Gorilla Forest Lodge

OVERVIEW:

Occupying an enviable hillside location inside the gates of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Lodge is a 5-minute walk from the Uganda Wildlife Authority Centre, where the gorilla trekking adventures begin. This is a truly magnificent setting, often enveloped in an early morning mist that clears to reveal one of the most majestic and biologically diverse rainforests on earth. Almost half the world’s remaining mountain gorillas are protected here, making it one of the only wild places where you can spend an hour in their company. The property is due to reopen in May 2025 following an extensive rebuild, and we are excited to see the newly extended and reimagined lodge, previously called Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp. Given Sanctuary Retreats’ delivery of consistently excellent products, our expectations are high!

ACCESS & LOCATION: 

Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Lodge occupies a privileged location as the only luxury lodge within the Buhoma area of south-western Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Kihihi is the closest airstrip (scheduled flights from Entebbe take 1 hour 45 minutes) – from there, it’s approximately 1.5 hours by car to the lodge.

ACCOMMODATION & FACILITIES AT SANCTUARY GORILLA FOREST LODGE: 

Guest accommodations and main areas at Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Lodge are being completely renovated, with the property due to reopen in May 2025 following an extensive refit. The ten luxury suites are expected to be larger, each with floor-to-ceiling windows, optimising the rainforest views and immersing guests in the lodge’s spectacular setting.

The lounge, dining areas, and spa will also benefit from an upgrade, and we look forward to sharing further details as they are revealed!

ACTIVITIES AT SANCTUARY GORILLA FOREST LODGE:

Gorilla Forest Lodge offers a great range of activities!

• Gorilla trekking 

  – Few experiences compare to gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, which is home to almost half of the world’s remaining mountain gorilla population and one of the most biodiverse regions on earth. As the cold early morning mist begins to lift and the evocative sounds of the wild reverberate through the trees, your guide will lead you on the steep slopes to search for one of the forest’s gorilla families. Finding the gorillas isn’t always easy, and the treks are challenging, but spending a full hour with these magnificent creatures is well worth the effort. 

• Forest walks

  – Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is a UNESCO World Heritage site with extraordinary ecological diversity, supporting more than 160 species of trees and a treasure trove of unique and thoroughly captivating wildlife, including 200 or so butterfly species. Accompanied by a professional guide, you’ll take to this majestic montane forest on the eastern edge of the Albertine Rift Valley, and look out for all the different primates, giant forest hogs, duiker antelopes, and perhaps even a forest elephant. You might also trek the Munyaga waterfall trail, passing bamboo groves and open glades along the way.

• Birding walks

  – Some of the rarest birds on earth are found in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, including 24 unique to the Albertine Rift region. Bird lovers are in for an absolute treat, with possible sightings of African emerald cuckoo, Shelley’s crimson wing, African green broad bill, and the white-tailed blue flycatcher. 

• Batwa experience

  – The Batwa People are the oldest inhabitants of the Great Lakes region of Central Africa, and a full-day experience connects guests with their ancient culture and traditional lifestyle. You’ll walk with them through the forest, hear a music performance, and gain insight into some of their age-old hunting-and-gathering methods.

• Queen Elizabeth National Park drives

  – Particularly renowned for its tree-climbing lions, the Ishasha Sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park is a superb full-day trip for wildlife enthusiasts, complete with lakes, grasslands, forests, and wetlands. Starting at 6:30am, you’ll explore the park with chances to see savanna elephant, buffalo, hippo, and a huge variety of antelopes, including the Uganda kob.

• Community and philanthropy tour

  – There are vibrant communities surrounding Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, and this tour offers insight into some of the local development projects. You’ll learn about the camp’s philanthropy initiatives on a visit to the Bwindi Women’s Bicycle Enterprise and Bead Making Project, the Ebeneezer Nursery and Primary School, and the Bwindi Community Hospital and Nursing School, hearing about how the hospital was founded and the work it does for the community.

*This property is unfenced and located in a wildlife area, so large and potentially dangerous animals do pass through. If you opt to stay here, always be alert when walking around the camp and request for a member of staff to escort you if you have any concerns. Any guest is escorted after dark as a matter of course.