An Honest Review of Buffalo Lodge, Uganda

The last place we stayed during our safari in Uganda was the breathtaking Buffalo Lodge. We got to spend two full days here relaxing, doing game drives, and a boat safari. Many people think that going on an African safari means that you’re camping in the wilderness. I wanted to take you behind the scenes and give you an in-depth review of Buffalo Lodge in Uganda.

This was the last lodge on our safari through Rwanda, DRC, and Uganda that I planned with Africa Adventure Vacation (AAV). This post is not sponsored by Buffalo Lodge or AAV.

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Location

The lodge is located very close to Queen Elizabeth National Park, making it a great location for safaris. It was incredibly easy to get to our boat safari on the Kazinga Channel and game drives from Buffalo Lodge. The lodge is in a beautiful, remote area, surrounded by lush greenery and rolling hills. The picturesque view from the lodge is unforgettable.

Checking In

Since we were traveling with Africa Adventure Vacations, they took care of our reservations and check-in. We were greeted by numerous staff members who gave us a hot towel to clean off our faces and hands. Then they told us our room and the bag porters took our bags and guided us to our lodge.

Bag Porters

As with most of the lodges in Uganda, the Buffalo Lodge did have porters so we did not have to carry our bags. They also showed you the room, the bathroom, how to work the shower, and asked if you wanted your mosquito nets down when you were at dinner. Please be sure to tip this staff a few dollars for their service.

Our Room

We had a room with two queen-size beds (as did everyone else in our group). The beds were firm but comfortable with mosquito nets that were open during the day and you could request to have them closed while you were at dinner. There was a night table in between the beds with a clock.

At the end of the beds, there was a luggage rack for our suitcase and room underneath for our hiking boots. You could pay a small fee to have them cleaned if you wanted. This was after all of our hikes, so I figured mine could wait til I got home for a nice bath (and it needed it after gorilla trekking!).

The armoire was in the corner and had shelves and a hanging rack for your clothes. It also had an extra pillow and blanket if needed. They also provided two robes for post-shower relaxing!

Private balcony with sitting area

The outside of every building had a small sitting area and private balcony. This was great for enjoying the weather and the hundreds of butterflies floating around. On the last day we were there, we could see elephants from one of the balconies about 20 feet away!

Blackout curtains

As a light sleeper, I was thrilled to see these in the room. They were great for keeping light out in the morning (even though we were still up early for breakfast and safaris!

Bathroom

While the bathroom wasn’t the largest during our trip, it was large enough. It was set up length-wise with the toilet at one end, his-and-her sinks in the middle (right when you open the door) and the shower at the other end. Like other lodges, the shower did not have a shower door or curtain. It’s open into the bathroom.

Water Pressure

I am someone who loves a scolding hot shower and a lot of pressure, so it wasn’t very pleasant. It was fine for a shower and the pressure wasn’t low, but I did want to mention it so people wouldn’t be disappointed.

Lodge Amenities

Wifi

Wifi was primarily available in the restaurant area. Though some places around the lodge also had it. We had data through Google Fi (Referral code: R668HM) so it was hard for me to tell when we had it and when we didn’t. But other family members had easy access to it in the restaurant area, and my dad was able to WhatsApp my mom from his room which was relatively close to it.

Pool & Sun Terrace

The pool and sun terrace were by far my favorite places at Buffalo Lodge. There was a kids pool, plenty of lounges and chairs, and you could order a drink from the bar and it would be brought to the pool. The pool has a shallow and deep end and offers gorgeous views. Imagine relaxing

Bar

The bar is located in the common room. It was well-stocked and had wine, beer, rum, whiskey, soda, ginger ale, and more! With our package, water was included, but we had to pay for everything else. It was reasonably priced, with a bottle of wine or a cocktail costing $5-7. You could order drinks and bring them to your room and/or the pool area.

Common Room

The common room and reception were the only places with a really strong Wi-Fi connection. The common room is also where you eat meals. The area is huge, with a television and sitting area, board games available, and couches to relax on. There are bathrooms in the buildings as well.

Dining

The lodge offers a variety of dining options, including a restaurant and a bar. The food was delicious and the service was excellent. We particularly enjoyed the traditional Ugandan dishes, which were full of flavor and gave us a taste of the local cuisine. Breakfast was a buffet, featuring pancakes, eggs, sausage, and freshly made omelets! They had syrup out but I had to ask about ketchup (for my eggs).

Lunch and dinner were sit-down meals. We ordered our next meal after we finished our current meal. They came with the menu so we confirmed the time that we’d be eating and what we were having. ALL of the food was delicious – no one in the group of 6 (including Hamza our guide) had a complaint!

Laundry

Laundry is available for a fee at the lodge. Some of my family members did get a few pieces done for the trip home. I recommend doing laundry only if you’re here for a few nights. The clothes air dry so it can take some time to get your clothes back depending on the weather.

Massages

I was very confident that I would do this after a week of hiking, rough roads, early mornings, and long days. However, I ended up getting a bottle of wine relaxing by the pool, and walking to an elephant and hippo (more on that below). I think it’s important to note that they do offer 30 and 60-minute massages!

Wildlife Spotting

One of the major highlights of staying at the Buffalo Lodge is the wildlife. You can be sitting at the restaurant and see numerous elephants walking by and down to the river. According to lodge staff, the elephants even come up to the kitchen sometimes looking for food.

I thought the pool staff was pulling my leg when he said the hippo and elephant were friendly. He even said I could walk down to get really close to them. I’ve never heard someone call a hippo friendly – it is one of the most dangerous animals. But he insisted! Solomon, the male elephant, and Matheia, the female hippo, were regulars at the lodge. They regularly hang out in the mud pit and near the pool. He offered to take me to them. I was hesitant, and probably half a bottle of wine in at the end of a magical safari – so I said yes. I walked down from the pool

Since the animals are wild and can come on to the property, there are staff that will walk you around the grounds at night and in the morning. While you may think this is silly, one night there was an elephant in the bush and I wouldn’t have seen him if it wasn’t for our guide. He shown the flashlight so we could see! A huge elephant was hanging out in the bushes and I wouldn’t have seen it at all!

Activities at the Buffalo Lodge

There are numerous activities available to guests at Buffalo Lodge. The location of Buffalo Lodge was perfect for these activities.

• Game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park: This is a must-do activity, as the park is known for its diverse wildlife, including lions, elephants, buffalos, and more. The lodge can arrange game drives for you, and having a knowledgeable guide makes all the difference in spotting wildlife. It’s only about a fifteen-minute drive to the park!
• Boat safari on the Kazinga Channel: This is a unique experience where you can spot hippos, crocodiles, and a variety of bird species. The boat safari offers a different perspective and lets you get close to the wildlife. We got to see so many animals enjoying the water, large and small. Hippo families cooling off and blue-cheeked bee-eater bird relaxing on trees.
• Visiting the Salt Mining Community in Katwe: This was a fascinating and in-depth look at how a community lives off the land in a way that I was not expecting. We learned so much about salt mining, how people live, and how salt-mining is changing due to climate change.

Tipping

Be sure to read my entire guide to tipping in Uganda for a lot more detail into when, how, and how much to tip. We could tip at the end of our stay when we also paid for any drinks or special items (like a massage). We were able to put it on a credit card. There was also a communal tip box in the common room if you wanted to give cash. You can also give cash directly to specific staff if you want as well.

Final Thoughts

Buffalo Lodge in Uganda offers an incredible wildlife experience that you won’t find anywhere else. From the friendly elephants and hippos that roam the lodge grounds to the game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park, every moment is filled with awe-inspiring encounters with nature.

The lodge staff are knowledgeable and go above and beyond to make your stay unforgettable. Whether you’re a wildlife enthusiast or simply seeking an adventure, Buffalo Lodge is the perfect destination in Uganda. So pack your bags, prepare your camera, and get ready for an experience of a lifetime. The memories made at Buffalo Lodge will stay with you long after you return home

Read More about Uganda

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Ultimate Guide to Tipping in Uganda

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