Uganda (the pearl of Africa) is one of Africa’s most underrated safari destinations. It is best known for its mountain gorillas which can be trekked in Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks. There are also other reserves which offer chimpanzee trekking like Kalinzu, Budongo, Kibale national park, Kyambura gorge among others at an affordable fee. Bird watching is also carried out in most the Uganda national parks, Mabamba swamp and lake Bunyonyi.
As for where to stay in Uganda, the country is rich with a diverse network of accommodation ranging from campsites and backpacker lodges to five-star hotels and world-class safari lodges. Below are some of the best 10 safari lodges and camps to enjoy on a Uganda tour.
Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge. It can be used by visitors who are on Bwindi safari tour. Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge is the highest lodge in Uganda perched at an altitude of around 2,100m/6,889ft on a forested ridge close to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park’s Nkuringo Gate.
It offers breathtaking views, luxurious accommodations and personalized gorilla trekking adventures. Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge is owned and operated by Wild Places, having been built in partnership with the Uganda Wildlife Authority and among others. Gorilla treks based from Clouds are some of the most physically demanding in the whole of Bwindi.
Clouds’ guest accommodation consists of ten cottages including two for families. Constructed from local volcanic stone, all boast views of the volcanoes themselves, as well as the gorgeous forest of Bwindi. The family option is effectively a double cottage, containing two bedrooms and two en-suite bathrooms. Both options have comfy beds and bedding and a large lounge area featuring overstuffed armchairs and a handwoven carpet, a cozy fireplace and very well appointed en-suite facilities including flush toilet, twin washbasins, and walk-in shower and each cottage has a lovely private veranda where you can relax.
Clouds lodge offers an exhilarating range of activities not only the gorilla treks for which Bwindi is famous, but other wildlife and cultural experiences too.
Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp. It is also situated in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp is one of the best places to stay in on your trip in Uganda. Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp’s accommodation is in eight large and stylish standing tents, each fitted with two queen-size beds and a private balcony set deep in the forest.
It is one of the more luxurious bases from which you can visit Uganda’s mountain gorillas since it lies practically opposite the main trekking assembly point at Buhoma, Bwindi’s Park headquarters. The camp has a nice view that can enable you to see wildlife even when you have not moved from the accommodation facility.
Gorilla Forest Camp consists of tents spaced around the grounds connected to the communal buildings along neat stone paths. The rooms are made out of timber, stone, and thatch with a veranda at the front boasting forest views.
Kyaninga Lodge. This luxury owner-managed property on the outskirts of Fort Portal boasts the most impressive architecture of any Uganda safari lodge.
It is built almost entirely from wood and thatch. It consists of eight spacious cottages spaced widely along a stilted wooden walkway on the forested rim of Kyaninga Crater Lake.
The view across the lake toward the Rwenzori Mountains is sensational, there’s some great walking and canoeing on the property, and it’s one of the best places to stay in Uganda prior to chimpanzee trekking in nearby Kibale National Park.
Primate Lodge Kibale. Primate Lodge in Kibale is a fashionable Eco-lodge located within Kibale National Park. It’s enclosed by a flourishing tropical forest that is a habitat to many different species of primates such the chimpanzees.
It’s secretly sheltered in the rainforest, it’s one of the lodges that gives a really dependable jungle familiarity and it’s the most favorable place for tracking the primates in Uganda.
Primate lodge Kibale has accommodation for all visitors ranging from luxury, cottages as well as tents.
The lodge has about 8 lavish safari tents, wooden platform with a thatched roof that tends to match well with the environment. The verandahs on each tent offers a beautiful view of the enclosed forest. The inside of the lodge is designed with an African style with beautiful beds. The bathrooms and toilets have xa natural touch of the environment made out of local stones, wall paintings as well as bamboo.
The lodge has about 7 friendly cottages are secretly located in the forest. The rooms are big with double beds, a sitting room with an African design and standard en suite bathrooms and toilets.
Another exciting adventure is the sky tree house, it has a bedroom with other facilities that can enable you enjoy a nigh there. It’s suited at a 10 minutes’ walk from the major lodge. Giving you a perfect view of the Elephant lurch. At night, all elephants gather at this point.
The restaurant serves both international and local foods with hospital waitresses. Next to the restaurant is a fully stocked bar with a beautiful scenic view of the forest.
The Lodge has a lounge area with well-designed chairs; soft cushions along with sofas that will make you enjoy the red-tailed monkeys in the forest.
The evenings are usually enjoyed around the camp fire to give you all the warmth you need. Late in the night, you will experience the great sounds of the forest as well as the winding forest elephants.
Activities that can be done while at the lodge include; chimpanzee tracking, Forest Walk, bird watching, Bigodi village walk discovery of the crater Lakes, Cultural heritage, Hike at the slopes of Rwenzori along with the Nature trail.
Mweya Safari Lodge. Mweya Safari Lodge boasts a commanding cliff-top position on the Mweya Peninsula in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Since it overlooks the Kazinga Channel that’s favored by thirsty buffalo and elephant herds, it offers the most reliable in-house wildlife viewing of any Uganda safari lodge. The lodge has about 54 rooms each with a beautiful view of spotting wildlife.
The lodge offers a collection of rooms to suit the preferences and budget of every guest. Guests can choose from Standard Rooms, air-conditioned Deluxe Rooms, Lodge Suites, Queens Cottage, and Presidential Cottage, Family Cottages, Luxury Tents and Standard Tents. Larger groups of travelers or families with kids can book the Cottages while guests looking for a canvas safari camping experience can opt for the Standard or Deluxe Safari Tents.
There’s also plentiful birdlife in the gardens and on a clear day you can see the snow capped peaks of the Rwenzori.
Mihingo Lodge. The lodge is situated in a private wilderness area bordering Lake Mburo National Park. Mihingo Lodge is an exclusive family-owned lodge that stands out for possessing that elusive ‘wow’ factor. A dozen luxury tented chalets are scattered across a forested hill whose rocky summit offers wonderful views in all directions.
There is also a beautifully appointed open-sided dining area and a swimming pool set between the boulders. This is unquestionably the most luxurious Uganda safari lodge servicing Lake Mburo National Park. Visitors while at this lodge, they can also opt to horseback and walking safaris as well as night drives that come with a decent chance of spotting leopards.
Mount Gahinga Lodge. Mount Gahinga Lodge is a perfect luxurious lodge in Mgahinga National Park. The lodge is an excellent base to go for gorilla trekking on the Ugandan side of Virungas, track the rare golden monkey, climb a volcano, walk through local villages and most of all to share the culture of the Batwa, the oldest inhabitants of the Central African rain forest.
The charming property, inspired by traditional design and building techniques, has been recently re-imagined: the lounge, dining room, and gardens have been remodeled, and two new deluxe bandas have been launched.
The lodge has 8 traditional hand-built guest bandas facing the magical Virunga Volcanoes, two are deluxe and six standard rooms.
The beautiful hand-built bandas reflect the magic of the aesthetic traditions of the Bufumbira people. Each Banda has an ensuite luxury shower room, fireplace and private porch.
The well-appointed en-suite facilities comprise flush toilet, twin washbasins, and shower with hot and cold running water. Every Banda also benefits from a lovely private veranda and all guests have use of a personal butler service.
The bandas are connected to the property’s main lodge along neat pathways. This building is made out of stone and thatch too. Inside, there’s an open-plan lounge and dining area with well-cushioned wicker sofas and armchairs, a long table flanked by upright chairs for communal meals and a large central fireplace. This space extends into a comfy sun room which boasts amazing views of the volcanoes and surrounding landscape. Guests can also marvel at the scenery from Mount Gahinga’s terrace. Wi-Fi is available throughout the lodge but it can be unreliable. In a separate building, there’s a great little gift shop perfect for purchasing souvenirs. And there’s a massage room too, for a spot of pampering in between trips into the national park. Every guest receives a free massage.
Paraa Safari Lodge. Paraa Safari lodge is one of the oldest and most established lodges in the Murchison Falls area. It has more than 53 luxury self-contained rooms that are decorated with local African art. The rooms have a balcony that overlooks the Nile on its northern bank. Other facilities include a swimming pool, a bar, restaurant and well-manicured gardens. Clients are served three meals each day consisting of both international cuisines and local dishes. The lodge is located in a convenient place to do game drives, sport fishing and boat cruises along the Nile River. Because of its closeness to the Nile, it is possible to spot animals like buffaloes and elephants taking a bath by the riverside.
Apoka Safari Lodge. Apoka Safari Lodge is found on a charming kopje hill overlooking the Narus Valley within Kidepo National Park. If you are a nature lover, you will be in heaven. Neighbors of the four-legged variety are lions, leopards, elephants and zebra. The lodge itself has 10 large rooms with canvas walls on a rocky hill, each with stretching savannah views. There is also a shared sitting room plus a private veranda offering lots of places to unwind and read.
Sipi River Lodge. This lodge is built near the beautiful Sipi Falls and along the Kapchorwa to Mbale road. The lodge is located a few walks from one of the park gates and Forest Exploration Centre.
The lodge sitting in the foothills of Mount Elgon consists of a main house and five detached accommodations for our guests, which are all individually designed with a thoughtful perspective on the backdrop of the Falls of Kapsurur. One of the three Sipi falls is found near the lodge. Sipi River Lodge is beautiful designed with large rooms. There are has beautiful gardens and caves near the falls that can be explored by visitors when free. The hotel also organizes hiking to the top of the mountain summit.
