Crater Safari Lodge- Kibale

The well-appointed Crater Safari Lodge is situated in a
prime location on a hill overlooking the second largest
crater lake in Uganda. The views from the lodge are
breathtaking, and rooms either have a full or partial view
of the crater lake below.
Close to the lodge is the famous Kibale National Park,
home of the chimp trekking safari. The national park
protects the lush and dense evergreen rain forest, which
is the natural habitat to chimpanzee. Chimp trekking
is a major drawcard of the area and walking permits
can be organised by the lodge. There are a number
of other outdoor and cultural activities on offer in the
immediate area which can all be booked while staying
the lodge.
Crater Safari Lodge has been designed in such a way
that it doesn’t intrude on its pristine surrounds. Thatched
chalets with expansive wooden balconies provide the
perfect luxurious jungle escape. Hammocks and garden
swings on the grounds of the lodge add an extra
element of tranquility to your remote safari experience.
In total, there are 11 thatched stand-alone wooden cabins
and 10 standard pool facing cabanas, each catering for a
different style of guest.
The main lodge houses the restaurant, intimate bar area
and lounge. The boma area is the perfect place to relax
around a roaring and crackling fire; and share stories
about the day’s activities. The sparkling swimming pool
adorning the manicured lawns is the perfect place to
soak up the African sun and enjoy panoramic views of
the sublime crater lake.
Crater Safari Lodge is the perfect place to base yourself
for a true jungle and wilderness experience in Uganda.
The lodge is an award winning eco-lodge, and offers an
unsurpassed remote wilderness experience.
AT A GLANCE
• Located on a hill overlooking the second largest
crater lake in Uganda, Lake Nyinabulitwa
• Wake-up to the sound of giant kingfishers on your
balcony
• Warm and friendly atmosphere
• Located close to the Kibale National Park, home of
the chimp trekking safari
• Swimming pool with views of the crater lake
• 11 thatched stand-alone wooden cabins and 10
standard pool facing cabanas
• Romantic bush dinner options on the shores of the
lake
• Lodge is ideal for both honeymoons and weddings
• From swamp walks, to fishing, canoeing and hiking;
there are a host of activities on offer
FACILITIES
• WiFi in main area (slow)
• Tea and coffee station in the main area
• Intimate bar area
• Dining area/restaurant where meals are served
• Comfortable open lounge area with expansive views
of the gardens and crater lake
• Guest bathroom in main area
• Hairdryer facility in main area
• Solar powered, eco-friendly lodge
• Laundry service on site
• Babysitting services available (extra cost)
• Activities can be arranged at the lodge
• Swinging chairs for relaxation dotted around the
gardens
• Swimming pool on lawns with deck chairs
• Pool service for drinks
• Boma area with campfire
• 21 rooms in total comprising 10 standard pool facing
cabanas (double level) and 11 deluxe thatched chalets
• 5 Deluxe chalets are crater facing (2 twins, 3 doubles
Crater Safari Lodge
- one of which is the honeymoon suite)
• 6 Deluxe chalets are in the gardens with a partial
crater view (2 of these are family cottages which
are joined, the other 2 are stand alone cottages with
double beds)
• 3 chalets have baths, while the rest have expansive
showers
• If needed, Deluxe chalets have space for an extra bed
• Family chalet has inter-leading rooms with 2 double
beds and 4 single beds in total
• Chalet’s timber balconies either have chairs or
couches, and 3 of them have hammocks
• Standard pool facing cabanas are split level and are
either double, twin or single rooms
• Small lounge area inside rooms
• Rooms have : mosquito nets, wardrobe, clothes rack,
shower, bathrobe, free toiletries, toilet, bathroom,
bath or shower, outdoor furniture, outdoor dining
area, towels, linen, and bedside tables with lamps
• Plug points in rooms (Type G, 3 prong square plugs)
• Wake-up service
ACTIVITIES
Crater Safari Lodge is the perfect base to explore
a range of activities in the area. The main activity
is tracking chimpanzee, which takes place in the
neighbouring Kibale National Park.
• Chimpanzee tracking or habituation experience
(booking essential and a permit is required)
• Hike to the “Top of the World” viewpoint to view the
9 crater lakes in the area
• Guided birding walks to Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary
• Canoe hire
• Romantic bush dinner set-up on the shores of the lake
• Fishing rod hire
• General nature walks around the lake
• Visit the 9 crater lakes in the immediate area
• Cultural activities (basket weaving) and community
visits (schools and markets)
• Trips to surrounding tea and coffee plantations can
also be arranged
• Guided cycling trips to Kibale forest, the crater
lakes and tea plantations. Gear and mountain bikes
provided.
Typical Day
The schedule of you day goes according to your chosen
activity, and the times will vary. This is only a rough
schedule of events.
• 06:00 - 09:00 : Breakfast
• 09:00 : Activity of your choice. Chimp tracking takes
place at various time slots during the day
• 13:00 : Return for lunch
• 15:00 : Afternoon activity
• 18:00 : Return for sundowners
• 19: 30/ 20: 00 : Dinner and relax around the campfire
in the boma area (weather permitting)
Getting There
Crater Safari Lodge is in a remote area and the journey
to paradise is long, but eye-opening and scenic. The
quickest route is by air. Crater Safari Lodge is located
7 km from the tropical rainforest of Kibale Forest
National Park and is located on the banks of the
Nyinabulitwa Crater Lake. Fort Portal is the closest town
and is 22 km away.
Guests can fly into the main Entebbe International
Airport (EBB) and catch a connecting flight to Kasese.
From here, a road transfer to the lodge can be arranged
and will take approximately two to three hours,
depending on the road conditions.
Alternatively, guests can get a road transfer with a
private driver from Entebbe to Crater Safari Lodge. This
can take anything from 5 - 7 hours.
Crater Safari Lodge
Child Policy
Children of all ages are welcome at Crater Safari Lodge,
but only children aged 12 and above will be able to track
the chimps.
GENERAL TRAVEL
INFORMATION
Medical
Uganda is a malaria area, and has one of the world’s
highest incidences of malaria. You will need to take
prescription medicine before, during, and after your trip.
Please consult your local GP about the prescription.
There are many anti-malaria prescriptions available that
have minimal side-effects.
You will also need a yellow fever injection, which we
recommend getting 10 days prior to travelling. You will
need to travel with this yellow fever certificate/card
and will be expected to produce it upon arrival at
the airport.
What to Pack
Try to keep your wardrobe colours as neutral as possible.
Here is a list of items you might want to consider :
- Rain jacket - there is no formal “dry” season
- Long trousers, long shirt/top and waterproof hiking
shoes for trekking
- Hiking socks (fire ants are not pleasant)
- Gaitors
- Garden gloves
- Small day backpack
- Compact or easy-to-carry camera with zoom
- Hat
- Buff
- Sunblock
- Water bottle
- Electrolyte supplements
- Jacket
- Warm clothes for around the lodge
- Waterproof bags for your gear
Weather
Crater Safari Lodge enjoys a temperature that varies
from cool to cold. The climate is mild and temperatures
are fairly consistent. On average, day temperatures
reach 25°C and at night it drops to 10°C. The climate is
generally quite wet, but June and July seem to have the
least recorded amount of rain.
Wildlife
The Kibale National Park is home to a total of 70
mammal species, and 13 species of primate including
the chimpanzee. There are also over 375 species of
birds, and abundant birdlife around the lodge. In the lake
there is a lone hippo that is often spotted foraging on
the shores.
Crater Safari Lodge