Nkima Forest Lodge is set in a sunny glade surrounded by indigenous forest on top of a hill with beautiful views of Mabamba Bay, a protected Ramsar wetlands site near to Entebbe. It was built to help preserve the patch of indigenous forest, home to turacos, parrots, hornbills and red-tailed monkeys (Nkima). There are six ensuite cottages with private decks in the forest.
100% self sufficient eco-lodge overlooking the Mabamba Wetlands. The rooms are all nestled in the forest equipped with large balconies, hot showers and private views of the forest. Each morning we woke up with Nkima monkeys outside our room in the trees. The main area is large, filled with games, a bar, and comfy seating with views over the wetlands. The food is fresh and delicious. The pool has the best views overlooking the wetlands and forest. It's private and refreshing. Good for sunbathing, reading and maybe some swimming. The staff are helpful and happy. The owners are knowledgeable and welcoming. A good weekend getaway from Kampala. Also it's a good first or last stop when arriving to/from Entebbe Airport. It's only a short ferry ride across the bay, and 10ish minutes to the lodge
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Date of stay: January 2020Trip type: Traveled with family
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This no-frills lodge in a beautiful spot is quite comfortable and peaceful. Nkima means monkey, specifically the black-faced monkeys in this forest, and in the morning dozens of them were playing and grooming outside the main building. I also saw many different types of beautiful butterfly. This is shoebill territory. I didn’t, but you can go on canoe tours in the wetlands to look for them. The food here is really good, and plentiful. A bar and fridge well stocked with booze, beer, and soda. Dispersed cabins are really private, with a large balcony looking straight into the forest. Hard to find, roads maybe impassable in the rain. I understand there’s another route via ferry from Entebbe. WiFi access in the main building but very slow. I recommend a visit. Two nights would justify the long drive and give you time to birdwatcher, hike, and relax too.
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Date of stay: February 2020Trip type: Traveled solo
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We live in Kampala and didn't want to travel far for a nice little break. From many other recommendations we headed to Nkima Forest Lodge and in about 1 hour we were ther and enjoying our welcome juice. These were COVID times and we were the only guests at the lodge during this midweek stay, but still we had a great selection of food and all the attention we could ever wish for. The owner told me that no trees were cut to construct the lodge and the rooms give the impression you are literally sleeping in the jungle. This was confirmed to us when we woke up and a monkey was having a good look at us through the cabin window. We enjoyed the food, we enjoyed the pool, we missed the croquet, but had two wonderful walks in the forest where lots of monkeys are to be spotted. At the far end of the ridge on which the lodge is constructed there is a wonderful view of Entebbe in one direction and the vast Mbamba swamp in all other directions. For a short, or longer break to escape the city and to feel that you have left it miles behind, then Nkima is the place for you!
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Date of stay: August 2020
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We had been to see the Shoebill Stork in the nearby Mbamba wetlands and needed lunch so called in here. Great lunch and friendly staff. Knowing of my interest in lodges one of the staff/management kindly showed my round one of their bungalows and I was quite impressed. Nicely built and furnished this is a place I could happily stay in for a few days. Close enough to Kampala and Entebbe but definitely away from it all in the lush countryside. Apart from Mbamba the whole area bustled with birdlife and some mammals too. The bungalows had full size beds and nets for protection. H&C water and smart bathrooms. I liked it a lot.
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Date of stay: February 2020
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The lodge is set in Nkomo forest on a huge tract of unspoilt forest with really great stilted lodges each with a patio looking out over the forest so that you can see monkeys and birds galore. Spent three days there and accommodation is brilliant with lots of space and comfortable beds. Food is well made and airy lounge area is great during the day or evening along with a beautiful swimming pool which is great for the views and cooling down. Used the canoes and paddles around the swamp for an hour which is 30 mins walk each way and well worth it. Shoebill watching is the prime reason to come and we weren’t disappointed!
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Date of stay: July 2024Trip type: Traveled as a couple
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Although very near Entebbe (you can see the runway a few Km away across the bay from the viewpoint) this little gem of a place has the peace and quiet of real forest retreat. Plenty of birds, butterflies and 3 species of monkeys for the naturalists, a swimming pool for the more sporty types and excellent food for everyone. The proximity to Mabamba Swamp (world famous for Shoebill Storks) is convenient for birdwatchers. The place is very well run, not luxorious but - much more importantly - evrything works very well!
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Date of stay: June 2021
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Wonderful bungalows in a patch of forest on a hill. The surrounding trees are full of exotic birds and monkeys and you can enjoy a sunset overlooking the Magamba wetlands. Excellent food and service, clean and comfy. Easy access to the wetlands where you can see the odd shoebill stork and myriad other birds.
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Date of stay: January 2020Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fabulous place, in small forest fragment. Easy walking distance to catch tour of wetlands, lodge will organize for you. If you want to try and see a shoebill but have limited time, this is a perfect option!
Amazing birding in the wetlands, but also within the forest in which the lodge sits. Great little walking trails through the woods, amazing views of the wetlands below. Wonderful spot to relax into nature!
Lodge organizes everything - tours, transport, and all food while at the lodge.
If you have limited time, you really can arrive in the evening, go on tour the next morning and then depart by 12 or 1 pm. So great way to end a business travel week to Kampala - just leave saturday afternoon instead of friday night! But if you have a bit more time, you can soak into the forest, or in the sun next to the pool.
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Date of stay: May 2022
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Trip type: Traveled on business
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nkima Forest Lodge is the perfect place to stay at the end of your Uganda Safari. Excellent personal service by Shiraz and Nasser. Bandas are comfortable and clean. In-house PCR testing very convenient. The forest provides a calming environment to reflect on you adventures and impressions gathered about Uganda. A word of appreciation to owners Nick and Elaine for preserving a part of Ugandas Forests and providing the travellers the opportunity to enjoy the quietness. An excellent place for birwatchers. Book a boat trip to observe shoebills with Ismael a knowledgable guide.
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Date of stay: November 2021Trip type: Traveled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This is a great place. Ecological w no plastics. Completely private cabins - you feel in the middle of the forest on your balcony. Staff extremely friendly, food plentiful and very tasty. Close to the swamp which is a definite attraction. Breakfast with the monkeys.
Cool swimming pool. Doesn’t get much better. Overall highly recommended.
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Date of stay: August 2022Trip type: Traveled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
There are more places to choose from in the Wakiso area.
LOCATION
UgandaCentral RegionWakiso
NUMBER OF ROOMS
6
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