Bwindi Lodge
Bwindi Lodge Has A Magical Location Nestled In The Steamy Jungles Of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Bwindi Lodge is an upmarket lodge with the perfect location for both accessing the mountain gorillas of Bwindi and enjoying the forest ecosystem from the lodge itself. Nestled into the edge of the forest, the main areas look straight across a steep valley at the forest canopy opposite, offering plenty of wildlife sightings from the lodge itself. In fact, it is not uncommon for the gorillas themselves to venture into the lodge grounds. Accommodation is very comfortable and service levels are high, but in keeping with the ethos of Volcanoes Safaris, the style of the lodge is authentic and the atmosphere is warm and welcoming.
Rooms
Accommodation is provided for around 20 guests in 10 stone and thatched ‘bandas’, all of which are very spacious and have either twin or double beds, a writing table and comfortable chair and en suite facilities (shower, toilet and vanity basins). A triple room is possible (double with single bed only). Two of the rooms are Deluxe Bandas which include a lounge area. All rooms have a private verandah to the front.
Central Areas
The public areas comprise a light-filled lounge with a central fire place for chilly evenings, and dining area where meals are taken communally and large sun terrace with views of the forest. There is also the Humula Forest Spa and a small gift shop.
Facilities
Wi-Fi – Yes
Power for Charging – Yes
Swimming –No
Habitat & Wildlife
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest covers an area of around 32,000 hectares and is located in the south-west of the country, part of the eastern ridge of the Albertine Rift Valley. The rainforest, known as one of the most ecologically diverse in Africa, is spread over a series of steep ridges and valleys which vary in altitude from around 1,160m to over 2,600m. In the south-east sector of the park lies the Mubwindi Swamp, after which the forest was named.
Bwindi is home to the endangered mountain gorilla, as well as a further 11 species of primates, including chimpanzee, red-tailed monkeys, black and white colobus and the ground-dwelling L’Hoests monkey. It actually harbours more species of mammal than any other park in Uganda, although most of them are rarely seen. The birdlife is superb with over 350 species recorded, including the 23 species endemic to the Albertine Rift Valley and a further number found nowhere else in the country including specials such as the African green broadbill and white-tailed blue flycatcher. The butterfly count is equally spectacular.
Activities
The main activity in Bwindi is gorilla trekking, and there are currently 17 habituated groups which can be visited in various areas of the park. However, please bear in mind that the high rainfall and terrain make trekking very difficult and you need to be well prepared. To trek for gorillas, a good level of fitness is required as the terrain over which tracking takes place is extremely difficult. Treks can last anything from roughly two to six hours, often traversing steep-sided mountains and ravines, and regularly clambering over ground vegetation. Temperatures can range from being very warm and humid to being very cold, and rain can fall at any time. Permits must be purchased in advance. Children under 15 years of age are not allowed to trek.
Outside of gorilla trekking, and depending where you stay, it is possible to undertake day exploration walks and shorter birding walks in the forest, explore local villages and cultural experiences, walk to waterfalls or tour a local tea plantation.
From Bwindi Lodge you can enjoy birding/river trail walks, or simply stroll out of the lodge on to the high street of the village to sample local life. The successful Bwindi Bar is popular highlight – enjoy a delicious coffee and slice of cake while supporting a worthwhile cause. Tours of the community tea plantation can also be arranged, as can a visit to the Gorilla Research Clinic in Buhoma where you can get an inside look at conservation efforts. See the Conservation and Community section for further information on community project visits.
Seasons
Bwindi Lodge is open year round, though late September through to early December tends to be the wettest period of the year, along with March, April and early May.
Children of all ages are welcome at Bwindi Lodge, however there is no family-specific accommodation and the minimum age for gorilla trekking is 15 years and so the destination is unlikely to appeal to families with younger children. For older teens, they would need to be comfortable with the strenuous nature of gorilla trekking to fully enjoy a holiday in this destination.
Volcanoes Safaris have established themselves as eco-tourism pioneers in Rwanda and Uganda and a community fee is applied for every guest and donated to Volcanoes Safaris Partnership Trust, which supports conservation of the great apes and community empowerment projects in the surrounding areas.
The Volcanoes Safaris Partnership Trust (VSPT) is a non-profit organisation that connects the Volcanoes Safaris lodges to the neighbouring communities and conservation projects, with the aim to create long-term, self-sustaining projects that enrich the livelihoods of local communities, promote the conservation of the great apes, restore natural habitats and reduce human-wildlife conflict. Each guest staying at a Volcanoes Safaris lodge contributes to the Trust and each Volcanoes Lodge undertakes a range of non-profit community and conservation activities in its neighbourhood.
