GUIDE ON PRIMATE LODGE IN UGANDA

Primate Lodge Overview & Where Is It Located?

If you choose to stay at Primate Lodge for your AfricanMecca trip to Kibale National Park, you’ll feel as though you’re staying in a quaint forest accommodation which is what it is. Cradled amid the lush greenery of the rainforest, this economy lodge has a lounge, dining area, and bar located in open-sided structures and arranged in a semi-circle around a central courtyard. A thatched roof provides shelter from the sun, while the mud walls are painted a lovely shade of ocher to create a comfortable yet rustic setting for the rough-hewn sofas and chairs.

Well-landscaped gardens add to the cozy ambiance, and the boma section is the perfect place to enjoy an African safari holiday evening beside the campfire, with sundowner drinks in hand while you enjoy the bird songs of Kibale Park. In an attempt to lower their carbon footprint, the lodge uses solar panels to generate power for lighting.

Key Takeaways

• Hidden away in the rich greenery of the rainforests of Kibale
• Quaint ambiance giving guests the experience of living in an equatorial forest
• Lounge, dining area, and bar housed in structures arranged in a semi-circle around a central courtyard
• Eco-friendly accommodation with solar panels for generating power for lighting
• Frequent sightings of some of the native birds of the reserve

What To Expect At Primate Lodge Accommodation?

Key Takeaways

• Value Safari Tier 3 Experience. Total of 19 rooms in different specifications
• Choice of 9 Luxury Cottages, 7 Forest Cottages, Elephant Banda, Family Cottage and Sky Tree House
• Units furnished with a large double bed or twin singles covered with mosquito netting
• Three-bedroom Elephant Banda suitable for families and groups of up to 3 guests
• Camping site for guests wishing to bring their supplies and pitch tents

Follow the stone-paved pathways to Primate Lodge’s 18 rooms, which come in a variety of specifications to meet the needs of every budget-seeking traveler. There are nine spacious Luxury Cottages and seven Forest Cottages, all of which have thatched roofs and ocher and red walls to create a warm safari feel. Double or twin single beds with mosquito netting suspended from the ceiling grace the rooms, as well as a comfortable seating area, separate dressing area, and digital safe. Walk through the glass doors onto the patio, where you can relax while watching the monkeys and birds in the trees of Kibale (where else to stay). The ensuite bathroom includes a shower area and a single vanity.

Groups of three guests traveling together or budget guests on their honeymoon in Uganda can opt for the two-story Elephant Banda. The lower story has an optional single bed and ensuite bathroom, while the upper level offers a large king-sized bed and extended viewing deck. Those with a keen sense of adventure might choose to spend their African safari vacation in the two-bed Sky Tree House, which sits atop a huge tree some 10 meters off the ground and is accessible via a long flight of stairs. The treehouse is located in a private location 500 meters away. There are also two family cottages that adjoin with an interconnecting door i.e. L’Hoest Cottage and Colobus Cottage. The lodge also has a camping site that allows backpacker guests to bring their own supplies and set up tents. Bathroom facilities for campers in Kibale Park are provided at the main lounge area.

Things To Do (Activities & Tour Attractions) & Why Visit Primate Lodge On Kibale Safari?

Key Takeaways

• Safari tours to spot chimpanzees that number close to 1,500
• Visiting habituated chimpanzee families to observe their behavior from a safe distance
• Viewing varieties of amphibians, reptiles, mammals, and butterflies along with an abundant avian life
• Trips to crater lakes to admire their incredible natural beauty and wildlife thriving around
• Cultural interactions with the local tribes in their authentic villages and participating in their activities

Kibale National Park is famous for its Eastern chimpanzees, which number close to 1500. Some of these primates have undergone the habituation experience, making it possible for you to approach them (at a reasonable distance) without scaring them off. The entire immersive experience of traveling to see these incredible creatures is life-changing. Each step of the winding trails is an enlightening moment as the expert ranger guide accompanying you reveals the forest's secrets. Be prepared for sightings of delightful Mangabeys and Red Colobus monkeys along with rare plants and various kinds of trees. Learn about the special features of the flora and their unique medicinal properties as you go along.

While watching endangered chimpanzees in their natural habitat is a humbling feeling, you also have the rare opportunity to participate in the Chimpanzee Habituation Experience. Also called the CHEX, this initiative is created in collaboration with the Uganda Wildlife Authority and Jane Goodall Institute. Now open to visitors, the project allows you to spend the entire day with expert scientists as they study the behavior of these unusual primates and try to learn more about them. Our guests often speak about how they are overwhelmed with wonder at these human DNA linked creatures, an experience which sets aside many misconceptions about them.

As you go on a walking tour of the Kibale forests, you will view the incredible variety of birds, butterflies, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians that call it home. Interestingly, Kibale Forest Reserve also permits night bush walks to look for nocturnal creatures like bush babies, pottos, and various others emerging to forage for food. Birding enthusiasts must sign up for the fantastic birdwatching excursions for an introduction to some of the 325 avian species that thrive in the park, including six varieties that are native to the Albertine Rift Valley region. The Magombe Swamp area of Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary is another scenic location in Kibale Forest Reserve known for its 137 species of birds. With the assistance of the tour consultant at AfricanMecca Safaris, you can organize a trip to this spectacular wonderland. The northern Sebitoli Forest treats you to more sightings of gorgeous birds and primates within the setting of a lush, green evergreen forest, so do add an excursion to your itinerary.

The rural fringes of reserve has scenic crater lakes that will mesmerize you with their beauty. Cradled within small hills, the lakes support an array of wildlife and are absolutely stunning. Vacationers can also spend time interacting with the local Batoro and Bakiga tribes in their villages situated in the region. Hiking trips on the slopes of the Rwenzori Mountains and exploring the tea estates close by are other must-do activities. Indulge in leisurely hours watching workers tending the gardens and picking tender green leaves for making fragrant tea. Before you leave, make sure to taste black tea after participating in the processing and making of this refreshing beverage.

How Is The Dining At Primate Lodge?

Key Takeaways

• All meals served in the dining area overlooking the courtyard
• Wholesome three-course meals cooked by the in-house chef
• Sundowner drinks and cocktails served at the bar
• Indoor and alfresco dining options available, meals can be organized on the outside stone deck
• Possibility of sighting small animals and birds as you dine

You will have your meals in the dining area, which is located close to the lounge. Savor the simple but tasty home-cooked fare provided by the lodge chef. Indulge in a selection of traditional African and international cuisines complete with dishes cooked to suit any personal preferences or dietary restrictions you might have. Do let the chef know in advance. Dinner is a three-course meal enjoyed after a session of drinks in the firepit where guests can share stories of the amazing adventures they had in Kibale Reserve.

Both indoor and outdoor dining options are available at Primate Lodge, and the stone-lined deck in the courtyard is just right for watching the monkeys in the trees as you enjoy your meal. More on (best time to go to Kibale Park). You must also check out the bar next door to the restaurant. A variety of drinks are available along with hot beverages like coffee and tea, freshly produced at the tea plantations in the locale. Each sip you take is enhanced by the ambiance of the tranquil forest around you.