Aptly named, this sturdy stone lodge sits in a commanding position, high up on the Nteko Ridge in the quieter Nkuringo region of Bwindi. Eight cottages with enormous beds and a separate sitting room are warmed by an open fire, carefully lit each night by a private butler.
The imposing main stone building, built from local volcanic rock, stands guard against the mists but has a soft centre – wood-burning stoves, timber beams, overstuffed armchairs make the lounge welcoming, and the walls are adorned with huge canvases from local Ugandan artists.
The food rivals the best of many lodges in Africa – zebu steaks and fresh salad from the lodge’s own garden are a speciality. A nightcap is best enjoyed soaking up the lodge’s main draw – uninterrupted views across the Virunga Mountains chain with the Nyiragongo volcano glowing under the stars.
If you can draw your attention away from the local art on the walls, the highest lodge in Uganda has views to dazzle, with Congolese volcanoes glowing in the distance.
Some of the wonderful places to stay that we frequently recommended.
Gorilla Forest Camp is a permanent luxury tented camp nestled in the mist-swathed rainforests on a mountainside in the heart of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The exclusive location makes Gorilla Forest Camp the sole property within the park boundaries and so is considered by many to be the ideal base for gorilla tracking, primate viewing and birding excursions in the park. Gorilla Forest Camp has been designed to blend seamlessly into this most atmospheric of environments, carefully pointed towards the misty valleys and looming, forest-clad mountains.
This attractive, low key lodge was one of the first to be built in the area and sits in a fantastic location, with uninterrupted views of Bwindi Forest. After a day of trekking, retreat to the lounge and discuss highlights of the day around the central fireplace, or borrow one of the lodge’s books. The lodge’s restaurant and cosy fireside bar are on raised decks, also offering great views over the forest with the large outdoor patio perfect for soaking up the sun in between treks into the forest. Gorillas have even been known to pay a visit on occasion. Each guest room has a private terrace overlooking the forest, and a personal butler service is offered to all guests at the lodge.
The warmth and welcome of this lodge are what sets it apart and the spirit of the original Buhoma Homestead built on the site shines through. Each of the eight wood and stone cottages is set across the hillside in the forest surrounding Bwindi, using simple African fabrics to add comfort and character, whilst the private decking offers sweeping views of the forests below. Most people find themselves in the bar pretty soon after arrival, where the atmospheric fireplace adds warmth to the cool evenings and the lodges raised position comes into its own. The staff, quite rightly, take huge pride in working here, speaking volumes about the effort the owners have invested in working with the surrounding community.
Looking out over the waters of Lake Mutanda, Chameleon Hill Lodge is one of the more Uganda’s more unconventional architectural accomplishments. A mishmash of square buildings is strung along a beautiful ridge, culminating in the turret-clad reception building, with its unorthodox array of window designs. Each building is painted in a different bold colour, adding a feeling of energy to this beautifully positioned lodge. Inside the rooms, the quirky style continues – they are decorated colourfully, but with care. Simple but comfortable, rooms are welcoming and bright.
Our knowledge and expertise set us apart. So too our curiosity. It is this that drives us to create a journey that is really bespoke to you, all the while ensuring we travel and operate sustainably.
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