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Gorilla Forest Lodge
Gorilla Forest Lodge
Gorilla Forest Lodge is one of only two lodges located inside Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Because of this special location, it is not unusual for mountain gorillas to walk through the lodge grounds. The lodge sits on a forested hillside just a short 5-minute walk from the Uganda Wildlife Authority Centre, where all gorilla treks in Buhoma begin. Early mornings often bring a beautiful mist over the rainforest, which slowly lifts to reveal one of the most important wildlife areas in the world. More than half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas live here, giving visitors the rare chance to spend one unforgettable hour with these gentle giants.
After a full rebuild, the lodge reopened in 2025 with a fresh design, new villas, and improved facilities. With Sanctuary Retreats’ long history of creating top-quality African lodges, Gorilla Forest Lodge now stands as the most luxurious place to stay inside Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Every stay directly supports A&K Philanthropy projects that protect the gorillas, the forest, and the local communities.
Access & Location
Gorilla Forest Lodge is in the Buhoma sector of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, one of the only two luxury lodge inside this part of the park.
Getting There:
- By air: Flights from Entebbe to Kihihi airstrip (1 hr 45 min). From Kihihi, the drive to the lodge is around 1.5 hours.
- By road: It is also possible to reach the lodge by road from major towns in Uganda.
Bwindi is famous for its steep hills, thick rainforest, and incredible biodiversity. Although the forest is called “impenetrable,” staying at Gorilla Forest Lodge makes it easy to explore its paths, wildlife, and communities. With more than 500 mountain gorillas living here, Bwindi offers some of the best gorilla trekking experiences anywhere in the world.
Accommodation & Facilities
Opened in 2025 after a full rebuild, the lodge now has 10 private villas, each designed to blend beautifully with the forest around them.
Villa features
- Spacious, private villas surrounded by greenery
- Natural design using local materials like banana-leaf ceilings and wooden floors
- Handmade chandeliers created by local women
- King-size four-poster beds with soft canopies
- Comfortable seating areas for relaxing after treks
- Large bathrooms with deep bathtubs offering forest views
- Indoor showers
- Wide windows that bring light and nature into the room
- Private verandas for peaceful views of the rainforest
Each villa is designed to give guests both comfort and a deep connection to the forest.
Food & Drinks
The kitchen at Gorilla Forest Lodge is led by chef Medard Byaruhanga, who focuses on fresh, seasonal, and regional flavours. The team prepares three delicious meals a day, along with snacks and afternoon treats. A typical day of dining includes:
- Breakfast: Continental or English breakfast served before activities.
- Lunch: Enjoyed on the terrace, or packed as a picnic for trekkers.
- Evening drinks: Canapés and cocktails around the boma fire, with live local music.
- Dinner: A three-course meal served in the elegant restaurant.
Dishes range from international favourites to more modern versions of Ugandan classics. Chef Medard often serves creative versions of popular street foods like rolex (rolled eggs in chapati) and matooke (mashed plantain steamed in banana leaf).
Spa & Wellness
The spa at Gorilla Forest Lodge is a peaceful space built with natural materials to reflect the forest around it. Guests can enjoy a range of relaxing treatments from therapist Precious, who uses natural and organic products from the African spa brand Healing Earth.
Healing Earth creates award-winning spa products using African plants, minerals, and oils. Their products are eco-friendly, cruelty-free, and support local communities.
Guests can enjoy:
- Deep tissue massages
- Rejuvenating facials
- Relaxing therapies designed to soothe tired muscles after trekking
Activities at Gorilla Forest Lodge
Most guests come to Gorilla Forest Lodge for gorilla trekking, but the lodge also offers many other activities. You can enjoy guided walks, learn about the local culture, relax at the lodge, or visit A&K Philanthropy community projects. Activities include Gorilla trekking, Forest walks, Birding walks, Bwindi community tours, Batwa cultural visits. Spa treatments, and Relaxing in the Explorer’s Lounge and gathering around the campfire. Many guests even see wildlife—sometimes including gorillas—right at the lodge.
1. Gorilla Trekking
Gorilla trekking is the highlight of any stay. Only eight visitors are allowed to see each gorilla family per day, making the experience very special.
Trekking begins early, around 7:30am, when the forest comes alive with birds and morning mist. Experienced rangers lead the trek and teach visitors how to behave around gorillas. The families you visit belong to one of the 12 habituated groups in northern Bwindi. Many of the guides helped with the habituation process themselves and know the gorillas well.
Treks can be challenging—steep slopes, dense vegetation, and humid weather—but the reward of meeting a silverback is unforgettable. For guests with limited mobility, the lodge offers special sedan chairs (at extra cost), allowing everyone to join a gorilla trek.
2. Forest Walks
A walk along the Munyaga Waterfall Trail is a great way to discover the many layers of Bwindi’s ecosystem. The three-hour walk (about 2.5 miles) passes through forest, bamboo, and open glades. It is common to see forest hogs, monkeys, and many other animals. This is an excellent warm-up or cool-down activity around your gorilla trek.
3. Birding Walks
Bwindi is a paradise for bird lovers, with more than 350 species, including some that live only in this region. With an expert local guide, guests can enjoy a two- to three-hour walk to see birds such as African green broadbill, African emerald cuckoo and African pitta. This activity is enjoyable for both experienced birders and curious beginners.
4. Bwindi Community AKP Tour
A&K Philanthropy works closely with the Bwindi community to support education, health, and small businesses. Guests can join a guided community tour to visit women’s bicycle and bead-making group, a local school, the community hospital, and members of the Batwa community. The tour usually lasts about two hours and can be adjusted to suit your interests.
5. Meet the Batwa People
The Batwa are the oldest inhabitants of the Bwindi region. This full-day cultural experience includes a three-hour forest walk, a cultural performance, storytelling, demonstrations of traditional hunting and gathering and a chance to learn about their customs and beliefs. It is a meaningful way to understand the people who have lived in the forest for generations.
The Experience
Staying at Gorilla Forest Lodge gives you front-row access to one of the most important wildlife sanctuaries in the world. Days begin with birdsong and misty forest views, and end with warm fires, good food, and the sounds of the jungle. Whether trekking for gorillas, visiting local communities, or simply relaxing on your veranda, every moment here feels special. Gorilla Forest Lodge offers comfort, natural beauty, cultural insight, and unforgettable wildlife encounters—all in one of the most magical forests on earth.
