Location: Fort Portal, Kabarole District in Western Uganda.
Overview
The result of Hashim a Ugandan architect’s labour of love and deep passion for sustainability in joint partnership with his American business partner, birthed Aramaga Rift Valley Lodge.
The brand’s first lodge in Uganda, just 10km (6.2miles) west of Fort Portal, western Uganda, and Kabalore district.
Established in 2020, this lodge aims to achieve and maintain an eco-friendly low carbon footprint, built using locally sourced materials, and operates over 80% on renewable solar energy making it a perfect setting for eco-conscious guests. It’s a unique and visionary design that embraces stunning views over the Rwenzori Mountains, the Semliki Wildlife Reserve, the Blue Mountains of the DRC, and Lake Albert.
Located on a ridge of the Great Rift Valley, the architecture of the Lodge features exclusive ‘Space Pods’ with 120-degree panorama windows offering views of the surrounding countryside. With easy access to the nearby Semliki and Kibale National Parks, chimpanzee tracking and day tours to major natural attractions in this region are available during your stay at the Lodge.
The Restaurant offers healthy local meals, prepared by the head chef, who accommodates a good variety of cuisine and guests’ dietary needs. The main restaurant has two wings, one on the left and the other on the right of the main building. Here meals can also be served in the lounge, the observatory, and at the poolside.
The room service includes a unique facility where meals may be served in the rooftop bathtub. Guests have an option of an ‘all-inclusive’ or ‘full board’ meal plan which includes unlimited sodas, beers, and house wines in the room fee.
The deck outside the lounge also serves as a viewing platform for ‘stargazers’, the lodge provides you with a 5-million star view as a result of low air and light pollution around, and a telescope is available. The pool has a view of the Semliki Wildlife Reserve in the plains below, with some days the pool appears to reside above the clouds.
Three fireplaces are additional features to accommodate different group sizes, in the lounge – predominately used during the rainy season, the outside fireplace serves as the observatory deck, with an extensive fire ring near the swimming pool designed to accommodate up to 10 guests in its own secluded area. The lodges’ firewood is from a nearby Eucalyptus forest cultivated specifically for commercial use.
A unique point to add to the amazing view and relaxing atmosphere, the guest has a lot of options to keep busy on the Bali swing and a tree viewpoint, with amazing ‘selfie’ opportunities at the “lodge in the Sky”. Accessible by road transfers to and from Fort Portal, as well as from Saaka airstrip (for private chartered flights).
Uniqueness of this Camp
- On the Bali swing and a tree viewpoint, with amazing ‘selfie’ opportunities.
- The room service includes a unique facility where meals may be served in the rooftop bathtub
- The architecture of the Lodge features exclusive ‘Space Pods’ with 120-degree panorama windows offering views of the surrounding countryside.
Accommodation
Six galaxy-themed pods features a sitting area, green roofs with rooftop cold and hot tub Jacuzzi, and a rooftop experience giving you a full 360-degree view of the entire sky above, the valley below, and the mountains across.
With a choice of staying at either the more spacious Moonshot pod with French double beds, or any one of the other five regular-sized pods (Starship, Galactic, Orbit, Supernova, and Gravity). Each of the spacious pods has stunning views from all locations including the bed, seat, or private rooftop tub.
Amenities
Camp Amenities: Swimming pool, its room rates full board accommodation, and all drinks (except premium such as special order wines, champagne, or liqueurs), complimentary laundry service.
Activities
Semuliki National Park visits, Kibale National Park visits, swimming pool, Bali swing, and a tree viewpoint, Visit Semuliki National Park, Visit Kibale National Park, community walks, picnic, and star gazing.
