CHAMELEON HILL FOREST LODGE

 

THE KOMBI

Upon arriving at Chameleon Hill, we made our way down the stone steps to the main lodge entrance.   We immediately spotted the first new addition to the lodge. A bright orange VW Kombi.  This fabulous vehicle has a wonderful story attached to it.  What a feat getting this beauty to its final destination on the long dusty trip!

The Kombi is perfect for no fuss independent travellers. Kitted out with a double bed, it has it’s own “en suite” bathroom and outdoor chill area. Set amidst the gorgeous trees, with birds chirping merrily, it really is a very unique offering.

THE LODGE ENTRANCE AND SHOP

The first thing you’ll notice as you make your way to the lodge entrance are the distinctive colourful towers. The architecture of Chameleon Hill Forest lodge is art in itself.

Two croc lined benches flank the entrance. They are waiting to adorn the weary feet of the gorilla trekkers when they return. Bwindi forest is a under one hour away, so Chameleon Hill is the perfect base from which to visit the gorillas.

As you pass through the lodge shop, you already start planning your purchases. It’s hard to tear yourself away from the colourful local hand crafted items for sale.

THE DINING AREA

Once you’ve made your way past the bar counter you’re at the heart of Chameleon Hill Forest Lodge.

The dining area comes alive at dinner time with the chatter of guests sharing stories of their gorilla encounters. The tables, brightly clad with serviettes made from traditional fabric and dainty forest flowers look so inviting. Art adorns the walls, and the little beaded animals on the lampshades do a gentle dance in the breeze as you pass by.

When the candles are lit it’s time to sit down. And if it happens to be your birthday, you are in for a very special treat!  And even if it’s not, we can guarantee you will make your way down the path to your chalet or villa with a very grateful heart and tummy!

GASTRONOMICAL DELIGHTS

It’s the meals though that are the real stars of the show. In the mornings the 3 course menu for the day is written up on the chalkboard. Each day the choice is so hard, as everything sounds so delicious. With emphasis on locally sourced fresh produce, chefs Eric, Moses & Isiah whip up the most delectable treats in the kitchen.

There’s a lot going on in the background too. Fresh fruit and veggies are harvested, and the kitchen spills out into the back yard where traditional methods of cooking are still used. In the mornings veggies are peeled and there’s always a giant pot steaming on the stove.

Bread baking day at Chameleon Hill Forest Lodge is a treat of note. The smell of fresh bread fills the air and dinner time can’t come quickly enough so you can have a big dollop of butter on a thick slice of crusty bread!

PLACES TO CHILL

There’s plenty of room to relax. Velveteen sofas, brightly coloured pouffes, and shelves boasting an array of books arranged in sequence to mimic the colours of the rainbow, all add to the ambience.

When there is a slight chill in the air, the best place is on the oversized sofa in front of the fireplace. As the late afternoon light streams through the windows and shadows become long, the rainbow lounge is a special place to be. The play of light as it flickers off the recycled glass bottles is pure magic.

THE DECK

Maya Angelou once said: “Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.”

If there’s one spot at Chameleon Hill Forest Lodge that will certainly take your breath away, it’s the view from the deck over Lake Mutanda. The ever changing light reflecting off the water depending on the weather or time of day creates a magnificent show of nature. No two days are the same. Consider yourself lucky if the elusive volcanoes reveal themselves.

The deck is a great place to while away the early evening.  Drinks in hand, it’s the perfect spot for a pre-dinner sundowner.

THE CLASSIC  CHALETS

Lodge photography is comprised of many elements, but one of the most important is showcasing the accommodation. People like to see where they will be spending the night. Chameleon Hill Forest Lodge has a colourful array of options when it comes to laying down your head. The rainbow theme continues, each chalet a different “colour of the rainbow.”

As you leave the deck and pass by the quirky outside of the rainbow lounge you’ll follow the steps down to the five classic chalet’s.  Each with furniture colour coded to match the exterior, they all have their own private patio and garden.

The chalet’s are all tastefully decorated with local art and fabrics.  Being surrounded by so much colour and detail made our lodge photography job a treat!

 

THE DELUXE CHALETS

The next five chalet’s are known as the deluxe chalets. These have the added bonus of an extended lounge area. The most wonderful day bed, ideally placed for views out over the lake and forest garden certainly does look very inviting.

The bathrooms in the deluxe chalets are larger and have walk in showers.  It’s pretty epic having your morning shower with a view over the lake and the fresh earthy scent of the forest wafting in. You can literally see and hear the birdlife too!

As with the classic chalet’s the private garden and views are incredible.  Each area with a unique offering of plants and trees

SUNSHINE VILLA

The latest addition to the Chameleon Hill Forest Lodge portfolio are the villas. The villas are perfect for a family or a group of friends travelling together. Their unique selling point is that they come with their own private butler on call.  Each unit is equipped with a walkie talkie.

You’ll know when you’ve arrived at Sunshine Villa when you see the beautiful sun burst painted on the wall.

The two suites are separated by an interleading soundproof door, so you do have the option of privacy if you prefer. The same goes for the patio. You can either share the space, or if you prefer the privacy, there is a door which can be closed.

The views from here are beautiful and the bountiful trees in the garden create just the right amount of shade to relax in. It’s also the perfect spot from which to test your bird knowledge. Be it identifying a call or spotting an endemic feathered friend, you couldn’t be in a better spot. The mesmerizing site of the kites flying overhead is in itself a sight to behold.

RAINBOW VILLA

Rainbow Villa, situated at the end of the path, has to be the crème de la crème of Chameleon Hill Forest Lodge.  As with Sunshine  Villa, it also has two suites.

Between the two suites, the massage room, with it’s round windows offers views over the lake. The deep purple colour with light reflecting of the glass inlays, creates the perfect setting for a relaxing massage.

If you want to be at one with nature, then take a late afternoon front row seat outside. With a glass of bubbly in hand, there could not be a more perfect spot to end the day.

THE GROUNDS

Half the charm of Chameleon Hill Forest Lodge lies in its setting. Perched high atop a ridge above Lake Mutanda, owner Doris and her team have worked tirelessly to reintroduce the natural habitat that was largely destroyed due to over cultivation of the area. The result is an absolute oasis.

The gardens lining the walkways and in front of the chalets are each a unique masterpiece. Each plant and tree chosen with such thoughtfulness. The most beautiful time of day is the when the early morning light filters through the trees. Pure magic! We loved the repurposed items used as planters dotted all over the property.

SURROUNDING SCENERY

The road running past the lodge leading from Kisoro to the nearby villages is a treat in itself. It’s a hive of actvity and a great place to engage with the locals.

CANOEING ON LAKE MUTANDA

Chameleon Hill Forest Lodge is a great base from which to go gorilla trekking. But there is so much more to enjoy during a visit. We’d definitely recommend you spend at least 3 or 4 nights here. During our last stay, we photographed a few of the activities on offer. You can read all about those here.

This time around we focused on some exciting new activities.

When you are located on the edge of Lake Mutanda, of course there should be some lake activities. There’s a boat trip on offer, but those with more of an adventurous spirit, there are a couple of brand new canoes that are just begging to be used. It’s beautiful on the lake in the early morning or late afternoon when the lake is smooth as glass.

COUPLE’S MASSAGE

Who doesn’t enjoy a massage? Especially after a hike or a morning of gorilla trekking?  What makes this offering even more appealing is having your couple’s massage in the comfort of your own chalet. With lake Mutanda as a backdrop, it just does not get any better than this!

MASK PAINTING

This is an activity for those who are a little more creative at heart.  You can get to paint your very own traditional wooden mask.

MAGIC FOREST WALK AND TEA CEREMONY

The forest area around Chameleon Hill is an absolute wonderland. Probably one of our favourite activities to have documented was the magical forest walk. (albeit one of the most challenging for me with a bust ankle!)

The walk takes you on winding pathways criss crossing the hillside to the edge of the lake. Under the shady canopy of the trees, guide Amon will point out useful as well as medicinal plants. He’s a real fundi on the local birds, and he’s able to mimic their calls too.

On crystal pass, you can search for a stones and on the return trip you’ll get to collect some leaves to brew your own tea in a special tea ceremony.

“BODA BODA” EXCURSION

Motorcycles as a means of transport first emerged on the Uganda-Kenya border during political instability in the 1970s. The term “Boda Boda” is derived from the drivers who shouted “border, border” at potential customers.

One of the most fun and authentic experiences you can have whilst visiting Chameleon Hill is to hop on the back of a “Boda Boda” and take a drive to the nearby villages.

BRICK MAKING EXPERIENCE

Another really fun experience on offer is to participate in traditional Ugandan brick making.

This one is for those who like to get down and dirty! Damp earth is dug from the ground and shaped in a mould. What a fun way to interact with the surrounding community whilst learning the age old tradition of mud brick making.

THE CREATURES OF CHAMELEON HILL

Owner Doris really does try to save the world, not only one tree at a time, but one animal at a time too! There is a whole array of  rescue creatures that call Chameleon Hill Forest Lodge home.

THE CHAMELEON HILL TEAM

You can say what you will, but no establishment would be able to function without a fabulous team. Chameleon Hill Forest Lodge seems to have the perfect recipe. Although each team member has a specific title, it’s not uncommon to see one of them step out of their role to help out when the need arises.

From owner Doris, to Charles the lodge manager; from Gilly, who’s in charge of figures, to Medard, Aggie & Spensa who you will find front of house; from the chefs Eric, Moses, Isiah and kitchen staff to the housekeeping and gardening team, each one of you is so unique in your personality and offering. Always friendly, always smiling.

This lodge photography gig did not feel like a “job” but rather like spending time with old friends.  Thank you for your unwavering generosity and kindness. You made it so hard to say goodbye.

Thank you Doris for making our dream of destination lodge photography a reality!  Thank you to each of the lovely faces above who we got to interact with on a daily basis.  You made us feel so at home.  Until we meet again.

We leave you you with these words by Miriam Adeney:  “You will never be completely at home again, because part of your heart will always be elsewhere. That is the price you pay for the richness of loving and knowing people in more than one place.”