Experience Luxury and Sustainability at Nile Safari Lodge: A Rebuilt Eco Lodge

Nile Safari Lodge: A Rebuilt and Upgraded Luxury Eco Lodge

Nile Safari Lodge, located on the southern bank of the River Nile overlooking Murchison Falls National Park, was once one of Uganda's best-known lodges. However, signs of its age were showing, and Localworks was commissioned to lead a complete rebuild and upgrade of the facility to bring it in line with changing requirements in the hospitality industry. The result is a luxury eco lodge that offers guests a unique and immersive experience in the heart of the African wilderness.

A ‘Bush Experience’ in a Floating Building

Localworks' architectural concept for the main building of Nile Safari Lodge was to avoid a traditional structure and instead create a series of grass thatched roofs that ‘float’ above the landscape. This design provides the lodge's clients with an exciting ‘bush experience’ through a more direct connection to the surrounding wilderness. The open nature of the design maximizes airflow through the structure, which is essential in the hot and humid climate, while at the same time generating a series of unexpected views of the river and park for guests as they move through it.

Unique Accommodations for Every Guest

Guest accommodation at Nile Safari Lodge is provided in eight generous cottages (‘bandas’), each facing the river in complete privacy. Within the bandas, a large central bed overlooks the river across a cantilevered wooden deck, while the widely glazed bathroom offers guests a luxury environment and the experience of living in nature. One of the eight bandas is dedicated to honeymooners and features its own private plunge pool and an outdoor ‘star bed’. A family banda accommodates up to eight people in two large bedrooms, each with a mezzanine, and has its own private living room, swimming pool, and terrace.

Sustainable Design and Eco-Friendly Amenities

All primary volumes at Nile Safari Lodge are north-south orientated to match the prevailing wind direction and protect the interior spaces from the intense equatorial sun. The bandas are raised on stilts to deal with the steep slopes and to enhance the indoor comfort by allowing air to flow under the buildings. Natural materials, mainly wood, grass, and stone, dominate the lodge's design. There is no mechanical cooling anywhere throughout the lodge, and the entire facility is powered by photo-voltaic panels. Guests are provided with all amenities of a luxury lodge, including private fridges and wireless internet throughout, all powered by the sun. Water is pumped from the river, filtered to drinking water quality using a UV filtration system and then heated by the sun for showers and bathtubs. Waste water is collected in holding tanks and pumped to a location far away from the river banks to allow for safe treatment in an anaerobic baffled reactor with percolation trenches.

Nile Safari Lodge is a true gem in the heart of the African wilderness. With its unique design, luxurious accommodations, and eco-friendly amenities, it offers guests a one-of-a-kind experience that they will never forget. Whether you are looking for an adventure in the bush or a romantic getaway, Nile Safari Lodge has something for everyone.

Read also about the Transforming Olive Street: Sustainable, Versatile & Aesthetically Pleasing Architecture by Ergo Architecture project