Paraa

Paraa

Paraa in Murchison Falls National Park is used to refer to the region of safari land stretching off the banks of the Victoria Nile. The region is the economic centre of the park with the best lodges and business ventures and it can be reached using the southern gate of the park via Masindi or by crossing the Nile on a ferry if one is approaching the park from the north.

The name “Paraa” was adapted from a luo word that means, “Place of hippos”. A boat safari on the Victoria Nile to see the base of the Murchison Falls often starts off at Paraa where numerous Hippos are often cooling off from the scorching heat to protect their sensitive skin while some animals are collected to quench their thirst.  

Apart from Hippos, the Paraa region is famous for other game viewing safari specials such as Elephants, Crocodiles, Blue monkeys, Lions, bushbucks, red tailed monkeys, Leopards, waterbuck, black and white monkeys, Uganda Kobs, Olive baboons, Buffaloes, Kudu, Jackals, Warthogs, Hyenas, serval cats and monitor Lizards among other animals.

On the same note, Paraa’s fame goes beyond the wildlife to a century of royalty and prominent guests. See, when Queen Elizabeth visited Murchison Falls National Park in the 1960’s she stayed at Paraa safari lodge, further spreading the “Paraa fame”. Other guests to the area include; Winston Churchill, Emin Pasha, Theodore Roosevelt and Ernest Hemingway. 

With visits from such famous people, Paraa is one of the most popular regions in Murchison Falls National Park. It is also home to the famous luxury Paraa safari lodge. Major activities to enjoy at Paraa include; game drives, birding, hiking to the top of Murchison Falls, a boat cruise to the base of the Falls or to the Albert delta; the point where River Nile enters into Lake Albert.