Kyaninga Lodge’s history
“Kyaninga Lodge is the brainchild of Steve Williams who, while passing through Fort Portal on a trip to visit the gorillas down in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, stumbled across Lake Kyaninga. He was struck by the sheer beauty of the lake – and the view beyond – and decided it would be the perfect place to let his imagination run wild.”
Steve’s vision was to create a luxury lodge with a truly Ugandan feel, with emphasis on sourcing building materials locally: stone pillars from the volcanic crater rock; Eucalyptus and Elgon Olive timbers; and Semliki grass for the thatching. During the first two years of the six-year project, experts from the UK and Europe trained the local workforce in the skills required for the lodge’s construction: thatching, masonry, welding, carpentry, electrics and plumbing. No cranes or lifting machines were used in the construction of the lodge and every one of the 1000 timbers was moved into place by hand, employing a team of over 130 people. The lodge was opened in 2010 and runs almost entirely on solar power.
Lake Kyaninga – perfect for swimming!
Lake Kyaninga was formed ten thousand years ago during the period of intense geological and volcanic activity that shaped the region’s dramatic scenery. The pyramid-shaped hill opposite the main lodge building is an ancient ash cone from a volcanic vent. A study found the 200-metre deep Lake Kyaninga to be the cleanest lake in this part of Uganda, and – to the best of our knowledge – is Bilharzia-free and therefore safe to swim in. Steps lead down from the main driveway to a floating jetty, ideal for sunbathing. Kayaks are available for use by lodge guests.
Kyaninga Lodge main building
The unique design of Kyaninga Lodge is beautifully captured in its logo. Not only does it sit on the crest of a hill, it complements the hill’s very shape.
The main lodge houses the dining room and bar, each having an upstairs gallery with spectacular views of Lake Kyaninga and the Rwenzori Mountains, ideal for romantic evenings or for those looking for a little more privacy. Guests can even dine in one of the galleries, upon request.
Guest cottages
Great care has been taken to ensure that guests can admire the splendid views from every angle. The nine spacious ensuite thatched wooden cottages have private balconies front and back. Centre stage is a queen-size bed draped with floor-to-ceiling nets, Ugandan-inspired artworks, information about the lodge and its many activities. Each bathroom has a hot shower, rolltop bathtub and “his and her vanity” units.
Swimming pool
One of Kyaninga Lodge’s defining features is the pool, carved – and hammered – out of the rock face. Look at the rock closely and you can see it was once a volcanic lava flow.
Sunset platform overlooking Lake Kyaninga
Below the swimming pool are two terraces, built on reclaimed land, with spell-binding views out over the lake. The upper terrace ‘sunset platform’ is a fabulous spot for an early evening drink. Here the outdoor BBQ and an open fire make for truly memorable nights.
Kyaninga Wellness Centre and reading lounge
The lower terrace is a place to relax and just chill, away from the sometimes busy main lodge building. It has some of the best views of the lake and is the site of the wellness centre – sauna, small gym and treatment room. Also on the terrace, the book reading lounge is an open, shaded area of comfy sofas. The lower terrace is open exclusively to lodge guests.
Bar and Restaurant
The well-stocked lodge bar has an open, double-sided fireplace which we light every evening around sunset. At Kyaninga Lodge we make every effort to meet our guests’ needs. If you have any dietary requirements you would like us to consider, please let us know and we’ll be happy to adjust our menu. Tea and coffee in your room, and early morning wake-up calls pre-chimp tracking, are just part of the service.
Things to do and facilities at Kyaninga Lodge
The gardens at Kyaninga Lodge were designed by London-based landscape architect Imogen Jenkins and provide a beautiful backdrop to the lodge. The gardens include Uganda’s only grass tennis court and croquet lawn, kitchen garden and an orchard of fruit trees. All the necessary equipment for the games is available upon request to guests at the main lodge.
- Badminton court
- Birdwatching
- Boules
- Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest, less than an hour’s drive away
- Croquet lawn
- Golf at Toro Golf Club
- Grass tennis court
- Kayak
- Massage room
- Nature walk along the crater path
- Swimming in the lodge pool
- Wild swimming in Lake Kyaninga
Facilities at Kyaninga Lodge
- Ballroom overlooking the lake can seat 200 and is available to hire for weddings and other events.
- Car park
- Helipad
- Mini-gym
- Sauna
- Spa
- Wifi in main lodge building
Annual sporting events at Kyaninga Lodge
“The Kyaninga sporting events are entirely not-for-for profit, with all proceeds going towards supporting the activities of the Kyaninga Child Development Centre.”
Every year, Kyaninga Lodge becomes a hive of neon lycra and sinewy limbs as it plays host to our annual sporting events, each providing the opportunity to take on a unique physical challenge amid some of the country’s most spectacular scenery. The Kyaninga Triathlon, Running the Rift Marathon and Ride the Rift bike race are held on three separate weekends.
All events attract participants from within Uganda and a growing number of intrepid athletes from around the world, keen to combine a sporting event with an African adventure. We offer a variety of accommodation packages for these events, whether at Kyaninga Lodge or camping or glamping.
At all events, a 5km fun run around the lake contributes to the day’s carnival atmosphere. The post-race prize-giving ceremony and hog roast have become a social event that draw in friends and neighbours from the Fort Portal area.
With 10 editions under its belt, the Kyaninga Triathlon combines a morning swim in the tranquil (and surprisingly warm) waters of Lake Kyaninga; the cycling leg takes a challenging and scenic route around the lodge, spurred on by vocal encouragement from the local children; the closing leg of the race is a run along the top of the crater around the lake. For more information visit www.kyaningatriathlon.com
For Running the Rift Marathon international participants, the trip is a week-long adventure that includes the chance to trek chimpanzees in nearby Kibale Forest National Park, go on safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park or go hiking in the Rwenzori mountains, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Kyaninga Child Development Centre
Kyaninga Child Development Centre is an initiative by Kyaninga Lodge’s owners, Steve and Asha Williams, to provide high quality, specialised and affordable assessment, treatment, education and support to children with disabilities, their families and carers, to enable them to lead more independent lives. This need came to light when Steve and Asha Williams were looking for help for their own son Sidney, realised that there were very few resources or specialists available to help children with special needs.
With a personal input of $5,000 each to get the ball rolling, Kyaninga Child Development Centre opened its doors in 2014. Since then, KCDC has grown rapidly to become the go-to organisation in the region, providing specialist rehabilitation, outreach, educational support and advocacy to enable children who were previously unable to do simple tasks – such as sitting, walking or communicating – to reach their full potential and lead fulfilling lives. KCDC has treated over 5,000 children, provides more than 1,000 therapy sessions each month, and assists local schools with special needs teaching. KCDC now works in seven districts. As with all projects of this nature, funding is an ever present concern, which is why Kyaninga Lodge will continue to support KCDC financially wherever possible. All proceeds of our special sporting events at Kyaninga Lodge go directly to KCDC.
The Kyaninga Forest Foundation
“The reforestation has seen a sharp increase in the numbers of vervet and black and white Colobus monkeys, and multiple previously unseen bird species, including a breeding pair of the spectacular Verreaux’s Eagle Owl, Africa’s largest owl!”
The Kyaninga Forest Foundation near Fort Portal, western Uganda
The Kyaninga Forest Foundation aims to restore and manage forest in the area around Kyaninga Lodge, reforesting much of the 50-acre property with a mix of fast-growing indigenous species, and slow growing and extremely rare hardwoods. On the advice of our tree expert, Chris Kaija, we have planted a large number of medicinal trees which are rapidly disappearing from their natural environment due to overharvesting and improper cultivation. Kyaninga Forest Foundation has also contributed to the construction of an arboretum on a neighbouring tea estate and pioneering research – and growing of – the extremely rare Elgon Olive tree.
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