To see the gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. There are only a handful of high-end lodges around Bwindi, and Erebero Hills Lodge is the newest. But what really sets Erebero Hills apart is it’s location. High on the northern edge of Bwindi, the lodge looks out over a vast green valley, with the forest stretching across the hills and far into the distance. There is a reason the name Erebero means “a place where you can see far.” Sit on your deck with a coffee, watch the morning mist lift from the trees, and you quickly understand it.
Opened in August 2026, Erebero is Asilia Africa’s first lodge in Uganda. Just 8 suites sit quietly on the hillside, all facing the forest. Huge glass windows fill the rooms with light and bring the views right inside. Bamboo, stone and natural materials give the lodge a fresh, understated character. After your gorilla trek, there is a hillside pool, good food and plenty of space to slow down. And beyond the lodge, a major reforestation project is bringing indigenous forest back to the surrounding 45 acres.
Erebero Hills is located on the northern edge of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in south-western Uganda. This is one of the country’s most beautiful and biodiverse regions. Bwindi is also a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site and home to nearly half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas.
The easiest way to reach the lodge is by air. Daily flights connect Entebbe with Kihihi Airstrip, taking around 1 hour and 45 minutes. From Kihihi, it is about a 1.5-hour drive to Erebero Hills, passing through farmland, villages and the rolling countryside of south-western Uganda.
You can also make the journey by road. From Kampala, allow around eight to nine hours, although we recommend breaking it up with a night or two at Lake Mburo National Park. It is a beautiful drive, winding through tea plantations, busy villages and the rising landscapes of the Kigezi Highlands. It takes longer, but you see much more of Uganda along the way.
Erebero Hills has only eight forest-view suites, set quietly into the hillside. Each one has its own private deck, with uninterrupted views across Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and the green valley below. Privacy comes naturally here.
The suites are spacious and filled with light, with floor-to-ceiling glass making the most of the setting. There is a comfortable king-size bed, along with indoor and outdoor seating where you can settle in and enjoy the view. Even the thoughtful details have been considered, from the boot room at the entrance to the generous bathroom.
The bathrooms are a highlight in their own right. Each has a freestanding bathtub and both indoor and outdoor showers, all positioned to keep the forest in view. It is the kind of place where you may find yourself taking your time in the shower.
Away from your suite, the main lounge and hillside swimming pool offer relaxed spaces to unwind. After a long day in the forest, you can also enjoy a spa treatment in the privacy of your room, the perfect way to ease tired muscles.
The main reason to come to Bwindi is to meet the mountain gorillas, and Erebero Hills puts you close to one of Africa’s most unforgettable wildlife experiences. Your day starts early. After breakfast, you head into the forest with a small group, led by experienced rangers and trackers. Porters are also available to help with bags and make the trek easier. There is no set time for the trek.
You may find the gorillas after a short walk, or spend several hours following their trail through the steep forest. It can be tiring, but the moment you find them, you forget about the climb. You may see them feeding, playing, resting or grooming each other. For one hour, you simply sit and watch. It is a quiet, powerful experience that stays with you long after you leave the forest. Erebero Hills can provide a packed lunch, water and the essentials you need for your day on the trail.
A visit to the Batwa community offers a chance to learn about the people who have lived in and around the forests of this region for generations. The Batwa have a deep knowledge of the forest, from medicinal plants and wild foods to traditional hunting and everyday ways of life.
The experience is about meeting people and hearing their stories, rather than simply watching a cultural performance. You may hear traditional songs and stories, see traditional skills and learn how the forest has shaped Batwa life.
Depending on the experience, you can also see local crafts such as beadwork, weaving, candle-making and soap-making. These visits are designed to support Batwa-led initiatives and create income for local families. They also help keep important traditions and skills alive while encouraging a positive relationship between the community and the forest.
Bwindi is famous for its mountain gorillas, but there is much more to discover in the forest. A guided nature walk lets you slow down and notice the smaller details you may miss on a gorilla trek. Bird lovers will have plenty to look out for. Bwindi is home to more than 350 bird species, including many Albertine Rift endemics. You may also spot colourful butterflies along the forest trails, while some walks lead to quiet waterfalls hidden among the trees.
Erebero Hills also offers ways to learn more about the land around the lodge. You can join a reforestation walk, learn about tree planting, explore the gardens or enjoy a local tea tasting. These walks are gentle and unhurried. There is time to listen to the birds, look for butterflies and enjoy the forest at its own pace. It is a lovely way to experience Bwindi beyond the gorillas.
The easiest way to reach Erebero Hills is by air. Daily flights from Entebbe connect to Kihihi Airstrip, with the flight taking about 1 hour and 45 minutes. From Kihihi, it is around a 90-minute drive to the lodge. You can also travel by road from Kampala or Entebbe. The journey takes about 8 to 9 hours. It is a long drive, but a scenic one, taking you through Uganda’s green countryside, small towns and the beautiful hills of the southwest.
Yes. Erebero Hills welcomes families with children aged 5 years and above. However, children must be at least 15 years old to take part in gorilla trekking in Bwindi. Younger children can still enjoy the lodge, the views and other activities around the area.
Erebero Hills sits beside Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, one of Africa’s richest forests for wildlife. The area is home to almost half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas, along with more than 350 bird species, over 200 butterfly species and more than 120 mammal species, including 10 primate species. Gorillas are the main attraction, but there is plenty more to look for. On forest walks, you may spot colourful butterflies, hear a wide range of forest birds and, with some luck, see monkeys moving through the trees. Erebero Hills also works well as part of a wider East African safari. You can combine your stay in Uganda with a Kenya safari for a varied journey through some of the region’s most special wildlife areas.
Gorilla trekking starts early. After breakfast, you drive to the park headquarters for a briefing and meet your guide and trekking group. From there, you may have a short drive to the trailhead before setting off into the forest.
The trek can take a few hours or more, depending on where the gorillas are that day. The trails can be steep and the vegetation thick, but the forest itself is part of the experience. Your guides and trackers follow signs left by the gorillas and lead you deeper into Bwindi.
Then comes the moment you have been waiting for. When the gorilla family is found, you spend one unforgettable hour with them. You may see them feeding, resting, playing or grooming each other before you begin the walk back through the forest.
Gorilla trekking starts early. After breakfast, you drive to the park headquarters for a briefing and meet your guide and trekking group. From there, you may have a short drive to the trailhead before setting off into the forest.
The trek can take a few hours or more, depending on where the gorillas are that day. The trails can be steep and the vegetation thick, but the forest itself is part of the experience. Your guides and trackers follow signs left by the gorillas and lead you deeper into Bwindi.
Then comes the moment you have been waiting for. When the gorilla family is found, you spend one unforgettable hour with them. You may see them feeding, resting, playing or grooming each other before you begin the walk back through the forest.
Wear comfortable, well-worn hiking boots with good ankle support. Waterproof boots are even better, as the forest can be wet and muddy. Thick hiking socks will help keep your feet comfortable.
Long, lightweight trousers and a long-sleeved shirt are useful for protecting your skin from branches, insects and stinging plants. Choose a quick-drying shirt that will keep you comfortable as you walk. A pair of light gardening gloves is also a good idea, especially when you need to hold onto vegetation on steeper sections of the trail.
The weather in Bwindi can change quickly, so pack a light waterproof jacket too. And if you are flying to the lodge, remember that small aircraft usually have a 15 kg (33 lb) baggage limit, so pack light.
Meals at Erebero Hills are prepared fresh at the lodge by the kitchen team. The chefs use seasonal vegetables and other local produce whenever possible, much of it sourced from nearby communities and the lodge’s own garden.
The food is fresh, simple and carefully prepared, with a mix of familiar favourites and local flavours. On trekking days, the lodge can also prepare a packed lunch for you to take into the forest. It is all part of the Asilia Africa experience: good food, beautiful surroundings and ingredients that have a real connection to the place.
Please let us know if you have any dietary requirements ahead of your arrival.
Yes, Erebero Hills Lodge operates on solar electricity with a backup generator, and all guest suites have hot running water.
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