Kikonko Lodge — Hotel in Hoima

A Paradise not being realized fully

Perched dramatically on the Albertine Rift escarpment, this boutique lodge offers one of the most spectacular settings I've experienced in Uganda. The property combines sustainable luxury with authentic African hospitality in a way that feels both sophisticated and genuinely connected to the local environment. What impressed me most was the thoughtful design that maximizes the breathtaking views of Lake Albert while maintaining an intimate, peaceful atmosphere with only 4 guest cottages(with 8 rooms). The lodge's commitment to eco-friendly practices, from solar power to filtered water bottles, shows genuine environmental responsibility without compromising comfort.

However, the management and staff have some serious catching up to do when it comes to fine hospitality. With a location like this, setting as stunning, and a property that is so nicely designed they fall short when it comes to how they SERVE THEIR GUESTS. Lack of attention to guests a the bar and restaurant (as the girls were more interested in chatting between themselves or engaged on their mobile devices, the manager not giving all the right instructions to guests that are crucial for a smooth experience, the rooms not even being equipped with the most basif stuff like a hot water ketttle, toiletries, etc!) The list goes on and on. So all they need is a managment upgrade and staff training and they can shoot up to a 5 star Luxury lodge category!

LOCATION:The location is absolutely stunning - positioned 32km from Hoima Town on the escarpment overlooking Lake Albert. The breathtaking views of Lake Albert and the Blue Mountains of the Democratic Republic of Congo are guaranteed. It's perfectly positioned as a stopover between Queen Elizabeth National Park and Murchison Falls National Park, making it ideal for safari itineraries. The drive up from the main road winds through beautiful countryside, and once you arrive, you're rewarded with panoramic views that stretch across the lake to the DRC mountains. The nearby fishing villages add authentic local character, and the proximity to Bugoma Forest Reserve offers excellent nature activities.

DINE + DRINK:The dining experience exceeded my expectations with varied, high-quality meals that go beyond typical lodge fare. The restaurant's open-air design perfectly frames the lake views, making every meal a visual feast. The beer is cold, they even offer craft beer. The wine selection is good too. The bar area by the pool is particularly magical in the evenings, watching the twinkling lights of fishing boats heading out for their night catch while enjoying sundowners. They even had BANANGE Craft Beers on the menu along with some wicked Cocktails!

ROOM: The guest cottages are beautifully designed with tasteful African-inspired decor using local materials. Each room features floor-to-ceiling windows that showcase the lake views spectacularly - waking up to sunrise over Lake Albert through these expansive windows was unforgettable. All rooms have patios and laptop safes. The beds are very comfortable, and the rooms are spacious with private verandas perfect for quiet contemplation. The bathrooms are well-appointed with ecological soap bars reflecting the lodge's sustainable approach. Mosquito nets are provided, and while you might occasionally encounter insects, it's expected when immersed in such pristine nature. They DONT PROVIDE TOILETRIES, so dont forget to bring your own

FACILITIES: No Gym or recreational stuff on site. But they have a sweet little outdoor pool.

SERVICE: Friendly staff that cared for all our needs with a smile and made us feel at home with big smiles

HOW WIRED YOU WILL BE: Free Wi-Fi that works well all at the common area, but almost non existtent in the room! No Television in the room, allowing you to indulge in pure...

Perched dramatically on the Albertine Rift escarpment, this boutique lodge offers one of the most spectacular settings I've experienced in Uganda. The property combines sustainable luxury with authentic African hospitality in a way that feels both sophisticated and genuinely connected to the local environment. What impressed me most was the thoughtful design that maximizes the breathtaking views of Lake Albert while maintaining an intimate, peaceful atmosphere with only 4 guest cottages(with 8 rooms). The lodge's commitment to eco-friendly practices, from solar power to filtered water bottles, shows genuine environmental responsibility without compromising comfort.||However, the management and staff have some serious catching up to do when it comes to fine hospitality. With a location like this, setting as stunning, and a property that is so nicely designed, they fall short when it comes to how they SERVE THEIR GUESTS. Lack of attention to guests a the bar and restaurant (as the girls were more interested in chatting between themselves or engaged on their mobile devices, the manager not giving all the right instructions to guests that are crucial for a smooth experience, the rooms not even being equipped with the most basif stuff like a hot water ketttle, toiletries, etc!) The list goes on and on. So all they need is a managment upgrade and staff training and they can shoot up to a 5 star Luxury lodge category!||LOCATION:The location is absolutely stunning - positioned 32km from Hoima Town on the escarpment overlooking Lake Albert. The breathtaking views of Lake Albert and the Blue Mountains of the Democratic Republic of Congo are guaranteed. It's perfectly positioned as a stopover between Queen Elizabeth National Park and Murchison Falls National Park, making it ideal for safari itineraries. The drive up from the main road winds through beautiful countryside, and once you arrive, you're rewarded with panoramic views that stretch across the lake to the DRC mountains. The nearby fishing villages add authentic local character, and the proximity to Bugoma Forest Reserve offers excellent nature activities.||DINE + DRINK:The dining experience exceeded my expectations with varied, high-quality meals that go beyond typical lodge fare. The restaurant's open-air design perfectly frames the lake views, making every meal a visual feast. The beer is cold, they even offer craft beer. The wine selection is good too. The bar area by the pool is particularly magical in the evenings, watching the twinkling lights of fishing boats heading out for their night catch while enjoying sundowners. They even had BANANGE Craft Beers on the menu along with some wicked Cocktails!||ROOM: The guest cottages are beautifully designed with tasteful African-inspired decor using local materials. Each room features floor-to-ceiling windows that showcase the lake views spectacularly - waking up to sunrise over Lake Albert through these expansive windows was unforgettable. All rooms have patios and laptop safes. The beds are very comfortable, and the rooms are spacious with private verandas perfect for quiet contemplation. The bathrooms are well-appointed with ecological soap bars reflecting the lodge's sustainable approach. Mosquito nets are provided, and while you might occasionally encounter insects, it's expected when immersed in such pristine nature. They DONT PROVIDE TOILETRIES, so dont forget to bring your own||FACILITIES: No Gym or recreational stuff on site. But they have a sweet little outdoor pool.||SERVICE: Friendly staff that cared for all our needs with a smile and made us feel at home with big smiles||HOW WIRED YOU WILL BE: Free Wi-Fi that works well all at the common area, but almost non-existent in the room! No Television in the room, allowing you to indulge in pure...

The view of Lake Albert suddenly springs out at you as you round the last corner to Kikonko Lodge, the water spanning into the distance, merging with the bright blue sky. The sun shone on us as we arrived, as did the wonderfully helpful staff who checked us in and offered us a fresh fruit juice to ease our dry throats after the journey from Kampala. We were ushered into comfortable seats to look at the beautiful view as we waited for the final preparations for our room.

The setting of Kikonko Lodge is absolutely stunning, and it is one of the most peaceful spots we've ever stayed in. We enjoyed listening to the birds cheep as we relaxed by the pool, or on the comfortable sofas in the main lounge / dining area of the site. We were so comfortable in fact, that we spent the vast majority of our time at the lodge itself, taking advantage of the wonderful setting and service from the attentive and friendly staff.

We did drag ourselves away from Kikonko's oasis for a morning of exploring, and discovered that the scenery around the lodge is quite spectacular. From the hillside, a road weaves its way down to the flatter land beside the lake, passing by a beautiful waterfall on its way (though it may be less spectacular in the dry season). The road passes through a fascinating fishing village, and on towards the Kabwoya Wildlife Reserve which we drove through a part of, seeing a vast array of birds and other animals.

We thouroughly enjoyed the food from Kikonko's excellent chef, who produced a varied assortment of dishes, often international but with a bit of local flavour too. The rooms were comfortable, with warm showers and electricity provided by solar, and the staff were only too happy to help with any issues, particularly as Kikonko had only recently opened its doors for our visit. It's worth bringing a torch with you, as the paths back to the rooms do get very dark at night, but the lack of illumination is so worth it for the incredible views of the starry sky.

The journey to the lodge was smooth from Uganda's capital city, Kampala, with paved roads all the way until about the last two kilometers. There is a great Total garage roughly halfway from the city at Kiboga which makes a great stopping place on the journey (complete with flushing toilets!).

If you are looking for a peaceful place to stay then Kikonko will definitely suit you. We look forward to a return visit...