Best lodges for gorilla trekking stay in the Rushaga region of Bwindi

Rushaga sector is found in the southern part of the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and is one of the most frequented sectors for gorilla trekking. The Rushaga sector was opened in 2009 and has 10 habituated gorilla families. It is also only in the Rushaga sector where gorilla habituation is done and the gorilla habituation permit cost is $1500 per person for foreign non-residents, $1000 for African citizens and foreign residents, and UGX 750, 000 for East African citizens.

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Rushaga sector has different accommodation facilities that are categorized into basic/budget accommodation facilities, mid-range accommodation facilities, and luxury accommodation facilities. Accommodation is key to planning a gorilla safari in Rushaga, especially during the dry/peak season. Below is a list of the best lodges to try out when in the Rushaga sector.

The Four Gorillas Lodge:

This is one of the most newly constructed lodges in the Rushaga sector in the southeastern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The Four Gorillas Lodge is a 4-star luxury accommodation facility and is one of the best because it is only a ten-minute drive to the trekking starting point. It is a mid-range accommodation facility that offers breathtaking views of the National Park including primates like colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, baboons, and the thick forest canopies.

It is a secluded facility offering privacy to all the guests, there are minimal or no crowds, surrounded by chirping birds, and is the closest to the park headquarters. The cottages are surrounded by dense forests offering a cozy homestead to the guests.

The different facilities that are offered at the Four Gorillas Lodge include the following:

• Airport pickup and drop-off services
• A restaurant that serves both continental and local food prepared by well-known and trained chefs.
• A fully well-stocked bar with both soft and hard drinks
• Breakfast room, dinner in the dining area facing the forest, and you can still dine both indoors and outdoors.
• WIFI at the lodge so that you keep in contact with people back home
• A standby generator
• Professional guides
• A craft shop for all your souvenirs.
• Ample parking space for all guests
• Health centers, steam baths, massage and sauna services
• Laundry services
• Business center with rooms for meetings and honeymoon packages
• Large terraces overlooking the canopy forests where you can relax.

Accommodation: Four Gorillas Lodge has 8 luxury en-suite cottages that were constructed reflecting the African traditional houses using natural local materials like local wood and thick grass for the roofs. The rooms are well decorated on a raised platform and have facilities like mosquito nets, hair driers, flushing toilets, bathtubs, and showers with hot and cold running water, mosquito nets, bottled water, flat-screen televisions, satellite and fire extinguishers among others.

The 8 rooms at the lodge have wooden balconies, sitting areas, and terraces and each has a comfortable bed, floor, and ceiling fan. They also come in different sizes including single, twin, double, triple, and family rooms and they cost about $300 and above sometimes they even cost more than that, especially during the dry/peak season.

Activities: Several activities can be carried out during your stay at the Four Gorillas Lodge and these include a Gorilla habituation experience, Gorilla tracking, bird watching, taking on the Batwa trail for a cultural experience, and guided nature forest walks among others.

Wild olives Lodge

The Wild Olives Lodge is located in the Rushaga sector and is one of the budget-friendly accommodation facilities in this sector. The lodge has 9 self-contained rooms decorated with local material making each of the rooms unique in its setting. The Lodge has different facilities and features including the following:

• Parking area
• A winery
• Laundry facilities
• Water heaters
• 24/7 security services
• Housekeeping daily
• A fully stocked bar with both hard and soft drinks
• WIFI for all the guests
• Showers having cold and hot running water
• Local and continental food served in the dining or the comfort of your room upon request.

There are several activities you can engage in while on a gorilla safari to the Rushaga sector and these include gorilla trekking, gorilla habituation, bird watching with over 300 bird species, nature walks, and the Batwa cultural experience.

Gorilla Valley Lodge

The Gorilla Valley Lodge offers the best accommodation facility for tourists visiting the Rushaga sector for gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The Lodge is located near the Rushaga ranger station along the border of the Impenetrable forest and because of its closeness to the forest, the shy Mountain gorillas are always coming around and sharing the garden with you this is what the Lodge special because you can easily spot the gorillas from the comfort of your room.

Accommodation: 12 en-suite bathrooms were constructed on a steep slope giving you the best views of the Impenetrable forest. The rooms have a private terrace where you can lounge, solar water heaters, comfortable beds, and private bathrooms fitted with twin beds. There are two types of rooms at the lodge and these include single and double rooms and tourists have a chance to enjoy full board, bed and breakfast, or half board depending on your preference. The lodge accommodates all types of guests including Solo travelers, families, business travelers, and couples among others.

The different amenities offered at the lodge include the following:

• A well-stocked bar with hard and soft drinks
• A classic restaurant that serves local and international dishes
• WIFI
• Parking

The different activities that are offered at the Gorilla Valley Lodge include Gorilla tracking, Bird watching, Gorilla habituation experience, sightseeing, the Batwa cultural experience, and guided nature walks.

Ichumbi Lodge

The Ichumbi Lodge is a mid-range luxury accommodation facility that offers accommodation to all travelers and trekkers in the Rushaga sector. It is 10 minutes away from the trek start point offering some of the best views around the forest. The lodge offers some of the best amenities and facilities and includes:

• Free private parking space
• A sun terrace
• Free WIFI
• Restaurant serving continental dishes and local foods
• A business center
• Lounge area
• A garden
• Bike rides

The tourist activities that you can carry out while at Ichumbi Lodge include gorilla trekking, gorilla habituation, bird watching, Batwa trail cultural experience, a visit to Mutanda Island, Guided nature walks, and canoeing among others.

Rushaga Gorilla Camp

The Rushaga Gorilla Camp sits on 6 acres located along the border of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and is a mid-range facility that offers accommodation to all types of tourists visiting the sector for gorilla trekking. It is 15 minutes away from the trekking starting point and is one of the best lodges serving both the Nkuringo and Rushaga sectors.

Rushaga Gorilla Camp is an eco-friendly lodge that was constructed along the slopes giving guests great views of the forest and wildlife including the forest elephants. Some of the features at the lodge include 6 self-contained bandhas, 2 family bandhas, 3 and 6 self-contained luxury tents, and in total, the lodge can offer rooms to 30 people. You also have an option of pitching your tent if you wish to go camping but you need to communicate in advance and you have to carry your tent.

Activities: Some of the activities that you can carry out on your stay at the Rushaga Gorilla Camp include gorilla tracking, gorilla habituation, bird watching, Batwa trail, Lake Mutanda visit, Golden monkey trekking in Mgahinga, guided nature walks.

Rushaga Gorilla Safari Lodge

Rushaga Gorilla Safari Lodge is a luxury lodge that is located in the Rushaga sector with 18 en-suite spacious rooms offering accommodation to the trekkers. The lodge has great views of the tropical rainforest that can easily be seen from the comfort of your veranda. The lodge is found along the borderline of the impenetrable forest and has a lot of amenities and facilities which include:

A restaurant that serves meals in the main lounge and upon special request, you can dine from the private deck of your room or the gardens. Both local and continental meals are served. Candlelight dinners are served, there is a provision for packed lunches and all dietary preferences are catered for. Other facilities include showers with hot and cold water, comfortably furnished beds, decorated with bold and beautiful welcoming colours,

Activities offered at the lodge include tracking Mountain gorillas, gorilla habituation experience, guided nature walks, bird watching with over 300 bird species, trips to the Bayenda Falls, and a cultural trip to the Batwa villages.

Gorilla Leisure Lodge

Gorilla Leisure Lodge is one of the newly constructed luxury accommodation facilities in the Rushaga sector. Located just 10 minutes away from the park headquarters, the lodge is highly recommended for trekkers participating in gorilla trekking and business deals. Gorilla Leisure Lodge has 12 luxurious en-suite rooms in the form of singles, doubles, and family cottages. The rooms are well decorated in African style and some of the facilities that are in the rooms include toiletries, complimentary bottled water, TVs, mosquito nets, showers with both cold and hot water, flushing toilets, wooden balconies, hair dryers, comfortable beds, fire extinguishers, and many more others.

The lodge offers amenities like a well-stocked bar with soft and hard drinks, WIFI, laundry, and housekeeping, a restaurant that serves both continental and local dishes, ample parking space, and terraces where you can enjoy the beautiful scenery.

The activities that are offered at the lodge include cultural trips, guided nature walks, gorilla habituation, gorilla trekking, and community walks.

What you need to know about gorilla trekking in Rushaga

Are you planning a gorilla trekking safari experience and interested in the Rushaga sector? Below are the important things that you need to take into consideration as you plan for a safari to the Rushaga sector.

Permits: Gorilla permits in the Rushaga sector have to be booked in advance because of the high demand for gorilla trekking in the sector especially during the dry/peak season of June to September and December to February. It is better to book the permits in advance which is at least 6 months to the trek date to get better services. The cost of the gorilla permit in the Rushaga sector is $800 for foreign non-residents, $700 for foreign residents, UGX 300, 000 for East African citizens, and $500 for African citizens. Contact us for more information about the booking and purchasing of gorilla permits.

Rushaga is also the only sector in the national park where gorilla habituation experience is offered. Gorilla habituation is where gorillas are researched and trained to get used to the presence of humans in the park. The habituation process involves researchers and a maximum of 4 trekkers following a semi-habituated gorilla family studying their behaviors and spending 4 hours with them. The cost of the gorilla habituation experience in Rushaga is $1500 for foreign non-residents, $1000 for foreign residents, $1000 for African citizens, and UGX 750, 000 for East African citizens.

What to bring

You must be wondering what to exactly bring on your gorilla safari to the Rushaga sector these include 2 pairs of weight trousers, long-sleeved shirts, a sun hat, sunglasses, garden gloves, a camera, and binoculars, a raincoat, waterproof knee length hike boots, insect repellent, avoid brightly colored clothes because they attract a lot of attention from the wildlife, black and blue colors are also not recommended because they are associate with tsetse flies, a day backpack, socks, warm sweater first aid kit and gaiters among others.

When to go gorilla trekking in the Rushaga sector

Gorilla trekking in Rushaga is best carried out in the dry season when the tracking routes are dry and easy to use. This is also the peak season and you have to book your safari in advance since Bwindi is a tropical rainforest, expect showers of rain even during the dry season. The wet/rainy season is also not a bad time to go for gorilla trekking in Rushaga if you are not a fan of crowds and are on a budget.

In conclusion, Rushaga has accommodations for all types of tourists and your tour operator will help you to make the right decisions when choosing the right facility to use. Contact us for more information.