150-acre site is surrounded by lush homesteads on the rolling hills around Fort Portal
Volcanoes Safaris, a firm exclusively focussed on gorilla and chimpanzee ecotourism in Uganda and Rwanda, has announced the opening of Kibale Lodge in Uganda, slated for July 1.
In a press statement, Volcanoes Safaris says that its fifth lodge is set to create a unique circuit linking the finest gorilla and chimpanzee sites in Africa.
It says that Kibale Lodge sits on a ridge with stunning views of the Rwenzori Mountains looking towards the west, and the Queen Elizabeth plains and the Kazinga Channel to the south.
The statement adds that the 150-acre site is surrounded by lush homesteads on the rolling hills around Fort Portal, known for its warm and welcoming climate. The lodge is in the heartland of the old Batoro kingdom and the area of the historically important medieval Bachwezi kingdom.
According to Volcanoes Safari, Kibale Lodge will comprise eight bandas, plus spa and pool. Four bandas will open in July and four more by the end of the year.
It adds that the luxury lodge has been hand-built by Volcanoes’ in-house teams of African artisans in the renowned Volcanoes style led by Ugandan-born founder, Praveen Moman.
Praveen Moman
“We are delighted to be opening Kibale Lodge. There are three important things to share about this lodge. Firstly, as with our other lodges, it has been hand-built by our artisans. Secondly, we are honoured to work with key partners to promote conservation and community activities around Kibale. Finally, Kibale Forest – the Primate Capital of the World – is one of the best parks to view chimpanzees in Africa, with a community of 1,500 chimps,” says Moman.
The statement adds that at Kibale, Volcanoes Safaris Partnership Trust (VSPT) will be launching new community and conservation projects in which Volcanoes lodge guests can participate.
VSPT is partnering with the Jane Goodall Institute to build up women leaders in conservation through the Roots and Shoots programme, promoting responsible ecotourism in Kibale Forest with participants of the Albertine Apes Alliance, creating a new cultural partnership with the Rwenzori Sculpture Foundation and building a new vocational centre at Sadhguru School, located near the lodge.
The statement adds that Kibale Lodge is an hour’s drive from the historic hill town of Fort Portal and an hour from the Kasese airstrip, from which there are daily flights to and from Entebbe, and to Volcanoes Safaris’ four other lodges. Kibale Forest, the base for chimp trekking, is a 30-minute drive from the lodge.
