WildPlaces Africa has opened Kulu Ora, an 11-suite tented lodge on the banks of the Nile within a newly designated low-impact zone of Murchison Falls National Park, bringing the family-run Ugandan operator’s portfolio to seven properties.
The lodge occupies a 75,000-hectare conservation zone shared only with WildPlaces’ existing Papa’s Camp, giving guests guaranteed seclusion and wildlife encounters away from busier areas of Uganda’s oldest and largest protected area.
Each of the 11 canvas-walled suites features timber floors, a private plunge pool and views over the Nile. A library curated by WildPlaces co-founder Pamela Wright, a full-length swimming pool and a Nile-facing spa offering treatments made from locally sourced oils and butters complete the main lodge facilities.
All furniture is either handmade or restored from vintage pieces sourced in the UK, blending contemporary comfort with heritage character.
The lodge operates entirely on solar power and uses electric carts for in-lodge transport. Canvas structures are designed to be fully removable, and an on-site walled garden supplies the kitchen. A $25 conservation levy per bed night is directed to Murchison Falls conservation and local community projects.
Wildlife on offer includes Uganda’s Big Seven — mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants and Cape buffaloes — along with birding and fishing on the Nile. Kulu Ora means “river” in two local languages.
The property is accessible via daily scheduled flights from Entebbe or Kajjansi to Murchison Falls, private charters or a five-hour drive from Kampala. Uganda Airlines now operates direct flights from London Gatwick to Entebbe, reducing overall journey time from the UK.
WildPlaces co-founder Jonathan Wright described the discovery of the site: “We had to machete through kilometres of untamed wilderness, wade through marshes and rivers just to reach the site. On our journey, we passed a pride of wild lions never seen by travellers — this was one of the most exciting things I have ever witnessed on safari.”