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Kibale Forest National Park, Uganda

Ndali Lodge

Ndali is a working farm with luxurious cottages in an area less traveled. The staff is genuine and the views of the Rwenzori Mountains are stunning. Ndali is a great base to take excursions into the Kibale Forest National Park in search of wild chimpanzees.  — Mango's view

Known as the Cradle of the Nile, Uganda is one of Africas best kept secrets. Few countries can boast the infinite variety of flora and fauna and such diverse and spectacular scenery. Uganda has much to offer the first time visitor to Africa as well as veteran travelers. As you pass numerous tea, cotton, and coffee plantations, which account for much of Ugandas economy, you arrive at Ndali Lodge.

Ndali Lodge is a family run working farm with beautiful views of the Rwenzori Mountains in the distance. Ndali Lodge is perched on the rim of an extinct volcano which, since its demise, has filled with water to become the breathtaking Lake Nyinambuga - 250 acres in size and 130 meters deep. There is a main thatched lodge with spacious sitting room, reception area and dining room flanked by eight cottages providing luxurious accommodation for 16 guests. The cottages face west to offer a panoramic view of the spectacular Mountains of the Moon.

Each cottage, large enough to accommodate a family, has en-suite facilities with bath, shower, toilet and hand basin, and a private veranda, perfect for watching the sun setting behind the Rwenzori Mountains, the snow-capped peaks of which are clearly visible on a clear day.

At night the dining room is festooned with candles - the lodge has no electricity or generators to destroy the tranquility and atmosphere. The sitting room, reception and dining room open out onto Lake Nyinambuga and are connected by two open breezeways: fruit bats, owls and frogs like to use them as a highway to the crater lake. Breakfast is on the veranda overlooking the lake: freshly squeezed passion fruit juice (from Ndalis vines when in season) and homemade bread with wild honey go down well with a full English breakfast.

Ndali provides local guides for walks around the 1000 acre farm, to the Mahoma Waterfall, and a boat for relaxing contemplation of a large variety of birds, butterflies and primates. Walks will take you around crater rim, past alcohol brewing in oil drums, through banana plantations, coffee terraces, plots of cassava, groundnuts, sorghum and millet.

Below the lodge, on the lake itself, is a sturdy jetty, set in the most tranquil and secluded spot and frequented by five different species of kingfisher. From here guests can swim in the lake, soak up the sun or simply get away from it all.

Includes: All meals & lodge activities