Ndali lodge is a rustic and intimate lodge that ranks among the best luxury lodges in Kibale national park area. This lodge is located adjacent to Kibale Park headquarters in the scenic Ndali- kasenda crater, perched on the rim of an extinct volcano which, since its decease, has been filled with water over centuries becoming the vast Lake Nyinambuga.
The lodge is accessible by road from Kampala or Entebbe, and the journey that takes about five to six hours. The lodge is ideal for visitors doing chimpanzee tracking in Kibale national park. Ndali lodge is built from local stone and thatch, with 8 luxurious bandas providing accommodation for 16 guests offering views over the dramatic Rwenzori Mountains and each banda is en-suite with a private veranda. The dining room and lounge offer relaxing views over the crater lake below.
What makes Ndali Lodge special
Ndali lodge itself will not dissatisfy its guests, it is the owners, managers, and staff who actually make Ndali special, with a little help from the 3 family dogs who will be very excited to greet you. Plain sums up Ndali perfectly, you can spend evenings enjoying candlelight dinners and cocktails on your private porch.
Ndali Lodge is special because it rests on the edge of an extinct volcanic crater lake (Lake Nyinambuga) in western Uganda, presenting scenic views of the water, local banana plantations and tea farms, with the snow-capped Rwenzori Mountains as backdrop views. It offers an intimate, family-run country-home atmosphere with candlelit four-course dinners and stone-and-thatch cottages.
The lodge has wonderful story to tell, and every traveller who passes through leaves feeling uplifted, having forged a connection with a very special place, and that’s not something most lodges can easily claim anywhere in East Africa.
Rooms & Amenities at Ndali lodge
Ndali Lodge offers 8 exclusive stone-and-thatch cottages and 1 honeymoon suite built in African style with woods, stones, and grass thatched roofs. Amenities include a scenic swimming pool, sauna, candlelit four-course dining, complimentary laundry, and stunning scenic views of the crater lakes and Rwenzori Mountains.
Meals are served in a spacious dining room/restaurant or guests can request for room service so that they can have meals in the privacy of their cottages. The airy and tastefully decorated lounge and dining area, set in colourful flowering gardens, have something of an English country-house ambiance, an old library, and superb candlelit, home-cooked four-course dinners. The lodge’s style is a mix of rustic romanticism and post-colonial luxury.
Activities To Do at Ndali Lodge
Ndali Lodge offers a variety of safari activities that showcase the richness of western Uganda. It serves as an exceptional, upscale gateway for exploring Uganda’s western volcanic landscape.
Chimpanzee tracking
Being just 10km west of Kibale Forest National Park, Ndali is your gateway to chimpanzee trekking as the trailhead is just 45 minutes away.
Birdwatching
Birdwatching is a popular activity because of the as numerous bird species this area hosts. The lodge being close to Kibale national park, many bird species are guests of this area, some of these birds include; the Rwenzori blue turaco, Rossi’s turaco
Guided walk to mahoma waterfall
Go on a guided walk through the surrounding farmland, forests and through to the remarkable Mahoma Waterfall. The Mahoma Waterfall Hike is a beautiful, community-led nature trail situated in Ruteete, south of Fort Portal city. This trail is renowned for its lush rainforest scenery, volcanic crater lakes, and offers an opportunity to stand directly under the rushing water for a natural “hydrotherapy massage”.
Local Walks
There are several walks around this estate and the most famous one is the 90-minute walk around the lake allows you to immerse yourself in your tranquil surroundings.
How To Get to Ndali Lodge
Ndali Lodge is situated on the edge of Nyinambuga crater lake, approximately 10 km west of Kibale National Park
Getting to Ndali Lodge from Kampala, you can travel either by road or by a domestic chartered flight. The lodge is located in the Ndali-Kasende Crater Field near Fort Portal in Western Uganda. Driving to Ndali lodge is the most common way to travel. The journey stretches approximately 310 kilometers and takes between 5 to 7 hours depending on traffic and road conditions. From Kampala city, take the Mityana–Mubende–Fort Portal highway Road westward. Drive through Mityana and Mubende districts directly into Fort Portal city. Once you arrive in Fort Portal, take the Fort Portal–Kamwenge Road heading south. Drive for 10 kilometers past Kiko town, then look out for the visibly marked Ndali Lodge signpost on your right. Turn right onto the dirt road and follow it through the villages for about 26 kilometers until you reach the edge of the crater lake where the lodge is located.
Best time to visit Ndali lodge
Ndali lodge is open to guests all year round through every season. The best time to visit Ndali Lodge near Kibale National Park in Uganda is during the dry seasons from June to September and December to February. These months provide drier paths for chimpanzee trekking, clearer views of the Rwenzori Mountains, and pleasant weather for outdoor estate walks and birding excursions.