The New Safari Luxury Is Time: Discovering Uganda at a Slower Pace

At Mirima Kibale Lodge, time in the Kibale region extends beyond chimpanzee tracking to forests, crater lakes, birdlife and local communities

PALM BEACH, FL, UNITED STATES, September 11, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- The New Safari Luxury Is Time: Discovering Uganda at a Slower Pace

At Mirima Kibale Lodge, time in the Kibale region extends beyond chimpanzee tracking to forests, crater lakes, birdlife and local communities

KAMPALA, UGANDA – September 2026 – For travelers accustomed to moving between destinations on carefully planned safari itineraries, a different approach is emerging: spending more time in fewer places and allowing the landscape, wildlife and local experiences to shape the journey.

In Uganda, that approach can be found in the Kibale region, where Mirima Kibale Lodge, part of the Nkuringo Eco Collection, offers travelers a base from which to experience more than chimpanzee tracking.

Located on a ridge overlooking Lake Nyamirima, with Lakes Nyinabulitwa and Nyinabikere forming part of the surrounding landscape, Mirima sits approximately 16 kilometers from Kibale National Park’s Kanyanchu Visitor Centre. The setting places guests close to the forest while also offering access to crater lakes, farms, wetlands and surrounding communities.

More Than a Chimpanzee Trek
Chimpanzee tracking is a major reason travelers visit Kibale, but the region offers opportunities to spend time beyond the forest.

At Mirima, guests can take part in a nature walk along Lake Nyamirima, explore nearby crater lakes, go birding or cycling, paddle by canoe, visit the Top of the World viewpoint or take part in community and cultural walks through villages, gardens and homesteads.

Visits to nearby tea and coffee plantations and the opportunity to experience Batooro music, dance and storytelling provide further ways to connect with the area.
Bigodi Wetland also offers birding, primate viewing and opportunities to learn from local community guides.

For travelers with the flexibility to extend their stay, Nkuringo Safaris recommends allowing around three nights in the Kibale region when the itinerary permits. The additional time allows chimpanzee tracking to become part of a broader experience of the destination rather than the sole focus of a visit.

“Travelers may come to Uganda because they want to see chimpanzees or gorillas, but there is much more to experience around those encounters,” says Lydia Eva Mpanga, Founder and President of Nkuringo Safaris. “Having more time allows travelers to walk, meet people, explore the landscape and experience Uganda at a different pace.”

From Kibale to Bwindi
Kibale can also form part of a longer journey into southern Bwindi, connecting two of Uganda’s important primate destinations.

While chimpanzee tracking and gorilla trekking may be the primary reasons for visiting, both regions offer landscapes and communities that can be experienced between wildlife activities.

In southern Bwindi, steep hills, dense forest and surrounding communities create a very different setting from Kibale. Spending additional time in the region allows travelers to experience the destination beyond a single gorilla trek.

Nkuringo Safaris’ connection to the area dates to 2007, when Lydia Eva Mpanga founded the company in the Nkuringo sector of Bwindi. What began as a modest camp developed into Nkuringo Gorilla Lodge, located on the edge of the gorilla highlands.

The company’s experience in the region continues to inform its approach to private journeys that combine wildlife with walking, cultural encounters and time in the communities and landscapes through which travelers pass.

When Time Becomes Part of the Journey
The idea of slowing down does not necessarily mean adding more activities to an itinerary. Instead, it allows travelers to spend more time with the experiences already there.

A morning of chimpanzee tracking can be followed by a forest walk. A visit to a community can lead to an afternoon beside a crater lake. A day of birding can leave time to simply enjoy the setting at the lodge.

For Nkuringo Safaris, this is an approach to safari travel that places greater value on experiencing a destination rather than moving quickly between highlights.

“Chimpanzee tracking is a major reason to come, but it is only one part of what makes the area interesting,” says Mpanga. “The crater lakes, wetlands, farms, birdlife and communities give travelers more reasons to stay.”

Connected to the Landscape
Mirima’s setting is complemented by practical environmental and community initiatives.

The lodge was constructed using locally sourced materials and local artisans. It uses solar power with backup generation, harvested rainwater and filtered drinking water in glass bottles, and has eliminated single-use plastics.

Approximately 90% of Nkuringo Eco Collection staff are recruited from surrounding communities, while the company purchases from Ugandan farmers, artisans, builders and suppliers whenever possible.

At Mirima, initiatives include sustainable agriculture, local skills development, healthcare and sanitation work, school-fees support and Pack for Purpose. The Mirima Kibale Lodge Water Project, delivered in partnership with Gorilla Junction Foundation, is another initiative connected to the surrounding community.

For travelers seeking a safari with more time in each destination, the Kibale region offers an opportunity to look beyond a single wildlife encounter and experience the landscape around it.

About Nkuringo Safaris
Nkuringo Safaris is a Ugandan-owned, woman-led safari and hospitality company founded in 2007 by Lydia Eva Mpanga. The company creates private journeys across Uganda and East Africa, with experiences centered on gorilla and chimpanzee trekking, wildlife, walking, cultural encounters and locally hosted experiences.

The company’s hospitality portfolio includes Papyrus Guesthouse in Entebbe, Mirima Kibale Lodge near Kibale National Park and Nkuringo Gorilla Lodge in southern Bwindi. Through its operations and partnerships, Nkuringo incorporates local employment and sourcing, practical environmental initiatives and community programs into its approach.

For more information, visit Nkuringo Safaris and Nkuringo Eco Collection.
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Marketing & Information Systems
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