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Kibale

Chimpanzee Forest Lodge

Budget-friendly charm near one of Africa's best parks for chimp trekking.
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4.9 out of 5 stars   Average guest rating
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Our guests rate us excellent
4.9/5 (930 reviews)

About Chimpanzee Forest Lodge

Chimpanzee Forest Guest House is a small, low-key establishment surrounded by 40 hectares of beautiful gardens, tea plantations and lush tropical forests bordering Uganda’s Kibale National Park. A good choice for cost-conscious travellers, the accommodation is a mix of self-contained cottages, comfortable rooms and secluded grassy campsites for those wanting to really get back to basics. The colonial homestead, once the residence of the British District Commissioner in the 1950s, is now owned and run by the Ugandan plantation owners. This is a great base for exploring some of Uganda's most picturesque wilderness regions – you won't be disappointed.

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From $60 person/night

Lodge
3 Rooms

Highlights

Wallow in the peace as you stroll through the grounds, with views that reach across the greenery all the way to the hazy Rwenzori Mountains.


Hiking through the plantations and forests to Lake Nkuruba, a striking crater lake that's just one in an area known for its dense concentration of deep volcanic crater lakes. Rest here and take in the reflections on the surface...


Proximity to 795-square-kilometre Kibale National Park makes this a good choice if you want to see chimps and other primates (more than a dozen species in all). The park links with Queen Elizabeth National Park to create an important ecotourism destination that's one of Africa's most varied and fascinating tracts of tropical forest.

The property

The colonial main homestead has a comfortable lounge and large library, stocked with a collection of African literature, some of which dates back to the 19th century. Drinks and simple, hearty meals are served in the large thatched, open-plan dining room overlooking the sloping lawns. Guests are encouraged to wander through the bird- and butterfly-filled gardens and further afield into the tea plantations within the property. Views across the estate and surrounding forests and mountains are nothing short of breathtaking.

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The rooms

In the main house, two comfortable double bedrooms share bathroom facilities. Separate bandas (bungalows) scattered among the trees and lush tropical vegetation include a large twin-bedded, self-contained unit overlooking Lake Nyabikere, and three small garden bandas with views of Kibale National Park. All are clean, and have hot showers and proper flush toilets, and down-to-earth decor featuring Ugandan tribal artefacts and cottage-style furnishings. A secluded grassy camping area offers flat, shady sites for those wishing to camp.

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One more thing...

Arguably the best budget-friendly guesthouse in this scenic part of Uganda. Food is good; views of Kibale are spectacular; and the gardens sing with birds.

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Activities

Gorillas and Chimps
Bush Walks
Walking safari

The guesthouse is a great base for exploring the Kibale region, with a resident guide on hand if required. Walks to nearby waterfalls and birdwatching hikes are offered, as are visits to the local tea factory and markets for souvenirs. Kibale is one of Uganda's most scenic reserves, and is famous for its startlingly good birdlife and primates, including chimpanzee, colobus monkey, mangabey and olive baboon. Visit dramatic Lake Nkuruba for eye-to-eye encounters with monkeys in the forest canopy.

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About Kibale Forest National Park

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What our guests are saying

4.9 / 5
Based on 930 reviews
Guest
Feb 2025 • 9 nights in Kenya
Annie Irankunda went to all lenghts and further to make my trip to Kenya lovely. She helped with all the things I... Read more
Rosalie
Feb 2025 • 14 nights in Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda
Kevin was so patient in getting my trip setup. It took months before I finally had a plan put together and he was... Read more
Anita
Feb 2025 • 12 nights in Kenya and Uganda
A huge thank you to Timbuktu for helping us plan our dream honeymoon! From start to finish, we felt incredibly... Read more
Larisa
Jan 2025 • 15 nights in South Africa and Mauritius
Amazing way to plan a trip! They made everything so seamless and easy prior to our trip. Took the stress out of... Read more
Guest
Jan 2025 • 13 nights in South Africa and Zimbabwe
Jenna was very helpful in developing a trip that met our wants while remaining within our budget. Highly recommend... Read more
Guest
Jan 2025 • 5 nights in South Africa and Zimbabwe
Joanna was so quick to respond to any and all questions I had. She communicated clearly and often. She also gave me... Read more
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