What Do Your Accommodation Choices Say About You?

Sleep soundly at Kyaninga Lodge

What Do Your Accommodation Choices Say About You?

When planning this blog, we knew we wanted to feature some of Uganda’s best properties, but the tricky part was deciding which ones.

Do we give you an insight into properties not recently featured on our social media? How about the best luxury accommodation? Or the most popular properties in our best-seller itineraries?

In the end, we decided to ask our lovely Venture co-director, Lesley, to tell us about her personal favourites. So, here are some of her top picks. Simple as that!

The Boma Hotel swimming pool Entebbe

The Boma, Entebbe

The Boma is my go-to place in Entebbe. It has been there a long time and so, in part, it’s a habit but, over that time, it’s become a home away from home.

I always get a warm welcome from the owners and staff. I like to use the big, private pool for a refreshing dip. I love the breakfasts – what a selection – and I can while away some time watching the birds in the mature gardens.

The rooms are clean and comfortable, and it’s only 15 minutes from the airport. It’s also great value for money with many of our clients staying there too – they always leave positive feedback!

Buffalo Safari Lodge, Queen Elizabeth National Park

This property seems to be constantly evolving and offers a range of rooms, including some with rather fancy staircases leading to viewing balconies.

I personally prefer the rooms that open directly onto the bush where I have often found a wandering elephant! The staff go to a lot of trouble to make you feel welcome and arrange lovely special touches like garden dining under the stars.

I love to swim in the pool overlooking the bush and see what animals are passing by. The lodge grounds are great for birdwatching and I enjoy joining the lodge guide for a walk down to the Kazinga Channel in the hope of seeing even more wildlife!

Mihingo Safari Lodge, Lake Mburo National Park

I love visiting this little gem of a park and have had some of my best safari experiences here, including seeing leopards, mongoose, vultures and giraffes.

Mihingo is my treat to myself. Each tented room has a feature, like a deck with a view or overlooks a watering hole or salt lick. I always find the food absolutely delicious and there are so many little corners where I can switch off and relax with a book and a drink. They offer mountain bike and horseback safaris too, which is a wonderful, unique experience.

On top of all that, I feel good knowing that this is such a responsible property, from the solar and hydroponics to the conservation and community work. Oh, and bushbabies sometimes visit in the evenings…

Engagi Lodge in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.

Engagi Lodge, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Engagi Lodge is another property I have been visiting for a long time and I feel like a member of the family when I stay there. The staff are so friendly and welcoming and I love sitting around the lounge fire with friends on a cool evening, enjoying a drink and sharing stories of the day’s gorilla tracking.

Engagi is conveniently located near Bwindi Impenetrable National Park HQ where you start your gorilla experience. The rooms are very clean and comfortable and a lovely lady from the local community can come and give you a massage in your room—perfect after a day’s trekking.

Poolside at Mweya Lodge

Mweya Safari Lodge, Queen Elizabeth National Park

This is a larger property than I would normally choose, but its location in Queen Elizabeth National Park takes some beating. It sits on a peninsula, overlooking the Kazinga Channel where the animals can often be seen on the banks.

Relaxing in the pool or in your luxury tent, while watching the wildlife, feels very indulgent. You can walk around the grounds and neighbouring area and find animals like waterbuck, mongoose and so many wonderful birds.

It makes a nice change to choose from a large buffet meal and you can eat outdoors with more fantastic views from the gardens. The lodge boat departs from a jetty a 5-minute drive away and takes you for a cruise along the Channel to see the animals and birds.

Sleep soundly at Kyaninga Lodge

Kyaninga Lodge, Fort Portal

This is a property that offers so much that you need to stay for a few days.

Firstly, it’s very comfortable and adds a touch of luxury, and the food is great. I could spend hours sitting on my private balcony enjoying the views across the crater lake to the Rwenzori Mountains beyond, while also watching the monkeys playing in the treetops and spotting the beautiful birds.

The lodge owners have done so much to support their community with a child development centre, a forest foundation, a dairy, a wheelchair-making factory, and a furniture-making business, all of which you can visit. There are lots of fundraising activities too, like triathlons.

So, what do my choices say about me?

  • I tend to go for smaller accommodations with an intimate feel and friendly, attentive service.
  • I enjoy good food and appreciate efforts to source food locally
  • I like my creature comforts
  • I look for a property that promotes responsible travel
  • Location. Location. Location. I like to have good views, be able to take a walk locally and to have animals and birds around.
  • I appreciate good value for money but can treat myself occasionally.

What type of accommodation do you like to stay in?

If any of these properties appeal to you, then please get in touch and we can get your stay booked in for you.