27 Best Hotels in Uganda

Opened in 2022, this lodge is ideal for adventurers who want to upgrade their creature comforts. All of the rooms at this design-forward property, whether it's facing the river or garden, are en suite with balconies. The airy bar area combines high wooden bar stools with low chunky sofas; white linen and African kitenge material bedeck the quasi-formal restaurant; and stylish sunbeds adorn the swimming pool and garden. 

Expect privacy, luxury, fabulous food, and professional service at the large, newly built, eco-friendly villa on the boundary of Murchison Falls National Park. Designed for private use, the villa has a swimming pool, four double en suite bedrooms, a lounge, and indoor and outdoor dining areas. A perfect day here starts with an early morning boat ride to the Delta, followed by a bush breakfast on the north bank, and a game drive through the park---the ease of catching a boat next to the villa feels rather glamorous, reminiscent of the way early explorers, such as the villa's namesake, Samuel Baker, would have experienced this area. 

The cottages at Buhoma Lodge, located within Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, rise up on stilts out of the hillside, ensuring that views from the highest rooms—long, sweeping vistas down the mist-clad valley—are some of the best this side of the forest. Inside the rooms, cream walls and bedspreads offset Congolese masks and woven basket decor; the kitenge (African print) robes and paper-bead curtain ties add an authentic local touch. Bathtubs have been added to some of the en suites, which are much appreciated after a hard day's gorilla tracking. Charcoal braziers are lit every night as waiters serve up tasty four-course dinners in the cozy lounge and open-air dining room. Uganda Exclusive Camps’ lodges have set the bar high: few others meet their responsible tourism standards; lodge operations focus on low environmental impact; a craft shop supports a local women's group. Full board includes house drinks and a complimentary massage. We suggest you ask for cottage 2 or 4 to guarantee the panoramas, but be prepared for steps.

Regarded by many as Bwindi's most exclusive lodge, Clouds also has one of the greatest views in Uganda: high on a ridge in Nkuringo, verdant hills tumble away to a valley below, under distant volcanic peaks. At dawn, when mist sits low in the valleys, they really do look like islands in the clouds. Each cottage is crafted, grotto-like, from lumps of igneous rock. Inside, the effect is light and airy by day and cozy by night: vast picture windows frame the landscape; contemporary Ugandan art adorns the walls; and plump cream couches face onto a two-way hearth, its flames stoked by your personal butler. With a spa, library, and gift shop—and traditional dance performance, on request—there are plenty of reasons to stay another day. What's more, the lodge is a shining example of community conservation—10% of the nightly rate goes to a Nkuringo Community Conservation Development Foundation in a partnership among local people, the lodge operator, International Gorilla Conservation Project, and African Wildlife Foundation. So you can feel pampered and worthy.

A stone’s throw from the Equator, high on the western escarpment of the Albertine Rift, sits Elephant Plains, a few minutes’ drive from Queen Elizabeth National Park. Eight bright, roomy cottages with large private verandahs balance privacy with envy-inducing views of Lakes George and Edward shimmering in the distance. Water babies will love the cottages’ large bathtubs, showers, and eco-friendly infinity swimming pool, the perfect antidote to adventures in the Equatorial sun. Professionally curated crafts and African-inspired furniture adorn a sprawling lounge, restaurant and exterior dining area that offer spectacular vistas in every direction. Cottages (two of which are family-sized) are thatched with Savannah grass and walkways and fashioned from granite from the nearby Mukubu river.

Entebbe's only luxury boutique hotel provides consistently high service levels in an intimate setting. All stylish apartments and rooms feature a private balcony/terrace and open onto well-tended gardens and a tastefully tiled swimming pool. Each has air-conditioning, Wi-Fi, satellite TV, a safe, and a hairdryer. Original artworks, a cocktail bar, and a carefully selected international wine list add pizzazz to the hotel's high-end dining experience. Refreshingly, single-use plastic is ditched in favor of filtered water in a glass jug. Hotel No. 5 is the best starting point for Uganda Exclusive Camps / Wild Frontiers' expert-led safaris across Uganda.

Steeped in classic safari style, this intimate eco-friendly camp will make you feel as if you have stumbled onto the set of Out of Africa. Located on the banks of the Ntungwe River, in the remote southern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, rooms are constructed from canvas, net, and wood, reminiscent of old-school safari tents but oozing with luxurious comfort (and recently upgraded). For those wanting to escape modern life, it's perfect. Uganda Exclusive Camps really set the standard for responsible tourism in Uganda. It's not unusual to spot wildlife while in camp: Colobus and Vervet monkeys in the trees and Henry the Hippo in the shallows. The sense of being surrounded by wild things is perhaps the greatest privilege of all (the 3-hour walk along the river, accompanied by rangers, is highly recommended). Hot water needs ordering in advance and Wi-Fi is limited, but complimentary massage, sunset gin and tonics by the campfire next to the river and dinners prepared by an award-winning chef are served on white linen under the stars, so life still feels privileged. Best lodge for seeing tree-climbing lions. Full board includes house drinks and a complimentary massage.

Towering above sculpted water features and landscaped gardens like a modern-day Moorish palace, the 5-star Kampala Serena sets the standard for hotel service in Uganda. All rooms and suites have a/c as well as common luxury items such as minibar; tea/coffeemaking facilities, satellite TV, Wi-Fi, extra large safes, and USB charging ports. Perfect for business travelers (their conference center hosts weddings and large events) and everyone who wants lots of choice: the pillow menu alone has six different options. You can get a blow dry at the salon; a massage at the Maisha Suite spa; a cocktail by Kampala's most beautiful pool; use the gym, sauna, steam and plunge pool; or chow down on a sumptuous spread at one of five in-house bars and restaurants.

An unpretentious guesthouse in a peaceful area of Entebbe, Karibu lives up to its name ("you're welcome" in Swahili) with friendly, well-trained staff. The garden rooms are the nicest; separate from the main house, they offer a little more privacy. Like most airport guesthouses, there is always a little noise from guests arriving/departing in the early hours; but if you're concerned about sleep quality you can take advantage of the complimentary earplugs thoughtfully provided by management. The dining experience is where Karibu really makes its mark; one of the owners is Corsican and five-course dinners are inspired by classic Mediterranean cuisine. This influence continues in the garden, where you'll find the only pétanque pit in Uganda, for a classic game of French boules.

Overlooking a cobalt-blue crater lake, the design of this fairy-tale property provides serious wow factor: Kyaninga took 130 men, six years, and more than 1,000 hand-carved logs to build this masterpiece. Nine spacious chalet-like cottages perch high on the crater rim; intricate wooden walkways connect each building, while landscaped gardens and orchards (the source of delicious homemade breakfast preserves) fan out across the valley below. The sundowner terrace and massage room below the lodge’s swimming pool are perfect for taking in the stunning Rwenzori Mountains backdrop. Food is famously good and Kibale is less than an hour’s drive away, but a variety of activities will keep guests happy for days: crater hikes, wild swimming in Lake Kyaninga, sauna and massage in the lodge spa, birding in the forest, trekking to the edge of the Albertine Rift, and even a round of golf at Toro Golf Club with a top Uganda player (sponsored by Kyaninga). The lodge has a calendar of sporting events (marathon/triathlon/Ride the Rift bike race) that raise money for not-for-profit Kyaninga Childcare Development Centre, a charity that supports children with disabilities and their families. This is luxury hospitality with a strong track record of developing local communities and environmental investment.

Thanks to the new ExpressWay road, this resort has come of age, and visitors to this pastel-hue citadel on Lake Victoria happily trade off the remote position for the plush comfort of this 5-star hotel's rooms and extensive facilities. On a windswept headland roughly equidistant between Kampala and Entebbe, Lake Victoria Serena has become a popular getaway for Kampala residents, in addition to its association with Uganda’s best golf course. A boating marina, pool, tennis courts, and Maisha Health Club and Spa within a terracotta maze of porticos and scented gardens make this a comfortable spot to wind down post-safari. Babysitting services, special menus, a children's pool, and interconnecting rooms make this hotel a solid choice for families.

If this world-class lodge, part of the respected Lemala group, does not enchant you with its magical location, it will captivate you with its winning service, spa, and superb cuisine. Mid-stream on its own private island in the mighty River Nile, powerful rapids thunder past its swimming pool. Raised wooden walkways crisscross the island’s riverine forest, and each spacious cottage boasts a 4-poster bed and private deck with an outdoor bathtub. Five-course dinners at the open-air restaurant are a culinary treat, made all the more special by the backdrop—moonlight playing on the constant motion of whitewater.

Owner Barrie and his father came to Buhoma to track the gorillas and fell in love with Bwindi; their resulting creation—Mahogany Springs—features extensively refurbished, large thatched en suite bandas set in mature gardens, furnished with hardwood furniture and walk-in showers; some also have baths. A panoramic terrace—perfect for breakfast or afternoon tea—takes in views of the river and dense rain forest beyond. The cavernous reception area is filled with souvenirs and knick-knacks; portable DVD players and a film library are available and a warming fire is lit every night in the living and dining area, next to the well-stocked bar. The food is tasty and of a good standard, and the staff are friendly and attentive; special occasions may elicit a song or two from the staff.

High up on a kopje (rocky outcrop), the cottages at this superb boutique lodge blend seamlessly into the landscape. Early morning thrills come in the form of zebras congregating at the salt lick below the lodge’s rocky ledge pool. Guests in Kings cottage have spotted leopards on the adjacent rock; Klipspringer cottage has its own waterhole; and Tree cottage (as the name suggests) is built around a tree that grows through the hardwood platform. Mihingo’s eco-creds go further than design: the lodge is carbon neutral and has pioneered a community compensation scheme to help conserve leopard and hyena. If the delectable food isn’t enough to seduce you, the lodge offers plenty of romantic nooks: the sundeck below the rainwater infinity pool; the tower with near 360-degree views; and secret sundowner spots out on the rock. In addition to biking or walking safaris, Mihingo offers horseback safaris, night games drives, a tennis court, and massages. Bushcraft courses and nightly feeding of wild bushbabies on a viewing platform below the bar ensure kids love it.

This relaxed mid-range lodge has found its niche; local expats and price-conscious tourists love its laid-back, unpretentious style. With a philosophy celebrating the simpler things in life, they've got the recipe just right: kids love the pool; parents appreciate the babysitting service; home-made meals are served by smiling staff; life here generally mirrors the slow pace of the river Nile drifting by. Four family cottages are set back overlooking acacia woodland; 13 en suite thatched safari tents dot the bush; but the main restaurant and bar area, lined with comfy couches crafted from salvaged railway sleepers, takes the lion's share of the river view. Despite the proximity of the park’s alluring activities, it's tempting to while away days in hammocks, or from the viewing platform, just looking out over the islands of the Nile, watching for passing hippos and elephants.

Big groups love the location of this "hotel-in-the-bush," situated on the Mweya peninsula overlooking Kazinga Channel (a popular watering hole for big game), in the heart of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Staying here means you're well placed for early-morning game drives or the unmissable wildlife launch cruise; the lodge has its own fleet of smart boats just for this purpose. Choose from accommodations to suit all tastes: simple en suite rooms; deluxe rooms with a/c; suites and cottages; and a few stylish safari tents. An infinity pool overlooks wildlife gathered on the banks of the Kazinga Channel, a health club, massage area, business center, and vast gift shop ensure you need never leave. The manicured lawns and shrubbery may feel too tame for safari aficionados, but the professional staff and central location means Mweya is still the busiest property in the park.

A Ugandan Downton Abbey, Ndali is a bit of an institution; offering a charming blend of warm hospitality and colonial history (but with the 21st-century convenience of its own unofficial helipad). If you like country house style (interpreted here in a uniquely African way), appreciate fine wines and good company, and cannot imagine taking a walk without several large dogs bounding along beside you, then you'll love Aubrey & Clare Price's home (for a home is what it is). Traditionally thatched cottages, built by Aubrey and his father in the heart of his grandfather's 1920s tea estate, enjoy panoramic views on either side: the mighty Rwenzori Mountains to the west, their glacial peaks occasionally visible on a clear morning; and the enchanting Lake Nyinambuga—so pretty that features on a Ugandan banknote. By night the lodge is at its most romantic, lit entirely by candles. Ndali has a sauna, the best situated gym in Uganda and offers in-room massages on a portable massage bed. Guests are invited to tour the nearby Sadhguru school if their visit coincides with the school year.

This lodge has graduated from humble beginnings to become an award-winning property offering a range of high-end rooming options from en suite forest suites to garden cottages painstakingly constructed using local materials. Intricately folded banana palms line the roof; bright cushions and fleece-lined kitenge bathrobes bring warmth and color. Choose from jaw-dropping, floor-to-ceiling views of the forest (or volcanoes) from the wooden deck that surrounds the spacious Mylica Bar and Rafiki Lounge at the lodge's highest point. Massages are available at the lodge spa. Nkuringo works with Gorilla Junction Organization to build the skills of local young people. Two cottages have rooms with balconies that overlook the distant Virunga volcanoes; ask for Nyiragongo or Nyamuragira cottages. On the other side of the lodge's hilltop location are floor-to-ceiling views of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.

Built overlooking a crater lake, Papaya Lake offers high levels of personal service in another stunning location. The exterior wooden deck lures visitors with its stylish sun loungers, sun umbrellas, potted plants, and views of the lake. The infinity pool is a short walk above the lodge, over an ingenious walkway high above a (barely used) road. On the top of the hill beyond is a helipad for those guests arriving by helicopter. The cottages are spacious, each with its own unique color scheme, veranda, hammock, and lake view. Not only does this intimate luxury lodge have a bar, it has a dedicated gin trolley! Have a massage, do yoga, or take a picnic basket out onto the lake—this is where you want to escape for a weekend.

Right behind the Park Headquarters, Primate Lodge Kibale is convenient for those early mornings when tracking chimps or birding. En suite tents and stone cottages occupy small clearings within the forest itself, making the lodge a mecca for birding groups that can spend their time just wandering around the grounds. The thatch of the main building is a work of art and the cottages boast hand-carved wooden interiors. However, this comes at a comparatively high cost. However, if you're booked in for chimp habituation (with a reporting time of 6:30 am), the time gained from staying right next to the trailhead could make all the difference.

Part of the established Marriott network of business hotels, the Protea Entebbe is just off the main approach road to the airport, offering a practical base to stay. It has an idyllic beach frontage, with its own private stretch of white sand overlooking Lake Victoria. Guests praise the serenity of the spot, despite the proximity of the runways, but slow Wi-Fi and unimaginative decor detract from the otherwise comfortable rooms. Other facilities include a large restaurant and bar, lakeside pool, gym and spa, foreign exchange, and room service. The best spot to eat is at a terrace table down by the beach, though not on the (occasional) nights when the place is besieged by lake flies. Standard rooms offer twin beds and are airport-side; upgrading to deluxe rooms will ensure a double bed, private balcony, and lake view.

A gem of a budget eco-lodge, Rwakobo Rock is deservedly popular with the adventure crowd. Hearty, home-cooked fare is served up under the open thatch of their main building on the side of the eponymous rock. Simply furnished thatched cottages, a family house, en suite rooms and cottages are tucked away in hidden corners, their interiors decorated in the black and white colors of the local Hima tribe. Recycled bottles of filtered water harvested via rainwater catchment speak to the family owner's environmental stance. A fire-pit smoulders, and hammocks dot the property, encouraging a chilled-out vibe that's hard to ignore. When not exploring Lake Mburo National Park, you can hire a mountain bike (and guide) for a two-wheel safari. The view from the top is awesome.

A standout property in Buhoma, northern Bwindi, Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp delivers impeccable service in a classic forest setting. Ten canvas tents on dark-wood platforms occupy their own private clearings inside the impenetrable forest itself. Cow-horn and glass-bead decorated cushions adorn twin queen beds; matching white robes and a hair dryer (a rare find in Bwindi) hang in the en suite bathroom. Walkie-talkies make it all too easy to order up drinks without leaving your tent; and the candelit bathtub offering forest views and complimentary Africology bathcare products is delightful. If that doesn't help you unwind, the mini-spa will: facials, mani/pedis, and various massages are offered in a secluded room. The main lounge and restaurant offer superlative fare, with a popular high tea station offering hot drinks and fruit smoothies every afternoon.

This popular boutique hotel with a reputation for great service is tucked away on a leafy residential street in Entebbe, a few minutes' drive from the airport. The rooms look out onto flower-filled courtyards; the poolside restaurant reliably turns out an impressive variety of dishes; the mature gardens are a birding paradise; and the smiling, professional staff are all eager to help. Decor combines European colonial and African styles: large terracotta sofas, wicker chairs, and dark-wood furniture populate the public areas; safari lanterns light up pathways at night; netted 4-poster beds dominate bedrooms. The Boma has become such an institution for traveling aid workers, businesspeople, and tourists alike that it pays to book with as much notice as possible.

Turaco Treetops combines nature, good environmental practices, and excellent value for money for the whole family from its jungle site at the edge of Kibale National Park. On a clear day, the Rwenzori Mountains are visible from the restaurant’s upper deck. Luxury ensuite cottages at secluded spots in the forest are a perfect hideaway for couples; standard en suites have the (optional) feature of sharing balconies, ideal for groups who want a bigger private space to enjoy nature together. The natural stone swimming pool is big enough for pre-breakfast laps and has a shallow end for kids (and sun loungers for mums!) A kids’ playroom and outdoor playground with mini zipline mean fun is guaranteed for the little ones. Guided nature walks and Giant bike hire add to the adventure.

This award-winning eco-lodge has the grandest vantage point of Bwindi in its own reserve of secondary forest, creating a 50-acre gorilla-friendly buffer zone. On occasion guests are lucky enough to observe the Rushegura group of gorillas within the lodge grounds. The ten thatched luxury bandas (named after local gorillas) are the epitome of sophisticated Afrochic: for 25 years, Volcanoes Safaris has been at the forefront of developing and promoting primate tourism in Rwanda and Uganda and they continue to "reimagine" their gorgeous lodge interiors. The two deluxe bandas (complete with fireplace, day bed, and heart-stopping forest view) are Buhoma's best and perfect for honeymooners. Each guest is entitled to a complimentary massage, conducted in the charming Humula Forest Spa. Your personal butler (and staff who dance out of the kitchen to serve you dinner) make Bwindi Lodge unforgettable. One of Uganda's most environmentally committed luxury lodge providers, Volcanoes invests in sustainable community projects through its Partnership Trust. The community-run Bwindi Bar is a must-visit. For fans of Volcanoes Safaris’ Afrochic in magnificent settings, Mount Gahinga Lodge is a more intimate destination for tracking gorillas (and golden monkeys) and learning about the Batwa, the original forest-dwelling tribe. Mt Gahinga is the only high-end property that serves the volcanic landscape of the pocket handkerchief-sized Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.

Expect to be met by your personal butler on arrival at the converted coffee station overlooking Queen Elizabeth National Park. This masterpiece of design continues to be "reimagined" by owner Praveen Moman and his multidisciplinary team to celebrate the company’s 25th anniversary. Kyambura’s eight luxury bandas (four deluxe and four standard) are named after individual Kyambura Gorge chimpanzees and overlook the forested gorge (great for birders), or the rolling savanna of the National Park (complete with passing elephants). Each privately-situated banda is decorated in contemporary Afrochic style; your personal space is doubled with generous private balconies; don’t skimp on the outdoor shower. Full board includes a complimentary massage in the spa adjacent to the lodge’s salt water swimming pool. Guest stays directly support Volcanoes Safaris Partnership Trust’s sustainable community projects such as the Kyambura Gorge Eco-tourism Project and Kyambura Women’s Coffee Cooperative.