Chameleon Hill Lodge

Chameleon Hill Lodge sits on a hill above Lake Mutanda, with views across the island-dotted lake to the Virunga Volcanoes. Its 15 rooms are spread across five categories, from a converted 1978 VW Kombi to two-room villas, and each unit has its own color scheme and handmade furnishings in a Euro-African style. Conservation is central to the property. Over the past seven years, the lodge has planted 15,500 trees around Chameleon Bay, bought the remaining pocket forests to protect them, and worked with local fishermen to declare the bay a fish protection zone. It also runs training centers for tailoring, carpentry, and farming, and the owner coordinates the Lake Mutanda Island Development Project, which supports health and education on Mutanda Island.

Rooms & Suites
All rooms have en-suite bathrooms, and most open onto a private stone terrace with flower gardens and views across Lake Mutanda to the Virunga Volcanoes. Each room has a mini safe, imported mattresses, linen, and towels, and mosquito nets (except the Oldtimer, which has insect repellent instead). Hot water is supplied by an eco hybrid system backed up by solar-powered electricity. Bathrooms are stocked with organic, biodegradable shampoo, body wash, and lotion that are free of preservatives and not tested on animals. Butler service is included in the Deluxe Chalets and both villas. Children are accepted on request and only in the Sunshine Villa.

Hotel Amenities & Facilities
The lodge has one dining area with an adjoining wooden deck on the hilltop overlooking the lake, warmed by a fireplace on cool evenings. Meals blend local and international flavors, using produce mostly from the lodge’s organic garden. Breakfast includes fresh fruit, homemade muesli and yogurt, pancakes, and eggs to order, and dinner is served as three courses. The kitchen caters to vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and lactose-free diets. A lounge with a wood-burning fireplace and a bar with a wine list of mainly South African wines complete the common areas. On arrival, guests receive a fresh fruit drink and a hand massage during their briefing. Afternoon tea or coffee with home-baked biscuits, drinking water throughout the day, boot cleaning, and a cultural performance are also included.