10 Best Hotels in Uganda

With a philosophy celebrating the simpler things in life, this relaxed mid-range lodge has got the recipe just right—kids love the pool, parents appreciate the babysitting service, homemade meals are served by smiling staff—and life here generally mirrors the slow pace of the river Nile drifting by. Four family cottages are set back overlooking acacia woodland and 13 en suite thatched safari tents dot the bush, but the main restaurant and bar area, lined with comfy couches crafted from salvaged railway sleepers, takes the lion's share of the river view. Despite the allure of the park’s activities, it's tempting to while away days in hammocks, or from the viewing platform, just looking out over the islands of the Nile, watching for passing hippos and elephants.

This hidden gem has simply furnished thatched cottages, a family house, and en suite rooms that are tucked away in hidden corners of a site with expansive views of Ankole cow-filled plains from its boulder-strewn kopje. Rwakobo Rock speaks family: from its long-serving staff to its popularity among expat families and groups of international tourists. Hearty, home-cooked fare is served under the open thatch of their main building on the side of the eponymous rock—a stage for colorful lovebirds and frolicking baboons. A firepit smolders nightly. For a small fee, hire a well-maintained Gorilla mountain bike, walk with expert guides in search of birding lifers, spot the elusive Shoebill in nearby Rurambira Conservancy, or witness the milking of Ankole cattle and the adoration these cows inspire locally. Recycled glass bottles of filtered water, harvested via rainwater catchment, embody the lodge’s commitment to sustainability.

Located in the city’s Central Business District, among mature palm-tree-filled gardens, the world has been meeting at this five-star hotel since 1967. The hotel’s warm and attentive, professionally-liveried staff, keep guests coming back and the 236 spacious, air-conditioned rooms and suites that feature flatscreen TVs, minibars, safes, and luxury branded toiletries keep them happy; for the best city views, ask for a room overlooking the gardens. Guests can enjoy a gym session, spa pampering, poolside cocktails, and endless cuisine options at the hotel’s eight restaurants. Theme nights include salsa by the poolside, seafood & sushi night, and African Night, serving delicacies from the continent to a backdrop of energetic Afrofusion dance (in the open air, of course). The hotel’s nine-acre gardens have a surprising diversity of birds---give reception advance notice if you’d like to hire a bird guide. Uganda Golf Course is a few minutes away, as is the city’s pulsing nightlife.

This modern-style camp is a great find for water adventurers who want to upgrade their creature comforts. Perfect for small groups and families, it offers flexible rooming options, swimming pool, and a spacious thatched bar-restaurant with stunning tree-framed views of the river.

Visitors to this pastel-hue citadel on Lake Victoria happily trade off the remote position for the plush comfort of this five-star hotel's rooms and extensive facilities. On a windswept headland roughly equidistant between Kampala and Entebbe, Lake Victoria Serena has become a popular getaway for Kampala residents thanks to the ease of travel provided by the ExpressWay. In addition to having Uganda’s best golf course, the resort's leisure extensive facilities include a boating marina, swimming pool, tennis courts, gym, and Maisha Health Club and Spa. Set within a Mediterranean-style terracotta maze of porticos and scented gardens, this is a comfortable spot to wind down post-safari. Babysitting services, special menus, a children's pool, and interconnecting rooms make this hotel a solid choice for families.

Big groups love the location of this "hotel-in-the-bush," situated on the Mweya peninsula overlooking Kazinga Channel (a popular watering hole for big game), in the heart of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Staying here means you're well placed for early-morning game drives or the unmissable wildlife launch cruise; the lodge has its own fleet of smart boats just for this purpose. Choose from accommodations to suit all tastes: simple en suite rooms; deluxe rooms with a/c; suites and cottages; and a few stylish safari tents. An infinity pool overlooks wildlife gathered on the banks of the Kazinga Channel, a health club, massage area, business center, and vast gift shop ensure you need never leave. The manicured lawns and shrubbery may feel too tame for safari aficionados, but the professional staff and central location means Mweya is still the busiest property in the park.

Part of the Marriott chain, Protea Hotel Entebbe offers a convenient base just minutes from the airport. Despite its proximity to the runways, the hotel enjoys a serene lakeside setting with a private stretch of white sand overlooking Lake Victoria. Guests appreciate the tranquility, though the décor in standard rooms feels somewhat uninspired. The hotel’s best feature is its lakeside terrace with panoramic water views—just beware of the occasional evening swarms of (harmless) lake flies. Leisure facilities include a lakefront swimming pool, spa, massage services, and bike rentals. The hotel has 24-hour front desk service and a free airport shuttle (unless it's a big group, in which case US$5 per person). Twin-bedded standard rooms face the airport; deluxe rooms have a double bed, private balcony, and lake view.

Turaco Treetops combines nature, good environmental practices, and excellent value for money for the whole family from its jungle site at the edge of Kibale National Park. On a clear day, the Rwenzori Mountains are visible from the restaurant’s upper deck. Luxury en suite cottages at secluded spots in the forest are a perfect hideaway for couples; standard en suites have the (optional) feature of sharing balconies, ideal for groups who want a bigger private space to enjoy nature together. The natural stone swimming pool is big enough for pre-breakfast laps and has a shallow end for kids (and sun loungers for mums!) A kids’ playroom and outdoor playground with mini zipline mean fun is guaranteed for the little ones. Guided nature walks (day or night) and Giant bike hire add to the adventure. The Chris Roberts Forest Foundation (www.crff.earth) was established by Turaco Treetops to partner with local farmers to create sustainable agro-forestry zones that protect and regenerate over 40 acres next to Kibale National Park.