Some places are so extraordinary that the journey there becomes part of the experience. Arriving at Hemingways Tented Camp by boat is exactly that—a slow, beautiful introduction to the magic of Murchison Falls National Park.

Your journey begins at the Wild Frontiers jetty, where your vehicle is safely parked and one of our team members is waiting to welcome you aboard. From the moment the boat pulls away from the shore, the pace of life changes. The river carries you gently upriver on a one-hour cruise, offering a front-row seat to one of the most spectacular wildlife viewing experiences in the park.

The Nile is alive at every turn.

Along the way, it’s common to spot pods of hippos surfacing and grunting in the water, while enormous Nile crocodiles bask along the sandy banks. The birdlife is extraordinary—fish eagles calling overhead, kingfishers flashing bright colour along the reeds, and countless water birds moving gracefully between the shoreline and river.

And then there are the elephants.

Some of the most unforgettable moments happen when you see elephants wading into the Nile to cool off, and if you are especially lucky, swimming across the river itself. Watching these giants move effortlessly through the water is one of those rare safari moments that feels almost surreal.

As the boat continues, the river begins to narrow and twist, and the anticipation builds. Soon you arrive at our private jetty just below camp, tucked to the left of the falls before the gorge begins. From there, the journey continues by Jeep for a short 800-metre drive through the forest.

This final stretch is quiet and atmospheric, winding through untouched woodland where the air feels cooler and the sounds of the river echo below. And then, as you emerge onto the escarpment, Hemingways Tented Camp reveals itself.

Perched high on the cliff, the camp overlooks the twisting Nile far below, with panoramic views that are nothing short of breathtaking.

You are welcomed with a freshly squeezed juice and a cold towel to brush away the dust from the drive, a small gesture that instantly shifts you into the calm comfort of camp life. From that first moment, there is a feeling of having arrived somewhere truly special.

And then you take in the view.

The river curves endlessly through the landscape, framed by dramatic cliffs and the untouched beauty of the park. It is beyond beautiful—one of those scenes that makes you stop, breathe, and simply take it all in.

At Hemingways, arrival is not just check-in. It is the beginning of the story.

Written by: Robin Sparks, Director Murchison River Camps