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Chimpanzee Forest Lodge
Chimpanzee Forest Lodge, Kibale National Park
Chimpanzee Forest Lodge is a top midrange and budget lodge near Kibale National Park, home to wild chimpanzees. It sits on 100 acres of lawns, gardens, tea plantations, and forest. Guests enjoy stunning views of the Rwenzori Mountains, crater lakes, and Kibale Forest National Park.
The lodge has a rich history. Built in the 1950s for the British District Commissioner, it later became the home of John Switzer, son of tea pioneer C. W. Switzer. In 2003, the family renovated it into a comfortable safari lodge. Today it remains locally owned and run, with warm Ugandan hospitality.
The main house is full of character. Relax in a comfortable lounge with African books and colonial photographs. History meets nature in the lush gardens outside. Quiet and welcoming, Chimpanzee Forest Lodge is a perfect base for exploring Kibale National Park and offers excellent value.
Highlights
- Just a short drive to Kibale National Park’s Kanyanchu Visitor Center, giving guests easy access to see over 1,500 wild chimpanzees.
- Set on 100 acres of tea plantations, gardens, and forest, with views of the Rwenzori Mountains, crater lakes, and Kibale Forest.
- Comfortable cottages (bandas), a historic colonial house, and a shaded campsite, catering to midrange and budget travelers alike.
- You can enjoy crater lake walks, birdwatching, tea plantation visits, cultural and market tours, and longer hikes like the Mahoma Falls trek.
Chimpanzee Forest Lodge Gallery
Access and Location
Chimpanzee Forest Lodge lies just outside the boundary of Kibale National Park, about a 30-minute drive from the park’s visitor center where chimpanzee treks begin. The lodge is also close to the scenic crater lakes of Nyabikere, Nyinabulitwa, and Nyamirima, which can easily be explored on foot.
Travelers can reach the lodge in about 5 to 6 hours by road from Entebbe Airport or Kampala, passing through the pleasant town of Fort Portal, which is only about 20 kilometres away. Guests coming from other safari destinations can also fly to Kasese Airstrip and continue by car for about 2 hours.
Accommodation At Chimpanzee Forest Lodge
Chimpanzee Forest Lodge offers different types of accommodation to suit both midrange and budget travelers.
Cottages (Bandas)
The lodge has several self-contained cottages, known as bandas, built in a beautiful natural style. Each cottage has comfortable double or twin beds, a private bathroom with a hot-water shower, and wide verandas that overlook the gardens, tea plantations, and the forest beyond.
From your veranda, you can often see colorful birds flying past or hear the distant calls of chimpanzees in the forest. The cottages are spacious, bright, and simple, giving guests a peaceful and relaxing stay surrounded by nature.
Main Guest House
For guests who like a bit of history, the old colonial house offers two self-contained rooms. These rooms were once part of the District Commissioner’s home and have been carefully restored to keep their old-world charm. The rooms have wide windows with lovely views of the tea plantations and crater lake, comfortable beds, and private bathrooms with modern fittings.
Camping
For travelers on a tighter budget or those who love the outdoors, the lodge has a grassy campsite set slightly away from the main buildings. It’s quiet, safe, and shaded by trees. Guests can pitch their own tents and enjoy the sounds of the forest at night. There are shared bathrooms with hot showers, and meals can be arranged in the main dining area.
Facilities At Chimpanzee Forest Lodge
The lodge provides hydroelectric power, constant running water, and free Wi-Fi in the main area. There is also a stand-by generator, well-trained security staff, and a warm, welcoming team ready to help with any need. Guests can relax in the comfortable lounge, enjoy a drink in the garden, or read from the small collection of books about Uganda’s wildlife and history. In the evenings, a campfire is often lit outside where guests gather to share stories from their day’s adventures.
Meals at Chimpanzee Forest Lodge are freshly prepared using local ingredients. Expect tasty Ugandan dishes, homemade soups, fruits from the garden, and vegetables from nearby farms. The dining area looks out over the crater lake and offers a peaceful place to eat while enjoying the view.
Activities At Chimpanzee Forest Lodge
Chimpanzee Forest Lodge is perfectly located for exploring Kibale National Park and the surrounding region. With the help of the lodge’s experienced guides, guests can join several exciting and educational activities.
#1 Chimpanzee Trekking
The highlight of most visits is chimpanzee tracking inside Kibale National Park. The park is home to over 1,500 chimpanzees and 12 other primate species, making it one of the best places in Africa to see these amazing animals in the wild. Treks start each morning and afternoon from the Kanyanchu Visitor Center, just a short drive from the lodge. Watching chimpanzees feed, play, and communicate in their natural home is an unforgettable experience.
#2 Bird Watching
The area around the lodge and the nearby crater lakes is rich in birdlife. Guests can go on short guided walks to spot species such as hornbills, kingfishers, turacos, sunbirds, and weavers. Birding walks usually take two to three hours and are suitable for all ages.
#3 Crater Lake Exploration
A popular activity is the Crater Lake Walk, which takes visitors through local villages, tea plantations, and forest patches to see three beautiful lakes — Nyabikere, Nyinabulitwa, and Nyamirima. The walk takes about two to three hours, offering great views and chances to meet local people.
#4 Top of the World Trek
For more adventure, the Top of the World Trek is a longer hike through tea gardens and hills. From the top, you can see three crater lakes lined up in a straight line and, on clear days, even the crater lakes of Queen Elizabeth National Park. This walk usually takes about three to four hours and is one of the best ways to appreciate the area’s stunning landscape.
#5 Tea Plantation Visit
Guests can walk with a guide through the nearby tea plantations to learn how tea is grown, harvested, and processed. Local farmers often invite visitors to join in picking tea leaves and explaining the different types of tea produced in Uganda.
#6 Community and Market Visit
The lodge can arrange visits to the nearby Rwaihamba Market, a lively open-air market that takes place twice a week. Here, visitors can see local people trading bananas, fruits, vegetables, handmade crafts, and colorful fabrics. It’s a great way to experience everyday Ugandan life.
#7 Mahoma Falls Hike
For guests who enjoy longer walks, the Mahoma Falls hike is a full-day adventure through villages, gardens, and forested hills. The waterfalls are a beautiful reward at the end of the trail, and the walk gives travelers a closer look at rural Uganda and its friendly people.
