Bwindi Lodge

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Bwindi Lodge overlooks Uganda’s incredible Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, home of the mountain gorillas.

Accommodations at the lodge consist of eight recently restyled bandas each named after one of the Bwindi gorillas. The bandas have been elegantly furnished with large four-poster beds and locally-inspired furniture. There are six double rooms and two twin rooms available. The bandas have en-suite eco-bathrooms with a double vanity, bush showers, plenty of hot and cold running water, and composting toilets. A Deluxe Banda was added in June 2019 with one more on the way. Each banda enjoys their own forest views.

At an altitude of between 3,500 and 8,500 feet, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is regarded as one of the most biologically diverse forests in Africa. It is spread over a series of ridges and valleys that form the eastern edge of the Albertine Rift. The park is home to more than 300 mountain gorillas, half the world’s surviving population, and around 120 other mammal species. These include eleven primate types such as black and white colobus, red-tailed and blue monkey, and chimpanzee. Bwindi is also one of the principle birding destinations in Uganda with more than 350 bird species on record.

Gorilla trekking is the biggest draw to the area. Guests can track three different gorilla families, but the limited number of available permits means that advanced booking is essential. The time spent tracking is between three and eight hours, while the time spent with the gorillas is approximately one hour. Gorillas are found in the thick forest, which makes for tricky tracking, especially given the steep hillsides. In addition to the gorilla tracking and wildlife viewing, guests enjoy hikes to the nearby waterfalls and guided tours of the local community including trips to visit the local Batwa tribe. There is also a trip to Buhoma town to visit various local schools and orphanages. The Bwindi Bar on the edge of the forest provides a practical training institution for local disadvantaged youth and is the hot spot for a local drink.

The recently renovated main lodge houses a stylish guest lounge with a large inviting fireplace and a spacious dining room that both evoke the feel of the forest. Meals at Bwindi Lodge are fresh and wholesome, combining local and Western cuisines.The newly designed terrace provides awe-inspiring views of the forest and a chance to spot monkeys and birds while enjoying a refreshing drink. Wi-Fi and charging stations are available in the main lodge. The new Humula Forest Spa will soon be joined by a sauna and new massage room.