We entered Southern Uganda from Rwanda with low expectations for the country. Sure, they hold the world’s largest population of mountain gorillas – but what else would we find?

A road trip through Uganda was a highlight of our African road trip. Besides the endless amount of speed bumps, roads are decent, and traffic police corruption is low. It’s the perfect country to self-drive, with a rental or with your own vehicle, like us!

Here is our ideal self-drive Uganda itinerary.

An Awesome Self Drive Uganda Itinerary

Kampala/Entebbe

Start your self-drive Uganda adventure in the capital.

Most trips to Uganda will probably involve the capital city of Kampala, although it’s worth mentioning that the international airport is actually in Entebbe. It will take you at least an hour to get to Kampala from Entebbe unless the traffic is horrendous (which it probably will be).

If you arrive by plane late at night, I would recommend staying in Entebbe for the night. We drove through Kampala at 6 pm on a Saturday night, and I have to say that it was the worst traffic I have ever been in my life (and we used to live in NYC), taking us five hours in standstill traffic to reach our destination.

I thought it may just have been a fluke night, but a few more drives through Kampala proved that wrong while we were trying to sell our truck. The traffic in Kampala is always a nightmare.

I recommend hanging out in Entebbe to escape city pollution and traffic. We spent a few days relaxing on the shores of Lake Victoria at the Protea Entebbe and found it to be a nice refuge away from the city.

If you are looking for a few days to kill in the area, I recommend heading to the Mabamba Swamp, where the famous Shoebill Storks live. Alternatively, take a boat ride out on Lake Victoria or relax in the Entebbe Botanical Gardens.

Where to stay in Entebbe?

We stayed a few days at the Protea Entebbe Hotel right on Lake Victoria. The hotel is clean, comfortable, and minutes away from the airport (free airport transport, too!).

Jinja

Continue onto Jinja, the capital of adventure.

For a good reason, Jinja is dubbed “the adventure capital of East Africa.” The city of Jinja is located at the source of the Nile River. Yes, the world’s longest river starts right in Jinja, making it a hotspot for tourists in Uganda.

We spent a few days here relaxing on the great Nile River and enjoying some delicious coffee and cafe treats at The Deli. Of course, the highlight of our time in Jinja was white water rafting down the Nile.

White water rafting on the Nile is one of the most popular things to do in the country. We chose to spend our day with Nalubale Rafting and started the trip at 9 am near where we stayed – The Haven. Cameron and I were put in a group with five other daring souls from around the world.

Our local Ugandan guide was an experienced rafter and spent a good deal of time instructing us on the basics of paddling and what to do in emergencies.

I’ve been white water rafting four times now. I thought I could handle everything twice in the United States, once in Bali, and once in Croatia. One tumble out of my raft on class five rapids let me know the adventure was on. We spent the entire day dodging rapids, flipping rafts, and gulping in fresh Nile River water. This isn’t your walk in the park rafting, folks – the Nile is serious.

Yes, we all lived thanks to the experienced guys and girls of Nalubale who ensured our safety every step of the way. However, after just two flips of the raft, all seven of us in our raft were thinking the same thing.

Has anyone ever died doing this? 

Rafting the Nile is extremely fun, and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a real adrenaline-pumping time in Uganda. If you’re not prone to water sports, Jinja is also famed for having ATV Quadbike Safaris and bungee jumping over the Nile. Or you can say screw the whole adventure thing and opt for a brewery tour of the Nile Brewery.

Where to stay in Jinja?

Definitely, the top place to camp is The Haven. This was one of the best campsites we found in all of Africa. The bathrooms are clean, incredible view, and they even have free WiFi.

Murchison Falls National Park

Head north to Murchison Falls

It’s hard to believe that the entire Nile River squeezes itself through just a 7-meter wide gap making Murchison Falls. The waterfall is 43 meters high and makes for an impressive sight to see.

Besides the beautiful falls, Murchison National Park is the home of 76 mammals and 451 birds. It also holds Uganda’s largest population of crocodiles, so I wouldn’t recommend sunbathing along the river banks. A boat trip to the base of the falls runs visitors $30 per person.

Where to stay in Murchison?

The Red Chili Rest Camp is an excellent place to camp while visiting Murchison. They have a full restaurant and, more importantly, a full bar. Red Chili Rest Camp also organizes safaris in Murchison.

Kibale National Park

Continue to Fort Portal and see the Chimps in Kibale

Bwindi may have the mountain gorillas but head to Kibale National Forest if you want to come face-to-face with our closest living relative. Located about an hour’s drive from Fort Portal, Kibale National Forest is the world’s primate capital. With 13 different species of primates, it’s no wonder where they get their name.

Visitors flock here to get an up-close encounter with our closest relative – the chimpanzee. The Ugandan Wildlife Authority can organize chimp permits. AT $200, they come in as a much cheaper alternative to gorilla trekking in Uganda.

It’s advisable to arrange your permits before getting to Uganda; however, we found that people organized their trips the day off during the low season. Finding the chimps took us less than an hour, and we observed them at a close distance once we spotted the first troop. Visitors are given an hour of observation time with the chimps, during which we saw about 20 different chimps.

The male chimps are the most habituated to humans and are the least shy group. We heard them call and interact with one another and even caught two grooming! We did see female chimps, but they tended to hang out high in the trees with their young.

It’s worth noting that Cameron and I went chimp trekking in the Nyungwe forest in Rwanda but enjoyed our time in Uganda more. The forest was easier to navigate, trekking the chimps took less time, and we could interact better with them in Uganda. That’s not to say that the experience in Rwanda wasn’t memorable, though!

Where to stay when Chimp Trekking?

We decided to park it at the Primate Lodge for a few days in the lush Ugandan forest. Nestled away from the hustle and bustle of life, The Primate Lodge is a five-minute walk away from the Kibale forest entrance. Each of the nine bandas is spread out to allow complete privacy for all guests.

All meals are fully inclusive at the Primate Lodge, and the food is delicious. The local staff is kind and attentive to all of our meal requests for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Even dining in the comfort of our own room was no problem at all.

We arrived very late at night after getting completely lost in rural African villages and asked the staff if we could have our dinner in our room – at 10 pm. They happily catered to us and understood the long 10-hour drive we had to reach them. We were both so thankful for the kindness of the staff, the taste of the food, and the overall comfort of the spacious banda.

Our Recommendation For Travel Insurance

We don’t travel without travel insurance, and neither should you. You never know what can happen in a foreign country, and it’s best to be prepared. HeyMondo offers excellent short and long-term travel insurance policies.

HeyMondo

Queen Elizabeth National Park

Go on safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Queen Elizabeth National Park is 1978km in size. 95 African animals and over 600 different species of birds call the park home! Queen Elizabeth is the perfect place to head before or after you visit Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

We were expecting a long drive after our fantastic day of gorilla trekking in Uganda, but instead, we drove just two hours to the southern entrance of Queen Elizabeth. The southern region of the park is known as Ishasha. It is a great spot to search for some famous tree-climbing lions.

The tree-climbing lions only hang out in two places worldwide (Lake Manyara National Park in Tanzania is the other). We went into the park just before sunset, and low and behold, 30 minutes in, we spotted her – a real tree climbing lioness.

The next day we self-drove through the park to reach the Mweya peninsula. You can self-drive on the main road through the park without paying vehicle or park fees. The whole time you stand a chance of spotting Africa’s famous wildlife.

It wasn’t until we hit the Mweya park entrance about 100 km from Ishasha that we officially entered the park and presented our park passes. We made our way to Mweya lodge for some lunch but found it overpriced and went next door to Canteen for a more affordable meal.

From there, we set out to see the crater lakes of Queen Elizabeth. The drive around the crater lakes is one of the most stunning in all of Africa. The pockmarked land with dozens of crater lakes made us feel small. Two hours on the road, we never saw anyone else in a two-hour drive along the rim of the craters.

We never managed to see much wildlife in Queen Elizabeth, but the tree-climbing lions and famous crater lakes made it all worth it.

Where to stay in Queen Elizabeth National Park?

We stayed at a campsite and lodge called @ the River. I found the price to be too high for the lodge itself, but it is one of the cheaper places to stay in Ishasha. If you plan to stay at Mweya, the Mweya campsite is adequate for a night or two. A more luxurious option is the Mweya Lodge.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

See some of the last gorillas in Bwindi.

Bwindi National Forest is famed for its population of mountain gorillas. The UWA offers the unique experience of a trek into the forest to catch a glimpse of critically endangered species. It is a highlight and draws many tourists who come to Uganda, one of Africa’s most incredible experiences.

Gorilla trekking permits are not cheap at $700 a permit; however, the experience is unforgettable. We trekked high into the Bwindi Forest to find a family of 17 gorillas. Visitors are given an hour with the gorillas to watch the group play, eat, and socialize.

Besides gorilla trekking in Bwindi National Park, visitors are provided the ability to hike to beautiful waterfalls in the area and enjoy the dense jungle.

Where to Stay when Gorilla Trekking?

We stayed at the Bwindi Lodge, a ten-minute walk away from the park headquarters in Buhoma. If you want to treat yourself, I highly recommend checking out Volcanoes Safaris. Visitors should look at the Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge or Buhoma Community Campsite for a more budget-friendly option.

Lake Bunyoni

Continue down to the Rwanda border and check out Lake Bunyoni

It has been said that Lake Bunyoni may be one of Africa’s most beautiful lakes. Now that is debatable, but it is a lovely lake that is perfect to relax on for a few days. Lake Bunyoni was our first stop as we drove up from Rwanda. From the Cyanika border, it took us about three hours through rolling hills to reach our destination by car.

Lake Bunyoni is said to be the “place of many birds,” so if you are even slightly into birding, I recommend stopping here.

A popular thing to do on Lake Bunyoni is to take a small boat around to visit the various islands that occupy the tiny lake. Akampene, Bushara, Kyahugye, Bucuranuka, Bwama, and Njuyeera are some of the more popular islands to visit.

Lake Bunyoni is the perfect place if you just don’t want to do anything at all. We found great joy in just sitting with a coffee while overlooking the peacefulness of our surroundings.

You can either drive into Rwanda and continue your overland trip or return to the capital, completing your self-drive Uganda road trip.

Consider adding on Kidepo Valley National Park

Kidepo is almost a 10-hour drive from Kampala, so you may not have time to drive there. It’s almost as far north in Uganda as you can get as it borders South Sudan. However, it would be a great place to add on if you have the time.

We never had the chance to visit Kidepo, but I feel I should give it a special mention as just about every Ugandan we spoke to absolutely loves the park. Kidepo is about as far north as you can get in Uganda and lies right next to Sudan and Kenya. It takes about ten hours to get to Kampala, isolating the park.

Its isolation is what many visitors dream as they will have almost the entire park to themselves to see some of the 77 different species of mammals. The park is best visited during the dry season when animals flock to the few watering holes near Apoka.

Where to stay in Kidepo?

The Apoka Safari Lodge is a good place for those not equipped to camp. For those with their own supplies and who are on a budget, I would recommend the Apoka Rest Camp.

Our Best Uganda Travel Tips

• If you’re brave, try taking a boda boda around Uganda. They are essentially motorcycle taxis best used for short distances. We took them a handful of times just to go short distances, but be warned that they aren’t for the faint of heart. Drivers drive fast and squeeze in and out of traffic. We saw three boda-boda crashes in Kampala – no one was seriously hurt those times.
• The National Bird of Uganda is the crested crane and can be found on the nation’s flag.
• Make sure to try a Rolex. A rolex is a rolled-up Chapati with whipped egg and various vegetables inside. You can find this on any Ugandan street corner for less than 5000 Shilling.
• Visas: Americans traveling to Uganda can expect to pay $50 USD, cash only, for a single entry visa. If you have plans to visit Rwanda, Uganda, and Kenya, visitors can obtain an East Africa multiple entry visa for $100 cash at the border. Be sure to apply for this visa three days before entry online.
• The Ugandans are friendly people that avoid conflict. No wonder Uganda was named one of the friendliest countries in the world. 
• We never felt threatened in Uganda. Even after sitting in standstill traffic in downtown Kampala at night. However, it is still a developing nation so be sure to use common sense.
• The national Park Costs for foreign registered cars are insanely high. Non-residents can expect to pay $40 per day for park entry and $150 per vehicle per day.
• The Ugandan Shilling is the national currency. ATMs can only be found in large towns. Always make sure to carry enough cash on you, as credit cards are rarely accepted outside of Kampala.
• We experienced absolutely no hassle from the police in Uganda. Unlike the constant police encounters we had in Tanzania.
• Guess what? We sold our car in Entebbe! Read here to see what that experience was like.

Way before we decided to self-drive across Africa, I asked fellow travelers about their gorilla trek experience. “To see the gorillas is incredible, it’s worth the high cost to see them in their natural habitat,” my friend had told me. It was an easy decision to add gorilla trekking to our Africa bucket list.

So, when we had the opportunity to go gorilla trekking, we made our way to Uganda to visit the largest population of mountain gorillas in the world.

How To Go Gorilla Trekking in Uganda

Gorilla trekking is a hike into Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, jungle home to mountain gorillas. The trek involves getting a little dirty and bushwhacking through the thick jungle with an experienced local guide to find a troop of habituated gorillas.

Where are the Mountain Gorillas in Uganda?

Mountain Gorillas can only be found in the Virunga mountains in the DRC, Rwanda, and Uganda and also in the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Uganda holds 60% of the total mountain gorillas left in the world with about 400 of them residing in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Bwindi is the most popular place to trek the gorillas in Uganda. The park is located in the Southwestern part of the country and is one of the most diverse national parks in East Africa.

Bwindi is divided into four regions: Buhoma region, Ruhija region, Rushaga region, and Nkuringo region. Make sure to book your accommodation where your gorilla trekking permit is issued. Or contact your accommodation to help arrange your permits.

Buhoma Region

The Buhoma region is the most popular region for trekkers. There are four groups of gorillas near Buhoma that are habituated to humans. The group names are Mubare, Habinyanja, Rushegura, and the Nkuringo group. 

What Are The Gorilla Trekking Groups Like?

A typical day of trekking starts at a designated meeting point. Ours happened to be the Buhoma park headquarters. We showed up at 7:30 for a short video and gorilla briefing with the Ugandan Wildlife Authority. From there we were divided into groups assigned to the different groups.

Groups consist of no more than eight people. Small numbers are easier to manage and do not overwhelm the gorillas. Cameron and I were assigned to the “H Group” with three other people – five trekkers in total. We set out to track down the Habinyanja family. A family of 17 gorillas it is the largest habituated gorilla family in Bwindi National Park.

What’s The Start of the Gorilla Trek Like?

Some groups start their trek from the park headquarters, while others will have to drive to a starting point into the forest. You typically will not know until the day of if you will need to drive or start your trek from the headquarters. We have our own truck so the 30-minute drive to the other side of the forest was no problem.

Once we drove to our designated starting point and parked it was time for the physical stuff. We followed our guide, Boaz, through the thick of the forest and up and down the rolling hills of Uganda. The five of us were accompanied by two armed guards for security.

How Long Can I Expect to Gorilla Trek For?

Finding the gorillas can take anywhere from one to five hours (sometimes longer). These are wild animals and the trackers have to locate where the gorillas have gone each day. It took our group less than two hours to find the H group deep in the jungle.

The trek was mildly difficult, but our whole group ranged in age from 26-60 and everyone kept up just fine. I would say that if you are in at least decent shape and health a gorilla trek in Uganda will prove enjoyable.

If you’re worried about the trek we would recommend hiring some of the local porters. The porters come from the surrounding villages and cost $15 day plus a tip.

What Are the Gorilla/Human Interactions Like?

After we found the gorillas we had one hour to observe, ask questions, and take photos and videos of our encounter. There is no drinking or eating around the gorillas and flash photography is prohibited.

Gorillas share about 98% DNA with us and they are highly suspectable to human diseases so humans should not walk closer than seven meters from the gorillas, unless they approach you.

The entire hour we couldn’t take our eyes off the family. They each had their own personality and demeanor that made for the most intimate wildlife encounter. When the gorillas look into your eyes it is humbling. One young female gorilla ran up to Cameron to grab his arm out of playfulness and curiosity.

These gorilla families are familiar with humans. We never once felt like we were in danger with the mighty animals. We just felt as if we had wandered into a foreign home and quietly observed the father, mothers, and children going about their daily lives.

After an hour and two minutes of our unforgettable gorilla time was up. Too much time with the gorillas could do harm and make them agitated and uncomfortable. We made the trek back through the forest and ate our packed lunch while reminiscing about our once in a lifetime wildlife encounter.

When is the Best Time To Go Gorilla Trekking in Uganda?

Gorilla trekking in Uganda is a year-round activity and permits are issued every day. However, most people prefer to stay dry and travel during Uganda’s dry season which is May-September and January and February. Bright and sunny days are more prominent during these months and visitors are much less likely to experience those rains down in Africa.

We went gorilla trekking in the middle of March – low and rainy season in Uganda. We’ve managed to miss high season throughout most of the countries we have traveled through in Africa and I prefer it that way. Crowds are fewer and rates can sometimes be cheaper. We experienced rains, but they aren’t non-stop rainstorms all day. Instead, they are short amounts of heavy rainfall throughout the day keeping us cool and comfortable.

I believe I have to attribute our small group size of five to the fact that it was low season in Uganda. A small group meant that we were able to keep up with our guide more efficiently. This also led to a more intimate experience with the gorillas. It’s also worth noting that gorilla permits are reduced during the rainy season from $600 to $450 to encourage tourism in Uganda.

How Many Mountain Gorillas Are There in the World?

Sadly due to poaching, war, disease, and habitat loss, it is estimated that there are only around 1000 Mountain gorillas left in the world. The good news is that with implemented conservation efforts between Rwanda, Uganda, and DRC their numbers are slowly rising.

How Much Does it Cost to Go Gorilla Trekking in Uganda?

Ugandan gorilla permits cost individuals $700 for one day or one hour with the gorillas. The Rwandan gorilla permits cost $1500, and DRC gorilla permits cost $400. We preferred going gorilla trekking in Uganda as they are cheaper than in Rwanda and the country is more stable and safe than the DRC.

Uganda also holds more gorillas than neighboring countries and besides the gorillas, there is plenty of other wildlife and birdlife to see in the country! Such as the tree-climbing lions of Queen Elizabeth National Park.

In the offseason, (April, May, and November), permits run for a discount. The cost is $450. This means fewer people, a little more mud, and a lower cost.

How Do You Acquire A Gorilla Permit?

The easiest way to acquire gorilla trekking permits in Uganda is to go with a local operator. A packaged deal that includes your lodging, transport, food, and permits will save you a lot of time and headache when booking. However, it is possible to do the trek by yourself if you have your own transport or take a local Ugandan bus and can get to Bwindi.

It is not advisable to show up to the park without gorilla trekking permits, as they only issue a set number per day and during high season it can get busy. Instead, I suggest contacting the Ugandan Wildlife Authority at least one month before your arrival to Uganda to set up your gorilla trek on your own. If this is not an option to check out their office in Kampala to see if you can get a gorilla trekking permit in person.

For ease and convenience, I recommend going with a company like Volcanoes Safaris to do all the work for you. Although they are a bit expensive, it’s good to know that for every booking they receive they donate $100 to conservation and local communities. Although we ended up driving to Bwindi ourselves we stayed at their beautiful Bwindi Lodge and they specifically cater to guests that are going on a gorilla trek.

Another option is to book an organized tour:

(More Tour Operator Recommendations At the Bottom of This Post)

What Should I Pack to Go Gorilla Trekking in Uganda?

Come prepared for muddy and wet conditions. It’s a pretty green forest, meaning things get a little moist.

What to wear for a gorilla trek?

• Lightweight and waterproof safari clothes are recommended. The goal is to blend into the forest so greens, khakis, and generally dark colors do well in Uganda. I cannot stress the importance of layers and long sleeves enough. The altitude is forever changing and one minute you are cold and the next burning hot. Whatever you do – bring one long sleeve shirt! The meanest of mean fire ants reside in the forest and they will find you and kill you. Okay, they won’t kill you, but you will want to kill each and every one of them as they attack your bare skin – I’m speaking from a bad experience with a tank top – don’t make my mistake and bring a good safari shirt.
• I would recommend also bringing a rain jacket in case you get caught up in a morning shower.
• Gaters or long hiking socks are recommended through the thick bush and to avoid those ants up your pants.
• We recommend a good pair of safari boots. I never do any long treks without my Merrell Moab Ventilators.

What to Bring Gorilla Trekking in Uganda?

• Walking Stick: we were provided one of these where we stayed at Bwindi Lodge, which is an ideal place to stay while tracking the gorillas.
• Binoculars are never a bad idea in Africa.
• Gardening gloves: If you like to grab trees and things when on a hike then make sure to bring some basic gardening gloves. Many of the trees and branches have tiny thorns on them.
• Insect repellent with DEET. Might as well throw some sunscreen in just in case.
• Bring a good carry-on sized backpack or great travel daypack to keep all your belongings in. It is advisable to bring one to two liters of bottled water on your trek as well. Make sure to have your nearby lodge provide you with a packed lunch in case those gorillas take four to five hours to find.
• I almost forgot to mention a camera! You’re going gorilla trekking so I’m sure you will want something to take photos with! We travel with a Fujifilm X-T4 with a 200mm telephoto lens which is what the photos in this post are taken with. Here is our full list of travel cameras as well as a few safari camera suggestions for the rest of Africa.

Where Should I Stay in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park?

There are a number of accommodation options around Bwindi National park ranging from luxury to camping. We took a break from the tent to stay at Volcanoes Safaris Bwindi Lodge for a few nights. They provide full board, all alcoholic drinks, comfortable beds, complimentary massages, and laundry.

The lodge is eco-friendly and generates power by solar panels and heat their water with solar tanks. It is a ten-minute walk to the park entrance as well. For a more budget-friendly option, I recommend checking out Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge or  Buhoma Community Campsite if you would like to do the more DIY camping thing.

How Can I Help the Last Mountain Gorillas?

Visit them! The price to see the gorillas for just one hour is expensive. However, it’s important to understand that gorillas are critically endangered animals. We learned that 25% of the money earned from gorilla trekking in Uganda goes back to the local communities. Tourism creates local jobs. And the majority of the permit contributes to the conservation of the mountain gorillas.

I’ve seen and chatted with many Ugandans, trekkers, and the Ugandan Wildlife Authority and they care about the preservation of these animals. It is possible that they will still be living in the wild for future generations. Gorilla trekking is not only an unforgettable African wildlife experience but a donation to rural communities and wildlife conservation.

Book A Safari in Uganda

Traditionally if you wanted to book a safari you’d have to go to a travel agent and have them book your safari for you. They made suggestions for camps and lodges then presented you with a large bill. Most of the industry still operates in this fashion.

Timbuktu is a new platform that allows you to select the lodges you’d like and see the pricing per day that way you can select the best itinerary for yourself. They will then contact the lodges and help you through booking your safari. With experts on staff, they can also provide suggestions and arrange the little details much like a travel agent.

Another great option is Safari Bookings. Safari Bookings offer Gorilla Trekking tours in all price ranges.

Check Out Our Gorilla Trekking in Uganda Vlog!

What to Pack for an African Safari

Packing the right safari clothes is always a good idea, but it’s never essential because you can wear whatever you want. We also go in-depth on the best women’s safari clothes!

Banda’s feature windows that opened wide to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Here there was no end to the lodge as the park spilled right onto the property that is frequented by mountain gorillas.

The Bwindi Lodge

The Rooms at Bwindi Lodge

Bwindi Lodge has 8 spacious bandas that feature a balcony, large bathroom with his and her sinks, and a seating area overlooking the forests. The king-size beds are comfortable with a large mosquito net draped over the bed. We rarely saw a mosquito while staying at Bwindi Lodge, but good mosquito nets are important in malaria zones. Guests at the Bwindi Lodge do not have to go without western luxuries. The lodge underwent renovations to add full modern bathrooms with flush toilets and solar showers recently and the result is incredible.

Rooms come with an assistant that will ensure their guests’ needs are met. The room is cleaned daily and features a turndown service with hot water bottles placed in the bed to fight off the cold mountain nights. Gorilla trekking can be a muddy affair so guests are given complimentary laundry and shoe cleaning.

The room is decorated with colorful fabrics often worn by locals and stunning prints of the gorillas while furniture is largely wood and does not detract from the surrounding forest. The room is simple in decoration and earth tones make for an inviting room and that feels at home in the forest.

Environmentally Friendly Lodge Practices 

Bwindi lodge does strive to be an eco-lodge in Africa. The lodge is run on solar power so there are no charging facilities in the room. However, there is a station in the main lounge where guests can charge their camera batteries, phones, and other gadgets safely.

Rainwater is never wasted and collected for use. The showers are solar heated, so you’re in for a treat when you have a really sunny day. However, on cloudy days bucket showers are heated by a fire and provided to all guests. We never had to use one of these as Uganda blessed us with her sunshine during our stay.

Our one recommendation would be to do away with the plastic water bottles. We have stayed at a number of lodges that have done so, and the effort makes a clear reduction in plastic waste.

The Surroundings

Bwindi Lodge is located just steps away from the local village, Nkwenda. However, once you walk down to the main lodge and bandas it’s easy to forget there is anything around but wilderness. The property effectively acts as a buffer between the growing village and the nearby park.

The lodge feels secluded away, yet it is only a few minute’s walk away from the Bwindi Impenetrable National Forest park entrance. However, it actually feels as if it is within the national park and makes for a relaxing wildlife experience. It’s the perfect place for a good book, coffee, and complete tranquility.

The Activites at Bwindi Lodge

Yes, there are other reasons to travel to Buhoma other than gorilla trekking. We were quite surprised by the sheer number of activities on offer at Bwindi Lodge and it was hard to pick and choose what we could do with our limited time.

We chose to start off right in the forest and do the river walk offered around the park. The river walk starts at Bwindi Lodge and loops itself around in under an hour. Along the walk, we saw black and white colobus monkeys, a blue duiker, and stunning Ugandan birdlife.

Other outdoor activities on offer are hikes offered by UWA such Rushurra Hill,  Muzabajirro Loop Trail, and the Munyanga River Trail. There are also village tours, Ugandan tea tours, and the Bwindi Bar. We liked the sound of Bwindi Bar so we made a few efforts to stop by. Bwindi Bar is run and supported by the Volcanoes Safaris Partnership Trusts. It is a training institution and gateway into hospitality jobs for disadvantaged local youths. They serve up excellent coffee and other local Ugandan treats.

The Local Staff

I was pleased to find out that all of the staff are local Ugandans working hard in the tourism industry. Volcanoes Safaris prides itself on training, hiring, and empowering locals to completely staff their lodges and safaris. Even the managers are locals (which can be rare in Africa).

We found the staff at Bwindi Lodge to be friendly and accommodating to every request. Our laundry was cleaned free of charge, while coffee was brought to us in bed every morning, and cold gin and tonics were served to us every night before sundown.

Gorilla Trekking in Uganda

Bwindi Lodge is completely set up to accommodate guests going Gorilla trekking. The night before trekking the managers will give you a gorilla trekking briefing. The next day a member of the staff will escort you, along with a packed lunch, gaiters, walking sticks, and plenty of bottled water to the trekking starting point.

Upon return from the trek the staff take your dirty and muddy shoes and clothes and clean them like they are new – oh yea…this isn’t their first rodeo. Gorilla trekking guests are then encouraged to relax with a hot lunch and finish off with a complimentary massage in the Bwindi Lodge massage room.

Gorilla trekking can be a strenuous experience, and the staff at the Bwindi Lodge are there to help you unwind after the trek. Don’t get too comfortable, though, we were told every week or so the gorillas walk right around the lodge to see what’s going on in the human world.

Check out all the detail on what it was like for us to go gorilla trekking in Uganda!

The Experience At Bwindi Lodge

Bwindi Lodge was the perfect place for us to have a memorable experience while gorilla trekking in Uganda. Their environmental and conservation efforts were duly noted and appreciated. The lodge gave clear support to the local communities and staff. At its core, the lodge is dedicated to aiding guests in gorilla trekking while ensuring general comfort, great amenities, support, and solid assistance. Full board rates start at $250 US per person in the high season and $188 US per person in the low season.  Check their rates and safari offers here! 

What to bring gorilla trekking?

What to wear

• Lightweight and waterproof safari clothes are recommended. The goal is to blend into the forest so greens, khakis, and generally dark colors do well in Uganda.
• I would recommend also bringing a rain jacket in case you get caught up in a morning shower.
• Gaters or long hiking socks are recommended through the thick bush and to avoid those ants up your pants. Bwindi Lodge provided us with gaters to use.
• Good walking shoes to finish your trek are preferred. I never do any long treks without my Merrell Moab Ventilators.
• Walking Stick: we were each provided one of these from Bwindi Lodge.

What to bring

• Safari Binoculars are never a bad idea in Africa.
• Gardening gloves: If you like to grab trees and things when on a hike then make sure to bring some basic gardening gloves. Many of the trees and branches have tiny thorns on them.
• Insect repellent with DEET. Might as well throw some sunscreen in just in case.
• Bring a good carry-on sized backpack to keep all your belongings in. Bwindi Lodge provided us with plenty of bottled water and food to bring on our trek.
• I almost forgot to mention a camera! You’re going gorilla trekking so I’m sure you will want something to take photos with! Here are the best cameras for safari.

Book A Safari in Uganda

Traditionally if you wanted to book a safari you’d have to go to a travel agent and have them book your safari for you. They made suggestions for camps and lodges then presented you with a large bill. Most of the industry still operates in this fashion.

However, Timbuktu is a new platform that allows you to select the lodges you’d like and see the pricing per day that way you can select the best itinerary for yourself. They will then contact the lodges and help you through booking your safari. With experts on staff, they can also provide suggestions and arrange the little details much like a travel agent.

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