Where to Stay in Ssese Islands, Kalangala: 7 Best Hotels

Wondering where to stay in Ssese Islands in Kalangala? Ssese boasts variety good hotels, lodges, and resorts. The hotels offer a chance to explore some of Ssese’s 84 islands in Lake Victoria featuring blue waters, soft white sands, and thick forests – which make for a fantastic off-the-beaten-track tropical island experience.

The main island, Buggala Island is easily accessible by ferry from Entebbe, and is a popular weekend destination for Kampala and Entebbe residents, with a string of beachfront hotels and resorts. Ssese Islands hotels mostly offers budget to mid-range quality service. There are is only one luxury hotel in Ssese islands.

But, most visitors will be satisfied with the services on offer. All the resorts and hotels in Ssese Islands offer beautiful views and access to Lake Victoria regardless of whether they are budget or mid-range.

A list of Places to stay in Ssese Islands

Pineapple Bay Resort
Brovad Sands Lodge
Banda Island Resort
Philo Leisure Gardens
Mirembe Resort Beach Hotel
Ssese Islands Beach Hotel
Victoria Forest Resort
Panorama Cottages
Ssese Habitat Resort
Pearl Gardens Beach Resort Kalangala
Ssese Leisure Beach Hotel

7 Recommended Lodges & Hotels In Ssese

1. Pineapple Bay Resort

Perched on the beautiful Bulago Island, you’ll be forgiven for thinking you have found an island paradise at Pineapple Bay Resort. Amidst a sprawling rain forest, this luxury lodge takes things slow, and offers the ideal spot to relax and take in panoramic views.

It is the only full service lodge on the island and has phenomenal lakefront cottages. Our favourite part of Pineapple Bay Resort is the wonderful accompanying activities on offer —bird-filled nature walks before you unwind at the boat bar to sip cooling cocktails.

Accommodation includes:

Family Suites: Big enough to host a family of 6 with a sitting room, dining area, fireplace, air conditioning, Cable TV, two bedrooms with two double beds, and one single, walk-in closet, two full bathrooms each with a Jacuzzi, a lake view, and balcony.
Executive Suites: Offering undisputed comfort with a sitting room, a kitchen area, fireplace, air conditioning, and cable TV. It has a queen-sized bed, walk-in closet, a Jacuzzi, stand-alone shower and balcony with a lake view.
Studio Set-Up: An Adults Only hotel (strictly over 18s) situated just minutes from the famous Blackpool Pleasure Beach and South Pier.
Rooftop Rooms: Offering the most ideal stay-cation, with a sitting area, a double bed, one single bed, walk-in closet, shower, and bathtub.

2. Brovad Sands Lodge

Brovad Sands Lodge is arguably the most popular place to stay in the Ssese Islands. This scenic resort is located on the charming island of Bugala and features a relaxing atmosphere, clean rooms, and friendly staff.

It is a beautiful property embraced by a private natural white sand beach and shaded by soaring natural vegetation, trees. Brovad Sands Lodge is highly recommended for those who want high quality services in a secure and serene environment.

Accommodation at Brovad Sands Lodge

Guest accommodation at Brovad Sands Lodge comes in four categories, including;

Standard Rooms with King Bed / Twin beds, walk-in shower, 32-inch smart screen Tv, USB Sockets, and a large balcony
Brovad Suites featuring a lounge seating area with a 43-inch Smart Tv, A mini bar at a fee, coffee/ tea maker, modern bathroom with shower and bathtub a spacious balcony overlooking Lake Victoria.
Deluxe Rooms with a King size bed and a private balcony, a walk-in shower, mini bar, coffee/tea maker, 43-inch smart TV, USB Charging outlet
Family Villa that is designed to accommodate up to five people.

Facilities at Brovad Sands Lodge

En Suite family and twin-bedded units offered
Swimming Pool
Free Wi-Fi
Lounge & Bar
Restaurant (fine dining and ideal group venue)
Spa (steam, sauna, Message)

Activities at Brovad Sands Lodge

Quad biking
Hiking
Boat rides
Guided forest walks
Cycling
Kalangala tours
Photography
Beach volleyball
Football
Swimming
Bonfire every evening from 7:00pm
Fishing

3. Banda Island Resort

Banda Island Resort is a relaxing off-the-beaten-track hotel with cozy rooms and charming atmosphere situated on the remote island of Banda.

The facility is managed in a personal way and one needs to call before showing up at the island so that they find everything well prepared. The remote island offers a great feeling of being out there away from the outside word. You can spend the whole day basking in the sun or marveling at the beautiful birds and lake.

Accommodation at Banda Island Resort

Banda Island Resort has six different types of accommodation, of which two (The Cottage and the Herbert Cabin) have en-suite toilet and shower. Except for the camping-pitch-your-own-tent option the resort offers you with mattresses and all the bedding.

Cottage; The cottage offers view on the lake on both sides. It has a bedroom with a double and a single bed, a living room area with sofa and a desk and its own bathroom. Internet reception is good so this is the ideal place to stay for a longer period to unwind.
Beach Cabin; Banda Island Resort has two stone cabins located on the beach at the edge of the forest. Both have a terrace and are fitted with chairs and walk-in mosquito nets. The bigger cabin – Herbert the Hippo – has a small double and a single bed, Odile has a bigger double bed. Both have a view over the lake and the sun rise.
Safari Tent: This is located in its own secluded bay a bit away from the beach and nightly bonfire. So ideal if you want to have some space for yourself. It has a big double bed, a private terrace and a wonderful view on the sunrise.
Lazy Camping: Love camping but not carrying all your camping stuff? The resort offers you with a tent, put nice mattresses inside and all the bedding. There are four covered tents on the edge of the forest and smaller tents which are pitched inside the forest.
Camping: At Banda Island, you can also pitch your tent wherever you want. On the front beach, on the back beach, next to the castle, in the forest – there is no designated camping places.
Dormitory: In the middle of the resort on top of the kitchen block there is a five-bed dormitory. All beds are fitted with mosquito nets.

Activities at Banda Island Resort

Sailing
Kayaking
Swimming
Paddle boats
Boat trips
Visit the Chimp Sanctuary on Ngamba Island
Fishing – shore and trolling
Volleyball
Birding
Nature and village walk
Massage, facial or pedicure/manicure

4. Philo Leisure Gardens

Philo Leisure Gardens is a Natural Garden Resort with secluded atmosphere, full of tranquility and relaxations.

The gardens are in Kalangala about one kilometer from Lutoboka Landing Site (Where boat will dock from Entebbe/Kampala) and 500m from Kalangala Town. The gardens are at the border of Lutoboka Central Forest Reserve, a medium altitude moist evergreen forest, which is globally known for Lutoboka Point, one of the 33 Important Bird Areas (IBAs) of Uganda.

Accommodation at Philo Leisure Gardens include;

Deluxe cottage
Deluxe suite
Executive double
Standard twin rooms
Standard cottage
Conjoined family cottage
Camping tents

Each guestroom is comfortable and unique – with hot water showers, room service, Television, bathroom supplies, relaxing sitting areas, and outside porches or balconies. All rooms and suites are well airated and fitted with mosquito nets. Beds are wrapped in fine linens.

Activities in the area

Forest Walk
Boat Cruise
Island Tour & Views
Party Venue
Biking

5. Mirembe Resort Beach Hotel

Mirembe Resort Beach Hotel was opened in 2004 in a forested area.

The resort is named after the environment which is characterized by peace; ‘Mirembe’ is the Luganda (local language) word for “peace”. The resort is set on Buggala island with 10-acres of beachfront property.

Accommodation at Mirembe Resort Beach Hotel

Mirembe Resort Beach boasts 30 stylish guestrooms and suites with private patios offering unparalleled views of soft sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters of Lake Victoria. These include;

Five Deluxe Rooms that be twin, triple, or double. They have an ideal living space for business or leisure travelers and overlook a great lake view and beach view. Their bathroom comes with a shower with a bathtub.
Three grass thatched cottages which can be single or double. They have patio areas which are amply furnished with tables, chairs and lounges. They are only steps away from Lake Victoria where you can enjoy sunbathing, beach-walking, swimming and spot fishing, and fabulous Lake Victoria sunsets!
Fourteen block houses rooms that can be single, double, triple and with a balcony. They are located a few steps away from the beach. They feature a comfy bathrobe and curl up in the sitting area, where you can watch a movie on DS-TV. Free Wireless high-speed Internet access is available.
Camping Tents: This is another accommodation option for those who don’t mind being close to their loved ones, friends or workmates. Your tent will be sited on the hotel ground facing the lake shore so you could catch sunrise. The tent features green tents and are under a roof on a platform which helps keep it 10 degrees cooler than outside. The tents feature mattresses, bed sheet and blankets, pillows, towels, soap, slippers. Each camping tent can accommodate a maximum of 2 people.
Own Tents/private Island camping: Do you like camping but aren’t so keen on being stuck in a hot tent? This own tent is for you. One can come with their own tents, if fully paid beddings are not charged.

Things to Do at Mirembe Resort Beach Hotel

Water Sports
Sunset Cruise
Boat Cruise to different Islands
Guided Forest walk
Fishing Village Tours
Palm Oil Plantation Tour- Thee tour can be done by driving or bike. It is about 3-4 hours riding through the palm oil plantations.
Biking
Island Drive
Nature Walk
Bird Watching
Sport Fishing
Golf
Quad Bike
Kalangala Town
Caves
Mwena Fishing Villages
Lutoboka Fishing Villages
Forest Walk
Canoeing
Boat Ride
Quad Bikes
Campfire
Beach Volleyball
Football, swimming
Sun bathing
Biking
Chess
Sand box with kids play toys
Bush Breakfast, Lunch / Dinner (weather permitting)
Visit to school
Tree planting initiative
Cultural experience
Star gazing

6. Ssese Islands Beach Hotel

This is an amazing place for spending the weekend on Ssese Islands.

The hotel is built right in the middle of Lutoboka bay. The hotels cottages are all self-contained with warm showers and comfortable bedding.

All rooms have African paintings and fabrics. You can choose a room with a lake view, golf or forest view. Whichever room you choose, you will have your own balcony, television, working desk, a storage wardrobe, mosquito net and Laundry service.

The hotel also has a bar and restaurant where you can order for drinks and tasty intercontinental dishes. A pool table is available as are large flat screens showing weekend soccer matches. Ssese Islands Beach Hotel rents out cars, has a doctor on call, provides a large parking space and a conference hall.

While at the hotel you can go swimming, fishing and guided walks. Ssese Islands Beach Hotel offers its guests a wide range of activities to keep them entertained including;

Sport fishing
Hiking and Nature walks
Quad biking
Cultural village tours
Bird watching
Sunset Platform, BBQ and nightly bonfires
Banana Boat Rides
Island hopping / Boat trip
Island Tour on motorcycle (boda boda) or Car
Participating in a local religious gathering

7. Victoria Forest Resort

Victoria Forest Resort is a beachfront resort located on Bugala Island which is the largest island of the Ssese archipelago. The resort offers views over Lake Victoria.

Guests can relax beside the outdoor pool, in the extensive tropical gardens, or at our White Sand Beach. The hotel also features a conference hall and can host company retreats, workshops, weddings, and events of up to 500 guests. Free private parking is available on site.

Accommodation at Victoria Forest Resort

Millennium Cottage: With its open-plan design, the cottage has a beautiful verandah or patio, and offers breathtaking views of Lake Victoria and the meticulously manicured gardens. It is perfect for couple and features a spacious queen bed. For couples with a young one, a baby cot can be provided upon request. The cottage also boasts a generously sized bathroom.

Deluxe Room: These rooms are available on both the top floor and ground floor of the resort. For those staying on the top floor, the rooms feature a private balcony that presents an awe-inspiring view of Lake Victoria.

On the other hand, the ground floor rooms offer a private terrace. The rooms have a maximum occupancy of 3 guests. Guests can choose between a Single Queen Bed, Two Single Beds, or a combination of One Single Bed and One Single Bed.

Royal Cottage: This room has a spacious queen bed and can accommodate couples with young ones by offering a baby cot upon request. The cottage also features a generously sized bathroom. It also enjoys a prime location in close proximity to the beach area and pool.

Room Facilities