Kyaninga Lodge Near Kibale

Set against the stunning backdrop of Lake Kyaninga and the Rwenzori Mountains beyond, Kyaninga Lodge is the spectacular result of one man’s vision and six years of unwavering commitment to creating an experience of Africa’s beauty unlike anything else.

You can experience its surrounding unexplored region’s beauty and romance while staying at the height of luxury and elegance. Nine exclusive cottages made from hand-carved logs, superb dining and a wealth of adventures await.

The edge of a spectacular crater lake, Lake Kyaninga, where the lodge sits, provides the perfect start for guests to explore the Fort Portal region’s hidden natural amenities when they step out of their cottage. Kyaninga Lodge’s beautiful gardens are the creation of London-based landscape designer Imogen Jenkins. The gardens provide a stunning setting for relaxation, reflection, and space for games. There is even a lawn tennis court for the joyful stretching of holiday muscles. A guided walk around Lake Kyaninga would put you in the path of some exciting wildlife sightings like colobus monkeys and baboons.

In the dining suspended high in a wooden cabin, fine 3-course cuisine is served by a specialty chef. His menu is based on classical European cuisine and tweaked to make use of local ingredients, many of which are hand-picked from Kyaninga Lodge’s own kitchen garden or the neighboring markets. After dinner, head through to the Lounge, where you can relax by the fire with a drink from the fully stocked bar. During the daytime, head out to the terrace and relax on loungers while enjoying the view of Lake Kyaninga. In this equatorial paradise, you will feel a thousand miles away from the bustle of daily life, and you are; with wireless internet access in the Main Lodge, you can still share your adventures with your loved ones.

Accommodation at Kyaninga

Set apart and raised on platforms, the Lodges’ nine cottages offer guests privacy and tranquility. Each spacious cottage comes with a choice of twin or double beds made up with the softest bed linen and feather pillows. An indoor seating area leads out to a private deck where you can enjoy morning tea or coffee with views over the lake and the Rwenzori Mountains.

The en-suite bathrooms boast marble countertop basins set atop crafted Elgon olive pedestals, claw-footed freestanding baths, and glass-walled showers. With modern solar power, you will always have hot water and electrical charging points.

Amenities at Kyaninga Lodge:

• Laundry Services
• En-suite bathrooms
• Swimming Pool
• Guided Walks
• Wi-Fi Available
• Restaurant & Bar
• Daily housekeeping
• Mosquito net

Activities

Kyaninga Lodge’s terrace leads down to the swimming pool looking over the lake. Lined with pavers cut from the local volcanic rock and featuring two wooden decks, the swimming pool provides the perfect space for guests to relax and unwind. At the poolside guests can soak up the peace and tranquillity of Lake Kyaninga and the mountains beyond. The more adventurous can walk down to Lake Kyaninga itself. With its blue water and ‘land that time forgot’ rainforest, it offers a unique opportunity to experience a wilderness rarely encountered in real life. The lake is one of the few in Uganda that are safe to swim in.

After an hour’s drive from Kyaninga Lodge, guests can join guided chimpanzee hikes from Kanyanchu Park Headquarters into the forest jungle, searching for the chicky chimp bands. Usually, the chimpanzee tracking walks last 2-3 hours and are restrictive to eight people. The experience of viewing wild chimps up close can be incredible, but it has to be said that here in Kibale, the chances of really intimate.

Bird lovers will be interested to know that there are 325 species of birds recorded in the national park. The list includes the six species endemic to the Albertine Rift region, like the black-capped Apalis, collared Apalis, purple-breasted sunbirds, blue-headed sunbirds, dusky crimson wings, and red-faced woodland warblers.

There are some lovely walks in the area, including the walk in the small Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary in hopes of meeting more primates in the east of the park. A network of trails in Sebitoli Forest provides further opportunities for viewing various primates and birds on the forest’s northern side.

Amabere ga Nyina Mwiru Caves is a renowned cave system located near Fort Portal, around 15km from Kibale Forest, and is considered to be one of the seven wonders of Uganda and great to visit.