Best lodges in Ruhija sector of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

Ruhija sector has some of the best lodges, it’s located in the Eastern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda and is one of the four sectors for Gorilla trekking. It has 6 habituated gorilla families that include Oruzongo, Bitukura and Kyaguriro,Mukiza, Rukara and Happy. It is the coldest and the only sector where you get to see elephants. Ruhija offers many accommodation options to suit every traveler’s budget and comfort. They are classified into luxury, mid-range and budget lodges. Here are some of the best lodges in Ruhija sector that will help you make the most of your visit to this incredible destination.

 Ruhija Gorilla Lodge

 Ruhija Gorilla Lodge is a mid-range safari lodge near Oruzongo, Bitukura and Kyaguriro gorilla families. It offers cozy cottages that are designed to blend seamlessly with the surrounding environment that gives visitors a comfortable and peaceful retreat after a day of exploring the nearby gorilla families. The rooms are divided into family, twin and double suites.

 Ruhija Gorilla Lodge has amenities like tight security, Internet, a well-stocked bar, mini library, gift shop, laundry services and a restaurant.

Visitors can participate in guided nature walks, community visits, reading, bird watching, elephant watching and gorilla trekking.

Bakiga Lodge

Bakiga Lodge is a registered NGO mid-range lodge located on the edge of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. This eco-friendly lodge has 10 spacious and elegantly appointed cottages with private terraces overlooking the forest canopy. The lodge’s self-contained rooms have flushing toilets, en-suite bathrooms, hot and cold-water showers and comfortable beds. Guests can choose to enjoy delicious meals made from locally sourced ingredients at the lodge’s restaurant and relax with refreshing drinks at the bar after a day of gorilla trekking, guided nature walks to Mubwindi swamp, cultural trips, gorilla habituation or bird watching.

 Ruhija Community Rest Camp

Ruhija Community Rest Camp is a more budget-friendly accommodation option. This community-owned camp has simple and comfortable bandas and campsites. Guests can enjoy home-cooked meals at the camp’s restaurant and take part in cultural activities like traditional dance performances and village walks.

The camp offers amenities and facilities like free WIFI, a well-stocked bar, 24-hour security system, free parking, laundry services, kitchen, restaurant serving both local and international cuisines.

Kiho gorilla lodge

Kiho gorilla lodge is a mid-range accommodation located near the starting point of the gorilla trek. This lodge overlooks the impenetrable Bwindi Forest giving visitors views of the chained Virunga volcanic mountains from a distance. It has 10 elegant cottages designed with local African wood.

Kiho gorilla lodge has facilities and services like business centers, health and fitness centers, meeting rooms, parking space, airport pick- ups and drop-offs, a standby generator, a well- stocked bar and a restaurant serving both international and local meals.

Agandi lodge

This lodge has 10 elegant rooms fitted with facilities like televisions, comfortable beds, mosquito nets, private wooden balconies, en-suite bathrooms, flushing toilets, cold and hot water showers and beautiful furniture. The cottages categorized into single, twin double, triple and family rooms. Their costs differ depending on their sizes and travel season. They cost 200 USD. Agandi lodge’s facilities and services include laundry services, ample parking space, airport pick-ups and drop-offs, fireplaces, a restaurant serving both local and international dishes, business centers, a craft shop with clothes and essential travel items, WIFI and honeymoon packages.

Activities at the lodge include bird watching, community visits, guided nature walks, cultural trips, butterfly watching, gorilla habituation, gorilla tracking and many others.

Cuckooland lodge

The lodge is a mid-range accommodation sitting on 10 acres of land at the edge of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. It features 4 spacious double furnished safari tents with grass thatched roofs carefully positioned to offer stunning views of the forest and its inhabitants. Each tent is fitted with a private flushing toilet, comfortable beds, cold and hot water showers, sitting areas and a large veranda.

Cuckooland lodge’s amenities and facilities include a 24/7 security service system, laundry services, a well- stocked bar, restaurant serving both local and international dishes and gyms.

Activities at the lodge include bird watching, guided nature walks, gorilla tracking, gorilla habituation, cultural visits, butterfly watching and many others. 

Ruhija gorilla friends resort

Ruhija gorilla friends resort is the best lodge for visitors that want to stay an overnight in Ruhija sector since it is located at the Ruhija gate. This resort is owned by the local community. It is one of the best budget accommodations with camping grounds, well-furnished huts and private tents. These accommodations are fitted with en-suite bathrooms, flushing toilets, single, double and twin beds, a well-stocked bar, restaurant with both local and international dishes, craft shop, WIFI and private verandas that give visitors better views of the surrounding areas.

Visitors can participate in activities like, birdwatching, guided nature walks, entertainment from the locals, gorilla trekking, gorilla habitation and many others.

Gorilla mist camp

This is a mid-range accommodation with the finest luxury lodges in Ruhija sector of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. It features 12 comfortable rooms that are single, doubles and twin rooms. These rooms are well-equipped with bathtubs, showers with both hot and cold water, flushing toilets, private balconies comfortable beds and mosquito nets.

Gorilla mist camp amenities and facilities include airstrip transfers from Kayonza and Ishasha airstrips and pickups from Kabale, WIFI, laundry services, ample parking space, massage parlor, a well-stocked bar and a restaurant serving both local and international dishes with chefs that prepare Caribbean, European, Indian, African and American cuisines.

Gorilla mist camp activities include bird watching, gorilla trekking, gorilla habituation, guided nature walks, taking on Batwa trail, cultural trips to Batwa villages and butterfly watching.

ITFC camp Bwindi

The International Tropical Forestry Commission (ITFC) is a budget friendly accommodation offering accommodation in a dormitory style. The guest house can accommodate as many as 8 visitors. The second property commonly known as the local trading Centre that can accommodate maximumly 12 people. The front lawn is available for tourists interested in camping though they need to carry their own camping gear.

The camp offers comfortable camping beddings, firewood and paraffin for lanterns. You are encouraged to carry warm clothes and extra beddings for the cold nights.

Ihamba residence

Ihamba residence is a guest house managed by Change of Bwindi, a community-based organization that helps in the preserving Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. The guest house is surrounded by lush greenery and stunning views that give a perfect retreat for those looking for relaxation. Ihamba residence uses solar and harvested water that makes it a budget friendly lodge. The guest house features 5 comfortable cottages built in an African style with double rooms on the upper and ground floor in form of individual and group rooms. Theses rooms have in built bathrooms, flushing toilets, complimentary bottled water, solar power, mosquito nets, comfortable beds, sitting areas, toiletries and fire places.

Services at Ihamba Residence include WIFI, laundry services, a well-stocked bar, airport pickups and a restaurant serving both continental and local dishes.It also has professional and friendly staff that are dedicated to ensuring that your experience at Ihamba Residence is exceptional.

Visitors can participate in activities like bird watching, cultural visits, guided nature walks, gorilla trekking, butterfly watching and many others.

Basic Consideration before planning gorilla trekking in Ruhija

Gorilla permit booking. These can be booked directly from Uganda Wildlife Authority or through Giant Holiday Safaris, a reputable tour company. You are advised to book your permit 6 months in advance before your trek date since permits are on a high demand during the peak seasons. Each gorilla permit costs UGX 300,000 for East African citizens, 500 USD for African citizens, 700 USD for foreign residents and 800 USD for foreign non-residents.