Where to Stay in Uganda
1. Bwindi Lodge
Overlooking the primeval Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, with stunning views of the forest canopy across a serene stream, Bwindi Lodge is certainly one of Africa’s most unique lodges. Providing dramatic views of the incredible impenetrable forest, the lodge is a great place to spot monkeys and birds hidden within dense foliage and is only 500 metres from the start of the gorilla trail. With recent renovations, Bwindi Lodge features new deluxe bandas and standard upgraded bandas for guests to choose from during their stay. The décor within Bwindi lodge is contemporary and designed to meld with the pristine natural surroundings. Eight unique cottages, each with en-suite bathroom, are named after Bwindi’s famous gorillas and furnished with four-poster beds, hand-carved furniture and terraces affording stunning views of the surrounding forest. The expansive main terrace is ideal for enjoying sundowners and the view is so enchanting that even the mountain gorillas occasionally amble in to relax in the gardens surrounding the lodge. Guests can follow the River Trail below the lodge and take a dip, perhaps watched by inquisitive monkeys. Not much will make you want to leave the comfort of the lodge and the personal butler service, but a short walk to the local village for a tapas style meal at the popular Bwindi Bar is a must.
2. Clouds Lodge
Set on a forested ridge near the entrance to the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge boasts eight spacious cottages built from volcanic stone. Perfectly located in the Rwandan countryside, guests will be delighted by spectacular views, stretching all the way to the Virunga Volcanoes of Rwanda, as well as across the border into the Congo, where the glow of Nyiragongo Volcano can be seen on a clear night. Providing a warm and welcoming atmosphere, each cottage features a bedroom, an ensuite bathroom with walk-in shower and a separate lounge. Each room’s private outdoor veranda provides the perfect vantage point to admire the unforgettable vistas of the forest below. Sit back in the evening and enjoy blazing fireplaces, creating a cosy glow as warm African evenings roll in. Meals at Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge are prepared using fresh local ingredients, served in front of a roaring fire or in the privacy of your stone cottage.
3. Ishasha Wilderness Camp
Ishasha Wilderness Camp is an idyllic retreat, set in the spectacular wilderness of Queen Elizabeth National Park. This intimate camp has been commended for its incredible quality and exceptional service. Set beside the Ntungwe River, each of the camp’s ten spacious canvas tented rooms have a private veranda overlooking the river. Comfortably furnished with large mosquito-netted beds, all rooms are en suite with hot ‘bush’ showers, running water and a flushing ‘eco-friendly’ toilet. The thatched central lounge and dining area providea a comfortable setting for meals and relaxation, although meals are often served ‘al fresco’ next to the river. In the evening, the outdoor fireplace is the perfect place for guests to relax with sundowners and share stories from a day of safari experiences. Being within the park, the local wildlife is free to pass through the camp and elephants can be seen bathing in the river, buffalo grazing and resident troops of Black-and-White Colobus and vervet monkeys can be frequently viewed.
4. Kyambura Gorge Lodge
Your main reason for staying at the lovely Kyambura Gorge Lodge is the chimp tracking in the gorge itself. It is here where the chimps have become isolated due to deforestation and human encroachment. However, with incredible views and sublimely unique and intimate accommodation, it’s not the only reason… Working closely with a number of community and wildlife projects, connecting tourism, community and conservation, it helps reduce human conflict, preserving the wetlands and the income for the local community.
5. Kyaninga Lodge
Kyaninga Lodge is fantastically located just north of Fort Portal, making it a great base for chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest, exploring the snow-capped peaks of the Rwenzori Mountains, or heading into the lowland tropical forests of Semliki Valley. On arrival, you're immediately struck by the design, huge cottages cascading across the crater rim of Lake Kyaninga, connected by a central walkway that itself sits on raised wooden beams. Dig deeper, and you soon realise why Kyaninga has become a go-to option for mid-range accommodation. The cottages are extremely spacious, with wooden floors and eucalyptus beams forming their frame, extremely large twin or queen size beds, private en-suite bathrooms and a private veranda that overlooks the crater lake and countryside beyond.
6. Ndali Lodge
The family-run Ndali Lodge is one of Uganda’s most exclusive retreats. It has a stunning location high on the rim of Lake Nyinambuga, offering panoramic views across Lake Rukwanzi and steep slopes lined in banana and tea plantations of the Rwenzori peaks. The airy and tastefully decorated lounge and dining area, set in colorful flowering gardens, have something of an English country-house ambiance, an old library, and superb candlelit, home-cooked four-course dinners. The Lodge is about 45 minutes from the chimpanzee tracking trailhead at Kanyanchu. The world’s densest concentration of volcanic lakes embraces the hilly landscape area around, giving the lodge an enchanting distant palace feel. It’s a perfect base to hike around the region and go primate tracking in the nearby Kibale Forest.
7. Nile Safari Lodge
Elevated on the Victoria Nile southern riverbank between the Albert delta and Paraa jetty, Nile Safari Lodge offers a magical family escape in the most luxurious, tranquil and eco-friendly setting in the heart of the beautiful Murchison Falls National Park. Located just 20km downstream from the thunderous falls, the lodge provides access to the prime game activities in the park. Its ingenious, environmentally conscious design that blends seamlessly with its surroundings makes it one of Uganda’s most luxurious wilderness escapes. The lodge’s minimally intrusive design is marvellously crafted from wood and other locally sourced material, seamlessly blending in with the scenery, without compromising comfort or aesthetics. Nile Safari Lodge is a perfect choice for family travel or luxury Uganda safari holidays in Murchison Falls National Park.
8. Wild Waters Lodge
Set on its own island and only accessible by canoe, Wild Waters Lodge is perfect for those seeking adventure or just some relaxation before or after your wildlife safari. The lodge has breath-taking views over the River Nile and the forests beyond and each of the rooms have large private balconies with double baths! From the lodge, numerous activities can be arranged but there is a natural form swimming pool, massage services and a library for those just wanting to kick back and relax.
9. Mount Gahinga Lodge
Mount Gahinga Lodge is an ideal base to go gorilla tracking on the Ugandan side of the Virunga Mountains. Here, guests can track the rare golden monkey, climb volcanoes, walk through local villages an share the culture of the Batwa, the oldest inhabitants of the Central African rainforest. This charming safari property, inspired by traditional design and building techniques, features a welcoming lounge area, dining rooms, and gardens. Beautiful, hand-built bandas reflect the magic of the aesthetic traditions of the Bufimbira people. Each Banda has an ensuite luxury shower room, fireplace and private porch.
10. Apoka Safari Lodge
Apoka Safari Lodge is located on a picturesque kopje overlooking the Narus valley in the south-western sector of Kidepo Valley National Park – Uganda’s most remote park. Relaxed and quietly located in the park, Apoka Safari Lodge provides a peaceful and private experience. Wildlife is viewed from the privacy of your veranda or your private outdoor stone bathtub, but the best way to see the wildlife is up close: on foot, or in one of our open-top Landcruisers. The rooms at Apoka Safari Lodge have been built with comfort in mind. Everything is handmade by local craftsmen, everything is large. 10 expansive rooms with natural canvas walls surround a rocky kopje with endless views across the savannah. With inside sitting rooms and private verandas there are plenty of places to relax, read and sprawl. Big hand-hewn beds with soft duvets are draped with mosquito nets, hand-woven woolen carpets, extra large plush towels, oversized dressing gowns - you may be as far away from the city as you’ll ever be, but you won’t miss a thing.