5 Best Hotels in Kibale National Park, Uganda

Overlooking a cobalt-blue crater lake, the design of this fairy-tale property provides serious wow factor: Kyaninga took 130 men, six years, and more than 1,000 hand-carved logs to build this masterpiece. Nine spacious chalet-like cottages perch high on the crater rim; intricate wooden walkways connect each building, while landscaped gardens and orchards (the source of delicious homemade breakfast preserves) fan out across the valley below. The sundowner terrace and massage room below the lodge’s swimming pool are perfect for taking in the stunning Rwenzori Mountains backdrop. Food is famously good and Kibale is less than an hour’s drive away, but a variety of activities will keep guests happy for days: crater hikes, wild swimming in Lake Kyaninga, sauna and massage in the lodge spa, birding in the forest, trekking to the edge of the Albertine Rift, and even a round of golf at Toro Golf Club with a top Uganda player (sponsored by Kyaninga). The lodge has a calendar of sporting events (marathon/triathlon/Ride the Rift bike race) that raise money for not-for-profit Kyaninga Childcare Development Centre, a charity that supports children with disabilities and their families. This is luxury hospitality with a strong track record of developing local communities and environmental investment.

A Ugandan Downton Abbey, Ndali is a bit of an institution; offering a charming blend of warm hospitality and colonial history (but with the 21st-century convenience of its own unofficial helipad). If you like country house style (interpreted here in a uniquely African way), appreciate fine wines and good company, and cannot imagine taking a walk without several large dogs bounding along beside you, then you'll love Aubrey & Clare Price's home (for a home is what it is). Traditionally thatched cottages, built by Aubrey and his father in the heart of his grandfather's 1920s tea estate, enjoy panoramic views on either side: the mighty Rwenzori Mountains to the west, their glacial peaks occasionally visible on a clear morning; and the enchanting Lake Nyinambuga—so pretty that features on a Ugandan banknote. By night the lodge is at its most romantic, lit entirely by candles. Ndali has a sauna, the best situated gym in Uganda and offers in-room massages on a portable massage bed. Guests are invited to tour the nearby Sadhguru school if their visit coincides with the school year.

Built overlooking a crater lake, Papaya Lake offers high levels of personal service in another stunning location. The exterior wooden deck lures visitors with its stylish sun loungers, sun umbrellas, potted plants, and views of the lake. The infinity pool is a short walk above the lodge, over an ingenious walkway high above a (barely used) road. On the top of the hill beyond is a helipad for those guests arriving by helicopter. The cottages are spacious, each with its own unique color scheme, veranda, hammock, and lake view. Not only does this intimate luxury lodge have a bar, it has a dedicated gin trolley! Have a massage, do yoga, or take a picnic basket out onto the lake—this is where you want to escape for a weekend.

Right behind the Park Headquarters, Primate Lodge Kibale is convenient for those early mornings when tracking chimps or birding. En suite tents and stone cottages occupy small clearings within the forest itself, making the lodge a mecca for birding groups that can spend their time just wandering around the grounds. The thatch of the main building is a work of art and the cottages boast hand-carved wooden interiors. However, this comes at a comparatively high cost. However, if you're booked in for chimp habituation (with a reporting time of 6:30 am), the time gained from staying right next to the trailhead could make all the difference.

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 ensuite 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 and Giant bike hire add to the adventure.