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Courtesy of Volcanoes Safaris
Tracking chimpanzees is fast and furious.
Exterior of the Kibale Lodge, the new chimpanzee lodge in Uganda.Credit:Courtesy of Volcanoes Safaris
Female botanist Celine Ishimwe has planted over 200,000 indigenous seedlings in this once-degraded area.
Hospitality here also plays a big part in the Volcanoes experience.
I have a personal butler, though the service is not stuffy.
The veranda dining table at Kibale Lodge.Courtesy of Volcanoes Safaris
Heres my full review of Kibale Lodge.
Everything else within is also handcrafted by local people, from the table lamps to the napkins.
I particularly coveted the bronze monkey, a sculpture from the nearby Rwenzori art gallery.
The living area is contained within the bedroom in a standard banda, but sizing is still generous.
Umbrellas and ponchos are provided for downpours, and a yoga mat for downward dogs.
I treated myself to a solar-powered outdoor rainforest shower.
Firinda is another must-try.
The large living and dining area encourages guests to talk to each other, though room service is available.
A wide range of alcoholic drinks are available for those who like a tipple.
Lunches come with handmade napkins and are secured in locally woven baskets, which is a lovely touch.
Bigodi, a 45-minute drive from Kibale, is also worth a visit.
Local handicrafts, jewelry, and textiles from the womens cooperative are also available.
A gift shop with local crafts will open soon.
The Spa
The small spa provides daily complimentary full-body massages using coconut oil.
There are two treatment rooms with two beds in each room.
Family-friendly Offerings
Children are welcome here, but the lodge does not cater especially for younger guests.
Bear in mind only those aged 12 and over can go chimpanzee trekking.
Accessibility and Sustainability
Sustainability is integral to Volcanoes Safaris.
The veranda dining table at Kibale Lodge.Courtesy of Volcanoes Safaris
Energy mostly comes from solar power.
Food waste goes to compost or to feed the (lucky) local pigs.
Single-use plastics are nowhere to be seen.
A chimpanzee at Kibale Lodge.Courtesy of Volcanoes Safaris
Kibale houses a hydroponic garden to grow vegetables, and most other food is sourced locally.
Future plans include upgrading the road to the lodge, which is also an important thoroughfare for local people.
Location
Getting here is part of the adventure.
A woman walking through the gardens at Kibale Lodge.Courtesy of Volcanoes Safaris
From Entebbe, you’ll take a small plane to Kasese airstrip.
