Kibale Forest Camp by Nature Lodges, Kibale Forest, Uganda

Location:

The lodge is located in the Kibale Forest on the borders of the Bigodi swamp which is probably the best place to track chimpanzees in Uganda. The lodge is about a 15-minute drive (or 4 kilometres) from the Uganda Wildlife Authority office or the starting point for chimpanzee tracking. The camp is situated in a forested area where you can see monkeys and other animals from your porch of your tent. The sounds of nature can also be heard throughout the day and night. The location is good because it's in a secluded forested area and within a short drive to the chimp trekking.

Room Comfort:

We have to say that the Belgian owners, (who now live in Uganda), have done a great job in providing the comforts of a nice hotel room in a tent. There are 7 tents at the lodge with either a double or twin bed and private bathrooms. Although there is is no running water in the tents, they are designed in such a way that you wouldn't really know it.  For example, the sink has a large container of water set-up with a faucet so that when you have to wash your hands, there is water. To shower, you have to order your hot water from reception and the staff will deliver it at your requested time. It  takes approximately 10 minutes to receive the hot water so you can pre-order for later in the day or for the next morning. In fact, the staff are very punctual with bringing the hot water at your requested time and will even check to see if you require more. The toilets are non-flushing so instead of water you throw a scoop of sand into the toilet after each use which is a nice alternative to water. The toilet does not smell (in case you are wondering). Electricity is limited to specific times of the day (from 6am to 6pm). Torches are provided during the times that electricity is not in use and you can charge your batteries at the main bar all day as it is powered by a separate generator.

The fairly large tents are designed into 4 sections, a large bedroom, a changing area with a sink, pit toilet and bush shower. The creative design made for a comfortable stay and despite the fact that the accommodations are tents, they felt like cottages.

Cleanliness:

The tents are very clean, but since they are tents, there is only so much that can be done to keep insects out.  The staff do spray the tents with insecticides in the evenings to eliminate mosquitoes, as mosquito nets aren't provided, but it does not kill other insects. We did find a couple of spiders in our tent, but didn't hear of anyone else having the same problem during our stay. It wasn't a concern.

Finally, there is an slight odour from the plastic of the tent but it didn't really bother us as it is expected from this type of accommodation.

Service:

The service was outstanding. The room attendants were very diligent with their jobs and punctual with all requests made. This is one place where the staff went out of there way to ensure we were comfortable and happy. The atmosphere was great and the staff made this a wonderful experience. Since the tents do not have any electrical outlets the staff will be happy to charge batteries and mobiles at the reception desk.

Food:

The food was great. Breakfast was included in the booking and the staff was great with allowing us to order everything on the menu leaving us very full and satisfied. We had the option to choose if we wanted to go on full board, half board or pay as we ate. We chose to pay as we ate and it worked out well for us, although the full board option was a good deal. We also ate dinner here and enjoyed our meal. Dinner consisted of 4 courses (while lunch was 2 courses). The portions were large and tasty. The restaurant is located on an open patio on top of the reception area, while the kitchen is located in a separate building. Dinner and lunch are on a set menu but they will certainly make adjustments if you have specific diet requirements. 

Overall Value:

Overall, the value of this lodge was great. It's a unique experience that we enjoyed very much. The lodge is beautifully set and the tents are smartly designed to provide a unique and memorable experience. The staff provided 5-star service without the associated costs. In our opinion, this is one of the best places in its price range in Uganda. We think the absence of mosquito nets in the tents is the only negative aspect of the tents. We highly recommend this lodge to others as not only is it one of the best places to stay at in this area, it might be one of the best places to stay at in Uganda (at its current price).

Other Notes:

There is a 30 to 45 minute nature trail that surrounds the camp were you have opportunities to spot various species of monkeys and other wildlife. Also, if you are travelling to the Kibale Forest, don't miss out on the Chimp trekking. Although permits are one of the most expensive for this activity in Uganda, your chances of seeing the chimps in the wild are the best in Uganda.

Our Rating: 4/5   Year Reviewed: 2009

For the best possible price, please visit Expedia.ca. You can also visit the hotel's website at: www.naturelodges.biz.

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