Description
Gorilla Valley Lodge is located near Rushaga ranger station. Signposts lead the way coming from Kabale Road. In Rushaga take the road on the right leading straight to the lodge. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is one meter away from your veranda. It feels like you are invited into to home of the majestic mountain gorillas. But these gentle giants are not your host, just your neighbors, occasionally coming out of the forest to spend some time in our garden. This is what makes Gorilla Valley Lodge so special.
Located on the border of the impenetrable forest and set on a steep slope the lodge has a truly unique setting. Imagine waking up with the sounds of the forest, having your cup of coffee or tea on you private terrace, experiencing the forest coming alive and the mist mysteriously giving way for a lush jungle.
Gorilla Valley Lodge consists of 12 en-suite rooms, built on a steep slope, ensuring the best views on Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
All rooms have a private terrace from where to experience the splendor of the forest. Tastefully decorated and equipped with solar water heaters and comfortable beds our rooms ensure a peaceful sleep.
Location
Gorilla Valley Lodge is located at the border area of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park –a significant habitat to the rare mountain gorillas and diverse Albertine rift endemic species of birds. The lodge is set on a steep slopes thus guaranteeing spectacular views of the area’s breathtaking landscapes.
From Kampala/Entebbe city to Gorilla Valley Lodge, it takes guests about 8-9 hours’ drive in a classic 4×4 drive vehicle. By air, you can as well reach the lodge on a flight starting from Entebbe airport or Kajjansi airfield to Kihihi airstrip. From Kihihi airstrip, drive for about 13 miles up to the lodge. Considering its position in the Southwestern Uganda, you can also connect to the lodge from Kigali via Katuna or Cyanika border.
Amenities in Gorilla Valley Lodge
Gorilla Valley Lodge is a mid-range accommodation property comprising of 12 rooms, a self-contained facility in a grass thatch structure. The lodge features spacious private bathrooms, dining area, toilets, fully furnished rooms fitted with twin beds. At the lodge facility, guests can enjoy the clear view of surrounding Virunga Volcanoes and lush rainforest of Bwindi. Other key amenities include hot showers, fully stocked bar and a classic restaurant.
Gorilla Valley Lodge is one location where guests can experience true African wilderness. Enjoy a comfortable stay with refreshing naturalness in the surrounding with possibility of spotting gorillas which sometimes get out of the forest.
The available room types in Gorilla Valley Lodge include single and double. Guests can enjoy bed and breakfast, half board or full board. The lodge welcomes different categories of visitors; families, couples, business travelers, solo travelers and friends, etc.
Tourist activities at Gorilla valley lodge
- Gorilla tracking
- Gorilla habituation experience
- Bird watching
- Visiting the Batwa people
- Sightseeing views
- Nature and forest walks
Things to Do
Gorilla Valley Lodge lies nearby Bwindi NP, one of the premier Uganda safari destinations. While at this lodge, you can easily connect to Bwindi and be part of the numerous experiences including gorilla trekking in Rushaga sector, birding, nature walks and community visits in the nearby local community.
Gorilla trekking in Rushaga
From Gorilla Valley Lodge, it takes primate enthusiasts very short time to get to Rushaga sector where you will have briefing about gorilla trekking guidelines and allocation of gorilla families. Starting your gorilla journey at Rushaga presents you abundant opportunities to engage in a gorilla trek thanks to its numerous gorilla groups.
The largest number of habituated gorilla groups exist in Rushaga area and include Kutu, Rwigi, Bweza, Busingye, Kahungye, Nshongi, Mishaya, Bikingi, Mucunguzi family, and others. On actual gorilla trek, each group of mountain gorilla family is allocated to a group of 8 visitors.
Gorilla Habituation Experience
Gorilla habituation experience is a unique primate adventure perfectly done only in Rushaga sector. Gorilla habituation entirely involves following the semi-habituated gorilla group or completely non habituated family in order to make it get used to human presence. The process of initiating gorillas to human presence can take about 2 years or less depending on how fast these apes can adapt.
Birding
If you are enthusiastic birder, Rushaga is one region in Bwindi that you shouldn’t miss visiting to enjoy birding excursion. Birding excursion in Rushaga allows you look out for diverse birds including the dwarf honey guide, giant kingfishers, African harrier hawks, yellow eyed black flycatcher, handsome francolins, and many others.
Nature walks
Nature walking through Rushaga is complete immersion into the dense Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Get a chance to unearth the wonders of Bwindi on a rewarding nature walk along the Rushaga nature walk trails including Kajembehajambe trail and Kapata trail.
