Primate Lodge Kibale
Primate Lodge Kibale Is A Very Comfortable Property In The Heart Of Kibale Forest
Primate Lodge in Kibale National Park is perfectly positioned for joining chimp trekking activities, and being located right in the heart of the forest also offers a true forest experience, even while relaxing in camp. The rooms are dotted amongst the forest, whilst the central bar, lounge and dining are spacious and serve as a natural meeting point for guests. Naturally, Primate Lodge is fairly busy with guests coming and going, usually for two night stays, and you don’t have the expansive views that some properties outside the forest can offer. But for a Kibale Forest experience, with a focus on the chimp trekking, you can’t beat this setting.
Rooms
Accommodation is provided in nine deluxe en suite forest cottages and one honeymoon cottage, each comfortably furnished and tastefully decorated with a stylish yet authentic African design. Each cottage is secluded offering privacy within the forest, featuring a spacious veranda, either two double beds or one king size as well as an en-suite bathroom. The Honeymoon Cottage has its own sitting and dining area.
Central Areas
Natural stone pathways lead you through the forest to the main lodge which has a spacious open-plan dining terrace where meals are served. The restaurant provides local and international cuisine. Adjacent is a well-stocked bar and cosy lounge with a small library. In the evenings, guests can gather around the open fireplace. The Wellbeing Spa offers a range of treatments at an extra cost.
Facilities
Wi-Fi – Yes
Power for Charging – Yes
Swimming – No
Habitat & Wildlife
Kibale Forest is situated south-east of Fort Portal in western Uganda and covers an area of around 795 square kms. The forest is home to thirteen different primate species including chimpanzee, red colobus, blue monkeys, grey cheeked mangabeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys and black and white colobus. Kibale is best known for its chimpanzee trekking and is arguably the best place in Uganda to see chimpanzees. The park is currently home to around 1,450 individuals.
The birdlife of Kibale Forest is also exceptional, and notable species to look out for include the green-breasted pitta, black bee-eater, white spotted crake, Great blue turaco and blue-breasted kingfisher.
Activities
Kibale is best known for chimpanzee trekking, with guided tours offered each morning. Permits need to be booked in advance. The walking isn’t usually too strenuous, and treks can last anything from 2 to 5 hours, with one hour spent with the chimps.
Birding walks are also available through the forest and along the edge of the nearby Bigodi Wetlands. More in depth chimp habituation programs and night walks are also available. Keen birders may be interested in an early start to try and seek out the rare green-breasted pitta which is most active at dawn. Guests can also visit the Café Kibale community training café which is situated next to the Uganda Wildlife Authority visitor centre.
Seasons
Kibale Forest is open year round, but the wettest months are likely to be September to November, and then late March through to early May.
Children of all ages are welcome at Bwindi Lodge, however there is no family-specific accommodation and the minimum age for chimpanzee trekking is 12 years and so the destination is unlikely to appeal to families with younger children. For families with teenagers, they would need to be comfortable with trekking and able to enjoy the focus of being in a forest environment. Safaris in Uganda often combine chimpanzee trekking with gorilla trekking, for which there is a minimum age of 15 years, so for a larger itinerary, there are limited options for families.
Primate Lodge Kibale is operated by Great Lakes Safaris who have established The Great Lakes Foundation. Great Lakes Foundation strongly believes in the power of tourism to change lives, protect wildlife, and create a brighter future and works hand-in-hand with communities living near Uganda’s national parks to ensure they benefit from tourism. The Foundation’s mission is to invest in education, conservation, and community empowerment helping local people access opportunities that improve their lives while protecting the incredible natural heritage that surrounds them.
The Foundation’s work is supported by a conservation and community levy on safaris and bed-night contributions from guests who stay in Great Lakes’ lodges.
Café Kibale is a vibrant community initiative under the Great Lakes Foundation, established with the goal of empowering local youth with valuable skills and experience in the hospitality sector. Café Kibale offers free training programmes designed to prepare trainees for Uganda’s growing tourism industry. The café is situated next to the Uganda Wildlife Authority visitors centre, so guests can enjoy a lovely coffee and freshly baked cake after a chimpanzee trek – a rewarding experience on every level!
Being situated in the protected area of Kibale National Park, Primate Lodge is highly committed to the conservation of nature and culture. The lodge is constructed with local materials and makes use of solar powered electricity in order to minimize the impact on the environment. Moreover, the accommodation contributes to the livelihood of the surrounding communities by involving the local families in different service areas, ranging from employment and the supply of locally grown products to providing handmade crafts and cultural performances.