Gorilla Safari Lodge

national park is home to wild gorillas, forest elephants

and 23 species of bird endemic to the area. Located a 5

minute drive from the briefing point for trekking makes

it a sought after lodge for gorilla safaris. After a long

day of trekking and ploughing through thick tropical

vegetation, hikers can seek solace in knowing that their

lodge is just a quick drive away from the entrance to

the park.

Banana and guava trees cocoon the lodge, and in the

distance there are views of the forest jungle with its

ancient canopy of trees decorating the lofty hills. The

entrance to the lodge is warm and welcoming. Bold

colours from indigenous flora greet you upon arrival,

leaving a lasting first impression. The atmosphere is

personable, and efficient staff ensure you looked after

for the duration of your stay.

The main lodge area houses the dining room, a relaxation

lounge, spa treatment room and a quaint nook where

the bar is situated. This remote lodge comprises 18

individual units (sleeping 45 in total) each with private

wooden balconies overlooking the wilderness. 3 of these

units are inter-leading rooms, making them ideal for

families. Another 2 rooms are joined, but aren’t interleading.

The architecture and decor is comfortable, and all

amenities from home are provided. Rooms have solarpowered

lighting, en-suite bathroom with hot and

cold water and flush toilets. Each unit is designed to

look like stand-alone log cabins that blend in with the

surrounding rainforest, ensuring that the lodge does not

look out of place in its wild surrounds. Cobbled paths

with wooden bannisters join the well-appointed rooms,

each of which have been named after individual gorillas

or gorilla tribes. Some of the units come with a deep-set

stand alone bath and a fireplace.

There are plenty of activities and things to do in the

area, all of which can be arranged on site for an extra

fee. Guests can choose between the full day gorilla

conservation experience or the popular gorilla trekking.

Either way, Gorilla Safari Lodge is the ideal hideaway to

base yourself for a gorilla trekking safari in Uganda.

At a Glance

• Located a 5 minute drive from the briefing point

and start of the hike for gorilla trekking in Bwindi

Impenetrable Forest National Park.

• The lodge offers both gorilla trekking or a full day

gorilla conservation experience

• Golden monkey trekking and forest walks available

• Lodge is ideally situated on the fringes of the

rainforest jungle.

• Plenty of alternate activities on offer which include

biking, visit to local communities, waterfall walks

and more.

• The lodge is a 3 hour scenic drive from the Kisoro

airstrip - accessible from Entebbe Airport.

• Close to the local community arts and crafts for curio

shopping.

• Sweeping views of the hills and the Bwindi

Impenetrable Forest.

• 18 Rooms catering for a maximum of 45 people.

• Child and family friendly lodge (baby sitting available

on request).

• Massage and spa treatments.

• Honeymoon room set-up available.

Facilities

• WiFi in main area (slow)

• Tea and coffee station in the main area

• Intimate bar area

• Dining area/restaurant where meals are served

• Comfortable lounge leading down from the dining/

bar area

• Guest toilet in main area

• Small spa treatment room in main area

• Quaint curio shop with basics

GORILL A Safari Lodge

• 18 rooms in total, 3 of which are inter-leading rooms

• Family rooms have 3 beds in each unit

• 2 individual rooms are actually joined - ideal for

friends

• Rooms are either twin or double (must be requested

at time of booking)

• Each room has a wooden balcony with a view

• Balconies have chairs or couches

• Small seating area in rooms

• Conditioner, shampoo and bathroom amenities

provided

• Some of the rooms have a stand-alone bath with

shower

• A few of the rooms have an indoor coal fireplace for

warmth

• Hot water bottles provided

• Dressing gowns in room

• Safe with personal code in rooms

• Wardrobe with hanging space and shelf space

• Mosquito nets

• Bedside lamps and tables

• Solar power, eco-friendly lodge

• Laundry service on site

• Plug points in rooms (Type G, 3 prong square plugs,

solar power)

Activities

• Gorilla Trekking : Take a fully guided trek into the

dense rainforest and meet the gorillas. Guests will

be briefed at the start of the trek, and receive a

certificate at the end. Tracking gorillas can take

anything from 3 hours to a full day - depending on

which group you track. You will spend an hour with

the gorillas.

• Gorilla Habituation : This activity is unique to the

lodge and is a full day of walking. This experience

includes 4 hours with a gorilla family. It is only

available in Uganda (Rushaga) and provides an

intimate experience observing wild gorillas together

with researchers, trackers, rangers and leading

conservationists.

• Guided community walks : For years the lodge has

supported the local school and the Batwa community

living in the area. Find out about the history of the

area, meet the Rushaga women and learn about their

various arts and crafts.

• Batwa Pygmies : This is a unique experience that

introduces guests to the Batwa pygmies from the

jungle. This group used to harness honey, use plants

for medicinal purposes, and hunt forest animals using

spears. When the forest was declared a national

heritage site, the Batwa were expelled from the

forest. They now live on the outskirts of the forest

and mix with local communities.

• Mountain Biking with Guide : Experience Lake

Mutanda on bike. An experienced guide will take you

through the local villages, farm steads and Matooke

(banana) fields. Get to know the locals and their way

of life.

• Guided Forest walks to the Bayenda Falls :

Experience the heart of the rainforest and learn

about the indigenous fauna and flora. Observe

the various species of monkeys and birdlife while

listening to the cascading sounds of the waterfalls.

The walk is 2 hours.

Typical Day Gorilla

Trekki ng

The schedule of your day goes according to your chosen

activity, and the times will vary.

7:00 - 7:30 : Depart for the national park after enjoying

morning coffee and breakfast

7:30 : Sit with all trekking groups, listen to the briefing

and find out about the history of the park.

8:00 : Find out who your guide is, along with the name

of the gorilla group that you will track. Meet your fellow

hikers. Select a porter for your hike.

8:30 : Trekking begins. Hikes can be anything from

3 – 6 hours.

GORILL A Safari Lodge

11:30 - 12:30 : Sit back and enjoy your packed lunch

courtesy of the lodge.

N/A : When the gorillas are located you will spend a

maximum of 1 hour with the primates.

Afternoon : Return to the lodge for a well-deserved

refreshment, and settle down for dinner.

Location

Gorilla Safari Lodge is on the boundary line of the

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, close to the

starting point of trekking to the gorillas. The area is in

the Kisoro region in south-west Uganda.

Getting There

Gorilla Safari Lodge is in a remote area and the journey

to paradise is long, but eye-opening and scenic. The

quickest route is by air to the Kisoro airstrip.

By Roa d

From Uganda : Travel from Kampala crossing through

the Equator through Mbarara onto Kabale. Continue to

Kisoro and branch off at Muko (banyenzaki memorial)

and follow the Gorilla Safari Lodge signs on to Rushaga

where the lodge is located.

Kampala-kabale = 427kms | Kabale – Muko =50kms |

Muko-Gorilla safari lodge = 25kms

The driving time from Kampala to Gorilla Safari Lodge

ranges from 7 - 9 hours.

From Rwanda: Travel from Kigali to Cyanika boarder.

Proceed to Kisoro town and continue to Rubuguli and

on to Rushaga where the lodge is located. Please follow

the signs right from Kisoro town.

Kigali – Cyanika Border = 205kms | Cyanika Border –

Kisoro = 54kms | Kisoro – Gorilla Safari Lodge = 35kms

The driving time from Kigali to Gorilla Safari Lodge

ranges from 4 - 6 hours.

By Air

Guests need to fly into Entebbe International airport.

Charter Flights from Entebbe International Airport or

Kajjansi to Kisoro Airstrip, with a road transfer from the

airstrip in Kisoro to the lodge.

The transfer takes about 2 hours. Guests can choose to

overnight in Kampala and catch the connecting flight to

Kisoro the following morning.

Child Policy

Children of all ages are welcome at Gorilla Safari Lodge,

but they aren’t able to trek with the gorillas. Baby sitting

is available.

temperature varies from cool to cold. The climate is mild

and temperatures are fairly consistent. On average, day

temperatures reach 25°C and at night it drops to 10°C.

Climate varies from region to region within the park due

to the contrasting altitudes. The lodge is located at a

lower altitude. The climate is generally quite wet, but

June and July seem to have the least recorded amount

of rain.

Wildlife

There are 350 recorded bird species in the forest,

with 23 Albertine rift valley endemics, a few of which

include : short-tailed warbler, blue headed sunbird and

7 IUCN red data listed species. There are circa 340

mountain gorillas in the forest. The Bwindi Park habitat

is also home to over 120 species of mammals, colobus

monkeys, blue turacos, 27 species of frogs, reptiles,

snakes and other endangered species.

Imp orta nt N otes

• The lodge is remote. This needs to be taken into

account during your stay.

• WiFi can be intermittent. You are in the jungle, which

means the connection varies from unreliable to stable.

• Gorilla Safari Lodge is located in a valley and has cool

to cold temperatures.

• The lodge has a number of winding stairs. Guests

who are uncomfortable with stairs should book the

rooms closest to the main area of the lodge.

• Gorilla trekking permits need to be arranged prior to

arrival.

• You are tracking both wild and habituated gorillas.

There are no guarantees when it comes to sightings.

• If you’d like to give back to the community, we

recommend you hire a porter for your trek. Porters

have walked in excess of 3 hours in the hopes of

being selected to help you carry your bags and

navigate the jungle. Please try and support them.

Cost is a minimum of 20 dollars cash.

• Tipping is important in Uganda. Try to carry cash

with you at all times. Ugandan shillings or US Dollars

are widely accepted. There are ATMs in various areas

that accept Mastercard and Visa.

• The roads in Uganda are muddy, mountainous and

laden with potholes. The city regions can be chaotic.

It’s advisable to hire a driver for the duration of your

stay. Short distances might take hours to drive.

• Children are welcome at the lodge, but will not be

allowed to trek with the gorillas.

• The gorilla experience is different to gorilla trekking.

CONTACT US

For enquiries and bookings, please contact our Central

R eservations

Office in Kampala:

Crystal Lodges Uganda Limited.

Plot 4333, Block 244, Kisugu - Muyenga, Kampala,

Uganda

Phone: +256 (0) 414 846463 | Cell: +256 (0) 773388059 |

+39327046199 (Emergency Whatsapp-24/7)

Lodge: +256 (0) 787 388 058

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.gorillasafarilodge.com