Ndali Lodge

Kibale Forest

Ndali Lodge Near Kibale Forest

Rating: Upmarket retreat

Ndali Lodge is a highly acclaimed exclusive hotel near Kibale National Park, run by a family in one of Uganda’s most picturesque settings. Perched high on the rim of Lake Nyinambuga, it offers breathtaking panoramic views across Lake Rukwanzi and steep slopes lined with banana and tea plantations to the Rwenzori peaks.

The lodge’s airy lounge and dining area, tastefully decorated and set in colorful flowering gardens, exude an English country-house ambiance, complete with an old library and superb candlelit, home-cooked four-course dinners.

Ndali Lodge’s style blends rustic romanticism and post-colonial luxury, with indoor lighting strictly from the warm glow of a kerosene lamp muted by gauzy mosquito nets. Afternoon tea and evening drinks are served before an English-style meal, creating a Spanish mission-like atmosphere, with the main building commanding breathtaking views of lakes on either side.

Located approximately 38 minutes from the chimpanzee tracking center at Kanyanchu, Ndali Lodge is the perfect base for exploring the region and going primate trekking in the nearby Kibale Forest. The lodge’s enchanting distant palace feel is complemented by the world’s densest concentration of volcanic lakes embracing the hilly landscape around it.

Accommodation at Ndali

Ndali Lodge offers eight spacious and airy grass-thatched cottages with a capacity of up to 16 occupants. Each cottage faces west, offering a panoramic view of the magnificent Rwenzori Mountains, also known as the ‘Mountains of the Moon.’

The cottages are imaginatively furnished with local materials, and each one is large enough to accommodate a family. They feature spacious en-suite bathrooms and private verandas, perfect for watching the sunset behind the Rwenzori Mountains.

In the evening, the dining room is transformed into a tranquil and intimate setting adorned with candles. The sitting room, reception, and dining room all open out onto Lake Nyinambuga and are connected by two open breezeways.

Ndali Lodge’s breezy and chintzy Anglo-African country house style, combined with its stunning location, creates a charming and unforgettable experience with primates and nature walks in Kibale National Park.

Activities Around Ndali, Kibale

Guests staying at Ndali Lodge can easily join guided chimpanzee walks at Kanyanchu, Kibale National Park Headquarters, just a 38-minute drive away. These hikes usually last 2-3 hours and are limited to eight people, providing an intimate experience of observing wild chimp bands in the jungle forest of Kibale. Bird enthusiasts will be delighted to know that the national park is home to 325 bird species, including six endemic to the Albertine Rift region, such as the black-capped Apalis, collared Apalis, purple-breasted sunbirds, blue-headed sunbirds, dusky crimson wings, and red-faced woodland warblers.

The area also offers delightful walks, including a stroll in the small Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary in the east of the park, where guests can hope to encounter more primates. A network of trails in Sebitoli Forest provides further opportunities for viewing various primates and birds on the forest’s northern side.

A must-visit attraction in the area is the Amabere ga Nyina Mwiru Caves, located near Fort Portal and around 15km from Kibale Forest. The renowned cave system is considered one of the seven wonders of Uganda and is a great place to visit.

Website: ndalilodge.com