Kibale Lodge Uganda offers a handcrafted stay near chimpanzee trekking

Set on the edge of Kibale Forest National Park, this Uganda lodge pairs handmade design, Batooro hospitality and direct access to one of Africa’s most compelling wildlife encounters

Kibale Lodge, the newest lodge in Volcanoes Safaris’ portfolio, was entirely handcrafted by the company’s own team of skilled artisans. Overseen by Ugandan-born founder Praveen Moman, the construction team of more than 400 local engineers, decorators and upholsterers worked together to bring the project to life.

Led by Cyprien Serugero, who built the iconic Virunga Lodge in Rwanda two decades ago, alongside site supervisor John-Bosco Tukamuhabwa, who oversaw the recent rebuilding of Mount Gahinga Lodge, it is the company’s newest lodge to open in twelve years. The landmark development links Africa’s finest gorilla and chimpanzee sites, and its five existing great ape lodges, for a seamless safari across Rwanda and Uganda.

Handmade in Uganda

Designed and built in the renowned Volcanoes handmade style, the team included head carpenter and furniture maker Joseph Nsabimana, and upholsterer Wycliffe Tuyambaze, who refined the lodge’s distinctive textile finishes. “The whole team has worked with rare passion and dedication, and I pay tribute to their spirit,” Praveen Moman says. “We looked to our in-house team for design inspiration. We work in ‘the barefoot villager’ style, sitting down together and working out practical local approaches to aesthetics. Our team of craftsmen and women have made everything themselves, whatever the origin of the design.”

From structural elements to the smallest details, the craftspeople drew on diverse design influences while honoring the traditions and aesthetics of the Great Lakes region. The result is a distinctive lodge that reflects Volcanoes Safaris’ signature Afro-chic style and celebrates the richness of local culture and craftsmanship, creating a unique and memorable lodge near Uganda’s Kibale Forest National Park.

Beyond its stunning physical construction, the essence of Kibale Lodge lies in its warm, deeply rooted approach to guest service. The lodge’s hospitality embodies the deep traditions of the local Batooro people, which are based on values and respect for family and elders. Each guest has a personal butler and is given a pet name – an ‘ampaako’ – during their stay, which is a mark of respect. This cherished local tradition instantly bridges the gap between traveller and host, making you feel like a welcomed member of the extended community.

Chimpanzee trekking and beyond

To arrive at the lodge, guests must take a flight to Kasese airstrip, then an hour’s drive from the historic hill town of Fort Portal. The lodge is located thirty-minutes from Kibale Forest, famously home to one of the highest concentrations and diversities of primates on the continent – and the base for chimpanzee trekking. This proximity to the forest sets the stage for one of Africa’s most thrilling wildlife encounters.

At Kibale Lodge, guests wake up to misty morning air before being led by expert trackers to the dense, emerald canopy, where the cacophonous hoots of chimpanzees precede the sight of them, swinging through the mahogany trees or foraging on the forest floor. Observing these remarkably intelligent creatures, our closest living relatives in their natural habitat, is nothing short of transformative – a humbling and exhilarating connection to the wild.

Kibale is one of five luxury lodges in the Volcanoes Safaris Collection. At sister properties Virunga Lodge, Bwindi Lodge and Gahinga Lodge, gorilla trekking is the drawcard experience, while chimpanzee trekking is offered at Kibale and Kyambura Lodge. “Seeing the different chimp families at Kibale and then continuing to the Lost Chimps of Kyambura Gorge and the wildlife and birds of Queen Elizabeth, ending with the enchanting gorilla family in Gahinga is one of the great safaris of Africa,” says founder Praveen Moman. 

Guests wake up to misty morning air before being led by expert trackers to the dense, emerald canopy, where the cacophonous hoots of chimpanzees precede the sight of them…

Community connection

But the Kibale Lodge experience extends far beyond wildlife. There’s the warm hospitality of the staff, along with numerous opportunities to engage with the region’s human history and its future. The lodge actively supports community and environmental initiatives, most notably the Jane Goodall Institute’s Roots & Shoots program.

Guests have the unique opportunity to participate in this inspiring youth-led movement, by engaging with local students who are implementing projects to protect wildlife, restore habitats, and improve their communities. The powerful experience gives visitors a firsthand view of the tangible impact of sustainable tourism and growth of the next generation of environmental stewards.

From the meticulously carved wooden furniture and the welcoming ‘ampaako’ greeting, to the profound encounters with wild chimpanzees and the inspiring youth of the Roots & Shoots program, Kibale Lodge offers a unique experience in the heart of Uganda. It is a masterfully crafted gateway, built by hand, inspired by tradition, and fiercely dedicated to the future of its people and wildlife. 

Journey Notes

The 10-day ‘Primates of the Great Rift Valley’ Safari offered by Volcanoes Safaris combines Kibale Lodge with chimpanzee trekking at Kyambura Gorge Lodge and gorilla trekking at Mount Gahinga Lodge.