Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is Uganda’s top spot for gorilla trekking, with over 25 gorilla families available for visitors. In fact, Bwindi offers more trekking permits than all other gorilla destinations in Africa combined. Because of its popularity, there are plenty of lodges in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to choose from, ranging from luxury lodges to budget-friendly camps
Bwindi National Park has four main sectors for gorilla trekking: Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga, and Nkuringo. When booking your accommodation, make sure your lodge is near the trekking area where your permit is valid. Below are 13 lodges in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park that offer great value, comfort, and amazing experiences, each with its unique appeal and location to help you enjoy the beautiful rainforest and wildlife while preparing for your unforgettable gorilla trekking adventure.
1. Mutanda Lake Resort (Rushaga)
Mutanda Lake Resort is one of the best places to stay for gorilla trekking in Rushaga. The main highlight of this well-run resort is its stunning location on the shore of Lake Mutanda, which is dotted with islands and offers amazing views of the Volcanic Virunga Mountains. The resort offers different types of accommodation, from simple stilted rooms to larger, modern luxury cottages. Guests can enjoy swimming, canoeing, boat cruise, or paddleboarding on the lake.
From Mutanda Lake Resort, it takes at least one hour to drive to the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park offices in Rushaga. However, the beautiful setting makes it worth the effort. Mutanda is located about halfway between Bwindi and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, making it a great choice if you want to do both gorilla trekking and golden monkey trekking. You can reach the resort by road transfer from Kisoro in about 45 minutes on a scenic route. It is also about 6 hours’ drive from Queen Elizabeth National Park and around 3.5 hours from Kigali, Rwanda.
2. Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge (Rushaga)
Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge has a lively African style. The cottages have wooden floors, woven ceilings, colorful fabrics, and walk-in mosquito nets. Located on green hills, it is one of the best-value lodges near Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and a great place to stay for gorilla trekking in Rushaga Sector. For travelers on a budget, smaller and cheaper rooms are also available.
3. Four Gorillas Lodge (Rushaga)
Four Gorillas Lodge is the most luxurious place to stay near Bwindi Impenetrable National Park’s Rushaga sector. It is located right next to the national park, only about 10 minutes’ drive from the gorilla trekking center. The lodge has eight large cottages with wooden floors, traditional local decorations, and private balconies overlooking the forest. It is well known for its excellent service and delicious food.
4. Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp (Buhoma)
Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Lodge combines the feel of an exclusive safari camp with a stunning rainforest setting. It is one of the best-value luxury lodges in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The lodge has ten stylish tented rooms, each with two queen-size beds, a modern bathroom, and a private balcony.
It is located inside the park, just a few minutes’ walk from the gorilla trekking meeting point at the park headquarters. Even when you return from trekking, you can still enjoy wildlife — colorful forest birds like the great blue turaco are often seen, monkeys pass through the area, and sometimes gorillas even wander across the lawn.
5. Mahogany Springs Lodge (Buhoma)
Mahogany Springs Lodge is one of the best-value and most popular places to stay for gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. It is located just outside the park, about 1 km (0.6 miles) from the Buhoma offices. The lodge sits in a lovely forested area that slopes down to the fast-flowing Munyanga River. There are 12 spacious luxury cottages, each decorated with local crafts and featuring a private balcony with beautiful views of the forest.
6. Buhoma Lodge (Buhoma)
It would not be enough to describe Buhoma Lodge only as the most convenient place for gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. It is definitely convenient because it is located just inside the park, only a two-minute walk from the trekking meeting point at the headquarters. This luxury lodge also gives you great chances to see wildlife without leaving the property. Playful black-and-white colobus monkeys and L’Hoest’s monkeys pass by often, and many colorful forest birds fly through the nearby jungle. The bright and spacious cottages are built on a steep forested hill, behind the raised restaurant and bar, and are very comfortable and pleasant.
7. Engagi Lodge (Buhoma)
Engagi Lodge sits on a forested hillside just outside Buhoma Gate. It offers a good mix of comfort and value. The lodge is built with stone, wood, and thatch, giving it a natural look.
The open dining and lounge area has a cozy fireplace and old-style pictures on the walls. There are eight guest cottages, each raised on stilts and tucked into the forest for privacy. They use solar power and each has a private terrace with views of the treetops. When guests are not on tours or hikes, they can take a short walk to the Munyanga River. It’s a peaceful spot where you can watch birds and maybe even spot some monkeys.
8. Bwindi Lodge (Buhoma)
Bwindi Lodge is one of the nicest places to stay near Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. It is run by the well-known company Volcanoes Safaris. The lodge is just outside Buhoma Gate, in a growing forest that goes down to the Munyaga River. Guests stay in large, nicely decorated cottages with private butlers and great views of the forest. The lodge grounds have a short walking trail where you can see red-tailed monkeys, black-and-white colobus monkeys, and many forest birds. Sometimes, gorillas also walk through the area!
9. The Haven Lodge Buhoma
The Haven Lodge Buhoma is a friendly, mid-range lodge owned by the local Buhoma Mukono Community Development Association (BMCDA). It offers stunning views of the rainforest right from its terraces. The lodge is also very close to where your gorilla tracking adventure begins, making it easy and convenient for visitors. There are 8 lovely twin or double cottages and 1 family cottage. Each cottage is comfortable, self-contained, and beautifully made using local materials, mixing simple style with nature.
10. Kiho Gorilla Safari Lodge (Ruhija)
Ruhija is one of the most beautiful places in Bwindi for gorilla trekking. It’s the only trekking area that sits inside the national park, not just on the edge. From here, you can enjoy amazing views of green forested hills and the distant Virunga Volcanoes. For a long time, Ruhija didn’t have luxury places to stay like Buhoma did. That changed when Kiho Gorilla Safari Lodge opened. It’s just 7 km (4 miles) from the Ruhija trekking starting point.
The lodge has 11 large, modern cottages. Each one has a log fireplace, minibar, indoor and outdoor showers, a jacuzzi tub, and a glass door that opens onto a private balcony with a bamboo forest view. There’s also a heated swimming pool and a spa. Ruhija is also a great place for bird lovers.
You can join a guided half-day walk on the Mubwindi Trail, which leads to a swamp. This trail is a good place to see rare birds, like Grauer’s broadbill, that are hard to find anywhere else.
11. Gorilla Mist Camp (Ruhija)
Gorilla Mist Camp is a cozy lodge with 12 beautiful rooms, all offering amazing views of the Bwindi Forest canopy. It’s located in the Ruhija sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, just 50 km from Kabale town and 30 km from Bwindi’s main office in Buhoma. Each room is spacious and comfortable, with twin beds, a private bathroom with a bathtub, and a balcony where you can relax and enjoy the scenery. The camp can welcome up to 30 guests at a time. If you love birdwatching, a friendly bird guide is available to help you spot the amazing birds in the area. You can also learn about local culture with the help of a cultural guide.
12. Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge (Nkuringo)
Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge is Uganda’s highest lodge, sitting 2,100 meters (6,890 feet) up on a forest ridge. It looks like a big, fancy mountain chalet in Africa. The lodge has eight cozy cottages, each about 80 square meters (860 square feet). Each cottage has a king-size bed, a large lounge with soft sofas and a warm log fire, and a modern bathroom. This is the best place to stay for gorilla trekking in Bwindi’s remote Nkuringo area.
When the sky is clear, you can see the beautiful Virunga Mountains, and at night, the volcano Nyiragongo sometimes glows orange. The lodge offers luxury touches like a personal butler, a relaxing foot massage after your gorilla trek, and excellent food with imported wines.
13. Erebero Hills (Buhoma)
Erebero Hills is a new luxury lodge by Asilia, a well-known safari company with a strong reputation in Kenya and Tanzania. Set to open in early 2026, the lodge will be located on the northern edge of Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, making it an ideal base for gorilla trekking.
The lodge will feature eight spacious, glass-fronted suites with private decks and breathtaking views of the surrounding forest. Each suite will include a comfortable lounge area, a boot room, and a stylish bathroom with double sinks, indoor and outdoor showers, and a free-standing bathtub with forest views.
