safari Lodge
should be your choice for your safari
in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
For more information and reservations:
Marasa Central Reservations
Plot 96-98, 5TH Street Industrial Area
P.O. Box 22827
Kampala,
Ph: +256 31 2260260/1
Ph: +256 41 4255992
Plot 96-98, 5TH Street Industrial Area
P.O. Box 22827
Kampala,
Ph: +256 31 2260260/1
Ph: +256 41 4255992
Lodge Tel
+ 256 39 2796773
+ 256 41 4340054
+ 256 39 2796773
+ 256 41 4340054
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