Elephant Plains Lodge

Elephant Plains Lodge, Luxury Hotel in Queen Elizabeth NP.

Rating: Luxury

Elephant Plains is a luxury safari lodge that is part of the Uganda Lodges Brand. The lodge is located northwest of Queen Elizabeth National Park, providing easy access to several attractions, including the Kasenyi tracks, Mweya Peninsula, and Kazinga Channel. Perched 941 meters above sea level on the Albertine Rift western escarpment northeast of the park, it offers breathtaking panoramic views over the savannah plains, stretching to Lake George.

Set on 80 acres of pristine wilderness next to the equator line (N*S 0.0,25.172), Elephant Plains Lodge is a truly unique destination. The equator monument is visible from anywhere around the lodge, and Lake Kikorongo, located nearby, displays stunning plains merging into its crystal waters, with large elephant herds gathering in the evenings to catch a drink. This is what gives the lodge its ingenious name.

Staying at Elephant Plains Lodge provides an opportunity to take a short drive to Kasenyi Plains for fantastic game viewing. Kasenyi Plains also has Uganda Kob breeding grounds, attracting an impressive number of predators in the area.

Elephant Plains Lodge is located in the northeastern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park, and guests can reach it by taking a 1-hour flight from Entebbe followed by a 2-hour drive from Kasese Airport. From Bwindi, guests can take a 15-minute flight from Kihihi Airtrips or a 5-hour drive through the park.

Whether you’re seeking a luxurious escape or a memorable wildlife adventure in Uganda, Elephant Plains Lodge is the perfect destination. The lodge’s unique location, breathtaking views, and comfortable amenities make it an ideal base for exploring the stunning Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Accommodation at Elephant Plains

Elephant Plains offers comfortable and spacious accommodation in six double/twin en-suite grass-thatched cottages with large private verandas and full-height glass windows/doors to take advantage of the incredible views. In addition, two-family cottages with double separate en-suite bedrooms are available, accommodating up to five people per stay.

All cottages have large bathtub showers and are spaced out along the hilltop, providing privacy and tranquility. Each room’s large veranda overlooks Lake Kikorongo, where guests can watch elephants and buffaloes gathering by the watering hole during sunset.

The main area features an extensive lounge with comfortable couches and intimate seating areas, perfect for enjoying a Ugandan gin and tonic while taking in the beautiful views under the cooling breeze rolling in off Lake George. The spacious restaurant has an outside dining deck with 270-degree views and serves an international menu inspired by local flavors.

The lodge also boasts a sizable eco-friendly swimming pool for guests to cool off at the end of the day while continuing to take in the fantastic views offered from everywhere around the lodge.

Sustainability

As a protected area in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Elephant Plains Lodge is highly committed to the conservation of nature and culture. The lodge uses solar-powered electricity to minimize the impact on the environment and is constructed with materials from the local area, all with a unique story behind them that is true to Ugandan culture. The cottages are thatched using local brown savannah grass, which not only blends into the surroundings but also absorbs the heat and acts as a cooling system that is essential so close to the equator. The black granite stones used on the walkways are from the Mukubu river, which flows from the Rwenzori mountains.

Whether you’re looking for a luxurious retreat or an unforgettable wildlife adventure, Elephant Plains Lodge offers a unique and authentic experience in the heart of Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Activities at Elephant Plains Lodge

Elephant Plains Lodge is the perfect base for exploring the outstanding wildlife viewing opportunities in Kasenyi Plains, the crown jewel of Queen Elizabeth National Park and arguably in Uganda. The park also contains Kazinga Channel, Lake Albert, and the antelope breeding grounds, making it an excellent choice for spotting the park’s big cats and a wildlife photographer’s paradise. To fully experience the African bush wilderness, guests are encouraged to spend at least two nights at Elephant Plains Lodge.

Boat trips on the Kazinga Channel

Boat trips on the Kazinga Channel, just a short distance from the lodge, are available on either a scheduled boat launch or a private boat safari. These trips offer a chance to witness the waterhole drama in a leisurely fashion. The channel’s strategic shore locations offer an excellent selection of exclusive safari lodges and camps.

Chimp trekking in Kyambura Gorge

For those seeking a more relaxed experience, chimp trekking is available in the low-key Kyambura Gorge forest reserve. While chimpanzee sightings may not be highly probable, the gorge reserve offers a tranquil nature walk, where you can spot other animals such as red-tailed monkeys, black-and-white colobus, baboons, and vervet monkeys.

The park is also renowned for its variety of avian species, including various falcons, the blue-headed bee-eater, the African finfoot, and over 597 bird species recorded. However, Chimpanzee Tracking is the most popular attraction in the gorge.

The main highway on the edge of the park separates the communities of people who live along the boundaries and connects the park to the capital city in the east, Kibale National Park in the north, and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest for Gorilla Trekking. Adding Elephant Plains Lodge to your Uganda Safaris itinerary is an excellent choice for a luxury wildlife experience in Uganda, providing great access to game viewing while also offering comfortable and spacious accommodation.