Gorilla Forest Lodge

Enjoy sumptuous safari-style cuisine with a local twist, in a setting as delightful as the chef’s signature black-pepper beef with stir-fry noodles. Our chefs craft vibrant, seasonal menus inspired by regional flavors, ensuring a dining experience that excites even the most discerning palates.

Gorillas remain completely wild but have grown accustomed to limited human presence through years of habituation. Many expert guides have been part of this process from the start and will share insights into the etiquette of meeting a mighty silverback. This rare experience is limited to just eight visitors per group each day. Trekking through steep, dense forest requires a good level of fitness, and once the gorillas are found, guests can observe them for up to an hour before returning. Please note that only those aged 15 and above can participate in gorilla tracking.

Experience the rich culture of the Batwa people on a full-day excursion. Begin with a three-hour walk before spending time with the Batwa, enjoying traditional music, a visit from the goddess, and demonstrations of hunting and gathering. The journey ends with a two-hour walk back. The Batwa, the oldest inhabitants of the Great Lakes region, have lived across Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda, and eastern DRC. First recorded over 4,000 years ago by the Egyptians, they are known for their storytelling, dance, and deep connection to the land.

Explore the vibrant communities surrounding Bwindi on the Buhoma side with a two-hour cultural walk. Begin at a small tea farm, where you can meet local pickers and try plucking tea leaves. Visit a banana beer brewery to see the fermentation and distillation process of this popular local drink. Stop at a community hospital supported by Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp to learn about its impact. Meet a traditional medicine man who shares knowledge of forest herbs and their healing uses. Conclude the experience with a lively performance by the Batwa community before returning to camp.

Bwindi is home to over 350 bird species, including 24 Albertine Rift endemics found only in these highlands across Uganda, Rwanda, and the Congo. Keen birders can enjoy a guided 2-3 hour walk through the park with a local expert for an unforgettable birdwatching experience.

Bwindi, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is home to gorillas, rare forest elephants, giant forest hogs, and 11 primate species, including red-tailed and blue monkeys, colobus, baboons, and chimpanzees. The forest also hosts duiker and bushbuck antelopes, plus 200+ butterfly species. Enjoy a guided walk on the Munyaga Waterfall Trail, a scenic three-hour trek starting from the park office and ending at the stunning falls—perfect before or after gorilla tracking.

While staying at Gorilla Forest Camp, guests can take game drives to Ishasha in southern Queen Elizabeth National Park, renowned for its tree-climbing lions. These lions are often seen lounging in fig trees, watching Uganda Kobs grazing below. The area is also home to elephants, buffaloes, topi, hippos, warthogs, leopards, and diverse bird species.

Simply unwind at the camp’s spa, where you can relax amid the splendor of the forest while enjoying a rejuvenating treatment.