People often ask which are my favorite lodges in Uganda, so I thought it might be a good idea to write a post on this subject. The lodges I have chosen aren't all super expensive, ultimate luxury lodges, but lodges that have something special about them and are maybe lesser known than the larger lodges, whether its great value, an amazing atmosphere or anything else that makes them sand out.
Haven Lodge (Buhoma, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park)
Haven lodge made this list because of it unbelievable views, great location (only 5 mins walk from the gorilla tracking gate), excellent service but most of all value for money. The rooms of this lodge are all enormous private cottages with excellent views of the dense jungle. At $320 for a full board double room, this amazing lodge is almost half the price of its local rivals. And on top of that, this lodge is community owned which means all profits are invested back into local development projects.
Murchison River Lodge (Paraa, Murchison Falls National Park)
What is so special about Murchison River Lodge is it's relaxed, family atmosphere. In fact we feel it is the best family friendly lodge in the whole of Uganda. The staff are extremely friendly and welcoming, there is a swimming pool for the kids to play in, there are some amazing family cottages which sleep up to 5 and based on the banks of the River Nile the location is fantastic. If you are a family visiting Murchison then this is definitely the place to be.
Apoka Safari Lodge (Apoka, Kidepo Valley National Park)
This is quite simply the best lodge I have ever been to, anywhere in the world. The views
are unbelievable, the service amazing, the rooms luxurious, food excellent and everything else you would expect from a super luxury lodge. But what makes this lodge stand out, what makes this lodge truly special is its location. Right in the middle Apoka, there is game all around you. In fact, just relaxing in the restaurant you can see plentiful game walking right past as sip your beer, and you will fall asleep to the sounds of the animals calling. I cannot stress enough what a special place this is. It does come at a hefty price however, but if you have the budget then staying in Apoka Safari Lodge is an experience you will never forget.
Nile River Explorers (Jinja)
At the other end of the scale to Apoka is Nile River Explorers. This budget lodge is at the center of Jinja's adventure industry, Jinja being the adventure capital of East Africa. An extremely relaxed, hippy atmosphere make NRE a great place to stay if you fancy some adventure. Located with amazing views of the River Nile, there are several room options available, from dorms to private tents. If adventure on a budget is your thing, then this is definitely the place for you.
This is just a selection of the amazing range of accommodation on offer in Uganda. Our regional experts are extremely knowledgeable about the best places to stay for all sorts of different requirements, so can recommend the perfect lodge for you.