The Best Places To Stay in Uganda

Our clients look for different things from their Ugandan adventure. Some are ticking off bucket list experiences like gorilla tracking, while others want a classic safari away from the crowds. Active travellers might look for running, kayaking or cycling, and adventurers want an authentic insight into local culture.

Their varied interests will naturally take them to different locations, and this means different types of accommodation, from high-end luxury to glamping in the wild.

At Venture Uganda Travel, we don’t own properties and, therefore, we are completely free to recommend the properties we believe will best suit our clients.

This month, we thought we’d have a bit of fun and host our own mini awards ceremony, highlighting our top accommodation picks in Uganda. Each category reflects some of the things our clients might be looking for.

If you’d like more information about any of these properties, or to discuss others, including those in Rwanda, please drop us an email or schedule a call with us.

Best Wilderness Experience

The River Station  |  Kyambura Wildlife Reserve, Queen Elizabeth National Park

Imagine a safari lodge, overlooking the Kazinga Channel, where herds of elephants drink from the river and hippos splash around in the water right on your doorstep.

The River Station has ten beautifully furnished luxury tents, each with its own deck, outdoor shower and plunge pool for hot afternoons. The main lodge has a comfortable lounge in which to relax and a dining room serving delicious meals using fresh, local ingredients. There is a spa too, by a watering hole, offering a massage with a view!

You don’t have to go far for wildlife experiences, with a unique Dhow ride on the Channel, chimpanzee tracking and game drives all within the reserve. You may also go further afield in the park to visit the salt lakes, explosion craters, track big cats with a researcher or search for more game in the vast savanna.

The River Station has a little sister camp next door – Honey Bear Camp – and they are the only lodges in this reserve, so a true wilderness experience awaits.

Best Luxury Property

Kibale Lodge | Fort Portal

This luxury lodge is situated in 150 acres of rolling hills in the countryside surrounding Fort Portal town and is only a 30-minute drive from Kibale Forest – Uganda’s Primate Capital – making it the perfect base for chimpanzee tracking.

The lodge is hand-built to the highest standards by local craftspeople and has extensive gardens stocked with indigenous species. Stay in one of eight unique bandas or book exclusive use of the lodge. The hospitality is exceptional, and you will have your own personal butler service.

Enjoy delicious meals from locally inspired menus, then relax in the spa with a complimentary massage, take a dip in the swimming pool, or recharge in the sauna. The nearest airstrip is just one hour away.

Guests can also take part in community and conservation activities, such as visiting a local primary school or the Rwenzori Sculpture Foundation.

Accommodation with the Best Community Contribution

Kyaninga Lodge | Fort Portal

Kyaninga Lodge is a beautiful property made up of a chain of super-comfy log cabins overlooking a crater lake, with stunning views of the Rwenzori Mountains. The staff are welcoming and warm, and it would be impossible not to enjoy your stay.

So far, so good – but what really makes this lodge a winner is their commitment to their local community.

Initially, building the lodge required two years of training the local community in construction skills, followed by six years spent building. Reforestation and green building practices kept its carbon footprint to a minimum.

Over the years, more projects have been added, focusing on conservation and inclusivity for children with disabilities:

• Kyaninga Furniture – making hand-crafted furniture
• Kyaninga Dairy – producing luxury cheese
• Kyaninga Forest Foundation – tackling deforestation
• Kyaninga Child Development Centre – healthcare and rehabilitation for disabled children
• Kyaninga Inclusive Model School – astonishingly, only 9% of disabled children in Uganda attend school
• Kyaninga Mobility – making affordable bamboo wheelchairs

The lodge has also established the annual Kyaninga Triathlon, Ride the Rift, and Run the Rift events to fundraise for its projects.

A worthy winner and a wonderful place to stay.

Best accommodation for Cultural Immersion

Home of Friends |  Kapchorwa, eastern Uganda

Uganda is a very varied country and has over 50 different tribes, all with their own distinct culture. We think one of the nicest places to stay and gain an authentic insight into the local Sebei culture is Home of Friends.

Set in the Mount Elgon highlands, this hilltop retreat not only offers a relaxing and comfortable stay but is also a base for learning about local culture. By working closely with farmers, guides, cooks, storytellers, and neighbours in Kapchorwa and Kween, they have created meaningful tourism experiences to showcase local culture while growing the community together.

Cook with the mamas, discover Sebei history through storytelling, music, and dance, or visit a local coffee farm. There are also many guided hikes to choose from, visiting waterfalls and caves, and discovering the traditions of local people.

This is also the Land of Champions, where Uganda’s elite athletes train at high altitude. Home of Friends has created opportunities to run and cycle in the footsteps of our Olympians, providing another way to explore the local culture.

Best Value accommodation for Gorilla Tracking

Mahogany Springs | Buhoma (northern) sector, Bwindi Impenetrable forest

Gorilla tracking is a must-see adventure for many wildlife lovers, and there is a range of accommodation available to trackers. Mahogany Springs gives great value for money, providing a very comfortable stay at an affordable price.

Bwindi is home to over half of the world’s mountain gorillas, giving you the opportunity to trek and observe one of the 20+ habituated gorilla families. After a day spent tracking these majestic primates in their natural habitat, you can return to Mahogany Springs to rest and recharge in one of the 14 deluxe suites with a private terrace.

Enjoy delicious homegrown food in a restaurant with a view, and treat yourself to a pampering session at the spa. The service is friendly, and the lodge is ideally situated just a short walk from the starting point for tracking.

The lodge also offers other fantastic experiences, including birdwatching, tree planting, nature walks, meeting the Batwa tribe, supporting local pangolin rescue efforts, or taking a community or garden tour.

Best accommodation for Relaxation

Mutanda Lake Resort | Lake Mutanda, near Kisoro, south western Uganda

If you’re looking for a beautiful place to unwind for a few days, perhaps after gorilla tracking, you’ll find Mutanda Lake Resort a welcoming retreat.

Situated in the shadow of the Virunga volcanoes, this quiet lakeside property is the perfect place to simply sit and admire the views while listening to the birds singing. You’ll find comfort and calm in your own cottage with a private veranda and the most beautiful vistas. When you want company, you’ll receive a warm welcome in the cosy bar/restaurant, where you can enjoy delicious food and unwind with drinks by the fire.

Beyond gorilla tracking, this is also an idyllic place for bird lovers, hikers who want to explore the volcanoes, and those who want to venture out on the lake on a guided boat trip to learn more about the history of the little islands within.

Best Budget Stay

Mpogo Safari Lodge | Near Lake Mburo national park

Welcome to Mpogo Safari Lodge, a peaceful property located a short drive from Lake Mburo National Park. Once a farmhouse, Mpogo Safari Lodge has now been transformed into a 16-room property with beautifully designed traditional huts and a camping ground, all at an affordable price.

At the heart of cattle country, the lodge takes its name from the traditionally famous long-horned cow. It was a symbol of good luck to the Chwezi people, and the lodge does a wonderful job of blending both the cultural and modern worlds into this property.

There is plenty to do here too, with activities such as fantastic birdwatching, village or farm walks and cultural activities like drumming performances, medicinal plant demonstrations and handicraft workshops.

Best accomadation in Entebbe

The Boma | Entebbe town

The Boma Hotel is a charming and stylish hotel just a few minutes’ drive from Entebbe International Airport. Situated in a leafy suburb with stunning tropical gardens, The Boma is a great place to stay at the beginning or end of your trip.

The hotel blends modern-day interiors with traditional charm and even has a lovely private pool where you can cool off and relax in between travelling. The service is always wonderful, thanks to the friendly and helpful staff, and the food is delicious – all at an affordable price.

If you’re staying for a few days, we recommend a visit to Ngamba Island, a walk around the botanical gardens, or a magical sunset cruise to the Equator line.