An iconic wood-and-thatch lodge set on the Mweya Peninsula deep inside Queen Elizabeth National Park, on a ridge separating Lake Edward from the Kazinga Channel, with the Rwenzori Mountains — the “Mountains of the Moon” — as a backdrop. Managed by Marasa Africa (the group behind Paraa and Chobe Safari Lodges), it is one of Uganda’s pioneering luxury safari lodges, famed for its commanding views. Perfectly positioned for Kazinga Channel boat cruises (departing from the doorstep), Kasenyi Plains game drives, and Kyambura Gorge chimp trekking. A viewing deck below the pool lets guests watch wildlife come down to drink.
A tranquil lakeside resort on the shores of Lake Bunyonyi, the “Lake of Little Birds” and Uganda’s deepest lake, in Kabale district, southwestern Uganda. Set in pleasant gardens with sweeping views over the terraced hills, islands and, on clear days, the Virunga Volcanoes. A popular stop-over to start, break or end a gorilla safari, roughly 2 hours from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, 3 hours from Queen Elizabeth, about 6 hours (410 km) from Kampala, and 4 hours from Kigali via the Cyanika or Katuna border. Caters to all budgets, from camping to self-contained cottages.
An intimate lodge set in the foothills of Mount Elgon in Kapchorwa district, eastern Uganda, on 17 acres of private grounds that include the 80m Kapsururu Falls (the second of the three Sipi waterfalls), several caves and peaceful gardens. Built from local wood and stone, it runs with only a small number of guests at a time for a personal, home-away-from-home feel. The falls provide a natural lullaby, and mornings bring the aroma of locally grown Mount Elgon Arabica coffee. An ideal base for hiking, coffee tours, rock climbing, abseiling, birding and Mount Elgon expeditions. Located just outside Sipi trading centre, about 275 km east of Kampala.
A boutique lodge set on a hill inside Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve, overlooking the vast savannah plains, with views toward Mount Kadam and Mount Napak on the other side. The lodge shares a boundary with the reserve and sits close to the Uganda Wildlife Authority park offices, making it a convenient base for game drives, nature walks, and birding. Positioned to showcase the untamed, uncrowded beauty of one of Uganda’s best-kept-secret safari destinations in the remote Karamoja region.
A mid-range lodge set on the eastern bank of the Albert Nile in the northern sector of Murchison Falls National Park, near Tangi Gate. Originally built between 1970 and 1974 by Danish architect Hans Munk Hansen as a state lodge in the Uganda Hotels chain, former president Idi Amin once used it; the ruins of the original lodge sit nearby and are now a giraffe hangout. Renovated and reopened as a safari lodge, it sits at the foot of the Albertine Rift with sweeping views over the Nile and savannah. Wildlife, including Uganda kob, warthog, giraffe, elephant, hippo, and occasionally leopard, roam the grounds day and night. Ideally positioned as a base for the park’s northern game tracks.
The only high-end lodge and the only full-service accommodation inside Kidepo Valley National Park, Uganda’s most remote wilderness in the country’s northeastern corner near the South Sudan border. Built around a picturesque rocky kopje overlooking the wildlife-rich Narus Valley, with everything handcrafted by local artisans using natural materials to blend into the landscape. Wildlife, including buffalo, elephants, giraffes, zebras, and jackals, regularly wander through the grounds and around the on-site waterhole, often visible from the rooms and the rock pool. Run by Wild Places Africa.
A tented camp set in a patch of evergreen forest just outside the southern boundary of Kibale National Park, bordering the Magombe swamp and Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary. Roughly a 10-minute drive from Kanyanchu Visitor Centre, the starting point for chimpanzee trekking. Red and black-and-white colobus monkeys are regularly seen from the verandas, along with forest birds and butterflies. Run by Nature Lodges Uganda, built on eco-friendly principles. Located off the Fort Portal–Kamwenge road past Bigodi village.
An eco-friendly safari camp built along ecological principles, set inside Queen Elizabeth National Park on the banks of the Kazinga Channel with the Rwenzori Mountains as a backdrop. There is no barrier between the camp and the channel, so hippos and other wildlife wander freely through the grounds at night, and the sounds of hippos and hyenas accompany starlit dinners. Well positioned for Kazinga Channel boat cruises, Kasenyi Plains game drives and Kyambura Gorge chimp trekking. Run by Nature Lodges Uganda.
A modern three-star hotel in Bufumbira, Kisoro town, opposite Kisoro Airstrip, with views over the Virunga Volcanoes. Positioned as a convenient base for gorilla trekking, roughly 30 minutes from Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and within reach of Bwindi’s Rushaga and Nkuringo sectors. About 2 hours by road from Kigali via Cyanika or Gatuna border, and 9 hours from Kampala/Entebbe. Rated 4.7/5 from around 190 guest reviews.
One of only two lodges located inside Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, set on a hillside with uninterrupted views over the forest canopy. Chalets are treehouse-style, scattered across the slope and linked by raised wooden walkways. Within short walking distance of the gorilla trekking meeting point in the Buhoma sector. L’Hoest’s monkeys visit the gardens, and over 350 bird species have been recorded in the surrounding forest. Rooms are warmed with hot coals and hot-water bottles at night, and all overnight guests receive a complimentary massage.
