Little Monkey Camp

Bush baby was a lovely, secluded room set farther from the main lodge, with plenty of space in both the bedroom and bathroom. They brought coffee or tea in the morning, and monkeys kept us entertained. Since the lodge sits at the edge of Kibale national park, chimps may come near the rooms. On our first evening, Innocent let us know they were nearby and took us to see them. We had an all-inclusive package, so meals and drinks were covered, and the food was outstanding. The lodge was very well run, and WiFi worked during our stay. Peter, who looked after our group of eight, was incredible. He treated everyone equally and handled everything from our rooms and dining service to bartending and escorting us at night. My husband and I travel a lot, and he’s among the top three staff members we’ve met. I hope other guests get the chance to experience his care too.

The camp is pretty and well placed, and on a short walk nearby we spotted a few monkeys in the forest. The staff were friendly. One part of the stay didn’t work for us: after the walk, we found two chairs set beside our car and the whole dance group waiting. We were expected to watch their local performance and support them afterward. We’d already seen about six dances by then, and it would have been better if this was optional. Having to set up camp and cook in the dark was the downside.

The restaurant was a highlight for me. The food tasted great, the menu had lots of choices, and prices were lower than at other camps nearby. The chef was fantastic, and meals were fresh with something different each day. We stayed two nights while on a chimpanzee trekking safari, and the starting point was only about a three-minute drive away. The coffee gardens and location were wonderful for birds, and our room was clean and cosy. Highly recommended at Kibale forest.

Birding in the coffee gardens was a treat, with snowy crowned robinchat, great blue turaco, and black shouldered night encountered there. We also had a magnificent view of jungle monkeys, which are rare to see. The staff were friendly and welcoming, and the food was delicious and served on time. Set in the jungle, this beautiful lodge feels like a primeval forest paradise in the primate capital. The chimpanze tracking point is a short drive away, and the scenery is exhilarating and breathtaking.