Lake Chahafi Resort

Eight kilometres along a bumpy dirt road, you come to a little slice of paradise. The approach made me wary and I didn’t really know what to expect. And everywhere I stayed in Uganda, they always made the tiniest female staff member carry my 25 kg suitcase! Sorry Alice! But the location and my accommodation was to die for! Warbler (my accommodation) was right beside the lake. Two pied kingfishers were perched on the boat moored about 5 metres away. The papyrus reeds were full of weaver birds chattering away as they hung upside down from their nests. The hedges were full of flowers and olive and amethyst sunbirds were drinking their nectar. The shower was a bit of a dribble, but the water was hot. The bed was huge and the turn down service every night (I was there for three) meant you had good mosquito net all round the bed and a nice hot water bottle with a fluffy cover to keep your feet warm. My driver/ guide and I took the bumpy, cratered road to Mgahinga on two mornings. First to see the gorillas - outstanding - the baby grabbed my trouser leg twice! And then to see the golden monkeys - a tough two hour walk and not as good (obviously) as seeing the gorillas. But still worth doing! Returning from both excursions we were met by three resort staff and asked to sit on chairs they had set out on the lawn. They take your muddy boots away to clean them for you and your clean boots magically appearing again in your room when you get back there after dinner. They have set out a pair of flip flops for you to wear and they serve you with a complementary freshly squeezed fruit juice or, if Edwin has been showing off his mixologist skills, a virgin mojito with fresh mint from the garden. You might be tempted to order the non-virgin version when you return later for dinner. While you sit in the sun drinking your juice, Alice reads out the menu for that evening and you make your choices. Martin took me for a two hour trip on the lake to photograph birds. For $30, you get a unique view of the volcano and watch the jacana as they run along the Lilly pads. Pied kingfisher were almost everywhere, hovering in the air and then diving into the lake for fish. Waiting for you on the lake shore when you get back is the extremely hard working Alice and one of her colleagues. They have brought you a pot of mint tea and some biscuits. A lovely surprise! I sat to drink it on my balcony with just the tiny swamp flycatcher birds for company. A woodland kingfisher suddenly swooped down and scooped a gecko up from its hiding place in the grass. In the dining room later, Edwin has lit a log fire. The food is simple but delicious. You are looked after extremely well! Breakfast is served to match your (very early!) departure time for your trekking adventure at Mgahinga. But you’ll want to save time to go back to your accommodation for a comfort break before you set off. I can’t recommend the toilet block near the dining room, unless you like slightly

Durante la nostra vacanza in Uganda, abbiamo fatto tappa qui solo per una notte, purtroppo. Il posto è meraviglioso, direttamente sul lago Chahafi ricco di ninfee e habitat perfetto per una grande varietà di uccelli. Colazione, pranzo e cena molto buoni serviti con grande cura. Le camere grandi, pulite e coccole. Il personale gentile, sorridente e premuroso. Alla sera, dalla veranda della camera, ci siamo goduti una spettacolare stellata. Il plus? L'uscita nel lago con la barchetta azzurra, organizzata dal mio compagno, con aperitivo al tramonto. Lo consiglio vivamente, per rilassarsi è il top!l

We loved Lake Chahafi lodge! We went there because it's relatively close to the mountain gorillas and seeing them was our #1 priority. The Lodge was very relaxing. Martin is the waiter and organizer and canoe-er extraordinaire! He is there for anything you need. The rest of the staff is also friendly and so helpful. The beds are the most comfortable I've ever slept in. They turn them down for you while you're having dinner which seems unnecessary until you remember about the mosquito nets. Also it gets cool in the evenings in the mountains and they put hot water bottles in the sheets, so cozy! Food is delicious, setting gorgeous, awesome staff. Just go if you can. Seeing the gorillas is miraculous.