Arra Fishing Lodge: West Nile’s Ideal Corporate Retreat and Getaway Destination

By Michael Kanaabi Dollar

Hospitality is second nature in most Ugandan cultures and the beauty of Uganda’s diverse landscape is something even foreign visitors to this nation crossed by the Equator attest to.

While most tourists both domestic and international have visited the major National Parks to check out the big 5, there is still a lot more unexplored and untapped beauty in different parts of the country especially the Northern and West Nile (Northwest) which for a long time were considered a no go zone due to instability. Luckily this challenge has long been fixed and now you can hit the road and go indulge in an untampered beautiful site seeing that will blow your mind away starting at Arra Fishing Lodge in the heart of Madi Land.

Where is Arra Fishing Lodge located?

Located in West Nile geographically, Arra Fishing Lodge which lies in the heart of Adjumani district not so far from the town is best accessed by road through Northern Uganda.

The road trip to this beautiful quietly tucked away destination can even be made more adventurous with various stopovers in Bombo, the military headquarters of the country’s land forces, Ziwa Rhino ranch, and Migyera where travellers can have a beautiful snack break.

As you officially step out of the country’s central region in the heart of Nakasongola a stopover to enjoy some roasted and sometimes game meat at Rivet Kafu is also something to look out for before you reach the famous Karuma Falls Bridge where you could interact with a few happy monkeys on a good day.

Off to Kamdini and Gulu city where you can still take a drink and maybe a little walk around to stretch Abit before you do that final 130 kilometres from Gulu to Adjumani where Arra Fishing Lodge majestically awaits your arrival.

It can also be accessed by Air if you choose to fly from Kajjansi or Entebbe airport to Adjumani airstrip from where a 15-minute drive will take you straight to Arra Fishing Lodge.

Alternatively, a flight from Entebbe to Kajjansi can land you in Pakuba on the Northern side of Murchison Falls National Park from where you can navigate the Albert Nile via Pakwach and find yourself at Arra Fishing Lodge by boat or hit the road from Pakuba back to Gulu city then Adjumani and finally you will be in Arra.

Ideal for Corporate retreats and Getaways

If you are looking for a new location to hold that corporate retreat with your Board and Executive committee at the company or organisation, Arra Fishing Lodge is the place to re-gig, refine and restart your company or organisation’s future with a new winning strategy.

Whether you want it outdoors on the green of Arra, as you gaze onto the lagoon and beautiful scenery surrounding the White Nile (Albert Nile) or you want it indoors in the Board room or one of the two exquisite conference halls at the venue, you are well covered with a library also going to be stocked with thousands of books soon to ensure if you need to do some cross reference and research as part of your retreat it’s all catered for within the hotel.

Adventure as you strategize

After going through the sometimes laborious and agonizing sessions of coming up with a new and working strategy to push that firm or Organisation forward, you need to unwind and let off some steam and what better way to start than hitting the waters for a boat cruise around the 10 plus Islands on the Albert Nile, the beautiful scenic hills on the other side of the river and some sport fishing and community tourism on the surrounding islands.

Breathtaking indeed and as you do all this, some bird watching on the islands, especially in the early mornings will add a vibe to your experience. Just 10 Kilometres from Arra by Boat is the Otze or Otce Mountains and forests where visitors can go hiking, do some birding and off-road driving too.

The Zoka Forest is famous for its 1000-plus years of untampered natural tropical forest, rare species like the flying squirrel, primates, impalas and the Uganda kob, all these are just 50 Kilometres away from Arra Fishing Lodge and the East Madi Wildlife Reserve is also in proximity.

You can explore the region further by stepping out to the Emin Pasha Dufile Forts set up in the 1870s by Emin Pasha and Sir Gordon as an exploration, military and slave control centre for their operations down South.

This archaeologically rich site isn’t far from the Dufile Animal Sanctuary which too boasts a number of primates, impalas, antelopes and other animals. From here you can check out the strong breathtaking Fulla Falls that are at the border with Sudan and join the expansive Nimule National Park in South Sudan.

The latter can also be accessed via road, a one-hour drive from Arra Fishing Lodge through the Elegu border for those with East African tourist Visas and Passports.

So whether it is a corporate/ business retreat, an unforgettable honeymoon, a destination wedding, a marriage anniversary, a quiet getaway or just an adventurous tour with friends and family, Arra Fishing Lodge in the heart of Madi Land Adjumani district will cut it for you.

You can reach them online at www.penthouseinns.com or on Facebook, Twitter (X) and Instagram @Arra Lodges. They are also available on YouTube @ArraFishingLodge.

The writer can be reached at Email: michaelkanaabi@gmail.com or WhatsApp: +256701133509