Accommodation in Kibale Forest National Park

Sleep under the canopies of old trees or perched atop a ridge. Enjoy panoramic views of the rainforest and the Rwenzori mountain range, and for those more adventurous, take refuge high above in old-style treehouses.

There is a wide range of accommodation options near the park to suit all budgets.

Private cottages, with electricity, Wi-Fi and all the works are the most luxurious option, but there are great tented camps for those looking to rest a little closer to nature. 

If you’re planning a chimp trek in Kibale, consider the distance to Kanyanchu, the start of the trail. 

About an hour from the Forest, the small, bustling, town of Fort Portal offers a great place to stay if you want to explore the foothills of the northern Rwenzori Mountains and the Semliki Valley, as well as Kibale Forest.

Not only is Kyaninga Lodge an amazing place to stay, it also has an unforgettable story. Luxury cabins constructed from massive eucalyptus logs, built by self-taught builders, line the rim of the Kyaninga Crater looking down into the 220-metre lake below. 

One of the most popular options in the Toro Crater Lakes area is Ndali Lodge in the Rwaihamba Cluster.

Owner-managed and set on a tea-estate established by the same family in the 1920s, the lodge has a quirky, English-country house feel with beautiful views to the west and the peaks of the Rwenzori Mountains.

Elevated high on a ridge within the Crater Lake Area, Isunga Lodge has unmatched panoramic views of the rainforest, Rwenzori Mountains and the distant savannahs of Queen Elizabeth National Park. 

When staying here, it is easy to feel like you have the place to yourself. Cottages are encompassed by an overgrown wild garden, creating total privacy, perfect for a few days of complete relaxation.

Isunga is conveniently 25 minutes away from Kayanchu, the trailhead for chimp trekking. 

Just 10 minutes from the start of the chimpanzee trail, settled underneath a canopy of old trees, lies Kibale Forest Camp. 

Staying in one of their thatched African style tents allows you to totally immerse yourself in the sounds of the rain forest and wildlife lovers will be able to see many rare birds and mammals. Sharp-eyed visitors may catch a glimpse of the rare Red Colobus from the main veranda. 

The tents come with en-suite facilities, hot water, and private balcony. 

Of course, many visitors don’t want to just visit the forest, they want to stay there; experiencing the transition between night and day, becoming enveloped in the endless sounds of birdsong, insects, animals pushing through the undergrowth and the heavy drops of tropical rain.

Located just a 5-minute walk from where the chimp treks begin, Primate Lodge is a very comfortable lodge in the heart of the forest. Each thatched cottage looks out into its own area of forest, while the open dining area and sitting room looks out onto a forest full of butterflies when the sun shines.

In town, the Mountains of the Moon Hotel, provides a less expensive and larger option.

It is a refurbished colonial-era hotel that serves tourist, business and local clientele alike.

If you prefer a simpler, backpacker style, option, then the Rwenzori View Guesthouse is always a popular choice.