In the local Rutoro language, Kyaninga means 'to spoil or pamper' someone. It's an apt name for this charming lodge, the realisation of a dream by Englishman Steve Williams, who first saw the lake on a journey to visit Uganda's gorillas. The setting is stunning, from the rainforest-edged Lake Kyaninga to the distant Mountains of the Moon. Here, you're on the rim of an ancient, and thankfully extinct, volcano. Your accommodation is a true luxury lodge, built of more than 1000 hand-carved logs, with first-class furnishings, good food and the Rift Valley nearby.
Linked to the main building via a raised wooden walkway are eight cottages, built on platforms and set apart to offer privacy. Each cottage is spacious, furnished with deeply comfortable beds and good linens and an en-suite bathroom with luxurious fittings, including a freestanding bath, shower and plenty of solar-heated hot water. An indoor sitting area leads out to a private deck overlooking the lake and the Mountains of the Moon. There's an electrical socket to charge your electronic appliances.
The views are absolutely glorious, as is a dip in the bluer-than-blue lake – the water is even warmer than the lodge's swimming pool.
Go for a walk along the crater rim around the lake, a round trip of about 90 minutes. The ground is a little uneven, but the views of the lake and rolling hills are unforgettable.
The lodge's elevated structure and surrounding terrain involve numerous steps and slightly lumpy paths, which could be challenging for some.
Start with a recommended trip or create one from scratch
Kyaninga Lodge can be booked with Timbuktu as part of a tailor-made Uganda trip, rather than as a standalone room reservation. Start online, customising one of our recommended Uganda trips featuring Kyaninga Lodge or get advice and suggestions from one of our Uganda specialists who will design the trip around your dates, check availability and handle every booking for you.
Stays at Kyaninga Lodge start from around $590, or US$590, per person per night as part of a tailor-made trip. The exact price depends on your travel dates, room type and the shape of the rest of your itinerary. A Timbuktu travel specialist can give you an accurate quote for your dates.
The ultimate chimp chill-out and home to no less than 13 species of other primates.
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