Chimpanzee Forest Lodge
Chimpanzee Forest Lodge is a low-key establishment with a good choice for cost-conscious travellers. The Lodge is a mix of self-contained cottages, comfortable rooms and secluded grassy campsites for those wanting to really get back to basics. It is surrounded by beautiful gardens, tea plantations and lush tropical forests. The Lodge is Budget-friendly charm near one of Africa’s best National Parks for chimpanzee trekking.
Chimpanzee Forest Lodge was formerly a residence of the British district commissioner in the 1950s, during Uganda’s colonial period. And was innovated and turned into a Guest House in 2003. It has been wonderfully cared for and maintained ever since. Guests can relax in a comfortably furnished lounge. Which features an excellent collection of colonial African literature dating back to the 1800s.
Chimpanzee Forest Lodge is located just at the edge of Kibale Forest National Park only 22 Km from Fort Portal on the Kamwenge Road. Chimpanzee Forest Lodge sits on 100 acres of manicured lawns, beautiful gardens, tea plantations, pasture, and indigenous forest. Enjoy beautiful panoramic views of Kibale Forest National Park, ancient crater lakes, and the Rwenzori Mountains. Owned and operated by a Ugandan family, of the late John Switzer the son of the then British District Commissioner and prominent tea grower C.W Switzer.
Rooms
Chimpanzee Forest Lodge offers accommodation in beautifully furnished self-contained cottages (Bandas). With a panoramic view of Kibale Forest National Park and the surrounding Tea plantations. It is well furnished with two self-contained rooms in a colonial setting with beautiful views of Kibale Forest National Park, the Tea plantation, and the Crater Lake. Enjoy hot showers in western-style bathrooms. Or camp on flat grassy sites away from the house with shade and seclusion.
Services
Services include delicious hot meals, cold drinks, freshly baked bread, seasonal homegrown fruits and vegetables, pancake breakfasts and percolated coffee. Kibale Forest National Park Headquarters is just 500 meters away from the lodge and chimpanzee trekking at the park’s Kanyanchu Tourist Center is just 10 Km away.
Activities
Tea plantation Experience
A walk that takes between 1 -2 hrs. Mainly walking through the tea fields and interacting with the locals while they harvest tea and care at the nursery beds. It’s a very special experience where the locals try to teach and explain the whole process of growing and harvesting tea. You also learn about different types of tea and their gestation period. On request, our guides can organize a visit to a nearby tea factory (if it’s the right day for visitors to the factory)
Bird Watching
It is an interesting activity that may take you around to 2-3 hrs. from Chimpanzee Forest Lodge and walk around the three crater lakes to point out spots for birds. There are so many beautiful species of birds around these areas including water birds too. For instance black-and-white-casqued hornbills, crowned hornbills, malachite kingfishers, and wood land kingfishers, blue breasted giant kingfishers, turacos, robin charts, and many more species.
Crater Lake Exploration
A walk that is so amazing which could take u about 2-3hrs, walking through the community, getting a chance to interact with the locals in the area as you proceed to the three crater lakes, namely: Lake Nyabikere, Lake Nyinabulitwa and Nyamirima while our trained and well-informed guides explain the history and background of the craters and how important they are to the community. It also allows you to take amazing Photos.
Chimpanzee trekking
The lodge is a great base for exploring the Kibale Forest National Park for Chimpanzee trekking. The forest opens its doors for a sensational chimpanzee trekking. Enjoy a guided primate walk in the lush expenses of the tropical rainforest, in search of the wild chimpanzees. The ranger guide will explain to you more about the animals and plants species that you encounter on your way. Also look out for other primates like the Red-Colobus Monkeys, Olive Baboons and Mangabey among others. Birds like crowned hornbills, malachite kingfishers, woodland kingfishers, blue breasted giant kingfishers, turacos, robin charts etc. Visit dramatic Lake Nkuruba for eye-to-eye encounters with monkeys in the forest canopy.