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The Jungle Gorilla Lodge

Overlooking the primeval Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and with stunning views of the forest canopy across a serene stream, Bwindi Lodge is one of Africa’s unique lodges.

The property has dramatic views of the impenetrable forest and is a great place to spot the monkeys and birds hidden in the foliage. Since 2021 two new deluxe bandas have opened, all standard bandas have been rebuilt and upgraded, a new spa and sauna has been added and the lounge and library have been reimagined.

The award-winning Bwindi Bar, in the high street of the village nearby is the most stylish and colourful bar in the area! Guests also enjoy informal tapas style meals inspired by Ugandan dishes. It’s the Harry’s Bar of Bwindi! Guests can make their ‘rolex’ wrap and the delicious Gorillini Cocktail, a must-have after a gorilla tracking in Bwindi! The bar was set up by Volcanoes Safaris Partnership Trust to train disadvantaged local young people in hospitality.

volcanoes safaris bwindi lodge forest

Lodge Overview

Ten elegant hand built guest bandas facing the dramatic Bwindi Forest (Two deluxe and eight standard rooms). 

Trek the endangered mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Walk along the Munyanga River Trail and to a pristine waterfall deep in the forest. 

Start your gorilla trek from the lodge with our direct private footpath to access gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. 

Exceptional hospitality and locally-inspired food. Personal butler service for all guests. Wifi throughout the lodge and all-inclusive premium drinks menus. 

Enjoy complimentary spa treatments and massages, including the famous Rungu massage at the Humula Forest Spa.

Visit Bwindi Bar and enjoy a traditional Uganda ‘Rolex’ wrap and signature Gorillini cocktail! 

Safaris

Conservation and Community

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“Our stay was quite possibly the most rewarding experience we have ever enjoyed throughout our many world travels.”
“The best service we have received in Africa! Incredible gorilla experience and wonderful staff. Thank you!”
Trudie, Canada
“Should western societies globally follow by example Volcanoes Safaris conservation and community ethos, our world would be a better place. We have respect and appreciation…
Adrian, Australia
“Truly a wonderful experience! Thank you to Mariana and all the staff for making our stay in Bwindi so memorable!!”
Renata and Robin, 7-Day Kyambura & Bwindi
“This has to be one of Africa’s best lodges with a relaxing and peaceful location. The rooms are very comfortable and those with a veranda…
John, United Kingdom
“Undivided attention from the staff, and a gin & tonic is a must after gorilla tracking. Try hanging around the main house with a camera…
Judy, China
“This stunning lodge has all the comforting first world elements you may not expect from a lodge in the middle of a rain forest but…
Caz, UAE

Booking Enquiry

To make a booking, please complete this form or click here to chat to one of our sales consultants via our live chat. Alternatively, send us an email on [email protected].
To protect gorillas from disease, no children under 15 years are allowed to go gorilla tracking. For guests booking a stay at Virunga Lodge, please note that the minimum age limit for children at Virunga Lodge is 12 years.
Gorilla

Bwindi Lodge: Safari Activities

Gorilla Tracking

Gorilla

Tracking mountain gorillas through the dense African forests is a magical experience. Only eight visitors are allowed per gorilla group each day, and to minimize possible transmission of human diseases, visitors are asked to maintain a distance of 10m from the gorillas. Typically, tracking can take from 3 to 8 hours and requires some agility and fitness; however, all fitness levels can be accommodated and no one should feel deterred from missing this once in a lifetime experience.

Bwindi Lodge

Bwindi Lodge: Safari Activities

Waterfall Walk

Bwindi Lodge
This walk takes you through a beautiful part of the rainforest, passing between ferns and orchids before emerging to see three pristine waterfalls.

Bwindi Lodge: Safari Activities

Visit Bwindi Community Hospital

This internationally supported hospital is a beacon of hope to the local communities. Walkable from Bwindi Lodge, guests are welcome to visit the hospital and learn about the daily challenges and successes of the institution and remarkable staff.

A vibrant red aloe vera flower spike against a soft blue sky at Volcanoes Safaris Virunga Lodge, with a small iridescent green bird perched on it, likely extracting nectar. A perfect spot for bird watching.

Bwindi Lodge: Safari Activities

Birding

A vibrant red aloe vera flower spike against a soft blue sky at Volcanoes Safaris Virunga Lodge, with a small iridescent green bird perched on it, likely extracting nectar. A perfect spot for bird watching.

Both Uganda and Rwanda offer some of the world’s best bird watching, with a vast diversity of bird species. Uganda has over 1,000 bird species with 150 found only in Uganda. Rwanda has over 700 bird species and is home to the second highest number of Albertine endemics in the Albertine region. Each of our lodges offers the chance to see a number of different birds, with the vast majority endemic to the Region.

Bwindi Lodge: Safari Activities

Bwindi Bar

Kitchen Staff

In 2015, the VSPT officially opened the Bwindi Bar, located near the Volcanoes Safaris Bwindi Lodge on the edge of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. The bar provides a practical training institution for local disadvantaged youths living near the Bwindi National Park in Buhoma.

The VSPT aims to provide practical experience in the tourism industry, to create more job opportunities in the region. Thanks to this programme, trainees are armed with the appropriate skills set to go on to gain successful employment in hospitality in the Bwindi area.

The trainees gain practical skills in food and service during their three month training. They are then sent for further internships at nearby lodges. Bwindi Bar serves a variety of delicious locally-inspired food and drinks, including the famous Ugandan ‘Rolex’ wrap and the signature ‘Gorillini’ cocktail!

VolcanoesSafaris - Tea Farming

Bwindi Lodge: Safari Activities

Tea Demonstration and Tasting

VolcanoesSafaris - Tea Farming

In 2013 Volcanoes Safaris Partnership Trust began simple tea processing in partnership with the local communities, at Bwindi Lodge.

Tea is a very useful buffer crop when planted between forest areas with protected wildlife and local human communities. Animals do not eat tea so feel no need to come out of the forest to “crop raid” which is the source of much human-wildlife conflict in areas around national parks.

A tea tour is available to interested lodge guests, demonstrating how tea is grown, picked and traditionally processed in Uganda. The demonstration also shows how black, green and white teas are produced and differentiated. Guests are invited to sample the fine teas during the tour whilst looking out over the impressive forest.

Sinamatella Uganda Bwindi Forest View

Bwindi Lodge: Safari Activities

Munyanga River Trail

Sinamatella Uganda Bwindi Forest View

This short trail provides a short walk to view birds and monkeys along the forest edge.

Bwindi Lodge: Safari Activities

Traditional Cooking Class

Spend the afternoon learning how to cook traditional East Africa dishes with the lodge chefs, as well as learn about local traditions and customs of cooking and family life in Uganda.

Learn how to prepare matoke (steamed bananas), chicken luwombo (slow-cooked chicken wrapped in banana leaves) and the famous Uganda “Rolex” wrap!

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Safari Activities

Chimpanzee Tracking

Tracking chimpanzees in their natural habitat, as they swing from the branches in the canopy high above the forest floor is nothing short of exhilarating. The chimps effortlessly cross and scamper through the trees above the gorge, and visitors on the other hand must cross the river using natural bridges in order to keep up with the chimps. So although the walk usually lasts only 2–3 hours, descending the steep gorge and crossing the log bridges over the river requires some agility and fitness.

Chimpanzee tracking is also available in nearby Kalinzu, a forest reserve 30 minutes drive from Kyambura Gorge Lodge where there is a community of about 40 habituated chimpanzees.