Kyambura Gorge Lodge, Kyambura Gorge
Kyambura Gorge Lodge
Your main reason for staying here is the chimp tracking down in the gorge, where they have become isolated due to deforestation and human encroachment. However with incredible views and sublimely unique and intimate accommodation, it’s not the only reason… Working closely with a number of community and wildlife projects, connecting tourism, community and conservation, it helps reduce human conflict, preserving the wetlands and the income for the local community.
Originally a coffee store and processing plant, it opened as a lodge in September 2011 and is surrounded by coffee plantations. The original structure has been sensitively restored, keeping the sense of history, whilst modernising the interiors for chic, luxurious and contemporary African living spaces.
- 6 Bandas
- Great for tracking chimps
- Great for responsible travel
Style: An intimate and luxurious eco-lodge.
Setting: A 45 minute private flight from Kampala, the lodge is on the edge of Queen Elizabeth National Park, overlooking the dramatic Kyambura Gorge and the stunning Rwenzori Mountains.
Accommodation & Facilities: Currently there are just 6 spacious bandas, another 2 are promised for May 2012, each nestled into the lush green hillside. Built to make the most out of and fit in with these spectacular surroundings, they each take in their individual views of the gorge. Sublimely spacious, bandas have ample room, uniquely decorated with ‘junk art’ sculptures. The rustic wooden floors lead to a luxurious ensuite bathroom, walls are pastel colour washed, leaving wooden beams in for character and large windows to welcome in the luscious outside spaces.
The main lodge features striking distinct spaces, decorated using local textiles, and a long veranda facing the savannah. A covered extension protrudes from this, featuring a straw thatched roof contrasting with the recycled tin which covers the main lodge.
Dining: A sunny breakfast terrace makes the ideal spot to enjoy breakfasts and the dining area creates a wonderful buffer space between the inside and outside.
Activities: Tracking the chimpanzees in the beautiful gorge takes about 3-4 hours and can take quite a bit of stamina. The landscape is incredible and the explosion crater itself has numerous craters and eerie landscapes created by volcanic activity. The Kasenyi track near Lake George is famed for its population of lions and game drives are available in the morning and afternoon. You can also do an overnight extension to see the tree climbing lions of Ishasha, or a 2 day extension to see the chimps of Kibale. There are about 600 species of bird, the highest of any one area in Africa and a trip to the lakes will result in a myriad of species that make there home there, most notably a loud flock of pink flamingos.
There are a range of hikes, explore the foothills of the Rwenzori’s, the savannah plains of the Kyambura Reserve, the local homesteads with local guides or the wetlands and ‘buffer zone’ created between the gorge and the farmers.
A range of unique community and cultural activities are also available, watch the salt being extracted from the Katwe salt lake, visit fishing villages, head to the Ruwenzori Sculpture Foundation or the Queen’s Pavilion.
Responsible Tourism: This lodge has been built as a buffer between the farmers and the land and is involved in a number of community projects. From football, netball and fitness classes, working with a women’s group to produce coffee, creating a vegetable garden and restoring the wetlands which where once used for illegal brickwork.
