Best Western Premier Garden Hotel | Entebbe
The BEST WESTERN PREMIER Garden Hotel Entebbe is conveniently located just a few minutes away from the Entebbe Airport on the Kampala-Entebbe Highway. The hotel is adjacent to the Victoria Shopping Mall, giving guests direct access to the mall and all its facilities. The UN Base, Entebbe Golf Club, the Botanical Gardens and the lake are right next to the hotel. The hotel offers 51 full-service rooms, equipped with all amenities for the demanding business traveler.
Your Stay
1 Night
Bed and Breakfast
Kyaninga Lodge | Fort Portal
Set against the stunning backdrop of Lake Kyaninga and the Rwenzori Mountains beyond, Kyaninga Lodge is the spectacular result of one man’s vision and six years of unwavering commitment to creating an experience of Africa’s beauty unlike anything else.
You can experience the beauty and romance of this unexplored region, while staying in the height of luxury and elegance. Nine exclusive cottages made from hand carved logs, superb dining, and a wealth of adventures await.The Kyaninga Team is looking forward to welcoming you to Kyaninga Lodge and helping you explore this remarkable region of Africa.
Your Stay
1 Night
Full Board - Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Lunch
Fast Facts
Spoken Languages: English, German, Spanish, Swahili
No. Rooms: 9
Special Interests: Birding, Cycling, Flora, Golf, Hiking, Leisure, Nature, Relaxation, Sports, Star Gazing, Wildlife, Wine
Cottage
Kyaninga Lodge’s nine cottages are built on platforms and set apart to offer privacy and tranquility. Access to the cottages from the main lodge is via a raised wooden walkway.
Each spacious cottage is beautifully appointed with a choice of twin or double beds made up with Egyptian cotton bedlinen and soft feather pillows. Two family cottages feature a mezzanine level with extra sleeping space for children.
Once inside, an indoor sitting area leads out to a private deck where one can enjoy morning tea or a sundowner and views over the lake and the Mountains of the Moon beyond.
The en suite bathrooms boast marble countertop basins set atop beautifully crafted Elgon Olive pedestals, claw footed freestanding baths and glass walled showers. Hot water and lighting in the cottages are solar powered, providing all the comforts of home in a most extraordinary setting.
Cottage
Kyaninga Lodge’s eight cottages are built on platforms and set apart to offer privacy and tranquility. Access to the cottages from the main lodge is via a raised wooden walkway.
Each spacious cottage is beautifully appointed with a choice of twin or double beds made up with Egyptian cotton bedlinen and soft feather pillows. Two family cottages feature a mezzanine level with extra sleeping space for children.
Once inside, an indoor sitting area leads out to a private deck where one can enjoy morning tea or a sundowner and views over the lake and the Mountains of the Moon beyond.
The en suite bathrooms boast marble countertop basins set atop beautifully crafted Elgon Olive pedestals, claw footed freestanding baths and glass walled showers. Hot water and lighting in the cottages are solar powered, providing all the comforts of home in a most extraordinary setting.
Property Facilities
24-hour Security, Bar, Battery Charging Facilities, Eco Friendly, Internet Access (Complimentary), Laundry Service (Complimentary), Meal on Request, Mobile Connectivity, Pool, Private Vehicle Available, Restaurant, Secure Parking, Spa
Room Facilities
Balcony / Deck, Bath, Complimentary Wi-Fi, Electrical Outlets, En-Suite, Laundry Service (Complimentary), Mosquito Nets, Pure Cotton Linen, Safe, Shower, Verandah
Services
Airport Shuttle (Available), Credit Card, Room Service, Room Service (24 hours)
A comfortable stroll around the lake with stunning views of Lake Kyaninga, the Rwenzori Mountains and the beautiful rolling hills of Fort Portal. This walk takes about an hour and half and in addition to the stunning views, there are also good chances of seeing Vervet monkeys, Black and White Colobus monkeys and of course a wide array of birds. A guide is not necessary but available free of charge.
The terrain inside the crater is a little tougher than on the ridge, but this is soon forgotten amongst the sights and sounds of the forest. With almost guaranteed chances of monkey sightings, even more birds than on the ridge and the added bonus of bat caves, this is
a must for nature lovers. The walk can be tailored to your needs and can be as long as you require, focusing on whatever you choose, whether it be bird, monkey or some of our shyer inhabitants. There are even rare sightings of civet cats and porcupines and if you achieve the impossible and photograph one of the two then a free bottle of wine awaits!
This 3 hour walk through the surrounding villages provides an insight into daily life in rural Uganda. The outing offers the chance
to meet and spend some time with the village elders at one of the farms, and to
see how local crops are grown, harvested and prepared. While wildlife and nature will always remain the key focus of any trip to Uganda, this walk provides a rare perspective into village life that few tourists ever get to experience
The longest of the o ered walks, these trips take you down to the very edge of the escarpment where you will be able to see the vast expanse which is the convergence of the Congo Basin and the Great Rift Valley, and on a clear day, the distant shimmer of Lake Albert. These are some of the most impressive viewing points in the country, with the lowest point in Uganda, the Semuliki Valley, right next to the highest, the Rwenzori Mountains. The Rift Valley is approximately 3 hours from Kyaninga Lodge on foot, and there are a number of possible walks varying in duration and di culty.
HALF DAY OPTION
The easisest of the walks is a simple one way hike to the Rift Valley, taking in the magni cent views. Many of our guests elect to walk to the Rift Valley and get their drivers to meet them there and bring them back to the lodge. It is of course possible to do it the other way around, i. e. to drive to the Rift Valley and walk back to the lodge. (APPROX. 4 HOURS)
FULL DAY OPTION
Some of our guests prefer to go for the option of walking in both directions. For added interest, it is also possible to combine this option with the Village and Cultural Walk (see previous page) on the way back from the Rift Valley for a full day’s experience. (APPROX. 6 - 8 HOURS)
STEEP OPTION
The most challenging of the Rift Valley walks includes a sharp climb of the escarpment itself. After a 40 min drive down to the starting point at the base of the Rift Valley, you will follow a winding path all the way to the top of the escarpment. During the 500 metre ascent (~1100m to ~1600m) you will take in unrivalled views of the Rwenzori Mountains and the Great Rift Valley. Once at the top you can choose to have your driver meet you and return you to the lodge or, if you still have the energy, you can complete the nal stretch on foot.
Kibale National park covers an area of about 795 sq km and is acknowledged to have the highest density of chimpanzees worldwide. With at least 60 species of mammal, including 13 species of primate, Kibale really can’t be missed and if you weren’t a keen bird watcher before, the 335 recorded species found here will do all they can to change your mind. A true gem of a National Park!
(APPROX. 1 HOUR)
The true king, or better said ‘’queen’’, of Uganda’s national parks, stretching over an area of nearly 2000 sq km. With one of the highest biodiversity ratings worldwide Queen Elizabeth is home to an incredible 95 species of mammal and over 500 species of bird!! To get that true Africa feeling, Queen Elizabeth National Park is the place to visit and the boat trip up the Kazinga Channel a must!
(APPROX.2 HOURS)
Featuring 9 holes and 18 tees, this pleasant and well maintained golf course is situated on the site of the original fort from which the town derives its name. Over the last few years, Kyaninga Lodge has been sponsoring some of the promising young golfers at the club and since then they have gone on to win numerous tournaments and trophies both nationally and regionally. For golf enthusiasts visiting the lodge, we are happy to organise an exciting and memorable round with any of the talented golfers we sponsor.
(APPROX. 20 MINS)
This wonderful public garden is a unique environment where a variety
of owers, medicinal plants vegetables and fruits are grown. It is a magical place to wander around, taste locally grown fruits and vegetables and get to know the rich biodiversity of the region.
(APPROX. 20 MINS)
Kyambura Gorge Lodge | Southern Queen Elizabeth National Park
The Chimpanzee and Wildlife Lodge
This renowned Kyambura Gorge Lodge, with entirely remodelled public areas and gardens, has been converted from a 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 guest bandas have a afro-chic theme with the accent on local artifacts re-imagined in a new context. Each banda offers a unique view either across the savanna or the gorge. There are four new deluxe bandas and four standard bandas. A new spa and swimming pool was launched in 2019.
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 parks, centred around the waterway of the Kazinga Channel. The park has six hundred amazing bird species, the highest in an African park.
Guests can participate in the Kyambura Gorge Eco-tourism project, a series of community and conservation activities developed since 2009 to safeguard the Kyambura Gorge ecosystem.
Your Stay
2 Nights
Full Board - Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Lunch
Fast Facts
Lodge
Spoken Languages: English
No. Rooms: 8
Special Interests: Adventure, Birding, Fishing, Flora, Hiking, Indigenous Culture / Art, Leisure, Nature, Relaxation, Star Gazing, Wildlife
Guest Bandas
- Eight unique luxury bandas, reflecting the local building style (4 of them deluxe bandas). guide/tour leader room available at the lodge.
- All bandas have mosquito nets, 240v lighting, charging stations and a private balcony.
- Inviting salt water swimming pool with expansive views.
- Personal butler service for all guests.
- New spa.One 30-minute complimentary massage per guest per stay. Extra massages are available at extra cost.
- Full board accommodation including all soft drinks and house alcoholic beverages (excludes premium drinks).
- Complimentary laundry service.
- Power sockets/charging facilities and hair dryers available in the rooms. No air
conditioners.
- Wi-Fi and internet access available in the main lodge only (connection can be slow).
-Premium wine, whisky, and cocktail menus.
-
•8 unique handbuilt bandas (4 deluxe and 4 standard) of which 6 doubles and 2 twins. All with a private balcony offering spectacular views of the park or gorge. 1 guide/tour leader room available.
•All rooms are complete with en-suite bathrooms with flushing toilet, double vanity and indoor and outdoor shower with hot & cold running water.
•Swimming pool with stunning views over the park and the Rwenzori Mountains on the horizon.
•Personal butler service for all guests.
•2 tranquil massage rooms available. One 50-minute complimentary massage per guest per stay. Extra massages are available at $50 for a 50- minute massage.
•Full board accommodation including all soft drinks and regular and premium alcoholic beverages including cocktails, cellar collection wines and single malt whiskies. Guests pay for French champagne only.
•Complimentary laundry service.
•Power sockets/charging facilities and hair dryer in the rooms. Fans are provided but no air conditioners.
•Wi-Fi available in the main lodge and bandas.
4 deluxe rooms ( 3 deluxe doubles and deluxe twin room)
Property Facilities
24-hour Security, Eco Friendly, Internet Access (Complimentary), Laundry Service (Complimentary), Pool, Private Vehicle Available, Restaurant
Room Facilities
Balcony / Deck, Electrical Outlets, En-Suite, Hair Dryer, Laundry Service (Complimentary), Mosquito Nets, Safe, Shower, Verandah
Services
Credit Card
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.
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.
In June 2014, in partnership with the Kyambura Women’s Coffee Cooperative and the local community, the VSPT opened a non-profit training café. The café will provide a practical training institution for local youths, both male and female, who are disadvantaged as a result of the loss of parents, HIV/AIDS, or physical or mental disabilities.
The training not only aims to provide practical experience to create more job opportunities in the region, but also to improve access to services, medication and healthcare thereby reducing the risk of transmitting HIV through education and providing training for a sustainable livelihood.
The VSPT plans to take ten interns on a quarterly basis for both theoretical and practical training. Volcanoes Safaris guests staying at Kyambura Gorge Lodge can enjoy a coffee tour followed by a hearty homemade brunch with freshly brewed coffee served at the café, or a delicious pizza from the wood-burning oven for tours in the afternoon.
The VSPT secured 45-acres of wetland south of the Volcanoes Safaris Kyambura Gorge Lodge. The wetland, which previously had been used as an illegal brick works, is now regenerating rapidly back to its natural state. The rejuvenated wetlands now attract over 200 species of birds and the sight is used to train members of the community in birding and guiding. This project has been a key success for the VSPT, particularly regarding its ecosystem conservation efforts given the amount of species that have now repopulated the area: new entries are added to the spotters’ lists almost daily!
Over 500 indigenous trees have also been replanted along the banks of the Kyambura River. Due to human encroachment and habitat destruction over the past twenty years, hundreds of trees along the riverbank were cut down leading to soil erosion and water pollution.
Community outreach and guide training take place throughout the year with the objective of establishing a pool of qualified local guides who can lead tours of the wetland. A trail system is maintained throughout the wetland and guided walks are available to Volcanoes Safaris clients.
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.
VSPT has worked on purchasing the 3km long buffer along the northern part of the Gorge since 2009. With the purchase completed at the end of 2018, a 3-hour guided walk has been developed and is offered to guests to showcase the buffer created by the project, the scenic views over the Gorge, the Park and Kyambura reserve, and the chance to experience the local homesteads. Approximately 3000 trees have been planted in the buffer area, with the help of the local community and VS guests.
This short walk (45 mins) offer guests the opportunity to experience the unique landscape around the Lodge, between the Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kyambura Gorge and the community.
VSPT has created a community playground to encourage and allow local school children to play games and sports, especially soccer.
New walking safaris have been created around the lodge to experience the dramatic landscapes of Kyambura gorge and the Queen Elizabeth savannah, and visit a reclaimed wetland. Guests can walk along the Kyambura gorge buffer zone we have created to protect the fragile ecosystem from encroachment and contribute to its long-term conservation project by planting a seedling.
Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge | Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
Remote, beautiful and intimate, Clouds is a breathtaking lodge set high above the clouds at Bwindi Inpenetrable Forest National Park.
Guests stay in individual stone cottages with large private sitting rooms complete with fireplace, overstuffed armchairs, and art commissioned from some of Uganda's best artists.
The main lodge feels like someplace else – soaring ceilings, massive exposed wooden beams, big picture windows with endless views of treetops, volcanoes and mountains. It feels like a ski chalet in the alps. Or a stone palace in the Rocky Mountains. But with the gentle and warm welcome, the quiet dedication of the personal butlers and the smiles on the faces of virtually all the staff, this can only be in Uganda.
And as a leading community conservation project built in partnership with the Africa Wildlife Foundation and the International Gorilla Conservation Programme, this lodge is truly benefiting both community development and habitat conservation.
Your Stay
2 Nights
Fully Inclusive - Bed, All Meals, Fees and Activities
All Local Brands (Spirits, Wine and Beers) Included
Fast Facts
Safari Lodge
Spoken Languages: English
No. Rooms: 8
Special Interests: Adventure, Birding, Flora, Gourmet, Hiking, Indigenous Culture / Art, Leisure, Nature, Relaxation, Star Gazing, Wildlife
Guests stay in private stone cottages, all of similar fine standard.
All cottages have their own private sitting room with a fireplace and deep comfy armchairs and sofa.
Each cottage features the original commissioned artwork of an individual Ugandan artist and has breath-taking views through big picture windows looking out to the virunga volcano range.
Guests can opt for King size bed or two twins.
These cottages have outdoor verandas with sitting area.
Guests stay in private stone cottages, all of similar fine standard.
All cottages have private sitting rooms with fireplace and deep comfy armchairs and sofa. These family cottages feature two bedrooms with ensuite bathroom. Each bedroom can be configured with either twin beds or one king bed.
Each cottage features the original commissioned artwork of an individual Ugandan artist and has breath-taking views through big picture windows looking out to the virunga volcano range.
Guests stay in private stone cottages, all of similar fine standard.
All cottages have their own private sitting room with a fireplace and deep comfy armchairs and sofa.
Each cottage features the original commissioned artwork of an individual Ugandan artist and has breath-taking views through big picture windows looking out to the virunga volcano range.
Guests can opt for King size bed or two twins.
These cottages have outdoor verandas with sitting area.
Guests stay in private stone cottages, all of similar fine standard.
All family cottages have their own private sitting room with a fireplace and deep comfy armchairs and sofa, and feature two separate bedrooms with their own ensuite bathroom. These bedrooms can be configured with either King-size or twin beds.
Each cottage features the original commissioned artwork of an individual Ugandan artist and has breath-taking views through big picture windows looking out to the virunga volcano range.
Property Facilities
24-hour Security, Bar, Battery Charging Facilities, Eco Friendly, Internet Access (Complimentary), Laundry Service (Available), Laundry Service (Complimentary), Library, Malaria Free, Meal on Request, Mobile Connectivity, Restaurant, Secure Parking, Spa
Room Facilities
Dressing Gowns, Electrical Outlets, En-Suite, Fireplace, Hair Dryer, Laundry Service (Available), Laundry Service (Complimentary), Lounge Area, Pure Cotton Linen, Safe, Shower, Verandah
Services
Airport Shuttle (Available), Credit Card, Room Service
Gorilla Tracking
Gorilla tracking is the highlight of a trip to Clouds, and for many it's a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
A truly unique wildlife encounter combining wilderness, wonder and awe.
The tracking can take anywhere between 2-8 hours and requires a degree of fitness and physical ability.
Weather is unpredictable, the terrain can be challenging and the memories will be long lasting!!