Best safari lodges and camps
Uganda is well-known for its spectacular scenery, varied habitats, and unparalleled safari opportunities. From the dramatic, misty mountains of Bwindi to the vast open savannahs of Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda is full of rich and varied ecosystems bursting with life. To complement the natural wonders and outdoor adventures, Uganda has some of the very best safari lodges and camps found anywhere on the continent. Each camp offers its own flavor of African charm, a unique experience that highlights the incredible scenery, and a way of life in the varied habitats teeming with wildlife—both in and around the parks.
Bwindi Lodge
Set on the edge of the world-renowned Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Bwindi Lodge provides an intimate and luxurious experience for those wishing to catch a glimpse of the endangered mountain gorillas. The lodge features eight stone-and-thatch bandas with spectacular views of the forest canopy. Each Banda is elegantly appointed with local art and is outfitted with modern conveniences, ensuring that your stay will be both comfortable and memorable. Bwindi Lodge is known for its incredibly personalized service and its commitment to sustainability. The food is delicious and is made from ingredients sourced as close to “home” as possible—from farms and forests in and around the deliciously mountainous Kisoro District.
Apoka Safari Lodge
In Kidepo Valley National Park, a hidden gem of wildness within Uganda, Apoka Safari Lodge stands apart as a sanctuary of luxury within the park’s authenticity. The lodge’s ten private guest cottages—built with local rock, wood, and thatch—blend seamlessly with the environment. They’ll make you feel at home in the wilderness. Each has a private outdoor deck. An outdoor bathtub and a cool shower in a large bathroom provide necessary relief from the humid heat. Leopard, cheetah, lion, and hippos frequent the park, and the chance to see any one of those species makes the safari worthwhile. That said, no chance encounter in the wild would equal the experience of retreating to Apoka, a lodge in a remote part of Kidepo Valley National Park, a chance to relax on the deck of my cottage, or an outdoor bathtub respite.
Mihingo Lodge
Mihingo Lodge is perched on a rocky promontory that overlooks Lake Mburo National Park. It is a curious blend of something you might find in the wilds of Africa. It is hard to believe, but the ten tented rooms at Mihingo are literally among the most breathtaking accommodations I’ve ever laid eyes on—and those residences are a part of an eco-lodge. The rustic and elegant combination is stunning. That said, Mihingo Lodge is known for its conservation and sustainability efforts, making this experience even more worthwhile and impressive. When you’re at Mihingo, you can participate in various activities (such as yoga) and go on different adventures (game drives, horseback safaris, guided nature walks, and boat rides on Lake Mburo). And then there’s that infinity pool—yikes, talk about surreal!
Ishasha Wilderness Camp
Ishasha Wilderness Camp, in the southern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park, is one of Uganda’s most wildlife-rich areas and offers an authentic safari experience. Ten roomy tents with en-suite facilities line the banks of the Ntungwe River, where you may hear the ripple of its waters through the night. Your days can be filled with game drives, bush walks, and bird-watching excursions, our guides making sure you see and appreciate the wonderful world of the park’s many habitats. You are particularly well-placed for sightings of the camp’s famous tree-climbing lions, a huge draw for the park’s many visitors. Following an early morning or late evening outing, a long day’s nap on your private tent’s veranda feels positively decadent. The camp’s commitment to eco-friendly practices adds to the overall ambiance, along with the warm hospitality of its staff and management.
Kyambura Gorge Lodge
Kyambura Gorge Lodge stands on the edge of the Kyambura Gorge and gazes serenely over the sweeping plains of the Queen Elizabeth National Park. The lodge’s eight, separately housed sleeping quarters—called “bandas”—are undeniably luxurious, stylish, and contemporary. Each banda has an en suite bathroom, an individual front deck, and an enormous, more-or-less circular lounge area tastefully appointed with African-style, contemporary furniture. The lounge has a half-moon window that looks almost directly down into the Kyambura Gorge. You can lie in the lounge and gaze into the gorge as if you were peering from the tallest cliff into the deepest part of the gorge. Each banda has some form of art, sculpture, or wall hanging that contributes to the look and feel of having contemporary African decor that is a step above what is usually found in the lodges of East Africa.
Baker’s Lodge
Baker’s Lodge, an upscale escape on the southern bank of the Nile in Murchison Falls National Park, offers an intimate retreat with just eight beautiful cottages. Yet these elevated river-view lodgings feel more like a private piece of paradise than an intimate resort. Each one is a serene space with a deck just begging for lounging, imagery of the Nile in the mind’s eye, and the sound of its rushing waters in the ear, the only “noise” competing for a listening prize being that of just-sighted or imagined birds. Play it smart, and you could have the place almost to yourself, with very few choice moments punctuating the time spent inside your very well-appointed room and on your deck.
Conclusion
The varied experiences of Uganda’s safari lodges and camps make them a singularly thrilling destination for the adventure of a lifetime. The experiences range from serene and remote to luxurious and indulgent. The camps and lodges do not repeat one another. Each offers something special, some unique angle on the natural world and wildlife of Uganda that would cause any intrepid traveler to consider the country’s lodges and camps a must-do prelude to any pearl of an adventure.
