Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge

OVERVIEW:

Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge is situated just outside Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, only 500 metres from the start of the gorilla trail! The property is owned and operated by Volcanoes Safaris, a leading luxury lodge company in both Uganda and Rwanda, and as an accommodation would suit most types of traveller.

ACCESS & LOCATION: 

The property may be accessed via flight from Entebbe International Airport (1 hour) or road transfer from Kigali (8 hours). Bwindi Lodge is set within pleasant grounds, and boasts amazing views overlooking Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. 

ACCOMMODATION & FACILITIES AT VOLCANOES BWINDI LODGE: 

The communal spaces occupy a timber, stone, and thatch building. The lounge contains plenty of comfortable seating around coffee tables, as well as a cosy fireplace where guests tend to gather every evening to talk about their gorilla adventures! The dining area is elegantly furnished and adjoins the homely bar. Wi-Fi is available throughout the lodge, but it isn’t entirely reliable! Outside, there is a terrace that makes a fantastic viewing deck, while a gift shop and a massage room are located a short stroll away within the grounds. Take a slightly longer walk, into the high street of the nearest village, and you reach Bwindi Bar. Run by Volcanoes Safaris Partnership Trust, this bar provides opportunities for local young people to train in hospitality. It offers a great selection of food and drink, and is well worth a visit!

The guest accommodation at Bwindi Lodge consists of ten bandas, all constructed using the same materials as the communal building and dotted around the grounds. Each is named after a Bwindi gorilla! Every banda is charmingly furnished, with a double bed or twin beds, bedside lighting (240v), a lounge area, and en-suite facilities comprising flush toilet, twin washbasins, and solar-heated shower providing hot and cold running water. At the front, there is a spacious balcony set with a small table and a couple of chairs. Here, you can take time in the morning or between activities to relax with a drink and admire beautiful views of the forest. You might spot some of the area’s colourful birdlife, a monkey, or even a gorilla, staring straight back at you!

ACTIVITIES AT VOLCANOES BWINDI LODGE:

Bwindi Lodge provides an excellent assortment of activities.

• Although gorilla tracking is restricted to travellers aged 15 years and over, there is plenty to keep the younger ones entertained! The start of the gorilla trail is a mere 500 metres from the lodge. A trek involves a maximum of eight travellers plus guide per family group. It is thrilling to hike through the forests of Bwindi on the lookout for these magnificent creatures! Sometimes the gorillas will be relatively close to the border, whereas at other times they might be in the heart of the forest, so a trek lasts anywhere between 3 and 8 hours. Once a group has been located, you have an hour in which to observe them. This really is a wonderful experience.
• Other hikes are also available! You can head out on a waterfall walk, and on three trails – Munyaga River Trail, Rushurra Hill/Border Trail, and Muzabajirro Loop Trail.
• A walk to the local Batwa village is possible too, as are tours around the local tea farm and visits to the local hospital, orphanage, and school.

*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.