Accommodation in Kibale Forest National Park

Kibale has a good selection of properties. Thanks to good quality roads, the forest is accessible from properties in the Toro Crater Lakes area and Fort Portal, as well as those closer to the Kanyanchu Tourist Centre.

Sleep under the canopies of old trees or perched atop a ridge. Enjoy panoramic views of the rainforest and the Rwenzori Mountain range, and for those more adventurous, take refuge high above in old-style treehouses. There is a wide range of accommodation options near the park to suit all budgets.

Private cottages, with electricity, Wi-Fi and all the works are the most luxurious option, but there are great tented camps for those looking to rest a little closer to nature. If you’re planning a chimp trek in Kibale, consider the distance to Kanyanchu, the start of the trail.

Primate Lodge

Primate Lodge Kibale is a traveler favorite in Kibale Forest National Park. Its main draw is its proximity to the park and chimp trekking trailhead. Built into the forest, the lodge retains a sense of excitement as you’re surrounded by the sights and sounds of the forest all around, abuzz with life.

For the most part, travelers flock to Primate Lodge due to its proximity to Kibale Forest National Park and the chimp trekking trailhead, which is just few minutes’ walk from the lodge. There’s something thrilling about staying inside the park, getting excited about the next day’s exploration. Velvet and Colobus monkeys often wander out from the bushes into the lodge compound.

Fortunately, the lodge is a good standard, mid to upper end accommodation depending on which kind of cottage you choose, so it’s not all about the location. Kibale takes advantage of its position deep in the park in a number of charming ways. There’s an open campfire on the main terrace, each cottage has good views of the forest, and there are viewing decks and a private tree-house dining area.

Kyaninga Lodge

Kyaninga Lodge is fantastically located just north of Fort Portal. This makes it a great base for chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest, exploring the snow-capped peaks of the Rwenzori Mountains, or heading into the lowland tropical forests of Semliki Valley. On arrival, you’re immediately struck by the design, huge cottages cascading across the crater rim of Lake Kyaninga, connected by a central walkway that itself sits on raised wooden beams.

Dig deeper, and you soon realize why Kyaninga has become a go-to option for mid-range accommodation. The cottages are extremely spacious, with wooden floors and eucalyptus beams forming their frame, extremely large twin or queen size beds, private en-suite bathrooms and a private veranda that overlooks the crater lake and countryside beyond.

Chimpundu Lodge

Chimpundu Lodge offers Luxury cottage accommodation and an array of authentic Kibale Forest and Kibale National Park experiences in a lush indigenous setting. Just 309km from Kampala, you can enjoy the true African experience and impeccable service offered by Chimpundu Lodge and Spa.

Spend time relaxing with family and friends at the bar, enjoy memorable meals at the restaurant or at the swimming pool gazebo, or simply spend time reading a novel in the comfortable lounge. Cool off after a day of enthralling chimpanzee trekking with a refreshing dip in the swimming pool, and enjoy watching a favorite channel with loved ones on satellite TV in the lounge.

Turaco Treetops Lodge

Turaco Treetops is a lush semi-luxury lodge on the edge of Kibale National Park. The lodge sits under 5.2 hectares of rainforest, which creates a serene green environment for a perfect hideaway. It’s got stunning views of the forest canopy, the massive Rwenzori mountains, and the creator lake decorated landscape of the region. If you’re staying for a chimpanzee tracking adventure in Kibale, hiking around the area, or for a romantic getaway, Turaco Treetops is a suitable choice.

Some of the lodge visitors that hang around the lodge grounds include various bird species like the famous Great blue turaco which inspires the lodge name, butterflies, monkeys, and primates like Bush Babies, Black and White Colobus monkeys.

Turaco’s main building features a stylish restaurant, a lounge area with a cozy fireplace, a bar, an outside terrace, and a first-floor lounge with spectacular views over the forest. Enjoy a sumptuous meal, read a book, watch the butterflies and birds, play a game, or grab a drink and watch the sun setting behind Mount Stanley.

Papaya Lake Lodge

Nestled in the lush, evergreen landscapes of Uganda’s Crater Lakes region near Kibale National Park, Papaya Lake Lodge is a European family-owned property offering a tranquil and luxurious retreat. Set between two extinct volcanoes and overlooking the turquoise waters of the Lyantonde and Kifuruka lakes, the lodge boasts exhilarating views of the majestic Ruwenzori Mountain Range.

The lodge comprises nine luxurious cottages, a restaurant, and a beautiful swimming pool with a scenic terrace. It is evident that Papaya Lake Lodge is established with great passion, appreciation of local culture, and attention to detail, creating an oasis that makes life worth living.

Guests can enjoy long walks and road cycling in the dramatic landscape of crater lakes cupped under steep hillsides south of Fort Portal. For those with limited time or traveling with young children or the older people, Papaya offers a shorter walk that includes crater lakes, a community visit, and several viewpoints.

Just a 20-minute drive from the starting point for chimpanzee tracking at Kanyanchu in Kibale National Park, Papaya Lake Lodge is an excellent base for exploring the Kibale Forest jungle and other nearby attractions.

Crater Safari Lodge

Crater safari lodge is situated on the outskirts of Kibale Forest National Park, known for its stunning views and luxurious accommodations that immerse guest in the beautiful landscape of the region. The lodge is strategically positioned by a series of picturesque crater lakes, providing a serene and breathtaking backdrop for visitors. Crater safari lodge offers a total of 12 accommodations compassed of a mix of cottages and luxury tents.

Each room is designed to provide comfort while showcasing the natural beauty of the cottage’s surroundings. The lodge features several well- furnished cottages, each equipped with en-suite bathrooms, species bed, hot showers, charging facilities and private balconies that allows guest to enjoy panoramic views of the crater lakes and the materials and aesthetics that reflects the culture of the region. In addition to the cottage, the lodge includes luxury safari tents, which provide a unique and adventurous glamping experiences without compromising on comfort. These tents often feature wooded floors, comfortable beds and private bathroom facilities.

Ndali Lodge

A home away from home. Ndali Lodge offers cozy, high-quality accommodation on the edge of a crater lake just west of Kibale Forest National Park. A traveler favorite as a base for chimp trekking.

While the lodge itself will not disappoint, it is the owners, managers, and staff who really make Ndali special, with a little help from the 3 family dogs who will be very excited to greet you. ‘Homely’ sums up Ndali perfectly, and you can spend evenings enjoying dinners by candlelight and cocktails on your private veranda.

The lodge has wonderful story to tell, and every traveler who passes through leaves feeling uplifted, having forged a connection with a very special place, and that’s not something most lodges can easily claim anywhere in East Africa.

Isunga Lodge

Elevated high on a ridge within the Crater Lake Area, Isunga Lodge has unmatched panoramic views of the rainforest, Rwenzori Mountains and the distant savannahs of Queen Elizabeth National Park.

When staying here, it is easy to feel like you have the place to yourself. Cottages are encompassed by an overgrown wild garden, creating total privacy, perfect for a few days of complete relaxation. Isunga is conveniently 25 minutes away from Kanyanchu, the trailhead for chimp trekking.

Kibale Forest Camp

Just 10 minutes from the start of the chimpanzee trail, settled underneath a canopy of old trees, lies Kibale Forest Camp. Staying in one of their thatched African style tents allows you to totally immerse yourself in the sounds of the rain forest and wildlife lovers will be able to see many rare birds and mammals. Sharp-eyed visitors may catch a glimpse of the rare Red Colobus from the main veranda. The tents come with en-suite facilities, hot water, and private balcony.

Kibale Forest Lodge

Kibale Forest Lodge is situated near the park’s entrance, making it an ideal for exploring the rich biodiversity of Kibale Forest National Park. nestled amidst lush tropical forest, the lodge offers a rustic yet comfortable environment for travelers seeking to immerse themselves in nature. Kibale Forest Lodge features a variety of accommodation options that reflect local architectures styles while ensuring a comfortable and relaxation. The lodge has luxury tents and cottages both are designed to blend in with their natural surroundings, featuring thatched roof, wooded furnishings and spacious layout. Each unit typically includes en-suite bathrooms and private verandas. Staying at Kibale Forest Lodge offers guest with a numerous opportunity for adventure and exploration such as chimp’s tracking, birding, nature walks among others.

Chimps’ Nest Uganda

This is an Eco-friendly lodge that is located at Nyabubale between the villages of Bigodi and Nkingo. The lodge is built with local material and uses solar lighting.  Chimps’ Nest has got self-contained tree houses and cottages and is surrounded by vast farms of ginger, peanut, coffee and pineapple. The common tourist activities around the lodge include spotting animals like chimpanzees, elephants, monkeys and birds. Visitors to the lodge also have opportunities to marvel at the stunning Rwenzori Mountain ranges and take nature walks.

Kluges Guest Farm

Situated south of Fort Portal and just a few kilometers off the Fort Portal to Kasese highway, Kluges Guest Farm was originally conceived as a commercial farm operation. However, over the last 20 years, Mariam and Stefan Kluge gradually converted the property into one of the most advanced owner-operated eco-lodges in Uganda. The lodge features 8 bungalows and 2 large family cottages with a total of 12 double / twin rooms featuring en-suite amenities to international standards. In addition, the lodge locale is complemented by one of the most advanced camping facilities in Uganda. And all that marvel is situated on 70 acres of tropical forest and extensive botanical gardens.

Due to its strategic location, major tourist attractions such as the Kibale National Park and its chimp troops, the wondrous alpine landscapes of the Rwenzori Mountains National Park, and the dense tropical forests of the Semuliki National Park are within a short drive of the lodge. Other attractions in the region include the Sempaya Hot Springs, the Amabere Caves, hiking adventures to the nearby Crater Lakes, and a visit to the Bigodi Wetlands Sanctuary, adjacent to the Kibale National Park. Fort Portal itself also offers the opportunity to visit the palace and parliament of the Toro Kingdom, the Botanical Gardens on the outskirts of town, and the Fort Portal Golf Course.