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Kibale Lodge
Now Open

Primates in the Forest

Kibale Lodge, Volcanoes Safaris’ new chimpanzee lodge in Uganda, is now open!

Kibale Lodge will comprise eight bandas, plus spa and pool. Four bandas are open and four more by the end of the year. The lodge is built in the renowned Volcanoes handmade style by an in-house design and build team of African artisans.

Kibale Lodge sits on a ridge with stunning views of the Rwenzori Mountains towards the west and the Queen Elizabeth plains and the Kazinga channel to the south.

Stay at Kibale Lodge as part of our new ‘Primates of the Great Rift Valley’ safari, combining Kibale with seeing the ‘Lost Chimps of Kyambura’ at Kyambura Gorge Lodge and trekking the enchanting Nyakagezi gorilla family at Mount Gahinga Lodge. Book this safari before 31 December 2024 and receive a free night at Kibale Lodge.

Lodge Overview

8 unique hand-built luxury bandas (6 deluxe and 2 standard). 4 bandas are now open and a further 4 by the end of 2024. The 150 acre site is surrounded by lush homesteads on the rolling hills around Fort Portal, known for its warm and welcoming climate.

Exceptional hospitality embodying the deep traditions of the local Batoro people, based on values and respect for family and elders. Personal butler service for all guests.

Kibale Lodge Spa has two double massage rooms, sauna and swimming pool (pool open by 1 September). All massages are complimentary and subject to booking and availability.

Locally inspired food menus, such as Filinda, a classic delicacy traditionally served at marriage ceremonies.

Trek chimpanzees in Kibale Forest – the Primate Capital of the World. Join the chimpanzee habituation program and spend 4 hours with a chimp group as part of the habituation process.

Participate in community and conservation activities including a visit to a local primary school as part of the Roots and Shoots program and to the Rwenzori Sculpture Foundation.

Kibale Lodge is an hour’s drive from the Kasese airstrip. Kibale Forest, the base for chimpanzee trekking, is a thirty-minute drive from the lodge.

Book the new ‘Primates of the Great Rift Valley’ safari before 31 December 2024 and receive a free night at Kibale Lodge.

Make your stay even more special and book the lodge on an exclusive use basis.

Locally Inspired and Built

Kibale Lodge has been hand-built to a new level of elegance and luxury by Volcanoes’ in-house teams of artisans from the countries of the Great Lakes, including local engineers, fundis, decorators and upholsterers.

The team of 400 workers has been led by Cyprien Serugero, who built the iconic Virunga Lodge in Rwanda 20 years ago and John-Bosco Tukamuhabwa, the site supervisor who rebuilt Mount Gahinga Lodge in recent years. They are supported with careful craftsmanship by Joseph Nsabimana, Head Carpenter and furniture maker, Wycliffe Tuyambaze, upholsterer.

Lead botanist, Celine Ishimwe and her team of 50 gardeners have planted over 200,000 indigenous plants seedlings in the central 23 acres of land over the last year.

Read more here.

Community and Conservation Partnerships

At Kibale, we are working in partnership with the Jane Goodall Institute to organise community outreach programs through the Roots and Shoots program, particularly to build up women leaders in conservation.

We are also working with the Jane Goodall Institute and wider participants of the Albertine Apes Alliance, an informal advocacy network bringing together stakeholders in conservation and ecotourism in the Albertine Rift, to promote responsible ecotourism in Kibale Forest.

A new cultural partnership with the Rwenzori Sculpture Foundation, set up by Rungwe Kingdom, will bring sculptures relating to the traditional clans of Uganda to the lodge.

Volcanoes is building a new vocational centre at Sadhguru School, located near Kibale lodge.

Conservation and Community

Kibale Lodge, Uganda in the News

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Volcanoes Safaris’ new chimpanzee lodge in Uganda, Kibale Lodge, is featured in the Independent as one of the hottest new hotel openings

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Kibale Lodge, the fifth lodge from Volcanoes Safaris, is listed in the ‘8 New Safari Lodges And Camps To Travel For In

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We are delighted to see Kibale lodge featured in CNN Travel among the Sexiest new hotels for 2024. Julia Buckley describes the

Kibale Lodge, Uganda Rates

High Season Lodge Rates Per Person SharingSingle Occupancy
Standard Banda$ 1650$ 1980
Deluxe Banda$ 2000$ 2400
Community Fees$ 50$ 50

Low Season Lodge Rates Per Person SharingSingle Occupancy
Standard Banda$ 990$ 990
Deluxe Banda$ 1200$ 1200
Community Fees$ 50$ 50

High Season Lodge Rates Per Person SharingSingle Occupancy
Standard Banda$ 1650$ 1980
Deluxe Banda$ 2000$ 2400
Community Fees$ 50$ 50

Low Season Lodge Rates Per Person SharingSingle Occupancy
Standard Banda$ 990$ 990
Deluxe Banda$ 1200$ 1200
Community Fees$ 50$ 50

International Guest Terms

Terms Summary
  • Rates are effective on all new 2024 bookings made from 1st April 2023.
  • Rates are inclusive of current government taxes, which may be subject to change without notice.
  • The rates above include accommodation and meals, soft drinks, standard and premium alcoholic drinks, cellar collection wines (except French champagne), single malt whiskeys, laundry services, any activities at the lodges, and all massages (subject to booking and availability).
  • The Volcanoes Safaris Partnership community and conservation fee of $50 per guest per night funds community and conservation projects around the lodges.
  • Low season rates are applicable to bookings from 1 October to 14 December and 1 March to 31 May.
  • Children of 12 years and under staying in the same room as their parents pay US $100 per child per night. Children under 5 years stay for free.
  • Children of 12 years and under, occupying their own room pay adult rates.
  • The minimum age limit for children at Virunga Lodge is 12 years.
Special Offers
  • Book Bwindi Lodge and Kyambura Gorge Lodge combined for 4 nights and get the 5th night free.
  • Book 2 nights at Kyambura Gorge Lodge or Mt. Gahinga Lodge and get 50% discount on the 3rd night.
  • Kibale Lodge Introductory Offer. Book Kibale with Bwindi or Gahinga and receive the 5th night free (at the lower priced lodge). Valid until 31 December 2025.
  • The offers cannot be combined.
Map room
  • At Virunga the Dian Fossey Map Room is available for conferences, private events and other functions. Please inquire for details and cost.
Payment policy Standard booking (Up to 3 rooms)
  • A 20% non-refundable deposit is payable upon receipt of invoice.
  • Final balance is due 30 days prior to arrival.
  • Bookings within 30 days of arrival – full payment due upon receipt of invoice.
Group booking (4 and above rooms)
  • 35% non-refundable and non-transferable deposit is payable upon receipt of invoice in order to confirm booking.
  • Final balance of 65% is due 60 days prior to date.
  • Bookings within 60 days of arrival – full payment due upon receipt of invoice.
For full Terms and Conditions please visit our website.
Special Offers
  • 5 for 4 Nights. Book the following lodge combinations and receive the 5th night free (at the lower priced lodge): Virunga and Gahinga; Bwindi and Kyambura.
  • Kibale Lodge Introductory Offer. Book Kibale with Bwindi or Gahinga and receive the 5th night free (at the lower priced lodge). Valid until 31 December 2025.
  • 50% discount on 3rd night. Book 3 nights at Kyambura Gorge Lodge or Mount Gahinga Lodge and receive 50% discount on the 3rd night. (Cannot be combined with the ‘5 for 4 offer’)
  • Villa Rates. Exclusive use lodge rates are available on request.
  • Dian Fossey Map Room. At Virunga the Dian Fossey Map Room is available for conferences, private events and other functions. Please inquire for details and cost.
Terms Summary
  • All rates are in US Dollars (USD).
  • Rates are effective on all new 2025 bookings made from 9 April 2024.
  • Rates are inclusive of current government taxes, which may be subject to change without notice.
  • The rates above include accommodation and meals, soft drinks, standard and premium alcoholic drinks, signature cocktails, cellar collection wines (except French champagne), single malt whiskeys, laundry services, any activities at the lodges, and all massages (subject to booking and availability).
  • Volcanoes Safaris Partnership Trust community and conservation fee of $50 per guest per night funds community and conservation projects around the lodges.
  • Low season rates are applicable to bookings from 1 October to 14 December and 1 March to 31 May.
  • Children of 12 years and under staying in the same room as their parents pay US $100 per child per night. Children under 5 years stay for free.
  • Children of 12 years and under, occupying their own room pay adult rates.
  • The minimum age limit for children at Virunga Lodge is 12 years.
  • At Kyambura Gorge Lodge, a $25 per person fee, paid to Uganda Wildlife Authority, for the guided nature walk along the Fig Tree Camp trail, to the chimpanzee tracking starting point is included in the lodge rate.
Payment Policy Lodge Only Bookings
  • A deposit of 20% of the invoice is payable upon receipt in order to confirm your booking.
  • For bookings for 4 rooms and above, the deposit payable is 35%.
  • The deposit is non-refundable and non-transferable.
  • Final balance is due 30 days prior to arrival.
  • For bookings within 30 days of arrival the full payment is due upon receipt of invoice.
Safari Bookings
  • Full value of gorilla and chimpanzee permits plus 20% of the rest of the invoice, is payable upon receipt of invoice.
  • For bookings for 4 rooms and above, the deposit payable is the full value of gorilla and chimpanzee permits plus 35% of the rest of the invoice.
  • The deposit is non-refundable and non-transferable.
  • Final balance is due 45 days prior to arrival.
  • For bookings within 45 days of arrival the full payment is due upon receipt of invoice.
Please read our full Terms and Conditions including our cancellation policy on our website.

Resident Rates

For rates for East African residents and the DRC, as well as bona fide conservation organisations please contact [email protected].

Kibale Lodge, Uganda

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Booking Enquiry

To make a booking, please complete this form or click here to chat to one of our sales consultants via our live chat. Alternatively, send us an email on [email protected].
To protect gorillas from disease, no children under 15 years are allowed to go gorilla tracking. For guests booking a stay at Virunga Lodge, please note that the minimum age limit for children at Virunga Lodge is 12 years.

Safari Activities

Chimpanzee Tracking

Tracking chimpanzees in their natural habitat, as they swing from the branches in the canopy high above the forest floor is nothing short of exhilarating. The chimps effortlessly cross and scamper through the trees above the gorge, and visitors on the other hand must cross the river using natural bridges in order to keep up with the chimps. So although the walk usually lasts only 2–3 hours, descending the steep gorge and crossing the log bridges over the river requires some agility and fitness.

Chimpanzee tracking is also available in nearby Kalinzu, a forest reserve 30 minutes drive from Kyambura Gorge Lodge where there is a community of about 40 habituated chimpanzees.