10 Best Safari Lodges In Uganda
Uganda, the “Pearl of Africa,” offers a safari experience unlike any other. From the misty mountains of Bwindi to the vast savannas of Queen Elizabeth National Park, a diverse range of safari lodges provides the perfect blend of nature, wildlife, adventure and luxury. This guide introduces you to the 10 best safari lodges, each handpicked for its unique charm, exceptional service, and prime location to create unforgettable memories.
Chobe Safari Lodge
Chobe Safari Lodge is a 5-star luxury lodge situated within Murchison Falls National Park in Uganda, offering breathtaking views of the Nile River. Chobe lodge stands out from other lodges in Uganda due to several key factors that emphasize luxury, unique location, and a distinct set of amenities and experiences. The lodge offers diverse accommodation that features a range of options, including guest rooms, luxury tents, and suites, each with a private balcony or terrace. It boasts a three-tiered swimming pool overlooking the river, a modern restaurant serving local and international cuisine, a well-stocked bar, a health club and spa with a gym, and conference facilities. The lodge has a prime location on the banks of the Nile in a less-frequented part of Murchison Falls National Park provides a unique and exclusive safari experience.
Lodge Bella Vista
Lodge Bella Vista is a unique accommodation option in Fort Portal with an Italian-influenced character and specific amenities, it is known for its scenic location as it is situated on the edge of the Nyamiteza Crater Lake offering breathtaking panoramic views of the lake on one side and the majestic Rwenzori Mountains on the other. This dual-view is a significant selling point and a unique feature that guests frequently praise. The lodge has a diverse accommodation and a range of offerings that cater to different types of travelers. Lodge Bella Vista has a mix of options that appeal to a wide range of budgets that include; budget friendly and mid-range to luxury.
Kigambira Safari Lodge
Kigambira is a luxury eco-lodge located in the southern part of Lake Mburo National Park in Uganda. Its name is derived from Lake Kigambira, which the lodge overlooks. Kigambira Safari Lodge distinguishes itself from other lodges through its situated setting that is between Lake Kigambira and the Rubanga Forest.
The lodge offers a prime location for a variety of activities and a close connection to nature, it is built in a private concession area within Lake Mburo National Park. This provides guests with a sense of privacy and seclusion that is not always available at other lodges within the park.
Another special feature about the lodge is the cottages and main lodges that are strategically positioned to provide stunning, panoramic views of Lake Kigambira and the surrounding wilderness. The swimming pool, in particular, offers a relaxing spot to enjoy the scenery lodge’s architecture which is a key feature. It combines traditional African building styles, such as grass-thatched roofs, with modern comforts and luxurious interiors.
Kiho Gorilla Safari Lodge
Kiho Gorilla Safari Lodge is a luxury and comfortable eco-lodge located in the Ruhija sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in southwestern Uganda. The lodge is just a short distance from the Ruhija sector’s gorilla trekking trailheads and its location and design mean that guests are fully immersed in the forest environment. It’s not uncommon to hear or even spot wildlife, including monkeys and gorillas, from the comfort of your suite. This is a significant advantage as it provides easy and quick access for gorilla trekking, a less crowded experience compared to other sectors. Kiho Gorilla Safari lodge offers breathtaking views of the dense forest and the distant Virunga Volcanoes. It is a popular base for visitors embarking on a gorilla trekking safari It is a newer, high-end lodge that has quickly gained a reputation for its services and amenities. While some sources may describe it as a “mid-range” option, the features and guest reviews point to a premium, luxurious experience, though the lodge also provides mid-range services.
Crater Safari Lodge
Crater Safari Lodge is a luxury eco-lodge located on a hill overlooking the serene Nyinabulitwa Crater Lake, near Kibale National Park in western Uganda. While many lodges offer a base for chimpanzee trekking, Crater Safari Lodge distinguishes itself through a unique combination of its prime location, eco-friendly design, and a focus on providing a comprehensive, tranquil experience.
The lodge’s most defining feature is its location on the banks of Uganda’s second-largest crater lake. Unlike lodges nestled deep within the forest, Crater Safari Lodge provides stunning, expansive views of the crater lake and the surrounding tea and coffee plantations, with the distant Rwenzori Mountains as a backdrop.
This offers a different kind of “wilderness” experience—one of tranquility and scenic beauty in addition to the wildlife encounters. At Crater Safari Lodge guests can participate in activities that other lodges may not offer, such as canoeing or hiking around the crater lakes, visiting local tea plantations, and exploring the nearby Amabere Caves, providing a richer, more varied itinerary.
The Lodge caters to a range of preferences and budgets. It offers both high-end Deluxe. This flexibility allows the lodge to appeal to a wider audience, from luxury seekers to those looking for a comfortable and scenic stay without the top-tier price tag.
Papaya Lake Lodge
Papaya Lake Lodge is a stunning luxury categorized as a high-end mid-range option located in the Great Crater Lakes region of western Uganda, near Kibale National Park. Situated on the slopes of an extinct volcano crater, it offers a unique blend of natural beauty, sophisticated design, and a personal, family-run atmosphere that sets it apart from other lodges in the area. The lodge is perched between two pristine crater lakes, Lyantonde and Kifuruka, providing breathtaking, panoramic views from almost every part of the property. Guests can enjoy these vistas from their private cottages, the main lodge’s terrace, and especially from the stunning swimming pool.
This setting is unique and provides a different kind of tranquility than a typical forest-based lodge. Additionally, the lodge offers a clear, distant view of the majestic Rwenzori Mountains, adding to the dramatic landscape. Owned by a family that moved to Uganda from Europe, the lodge has a warm, welcoming, and personal feel.
The owners’ passion for the local culture is reflected in the attention to detail and a high level of personalized service. This makes the guest experience feel more like a visit to a private retreat rather than a standard commercial lodge.
Katara Safari Lodge
Katara safari lodge is a luxury lodge located on the Great Rift Valley escarpment on the border of Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda. It is a popular base for safaris, chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge, and boat cruises on the Kazinga channel. From the cottages, the main lounge, and the swimming pool, guests are treated to sweeping, uninterrupted views of the savannah, Lake Edward, and the distant Rwenzori and Virunga Mountain ranges.
This panoramic scenery provides a feeling of being on top of the world, guests can also watch elephants navigate the savanna below. Having a limited number of cottages, Katara Lodge provides a quiet, intimate, and highly personalized experience. The staff is known for being friendly and attentive, creating a warm, homely atmosphere where guests feel genuinely cared for.
This level of personalized service, combined with its unique design and location, makes for a memorable and exclusive stay. And lastly, the most distinguishing feature of Katara Lodge is the “star bed.” Each of the spacious, thatched cottages has a four-poster bed that can be wheeled out onto the private veranda. This allows guests to sleep directly under the starlit African sky, offering an unforgettable and romantic experience that is rare among safari lodges.
Adere Safari Lodge
Adere Safari lodge is a luxury safari lodge located on the edge of Kidepo Valley National Park in the remote north-eastern corner of Uganda. It is designed to offer a unique blend of authentic African wilderness and modern comfort. The lodge is strategically positioned on a kopje, or small hill, near the park’s entrance.
This location gives it a distinct advantage, providing guests with sweeping, 360-degree panoramic views of the vast savanna plains and the distant mountains from their private chalets and the main lodge areas. Its setting is both secluded and easily accessible, offering a sense of having the wilderness all to yourself.
The lodge offers a wide range of amenities that enhance the luxury experience, including a swimming pool carved into the rock with views of the park. Because of its elevated position and proximity to the park’s prime wildlife areas, guests can often spot a variety of animals, including elephants, zebras, and giraffes, from the comfort of their rooms, the main lodge, or the swimming pool.
Apoka Safari Lodge
Apoka Safari Lodge is a world-class luxury lodge located in the heart of Uganda’s most remote and rugged national park, Kidepo Valley. The Park itself is one of Africa’s least-visited and most pristine. This translates to an intimate safari experience where it’s common to have game sightings—from lion prides to massive herds of buffalo—entirely to yourself. The absence of crowds gives a profound sense of isolation and connection to nature.
Apoka is the only luxury lodge situated inside Kidepo Valley National Park. This means guests are immediately immersed in the wilderness and have exclusive access to the park’s game viewing opportunities without a long drive to the park gates each day. Kidepo is home to several species not found in other Ugandan parks, including cheetahs and striped hyenas
. The lodge’s expert guides and open-top safari vehicles are specifically designed to maximize these unique viewing opportunities. What truly sets it apart from other lodges is its unique combination of an incredibly isolated setting, an unparalleled sense of wilderness, and an extraordinary level of personal luxury. The lodge’s main feature is a large, natural swimming pool carved directly into a rocky outcrop. It offers an incredible vantage point to watch wildlife at a nearby waterhole, making a leisurely dip, a safari activity in itself.
Mihingo Safari Lodge
Mihingo safari lodge is a luxury, family-owned safari lodge located on a rocky hilltop just adjacent to Lake Mburo National Park. It is celebrated for its unique blend of luxury and natural immersion, offering an experience that goes beyond a typical game drive-focused. Mihingo safari Lodge is the only lodge in Uganda to offer horseback safaris.
This allows guests to explore the park in a way that is quiet, intimate, and provides a completely different perspective. Animals are often more relaxed around horses than vehicles, allowing guests to get closer to herds of zebras, impalas, and other wildlife. The lodge also offers overnight horseback safaris for a truly immersive bush experience. The lodge’s elevated position on a rocky kopje provides spectacular, panoramic views of the vast savanna landscape. An infinity pool overlooks a waterhole where a variety of animals, including buffalo, eland, and zebra, come to drink. This offers a unique opportunity to watch wildlife from the comfort of the lodge itself
