Crater Safari Lodge

The honeymoon suite at Crater Safari Lodge is comfortable and romantic. A large bed covered in crisp white bed linen and red scatter cushions sits as the main feature of the room, romantically draped with mosquito netting. Polished wooden floors match polished wooden furniture and works with the high thatched ceiling to create a traditional and authentic space. The room feels bright and spacious and comes complete with a deep bathtub, perfect for a relaxing soak. This suite includes a private terrace area which includes an outdoor seating area and an outdoor dining area, as well as affording magnificent views over the enormous lake and vivid forest.

The luxury chalets come with a choice of view – lake or garden – and a choice of room arrangement – double or twin. The chalets are authentic and comfortable, with cosy beds draped in mosquito netting and wicker sofas. High thatched ceilings add dimension to the chalets and makes the room feel spacious and bright. All these luxury chalets come with ensuite bathrooms and either a balcony or terrace area, suitable for outdoor dining or perfect for a lazy afternoon swing in your hammock.

The cabins at Crater Safari Lodge come in either single, double or twin formation. Located by the pool, guests have easy access to the sun-loungers and refreshing waters. Wooden framed beds are covered in clean white bed linens and include soft pillows and cushions.

Spacious and bright, the rooms are filled with natural light from the door and windows, which can have mosquito netting pulled over them to stop pesky bugs getting in the room. All rooms come with an ensuite bathroom with a bath or shower and a terrace area where guests can relax and marvel at the beauty of their surroundings.

Guests can enjoy dinner in the communal dining area. With open sides guests won’t miss the view or the fresh air whilst they eat. Guests can enjoy a drink from the bar before or after dinner, in the intimate and cosy lounge area with large snugly sofas, or around the traditional boma area.

With a barbecue available at Crater Safari Lodge, guests can enjoy delicious food under the stars. Dinners in the bush can be arranged for a unique and exciting dining experience in the very heart of nature.

Tracking chimpanzees is the most popular activity from Crater Safari Lodge. Daily guided walks last from 2 to 3 hours and offer guests the opportunity to spot some of the chimpanzees living in Kibale. Not just chimpanzees will be spotted as there are many other monkeys to look out for such as the red-tailed monkey and grey-cheeked mangabey.

Guests will also get the unique chance to follow researchers from Kibale Forest on the Chimpanzee habituation experience, spending a full day in the forest and watching the chimpanzees wake up, observing their behaviour and watch them going back to sleep.

There are a few safari tours that incorporate a stay at Crater Safari Lodge in their itineraries, however these must be planned and booked in advance. The ‘Seven-Day Gorillas and Chimps Fly and Drive’ takes travellers to 3 national parks: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, Kibale Forest National Park and Queen Elizabeth National Park. Or the ‘Five-Day Chimpanzee and Wildlife Safari’ is available, taking travellers to Kibale Forest National Park, Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary and Semliki National Park.

These caves are known as one of the ‘seven wonders of Uganda’. Travel to the caves which are in the nearby Kaberole District, and learn about the legends which surround them. Enjoy a cooling ‘shower’ under the “natural shower”, which is an amazing waterfall guests can stand under.

Guests can visit this community run sanctuary and go on a guided walk through the Magombe Swamp keeping your eyes peeled for the wealth of wildlife, including red colobus monkeys, otters, mongoose and a variety of birdlife; the wetland being home to 140 bird species.

Exploration of the highest mountain range in Africa, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Rwenzori Mountains, can be arranged. Snow covered peaks lie in wait at the top of the mountains, the lower slopes in contrast being rolling moorland and dense forest. This is a great physical challenge and a world-class hiking destination.

Explore the area around Lake Mutanda with the wind rushing through your hair. Ride through local villages, banana fields and farm steads. This is a great way to explore the area, interact with locals and absorb the natural beauty of the area.

For a view you won’t forget, hike to the “Top of the World” viewpoint in the Kibale Forest. From this viewpoint you will be able to see breathtaking panoramas of the surrounding rainforests, mountains and the 9 crater lakes in this area.

For a more relaxed afternoon guests can enjoy a more general walk around Lake Nyinabulitwa, or guests can hire a canoe and glide serenely along the lake, immersing yourself in the sights, smells and sounds of the Kibale National Park.

For guests who wish to immerse themselves in the local culture then you can learn the traditional craft of basket weaving or visit the local school or market, and interact with local people and the local culture.

Spend a relaxing afternoon poolside, enjoy a refreshing dip in the cooling waters and a siesta on one of the sun-loungers. Drinks can be served to the pool for a touch of luxury and see-indulgence.

Crater Safari Lodge is part of Naturally Africa Collection which includes a selection of eco-lodges, who offer responsible travel opportunities. All the lodges which are a part of this collection “share a strong commitment to eco-tourism principles.” And these principles must be reflected not just in environmental awareness but also “through direct benefits to local communities.”

Naturally Africa Collection founded Naturally Africa Foundation, which works with Naturally Africa Volunteers to provide financial support and raise funds for community and conservation projects in Africa – specifically projects which have “strong sustainability objectives.”

One of the main aims of the charity is “the advancement of education” as this will reduce poverty by enabling “individuals to generate a sustainable income and be self-sufficient.” Another aim of the charity is to help promote public health initiatives to help treat disease and educate members of the public, as well as healthcare workers.

They also work to promote sustainable development “for the benefit of the public by the preservation, conservation and the protection of the environment.” Mosquito nets are provided to schools and educational facilities. Scholarships and sponsorship programmes are also provided for untrained teachers and orphaned, vulnerable children.

Crater Safari Lodge understands the importance of responsible tourism and aims to make a positive impact to the communities surrounding where they operate. They work closely with these local communities to improve education and access to this education for people of all ages.

They also have initiatives in place to help improve healthcare in the local community. Employment and training opportunities are provided by Crater Safari Lodge “that wouldn’t otherwise be available.” Crater Safari Lodge also work closely with Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, to help conserve the wetlands and the animals which inhabit this area, which guests can visit.

To help reduce their carbon footprint and reliance on non-renewable energy, Crater Safari Lodge has solar powered lighting in all of their cottages.