“A remarkable lodge in the most amazing part of the planet”
About Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda
You’ve arrived in one of Uganda’s most remote and beautiful regions. Bwindi is one of Africa’s top 10 birding sites with over 350 recorded species, including 23 endemics. Over 200 spectacular butterfly species, as well as L’Hoest’s monkey, black and white colobus, red-tailed monkeys, chimpanzees, forest elephants, giant forest hog and the African golden cat are found in Bwindi. Buhoma, on the boundary of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, is home to the Batwa (Pygmy) and the Bakiga people.
“This lodge exceeded my expectations in every way”
Activities in the area around Buhoma Lodge
Your gorilla trekking experience
The ancient forests of Bwindi and the Virunga Massif are home to an estimated 400 mountain gorillas. Although mountain gorillas are wild – and sightings cannot be guaranteed – viewing success rates are over 98%. Once within sight, visitors are allowed an hour with the gorillas. Our complimentary massage following your gorilla trek is a welcome treat! Overnighting in Bwindi is required the night before trekking due to your early morning start. Trekking can sometimes take a full day, so a second night’s stay is a must. Ideally, we suggest a two or three nights stay to enjoy this region. Remember that it is essential to pre-book gorilla trekking permits.
Tracking gorillas and chimpanzees
Gorilla tracking is the most popular tourist activity in both Uganda and Rwanda. Mountain gorillas are only found in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and on the Virunga Volcanoes which are divided between Uganda, Rwanda and Congo. The Ugandan portion of the Virungas lies within the Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, while the Rwandan and Congolese sections lie in the Volcanoes and Virunga National Parks respectively.
The biggest population of the world’s Mountain Gorillas can be tracked from four trailheads located around the edges of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest: Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga and Nkuringo. One gorilla family can be tracked from Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. The Rwandan trailhead is found at Kinigi on the slopes of Mt. Visoke, one of the Virunga’s volcanics peaks.
Please come prepared for your gorilla tracking experience. Expect a strenuous day in dense jungle on steep terrain, often without proper paths, in weather that can change quickly from hot and dry to rainy and cool. It’s impossible to predict the duration of the tracking activity since the gorillas move continuously through the rain forest.
You may need to drive to a suitable place to begin your trek into the forest and you may encounter your gorilla group within an hour or two – or it might take a full day (eight hours or more) to locate the gorillas and return back to the trailhead.
Chimpanzee tracking is generally less strenuous than gorilla tracking but can still be a hard hike and requires a good level of fitness – especially if you need to follow the chimps (who can move swiftly through the forest).
Before your gorilla / chimp tracking, you will be met by a Wildlife Authority guide who will accompany you to the forest. If you wish, porters can be arranged to carry your day pack and camera equipment. Porterage is charged separately and you should budget approximately USD 20 for a porter (with additional tipping optional).
Once the ranger guides confirm you are within sight of the gorillas, the porters will wait to one side. Food and drinks are not allowed near the gorillas so you’ll be asked to leave the majority of your belongings with the porters while you proceed – with your camera – for your magical encounter with the gorillas. We advise leaving valuables at the lodge / camp.
To limit disturbance, your time with the gorillas or chimps is limited to one hour. While in their presence you will need to remain at a distance of 10 metres from the primates; your guides should ensure this is enforced. Strict protocols are in place to protect gorillas and chimps and mask-wearing remains compulsory while tracking all great apes. Photography and video filming is allowed but – for your safety – flash photography is strictly forbidden so ensure you know how to disarm any automatic flash function on your camera / phone.
“The perfect complement to our experience of a lifetime”
Checklist for your primate tracking
- Comfortable walking/hiking boots.
- Small day/backpack for carrying your items required whilst on the gorilla / chimpanzee trek.
- Plenty of water: 1-2 litres per person. High energy snacks (in addition to your packed lunch provided by your lodge / camp).
- Gloves (gardening type are good) and gators can be helpful.
- Waterproof bag – to protect photographic equipment.
- A hat, sunscreen, mosquito repellent and band aids (plasters) are useful.
- A lightweight waterproof jacket.
- Walking sticks are provided at the start of primate tracking to assist you on the steeper, more slippery tracks.
Guest Corner – what guests say about Buhoma Lodge, Bwindi
An amazing stay, do not miss! JJB from Tel Aviv, Israel on TripAdvisor
We stayed at the lodge over two nights while taking the Gorilla Tracking tour, next door to the hotel. There aren’t enough words to describe the place. The huts/rooms are sheer beauty. No windows, only nets – you sleep in the jungle, but perfectly safe. The beds are perfect, the bathroom is unique and convenient, the porch looks into an endless forest. The main area is 10-30 steps away, feels like your own living room, except you wish 🙂 Absolute beauty and good taste and comfort. But the main thing about this lodge is the service. The people who work there are actually grateful to be part of the place and are there to serve your every need. You want coffee in bed at 6am before you go to breakfast? Sure. You want a drink at the bar? Sure. At night you get a warm bottle, and a small bottle of port with two little glasses. when you go tracking you get graders that they help you put on. When you return your boots are washed for you. Coffee and tea and cookies are always available. AND IT IS ALL FREE. It is by far the best place I’ve ever stayed in. An experience to remember. and the Gorillas place is just 200m away.
Reasons to stay another night at Buhoma Lodge
Aside from gorilla trekking, activities include Bwindi Forest walks and a wide range of community interactions such as the Buhoma community village walk, the Batwa cultural experience, the award-winning Bwindi Community Hospital, and Ride 4 A Woman. Scroll down to read more.
Best times of year to visit Buhoma Lodge
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest may be visited throughout the year. High season runs from June to September and December to February. These periods have drier weather, meaning the trails are less slippery.
Getting to Buhoma Lodge, Bwindi
Fly-in safaris offer quick, easy access and are ideal for those who are short on time. Daily scheduled flights depart Entebbe to Kihihi, the closest airstrip (a 90 minute drive) to Buhoma. Full safari packages with permits, transport and guiding can also be arranged.
- 2-3 hour drive from Queen Elizabeth National Park
- 6-7 hour drive from Lake Mburo National Park
- 10-11 hour drive from Entebbe Airport
Reasons to stay another night at Buhoma Lodge
Aside from gorilla trekking, activities include Bwindi Forest walks and a wide range of community interactions such as the Buhoma community village walk, the Batwa cultural experience, the award-winning Bwindi Community Hospital, and Ride 4 A Woman. Scroll down to read more.
Bwindi Forest Walks
Immerse yourself in the leafy wonderland of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. With more than 160 tree species, 100 fern species and 350 bird species (many endemic) the Bwindi Forest Walk is a must for nature enthusiasts. There is a short route to a series of waterfalls, or a more challenging day hike through Bwindi forest from Buhoma to Nkuringo. (A guide is compulsory).
Duration: $30 per guest for a half day activity plus National Park entry fees.
Empowering People through Tourism
Experience Bwindi Impenetrable Forest with the masters of this environment, the Batwa elders themselves. Learn how the Batwa survived in the forest as hunter gatherers, what they ate, how they hunted, the plants and herbs they used and how they danced, sang and socialised. Listen to ancient stories and legends from a people at one with their environment.
Buhoma has at least a dozen community walks but the Batwa Empowerment Village ‘mock village’ has well-trained guides and is a good example of responsible tourism. Their office is located next to Bwindi Bar in Buhoma. The Batwa Empowerment Village can organise a walk through the local community area. You may also want to:
- Visit a typical rural homestead, traditional healer or banana brewery.
- Enjoy Batwa lively music and dancing.
- Visit the handcraft centre.
- Learn about the plants and insects that are used for food and medicine and see how the Batwa made fire and carved cups and plates from forest material.
- Participate in a mock hunting party, test your skill with a Batwa bow and arrow and bask in the singing and dancing on your return. It’s a day you will never forget.
- Learn about traditional Batwa burial rites and see a demonstration of how tor remove a wasp nest to treat burns. Discover the uses of Raphia palm and learn how the Batwa collect honey – a favourite delicacy.
Duration: for an hour up to a full day, according to you.
Bwindi Community Hospital
Visit this exemplary community health service. Opened in 2003 as an outreach clinic for the displaced Batwa forest tribe, the Church of Uganda hospital has grown to provide over 100 beds, and services a population of over 100,000. With scarce decent health services in this remote area, people sometimes walk for days to reach a hospital. Outreach teams are also sent out to the communities; recently, satellite clinics have been opened in far-flung villages. It’s hard not to be inspired by this selfless story. A visit can be arranged to learn more about the hospital. Volunteers and donations are also accepted.
Ride 4 A Woman
Ride 4 a Woman sew a Ugandan hand-made fabric products from cushion covers, to clothes and computer cases and handbags. They are also expert basket weavers. Their work supports the women of Buhoma through new skills and jobs, access to Microcredit, and shelter in time of need.
Why empowering people is important
In 1994, when Bwindi Impenetrable Forest was awarded UNESCO World Heritage Site status, the Batwa were evicted to preserve the forest’s pristine state, and to protect the Mountain Gorillas who are highly susceptible to human disease.
The Batwa are conservation exiles. Pushed from a hunter-gatherer existence into a society that relies primarily on agriculture and tourism for its livelihood, the Batwa are in need of special attention . Enabling Batwa to send their children to school and buy small plots of land for farming goes a long way in supporting their integration into modern society.
Your visit makes a great difference to them. Book any of these tours through Buhoma Lodge and help empower the Batwa.
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