This eclectic contemporary safari lodge has been converted from an old coffee store to create a breathtakingly beautiful space. The lodge is located on the edge of Queen Elizabeth National Park with sweeping views of the rolling savanna, the distant mountains of the moon, and the sunken Kyambura Gorge.
The stylish bandas also have a contemporary theme with the accent on local artefacts re-imagined in a new context. Each banda offers a unique view either across the savanna or the gorge.
The lodge is the ideal location for tracking the lost chimps in the sunken forest of Kyambura Gorge nearby and seeing the amazing game in one of Africa’s most beautiful and varied parks, centred around the waterway of the Kazinga Channel where animals come to bathe. The park has six hundred amazing bird species, the highest in an African park.
Lodge overview
- Eight unique timber and brick guest bandas with iron sheet or thatch roofs (six doubles and two twins) reflect the local building style.
- En-suite luxury shower rooms with flushing toilet, double vanity, shower with hot and cold running water.
- Personal butler service for all guests.
- Rooms have mosquito nets, 240v lighting, charging stations and a private balcony.
- Bandas are individually named after the Kyambura Gorge chimpanzees.
- Swimming pool and massage area.
- 1 tour leader room available.
- Wi-Fi is available in the main lodge building.
Ready to book your safari to search for the lost chimps of Kyambura Gorge? Contact our sales team now!
In 2017 Kyambura Gorge Lodge has been ranked on Condé Nast Traveler’s list of the best Africa Resorts in their 30th annual Readers' Choice Awards.
Photos
Activities at Kyambura Gorge Lodge
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.
Queen Elizabeth National Park is considered to be one of Uganda’s most varied and most beautiful protected areas. Queen, as she is affectionately known, is home to two of Africa’s big cats, the majestic lion and the elusive leopard. Kyambura Gorge Lodge guests can explore the plains of Queen Elizabeth Park in Uganda on a variety of game drives, usually at dawn and dusk. It is when daylight hours are coolest that wildlife is most active.
Join a local scientific researcher on his daily game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park to locate and record the behavior of a lion pride he is studying. This activity is best done in the mornings when there is ample time to track the pride and chances of finding them are high.
It is highly uncommon for lions to actually climb trees. In fact, there is only one subspecies known to climb trees regularly, and one of the two populations of these subspecies can be found in Ishasha, in the southern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Finding a pride lounging on the branches of one of the many fig trees in the park is considered to be one of the highlights of visiting the park.
Both Uganda and Rwanda offer some of the world’s best bird watching, with a vast diversity of bird species. Uganda has over 1,000 bird species with 150 found only in Uganda. Rwanda has over 700 bird species and is home to the second highest number of Albertine endemics in the Albertine region. Each of our lodges offers the chance to see a number of different birds, with the vast majority endemic to the Region.
The Kazinga Channel is a 32-kilometer long channel, rich in wildlife, that links Lakes Edward and George. Boat trips down the channel depart from Mweya Safari Lodge (about an hour’s drive through the park from Kyambura Gorge Lodge) and last 3-4 hours. The boat cruise provides a wonderful opportunity to photograph the many animals that come to cool off at the waters’ edge, including lion, buffalo, hippo, elephant, and leopard.
See the transformation of coffee beans into delicious Ugandan coffee – all done by hand, by local community members – and even get to sample the finished product for yourself. At the end of the tour guests are given the opportunity to purchase some of the cooperative’s coffee, which makes a great souvenir and supports the local community.
Set up by Damien Hirst, the Rwenzori Sculpture Foundry & Gallery are a short drive from Kyambura Gorge Lodge. Sculptures by rising Ugandan artists sit alongside works by leading European sculptors, the result of collaborations and artist residencies. All works are inspired by the people, culture, wildlife and landscape of Uganda, and make the perfect memento to mark an unforgettable journey.
Quotes
“Should western societies globally follow by example Volcanoes Safaris conservation and community ethos, our world would be a better place. We have respect and appreciation for what you are doing. Thank you!”
Adrian, Australia
“The Kyambura Gorge Lodge is a jewel to be discovered! We were well taken care of and highly recommend this lodge if you’re visiting Queen Elizabeth National Park.”
Carla, Mexico
“Overlooking the gorge and Savannah of the QE park this lodge is delightfully furnished and each bungalow has a view. As you leave the main road in the village a tiny track leads to the lodge entrance behind which the lodge opens out into a spacious garden, lounge and veranda. The food is excellent with superb vegetarian options.”
George, United Kingdom
“We had a great stay here for 3 nights with our family. We did 2 game drives and also did a safari boat ride on the Kazinga Channel, and the Gorge Walk.”
Toni, USA
“We stayed at the Kyambura Gorge Lodge and our experience was both relaxing and exhilarating. The design of the whole complex is beautiful and every effort was made by the staff to make our stay perfect.”
Diana, United Kingdom
Safaris at Kyambura Gorge Lodge
Volcanoes Safaris offers a variety of unique wildlife safaris in Uganda and Rwanda, including our popular 7-Day Kyambura and Bwindi safari. This week-long trip to Uganda takes you through the open savannah plains of Queen Elizabeth through the game drives and cruises to the deep jungle of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, home of the majestic mountain gorillas.
This week-long Uganda luxury safari takes you through the open savannah plains of Queen Elizabeth through the game drives and cruises to the deep jungle of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, home of the majestic mountain gorillas via the elusive Chimp forests of Kyambura and Kibale. For more information about our gorilla tour in Uganda and our unique African safaris, contact Volcanoes Safaris today.
This three-night excursion to the savanna of Queen Elizabeth National Park allows guests to enjoy traditional game drives, a spectacular boat cruise, and a walk into the sunken forest of the Kyambura Gorge, home to the elusive chimpanzee. There are also community projects run by the Volcanoes Safaris Partnership Trust in the area, which guests can visit.
We are proud members of Pack for a Purpose, an initiative that allows travelers like you to make a lasting impact in the community at your travel destination. If you save just a few kilos of space in your suitcase and take supplies for the projects we support in need, you’ll make a priceless impact in the lives of our local children and families. Please click here to see what supplies are needed for our project/projects at Kyambura Gorge Lodge.