(Posted 01st November 2023)
One of the foremost Ugandan tourism industry pioneers and veteran Praveen Moman, owner of Volcanoes Safaris in Uganda and Rwanda, has announced plans to open a new top rated safari lodge at Kibale Forest National Park.
When making the announcement he said: “Like other Volcanoes properties Kibale Lodge has been a long time in the making. Although we had wanted a lodge there for many years, there were no attractive large sites available. So five years ago we started assembling this site centred on the breathtaking ridge above Lake Lugembe. Finally it has come together.
We have been assessing the topography, light, and weather patterns. The design and build style will ensure the lodge remains consistent with our ecological principles as well as retaining our Afro-chic ethos. We are currently finalising the concept stage of the new property, with Stuart Forbes, our architectural consultant, of SFA in London. The lodge will fit into the landscape in a seamless way, as if it always existed and just grew out of the earth.
Our style of building boutique lodges develops informally and in a fluid way so as not be over formal
We like to bring out the natural essence of buildings. We will be releasing concepts and sketches shortly. We expect the lodge to comprise 8 deluxe rooms and a villa. Three deluxe bandas are expected to be open in early 2024.”
According to information received from Volcanoes Safaris will the new lodge: ‘… be perfectly positioned for chimpanzee trekking in Kibale, visiting community projects and walking safaris through the beautiful landscape to visit local homesteads. The site 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 other Volcanoes lodges. It is about a thirty minute drive from the chimp tracking base in the Kibale Forest.’
The new property will be located close to Kibale National Park in Uganda, home to over 1,500 chimpanzees, one of the largest chimp communities in Africa. This expansion complements the existing circuit of Volcanoes Safaris’ great ape lodges. It will offer a seamless safari across Rwanda and Uganda, letting guests experience the unique gorilla, chimpanzee, and wildlife of the Albertine Rift.
The lodge will in keeping with the Volcanoes Safaris traditions be sensitively built to bring out the characteristics of its special 150 acre site, dominated by a rocky outcrop with stunning views of the Queen Elizabeth plains and the Kazinga channel. It also has a lake in its grounds. The site has outstanding panoramic views of the snow-covered peaks of the Rwenzori Mountains (Mountains of the Moon) from the main ridge line, looking towards the west. The area is surrounded by the lush homesteads of the Kabarole area, with its welcoming temperate climate.
The opening of the new lodge is much awaited by quality safari operators in constant search for and need to offer top quality accommodation, services and meals and Volcanoes Safaris is bound to capture that lucrative market segment by storm when opening in May or June next year.
The Volcanoes Safaris Partnership Trust will be developing projects with the Jane Goodall Institute Uganda in Kibale Forest modelled on the long-term successful community based conservation projects at Kyambura Gorge Lodge.
As a special introductory offer guests will be able combine Kibale Lodge with gorilla trekking at Bwindi Lodge and receive 5 nights for the price of 4. For further details please contact our sales team at enquiries@volcanoessafaris.com
