Kibale National Park – the setting for the ‘Chimp Empire’, a thrilling Netflix documentary is the best place in the world to see chimpanzees in their natural habitat. Besides over wild 1500 chimps, this 776 km2 forest jungle is inhabited by a variety of monkeys. It is also a stellar bird watching destination, hosting over 370 species. The park is situated in the Toro Region, an area of mesmerizing landscape: rolling green hills, crater lakes and Ugandan rural life. Thinking of going there? Here are the top 9 best Kibale National Park lodges and camps:
A List of Kibale National Park Lodges
- Crater Safari Lodge
- Kyaninga Lodge
- Primate Lodge
- Ndali Lodge
- Kibale Forest Lodge
- Kibale Forest Camp
- Kibale Lodge
- Chimpanzee Forest Lodge
- Turaco Treetops Lodge
- Mountains of the Moon Hotel
- Isunga Lodge
- Papaya Lodge
- Chimpundu Lodge
- Kruges Guest Farm
- Tinka’s Homestead
Our Top 9 Choices for the Best Kibale National Park Lodges
1. Crater Safari Lodge - Luxury
Crater Safari Lodge is located near Kibale Forest National Park on the banks of the Nyinabulitwa Crater Lake. The lodge blends perfectly with its surrounding landscape and places safari-goers in prime position to track wild chimpanzees on foot in Kibale Forest.
Crater Safari Lodge has thatched chalets with expansive wooden balconies that provide the perfect luxurious jungle escape. Guests can stay in deluxe thatched chalets with expansive wooden balconies or choose to sleep in pool facing standard cabana rooms. Rooms, whether standard or deluxe, offer the perfect luxurious escape.
All accommodation has full or partial views of the tranquil Crater Lake and its pristine surrounds. Garden swings and hammocks on the grounds of the lodge add an extra element of tranquility to your remote safari experience.
2. Kyaninga Lodge - Luxury
Kyaninga Lodge is among most luxurious safari accommodation near Kibale. The lodge was built under the management of Steve Williams, an Englishman who first laid eyes on Lake Kyaninga while walking through the region on his way to trekking chimps in Kibale. Immediately Steve saw the potential for a luxury lodge along the crest of a hill overlooking the lake.
Kyaninga Lodge has 9 impressive cottages that are linked to the lodge along a high wooden walkway, four on either side of the two-storey structure. 7 cottages sleep a maximum of two guests, and two are designed for those on a Uganda family holiday. Within each category, there is a bedroom with twin beds or a double bed, bedside tables adorned with flowers, a storage trunk, and a seating area with comfy chairs and a table.
Kyaninga Lodge’s common areas are equally comfortable, with a design clearly influenced by traditional Alpine-meets-African interiors using glossy local woods. Steps hewn from ancient volcanic rock lead down to the azure swimming pool and to an emerald lawn for croquet, badminton and boules. The lodge also has a grass tennis courts and a wellness center where you can relax in the sauna or be soothed with a professional massage or reflexology treatment.
3. Primate Lodge – Luxury
Primate Lodge is one of the only two lodges located inside Kibale Forest National Park. Staying here means that you are only a stone’s throw from the start point of the chimpanzee treks. This lodge has 10 luxury cottages that are made out of glass, timber, stone, and thatch. The cottages blend beautifully with the natural setting. A ramp leads to the glass-panelled door, which opens to reveal a very spacious sleeping and living area.
There is either 2 double beds or a king-size bed, with mosquito netting, bedside tables and lighting, snug rugs, a separate seating area, and ample storage space. An extra bed may be added to accommodate a child aged 3 to 12 years.
En-suite facilities include a flush toilet, a large vanity unit with washbasin and mirror over, and a walk-in shower. The main room has sliding double doors out onto a veranda set with a couple of campaign chairs and a small table -this is ideal for enjoying a drink while marvelling at the forest surrounds.
4. Ndali Lodge - Luxury
Ndali Lodge is on the rim of a non-active volcanic crater in the Ndali Kasenda crater field. The lodge is located near Fort Portal town and about a 40-minute drive from Kibale. Ndali Lodge is built on a site that once formed part of a tea estate belonging to Major Trevor Price and his friend Hugh Naylor (1920’s adventurers who voyaged south from Egypt after WW1 in a model T Ford!).
The lodge itself opened in 1996, and is still run by Trevor’s grandchildren, Aubrey and Lulu, to this day. Guest accommodation consists of 8 cottages and a larger honeymoon suite. All rooms are spacious enough to sleep a family of 4 and each has comfy furnishings. Windows to the west offer views of the snow-capped Rwenzori Mountains or the Mountains of the Moon.
En-suite facilities include flush toilet, washbasin with mirror, and bathtub with shower attachment. Each room has a private veranda; a perfect place to relax between activities and gaze out across the mountains! There is also the world’s most beautiful gym – it’s a gazebo on the edge of the crater. There is a big trampoline for kids and a lovely path around the crater where guests can take unguided nature walks.
5. Kibale Forest Lodge - Midrange
Kibale Forest Lodge is situated at the edge of Kibale Forest in the village of Bigodi. The lodge offers ideal and affordable accommodation to guests who visit the Kibale for chimpanzee trekking, monkey viewing, nature walks, chimpanzee habituation experiences, and bird-watching tours.
Guest accommodation consists of 12 spacious self-contained rooms with African decor all sourced from the local community. All rooms are surrounded by beautiful tropical plants for a quiet, relaxed and fresh natural stay and a wonderful morning to sounds of some bird species around the park.
Kibale Forest Lodge is located a 10-minute drive to the starting point of chimpanzee trekking. Visitors can also do a day tour to Queen Elizabeth National Park to add to their wildlife safari.
6. Kibale Forest Camp -Midrange/Budget
Located just outside the southern border of beautiful Kibale Forest National Park, Kibale Forest Camp also neighbours the fascinating Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary.
The area attracts a host of birds, butterflies, and a variety of monkeys and offers an unforgettable nature experience. When you are not relaxing at the camp spotting the black-and-white colobus monkeys that often wander through the grounds, you can enjoy several treks in Bigodi where you can search for a wide range of birds and monkeys. Visits to the nearby crater lakes or a night walk in Kibale Forest also come highly recommended.
Kibale Forest Camp consists of 12 African safari self-contained style tents, comfortably furnished with twin or double beds for midrange accommodation option. The forest camp also offers an alternative budget accommodation in the form of 9 non-self-contained tents.
7. Chimpanzee Forest Lodge – Midrange/Budget
Chimpanzee Forest Lodge is located at the edge of Kibale Forest National Park only 22 Km from Fort Portal on the Kamwenge Road. The lodge is located on well-manicured lawns, beautiful gardens, tea plantations, pasture, and indigenous forest. Here, you can enjoy beautiful panoramic vistas of Kibale Forest, ancient crater lakes, and the Rwenzori Mountains.
Chimpanzee Forest Lodge offers midrange accommodation in beautifully furnished self-contained cottages (Bandas). The lodge also offers budget friendly accommodation in a large ancient colonial guest house, which was formerly home to the British commissioner in the 1950s. It is well furnished with two self-contained rooms in a colonial setting.
8. Turaco Treetops Lodge - Luxury
Turaco Treetops Lodge was built with the adventurer in mind. From its Treehouse-like structure that towers above the canopy of Kibale Forest to the assortment of activities on offer, your stay will be a packed adventure from start to finish. When not exploring Kibale Forest, enjoy the comforts of your luxury room while taking in incredible forest and mountain views.
If you are travelling with kids, there is plenty to keep them preoccupied at the lodge – including spotting Colobus Monkeys playing in the trees outside your room.
Built on stilts and stone columns, the 8 luxury forest cottages of Turaco are constructed in secluded places within the forestland, hidden between the Kibale Forest’s treetops. Simple in structure and rustic in design, the upscale cottages resemble that of a children’s treehouse – a treehouse adorned with stylish, comfortable furnishings and contemporary décor.
9. Kibale Lodge - Luxury
Situated about a 30-minute drive to the starting point for chimp tracking at Kanyanchu in Kibale Forest Kibale Lodge is a new luxurious lodge that will be opening in May 2024.
Built by hand, the lodge is thoughtfully designed to harmonize with the rocky outcrop that dominates the 150-acre site. The new luxury lodge will feature 8 deluxe rooms, a villa, swimming pool, sauna and spa. I can’t wait to see the final result!
The main lodge building will overlook Lake Lugembe in the lodge grounds, with sweeping views of the Rwenzori Mountains, famously known as the “Mountains of the Moon,” and a glimpse of Queen Elizabeth National Park and the Kazinga Channel to the south.
Ready To Start Planning Your Safari To Kibale National Park?
Chat with someone who’s been there. Get in touch with one of our Uganda Safari Experts to help choose a lodge in Kibale Forest National Park that’s right for you:
