Adventures Within Reach Travel Blog

Here are some of our top picks for accommodations in Uganda.

Phenicia Hotel (Entebbe)

The staff is eager to please, which was a nice introduction to Ugandan hospitality, however the standard room came with many little problems. The plus side is the room was affordable (very budget), the property was quiet, and the airport transfer was handled without a hitch. If you are going to stay here, be sure to inquire about the executive rooms, which look newer, cost only about $15 more per night, and will probably have more reliable fixtures, etc. Most travelers will be much better served staying at The Boma, which like Phenicia, is only about 10 minutes away from the airport, a huge relief after hours and hours of airports and flying.

Kampala Serena Hotel (Kampala)

This is the nicest hotel in the Kampala/Entebbe downtown area. The Kampala Serena Hotel is urban, central, and 5-star, with a range of rooms from standard to presidential suites. The deluxe room are excellent. While the comparable priced executive rooms are newer, the deluxe rooms had a better vibe and atmosphere. Overall the hotel presents a luxury oasis in the middle of the city. Plan about a 1.5 hour transfer however from the airport. Demanding travelers will probably want to consider a stay at one or the other Serena properties.

Lake Victoria Serena Hotel (Kampala)

This sister hotel, meanwhile, is about 1 hour away from the airport and is situated on the shores of Lake Victoria. There are no elevators, and the property is home to a significant golf course and private real estate development. Depending on your tastes, that could dampen the overall experience. It is certainly not a quaint boutique hotel. But it has all the amenities, offers views of the lake (including optional boat excursions for fishing, etc. if time were to allow), is in the countryside versus the city, and provides usual high Serena standards of service.

Budongo Eco Lodge (Murchison National Park)

While it was an attractive location surrounded by jungle,  and the staff tries hard to please, this budget lodge features rooms that are very basic (poor lighting, etc.) and more open to uninvited insects than most discerning travelers would prefer.

Paraa Safari Lodge (Murchison National Park)

Enjoying an outstanding location on the north bank, the lodge affords sweeping views over the park. The lodge is your classic 3+/4-star African lodge with average rooms however the staff was very pleasant, with the public facilities quite nice and well-maintained.  It’s also very close to the ferry landing, about5-10 minutes away.

Baker’s Lodge (Murchison National Park)

This is a luxury permanent tented camp, arriving in time for lunch. Bakers tented units are exquisite and the lodge enjoys a privileged location right on the Nile’s banks. The lodge provides fantastic food and the swimming pool provides a welcome retreat from the heat.

Kyaninga Lodge (Fort Portal)

This is an intriguing high-end choice for active adventure travelers. The lodge overlooks a beautiful crater lake, in which you can swim, kayak, or hike around. We ate lunch here, enjoying more of the expansive views of nearby mountains and pretty, rural countryside. All these views can be enjoyed in the roomy private chalets of the lodge.

Primate Lodge (Kibale Forest National Park)

Kibale’s principal edge is the location, just 3-minute walk to the starting point for Chimpanzee tracking excursion as well as the incredible Chimpanzee Habituation. Accommodation options include luxury forest cottages, the mid-level Forest Cottages or for the more adventurous guest the Sky Tree house.

Ndali Lodge (Fort Portal)

This is probably the premier property to enjoy in the general Fort Portal zone. Gorgeous views, fantastic coffee and grounds, and much more.

Simba Safari Lodge

I would not recommend the extremely budget Simba Lodge except for travelers looking for the cheapest of lodging in the area or a campsite (camping is permitted).

Mweya Safari lodge

This is a huge 4-star African lodge with commanding views of the channel, including distant wildlife views right from the room.

Ishasha Wilderness Camp (Ishasha)

This is a lovely and tranquil high-end property.

Sanctuary Lodge and Bwindi Lodge (Bwindi)

The more expensive Sanctuary offers unique permanent tented chalets while the slightly less expensive Bwindi is closer to the river and offers lodge chalets. Uniquely, Bwindi Lodge includes a nice variety of bonus inclusions during your stay, including drinks, laundry, and massage.

Mahogany Springs Lodge (Bwindi)

This is lodge in the Buhoma, Northern side of Bwindi, located on its own private section of the Munyanga River, and very close to the ranger station where travelers start their trek. Mahogany Springs offers high standards of service, privacy and serenity blended with optimal comfort in a spectacular setting.

Mihingo Lodge (Lake Mburo National Park)

This is a peaceful and exclusive retreat, situated in Lake Mburo National Park. It features twelve luxury tented chalets which are built on wooden platforms. Suspended under the thatched roof is a spacious and comfortable tent equipped with en-suite bathrooms with stunning views. Each room is nestled on a private piece of the lodge’s property, enabling complete seclusion. The main dining area is a large thatched structure built of rocks. Below the dining area, an infinity swimming pool stretches out from the rocks. From the dining and pool area, guests can enjoy the view of a westward oriented valley and its stunning evening sunsets over Lake Mburo National Park. Being perched higher up, on an expansive rocky outcrop, the units catch a very pleasant cool breeze despite the heat.

 OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES IN LAKE MBURO NATIONAL PARK – at extra charge:

• Mountain bike safari; great rides (with or without guide) are available in the valley or in the swamp areas with lots of zebras, topis and waterbucks. Price from US $40 per person.
• Horseback safari; explore the surroundings on the back of a horse, a peaceful and relaxing way to get close to the wildlife. Price from US $50 per person
• Bush breakfast; start the day with a delicious, private breakfast before going on guided bush walk. Price from US $60 per person
• Cultural walk to learn more about the Bahima culture
• Sundowners on the rocks; watching the sun go down and listening to hyenas calling in the valley below is a lovely way to end a day full of excitement
• Night game drive in search of leopards, hyenas and other nocturnal animals. Price from US $25 per person
• Enjoying a relaxing massage; a perfect way to unwind after a busy safari or a long flight! Price from US $20 per person

All of our Uganda and Rwanda safaris are custom and private, you can start them any day, and tailor them to the length of time you have available to travel, from 3-14 days.  We can help travelers with mid-range and luxury lodging or you can mix and match. Contact us >> for more information or for quotes, or visit our Uganda/Rwanda >> page for trip ideas too. The shorter 3-5 day trips are excellent extensions to a Tanzania or Kenya safari, while a longer 8-14 day tour would be an excellent trip all on its own. 

Chimp Treks in Kibale Forest

If there is one single primate experience that can equal a visit to the mountain gorillas, it may very well be a visit to the chimpanzees of Kibale Forest National Park in Uganda. Chimpanzees, along with the bonobos of Congo, are humanity’s closest living relatives in the animal kingdom, sharing an astounding 99% mutual DNA with humans. Just 4 million years ago, chimps, humans and bonobos were indistinguishable, DNA wise.  This molecular bond between us and chimps is laid ever more baldly apparent when we have the exquisite opportunity to visit them. Sitting with chimps, in the wild, hearing their eerie hoots and howls of joy or concern, and seeing them engage with one another in their veritable jungle “living room,” takes us back to a primordial time of our beginning, to the origins of human essence in a way that can be utterly spell-binding.

• Chimpanzee Trekking Options in Kibale Forest
• Chimpanzee Habituation Trek
• Chimpanzee Trek (Standard)
• Chimpanzee Trek Advice
• Where to Stay

Chimpanzee Trekking can be included in our longer Uganda trips >>

Chimpanzee Trekking Options in Kibale Forest

Travelers in Kibale have two primary options for visiting the chimpanzees. One is the full day habituation trek and the other is a shorter trek that is highlighted by one full hour visiting with a completely habituated chimpanzee family. Our trips promote the full day habituation option, but travelers should know that they are welcome to do the shorter standard trek instead.

Chimpanzee Habituation Trek

In our itineraries, we promote the full-day habituation trek. Rather than just 1 hour with a habituated family, travelers spend more quality time in the jungle generally and with chimpanzees specifically. Unlike the standard trek, there are usually significantly fewer people doing the habituation trek – often there’s only 2-3 groups, each with a maximum of 6 travelers.

The habituation trek allows travelers to visit unique families of chimps, further afield, and during the full day, travelers often see a greater variety of behaviors while tracking the families, including, on occasion, exciting hunting behaviors. The typical chimp family will hunt monkeys (usually the more aggressive red colobus) about 2-3 times a week. Your rangers will help interpret the strategies employed in the hunt as those can vary based on the situation. Habituation treks typically end by late afternoon.

NOTES: Travelers bring a boxed lunch with them and water in their daypack. The habituation permits currently cost about US$200/person. Prepare for an early start:  chimp habituation treks usually start around 6:30am.

Chimpanzee Trek (Standard)

These are shorter 3-4 hour treks that start around 8am on a daily basis. During busy periods, there may be noon and afternoon groups too. Like the habituation trek, parties are split up into smaller groups of around 6 travelers, usually, right after a general, brief trek orientation by the lead ranger.  

After the briefing and assigned a group, the groups head out from the visitor center led by 1 ranger, through established trails, punctuated by periods of bush-whacking through the jungle. Once the advance ranger team has located the chimp family – currently at 120 members – the various groups are guided in by their own lead ranger and the groups meld into one “super group” following the chimp family as it moves through the forest floor and canopy.  

Travelers linger with the chimps for one full hour, observing them gathering fruit, relaxing, mingling, etc. both on the forest floor and in the trees. Much of the time while we are watching them, they are watching us!  After the hour is up, we hike back with the ranger in our smaller groups back to the ranger station. The standard trek permits currently cost about US$120/person.

Chimpanzee Trek Advice

Especially while bush-whacking, you will almost certainly encounter stinging nettles. plus prickly trees and vines. Be sure to wear long pants, long sleeves, long socks, a cap, and have some gardening gloves with you. Because we often encounter biting ants somewhere along a chimp trek too, it’s vital to tuck the end of the pant legs into your socks. Be sure to bring binoculars with you (8×42 is good). Travelers should be in good physical condition and comfortable with off-trail hiking. Be prepared for muddy and wet conditions – waterproof mid-weight hiking boots are ideal. Wear a light daypack and bring insect repellent. This same packing list, in general, is good for the gorilla treks too.

Chimpanzee Treks: Where to Stay

For mid-range travelers, Primate Lodge-Forest Cabins are the easy choice. For upmarket travelers, you have several other outstanding options. One luxury option is within easy walking distance to the start of the treks; the other 2 are situated about 1-hour drive from the start.

1. Primate Lodge
2. Kyaninga Lodge
3. Ndali Lodge

1) Primate Lodge – Luxury Cottages – outstanding location for treks

Primate Lodge Kibale’s principal edge is the location, tucked in the Kibate Forest and within about a 5-minute walk to the starting point for Chimpanzee tracking excursion as well as the incredible Chimpanzee Habituation.  Besides the mid-range Forest Cottages, there are spacious and en-suite Luxury Cottages, each secluded deep in the forest for maximum privacy and a natural ‘living in nature’ feel, come complete with 2x Double size Bed or 1x King Size Bed, a sitting area with two comfortable arm chairs, a reading table and an adjoining large veranda with excellent views to the forest. Other lodge amenities include a spacious dining terrace, a well-stocked bar, complimentary room service, a secluded lounge area with a small library, an evening camp fire, laundry service as well as free WiFi in the public areas.

2) Kyaninga Lodge – Modern Euro-chic lodge, great for active, fit travelers

Set apart and raised on platforms, each of the lodge’s nine spacious cottages come an indoor seating area that leads out to a private deck where you can enjoy morning tea or coffee with views over the lake and the Rwenzori Mountains. The en-suite bathrooms boast marble countertop basins set atop crafted Elgon olive pedestals, claw footed freestanding baths, and glass-walled showers. With modern solar power, you will always have hot water and electrical charging points. The terrace leads down to the swimming pool looking over the lake. Lined with pavers cut from the local volcanic rock and featuring two wooden decks, the swimming pool provides the perfect space for you to relax and unwind. Here you can soak up the peace and tranquility of Lake Kyaninga and the mountains beyond. The more adventurous can walk down to Lake Kyaninga itself. With its blue water and ‘land that time forgot’ rainforest, it offers a unique opportunity to experience a wilderness rarely encountered in real life. The lake is one of the few in Uganda that are safe to swim in. With amazing wildlife on your doorstep, take a guided walk around the beautiful Kyaninga Crater Lake and Forest. See how many species of primate you can spot. The finest 3-course cuisine awaits you here. The menu is based on classical European cuisine and tweaked to make use of local ingredients, many of which are hand-picked from Kyaninga Lodge’s own kitchen garden or the neighboring markets. After dinner, head through to the Lounge where you can relax by the fire with a drink from the fully stocked bar. During the day, head out to the terrace and relax on loungers while enjoying the view of Lake Kyaninga. In this equatorial paradise, you will feel a thousand miles away from the bustle of daily life.

3) Ndali Lodge – A serene luxury colonial oasis with exquisite surroundings

Ndali Lodge is an ideal choice for luxury travelers seeking a tranquil natural setting and a spacious, historical, and highly atmospheric colonial style property.  The lodge is a perfect place for a 2-3 night retreat, to relax by the vista-rich pool, enjoy their sauna and massages, do yoga on our yoga pagoda, or simply recharge and watch the animated flora and fauna, a good selection of which can be seen from the verandas of both the lodge and the cottages. Besides chimp treks, Ndali provides local guides for walks around the 1000-acre farm and the Ndali Vanilla processing plant. or to the nearby Muhoma Falls. Walks will take you around crater lake rims, past alcohol brewing in oil drums, through banana plantations, vanilla plantations, coffee terraces, plots of cassava, groundnuts, sorghum and millet. Below the lodge, on the lake below, is a sturdy jetty, set in the most tranquil and secluded spot and frequented by 5 different species of Kingfisher. From here guests can swim in the lake, soak up the sun or simply get away from it all. The lodge has an inflatable two-man kayak that can be used for spotting birds and other wildlife while out for an easy paddle.

At a Glance:

Where: Kibale Forest National Park, about 370 km from Entebbe and about 385 km from Bwindi National Park

Driving Distance: About 5-6 hours from Entebbe, and about 5-6 hours from Bwindi National Park

Time Needed: About 2 nights (1 full day)

2 Options:

1. 1-hour visit with a chimp family that is habituated to humans
2. Full day with a non-habituated family

Accommodation Choices: Mid-range or luxury

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