Many travelers researching the best places to stay in Uganda want more than a bed for the night — they want a base with character, comfort and an easy route to Murchison Falls National Park. Masindi Hotel, established in 1923, has welcomed international visitors for over a century and remains one of the most historic places to stay in Uganda for guests planning a safari.
A Century of Uganda Hospitality
Masindi Hotel was built in 1923 by the East African Railways & Harbours as a stopover for travelers on the Uganda Railway. Guests over the decades have included Ernest Hemingway, who recovered here after his 1954 plane crashes, and Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn during the filming of The African Queen. In 2013 the hotel received a National Heritage Award for its restoration, and in 2023 it marked its centennial with the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities and the Uganda Tourism Board.
Comfortable Accommodation for Every Kind of Traveler
Rooms at Masindi Hotel are en-suite, clean and spacious, offered in single, double and triple configurations alongside a two-bedroom family house. Budget travelers can choose dorm beds or camp on 6.5 acres of gardens beneath century-old trees, and drivers' accommodation is available for tour groups. Every stay includes free Wi-Fi, laundry and car wash services, along with access to Kabalega Restaurant and the Hemingway Bar.
Your Base for Murchison Falls National Park
Masindi Hotel sits just 21 km from the Kichumbanyobo Gate of Murchison Falls National Park, making it a convenient base for game drives, boat safaris on the Nile, chimpanzee tracking in the Budongo Forest Reserve, and birding along the Royal Mile. Early breakfasts and packed lunches can be arranged for guests heading out on dawn game drives.
A Sustainable, Garden Setting
Set on 6.5 acres of tropical gardens, Masindi Hotel has been 100% solar powered since 2024. The gardens, verandas and century-old trees give the hotel a calm, unhurried atmosphere that many guests describe as feeling like a home away from home.
Places to Stay in Uganda: What International Visitors Say
Guests from Europe, North America and beyond often highlight Masindi Hotel's location, history and value when searching for Uganda accommodation near Murchison Falls. Google and TripAdvisor reviewers have praised the hotel's location near Murchison Falls, its comfortable rooms and good food, and its friendly, helpful staff — the kind of feedback that keeps travelers returning to this historic hotel when comparing places to stay in Uganda.
Book Directly for the Best Available Rate
Travelers comparing hotels in Uganda can contact Masindi Hotel directly for personal service, flexible plans and the best available rate. Reach the reservations team at reservations@masindihotel.com or +256 772 420130 to check availability for your Murchison Falls safari.