Tag: Bwindi

One-Day Gorilla Trek in Uganda: Possible?

Table of Contents

Thousands of people visit Uganda every year to see mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. If you’re planning to be one of these people, you might be wondering – can you do a one-day gorilla trek in Uganda?   

Here, I explain what you need to know if you’re planning to see these magnificent creatures in a 24-hour window.  

Is it possible to do a one-day gorilla trek in Uganda?

Yes, it is possible to do a one-day gorilla trek in Uganda. In fact, one day is all you need to see the gorillas in their natural habitat, as you arrive at the entrance to the national park early in the morning and trek the gorillas from there for several hours. Read on to learn more about how to arrange a one-day gorilla trek in the Pearl of Africa.

Gorilla trekking in Uganda: Two options

There are two national parks in Uganda that are home to mountain gorillas – Bwindi National Park and Mgahinga National Park, as I explain below.  

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest (sometimes called Buhoma) is the best place to arrange a one-day gorilla trek in Uganda. There are lots of exclusive lodges in the area and several budget options, too, which is ideal for budget and high-end travelers alike.   

There are approximately 460 mountain gorillas in Bwindi, and you can trek to visit fourteen of the habituated groups in the park. You will also have the chance to see a raft of other wildlife during your time in the Bwindi forest, including 120 other mammal species and more than 350 bird species.   

Bwindi is situated in the extreme southwest corner of Uganda, practically a day’s drive from the capital city, Kampala. You can fly to Bwindi via Kihihi to shorten the transit time, which is a good idea if you’re only in Uganda for a short period of time.  

Ultimately, if you’re looking to do a one-day gorilla trek in Uganda, Bwindi Impenetrable forest is the best option.  

Mgahinga National Park

Photo credit: Jeremy Stewardson

Alternatively, you can arrange a one-day gorilla trek in Mgahinga National Park. Mgahinga is actually close to Bwindi but is accessed via the town of Kisoro, also in the southwestern region of the country.   

In Mgahinga, there are approximately 30 mountain gorillas, though only one of the three groups is habituated, meaning you can only track one of the groups.   

The fact that Mgahinga is much smaller than Bwindi is an advantage to some people, as treks to see the gorillas here are often much shorter.   

If time is of the essence and you’re keen to see gorillas as quickly as possible due to constraints, Mgahinga is a good option to consider.   

How much does a one-day gorilla trek in Uganda cost?

The cost of a permit to trek mountain gorillas in Uganda is currently $700. This excludes things like travel, accommodation, and meals and is purely the cost of entering the park to see the mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.   

Though it seems expensive for a one-day gorilla trek, it’s half the price of gorilla trekking in Rwanda! It’s also a truly once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and in my opinion, it’s the best wildlife experience in the world!   

It’s certainly the most memorable thing I’ve ever done!   

For more information about the costs associated with gorilla trekking in Uganda and in neighboring East African countries, check out my recent article.   

Is one day enough time to trek gorillas in Uganda?

Yes, one day is definitely enough time for a gorilla trek. When you trek in Bwindi or Mgahinga, the day starts at sunrise (around 7 am), and you head into the forest to see the gorillas.   

Some treks take less than twenty minutes, while some take several hours to reach the current location of the gorillas.   

You then spend approximately one hour in the company of the gorillas before making your way back to the park entrance. From there, you can go and chill out at your lodge or hit the road if you’re on a tight schedule.  

When I did my gorilla trek in Bwindi back in 2012, I was in the park for about five hours, including the time we spent with the gorillas.  

The bottom line is that one day is more than enough time for a gorilla trek in Uganda, as the activity shouldn’t take more than half a day to complete.   

How to book a gorilla trek in Uganda?

If you’re keen to book a one-day gorilla trek for your upcoming visit to Uganda, you can do so via AJ Tours & Travel, the safari company I have partnered with.   

I have been on countless tours over the years with AJ Tours, and they arranged my gorilla trekking trip back in 2012.   

Drop Andrew a line and explain that you’re keen to arrange a permit to trek the gorillas in one day, and he will gladly help you out. Just make sure to tell him that I sent you!   

Other considerations before booking your trip

Although you can certainly do a one-day gorilla trek in Uganda, you need to be mindful of the fact that you need to travel to the southwest of Uganda to do the activity.   

As mentioned, if you’re traveling by road, Bwindi NP is a day from Kampala/Entebbe. You can take a domestic flight to nearby Kihihi, which takes about 80-90 minutes. You can also fly to Kisoro, which is the gateway to Mgahinga.   

If you’re doing a safari while in Uganda, Bwindi is about 2 hours from the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Therefore, it’s a good idea to tie your one-day gorilla trek to the end of your safari.  

Check out my guide to booking domestic flights in Uganda for more information on how to get to the southwest for gorilla trekking.   

Recap: 1-day gorilla trekking in Uganda

Ultimately, one day is more than enough to go gorilla trekking in Uganda. After all, the activity itself takes no more than a day.   

But given the fact that gorilla trekking is an activity based in the extreme southwest of Uganda, you need to plan your travel accordingly, and if you’re on a tight schedule, a domestic flight is your best option!  

Budget Accommodation in Bwindi (Five Options 2023!)

Table of Contents

If you’re looking for budget accommodation in Bwindi, you’ve come to the right place!

Bwindi is one of Uganda’s main tourist attractions, given the fact that it’s one of only a few places in East Africa where gorilla tracking is possible. 

But due to the fact that Bwindi is a bucket-list tourist destination, the price of accommodation in this sleepy corner of Uganda is extortionate – it’s not uncommon for rooms to go for $1,000 per night! 

Although I live less than an hour’s drive from Bwindi, I’ve stayed in lots of hotels and guesthouses in and around the national park. I’ve also dined at some of the exclusive lodges where $1,000 per night rates are the norm, even though I’ve never stayed at any of them! 

So, to help you navigate the difficulty of finding good value when staying in this gorgeous part of Uganda, I introduce you to five budget accommodation options in Bwindi.

I’ve stayed at four of them, but I’ve spent time at all of them, so I hope you find this insight helpful as you look to book affordable accommodation in Bwindi this year.

Option #1: Bwindi Guest House

Photo Credit: Bwindi Community Hospital

Prices from $50 per night.

Pros

  • Incredible value and extremely comfortable – the best value option in Bwindi by far. 
  • Chance to meet other tourists, volunteers, and medical staff associated with Bwindi Hospital. 
  • Great food and delicious coffee served up in the Banda Cafe. 
  • No issue with hot water or electricity – the guest house is linked to the hospital’s system and is on 24/7.

Cons

  • The fact that it’s located up the steps from the hospital might put some people off, but you don’t have to visit the hospital if you don’t want to.

Overview

In my humble opinion, Bwindi Community Guest House is the best value location in Buhoma, Bwindi, by a long shot. The guest house has tastefully decorated en-suite rooms with hot water and electricity, two aspects that are not guaranteed at this price point when it comes to accommodation in Uganda! 

I stayed here for a couple of months during the Covid-19 pandemic, and I got to know the staff extremely well – many of whom I now call good friends. 

Still, I can’t recommend this guest house enough, particularly when you consider the price point of the other accommodation in and around Bwindi. As the name suggests, there’s a community feel to the Guest House, with travelers from different parts of the world, as well as Ugandan volunteers and staff present in the communal dining area at most times during the day.

The guest house is actually owned by the adjacent hospital, and many of the guests are medical volunteers and staff, some from Uganda and others from the US and Europe. 

The team at the guest house can arrange various activities in and around the park, including a nature walk or gorilla trekking, depending on your budget. 

Ultimately, if you’re looking for budget accommodation in Bwindi in 2023, it simply doesn’t get better than Bwindi Community Guest House. 

Option #2: Buhoma Community Rest Camp

Photo Credit: Buhoma Community Rest Camp.

Prices from $115 per night.

Pros

  • Great location immediately next to the park entrance. This makes it ideal for people heading on early morning gorilla treks. 
  • Compared to the lodges in the immediate vicinity of Buhoma Community Rest Camp, the price of $115 per night is extremely reasonable. 
  • I found the staff to be friendly, courteous, and helpful, as is the case with most Ugandan lodges.

Cons

  • The accommodation at Buhoma Community Rest Camp is a no-frills option, ideal for people on a budget, and the lodgings are slightly tired.

Overview

This community-run camp is ideally located right next to the entrance of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, making it the best option on this list as far as location is concerned.

Many of its immediate competitors are five or even ten times more expensive per night, so this really is a fantastically affordable option for people who don’t want to spend hundreds (if not thousands) of bucks for a night next to the gorillas. 

While the camp could perhaps do with a little refresh, there’s still a lot to like about it. The staff are super friendly and knowledgeable, the food is great, and there’s an incredible view from the dining hall. 

Overall, this is one of the longest-standing accommodations in Bwindi and is a great option for travelers on a relatively tight budget.

Option #3: Crested Crane Hotel, Bwindi

Photo Credit: Crested Crane Hotel Bwindi.

Prices from $120 per night.

Pros

  • Perched atop a hill, the view from the Crested Crane Hotel is unrivaled. 
  • The rooms are comfortable and tastefully decorated, making for a peaceful and tranquil stay in the Ugandan countryside. 
  • The food at the Crested Crane Hotel is delicious and one of the standout features of this accommodation!
  • As the name suggests, this is the perfect place to catch a glimpse of the gorgeous crested crane – Uganda’s national bird that calls the hotel grounds home.

Cons

  • The Crested Crane Hotel is not actually in Bwindi; it’s on the road to the national park and is approximately 15-20mins from the park entrance.

Overview

Given the exorbitant cost of much of the accommodation in Buhoma, the fact that the Crested Crane Hotel is approximately 20mins away from the main entrance to the park works in our favor as visitors! 

It’s priced at a very reasonable $100 per night, which is great value given the comfort of the rooms and the friendliness of the staff. 

The food served in the restaurant is simply delicious, and the views across the surrounding countryside are exquisite, even if you can’t see the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest from this hilltop location.

I’ve only stayed here once for a couple of nights, but I really enjoyed my time here, and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to other travelers looking for a good value place to stay in close proximity to Bwindi.

Option #4: Bwindi Cultural Centre, Kishenyi

Photo Credit: Bwindi Cultural Centre, Kishenyi.

Prices from $40 per night.

Pros

  • Excellent value accommodation set amidst peaceful gardens. 
  • Friendly staff who are willing to go the extra mile to accommodate visitors and inform you about the local area. 
  • You can arrange local village walks, which provide you with an insight into life in this rural part of southwestern Uganda. 
  • The fact that you’re not in Bwindi makes everything here cheaper, including accommodation, food, and drinks!

Cons

  • Like the Crested Crane Hotel, the Bwindi Cultural Centre is not actually in Bwindi. In fact, it’s in Kishenyi, which is a 45 minute drive from the park entrance.

Overview

I’ve stayed at Bwindi Cultural Centre on numerous occasions, and my longest stay was for two months. As such, I can say with confidence that it’s one of my favorite places to stay in the area, even though it’s not particularly close to Bwindi and is a good 45-minute drive from the park entrance. 

But on the flip side, it’s only 30 minutes away from Queen Elizabeth National Park, so it’s a great place to stay if you want a budget-friendly option that’s practically equidistant between the two parks and doesn’t cost a fortune. 

The rooms at the Bwindi Cultural Centre are relatively simple, but they have everything you need – including hot water!

You can enjoy your evening meal in the on-site restaurant that has been purpose-built before enjoying a couple of beers under the stars. The lack of light pollution offers an incredible look up into the night sky and is one of the best things about staying here.

Option #5: Ride For A Woman Guesthouse, Bwindi

Photo Credit: Ride For a Woman, Uganda.

Prices from $120 per night.

Pros

  • The accommodation at Ride 4 a Woman is new and super comfortable. 
  • Ride 4 a Woman is located at the end of the trading center in Buhoma, a 5-minute drive to the park entrance, making it ideal for gorilla tracking. 
  • Ride 4 a Woman is a social enterprise, and there’s a great craft store (albeit a tad expensive) in which you can buy locally created products for friends and family back home. 
  • The restaurant rustles up delicious Ugandan cuisine.

Cons

  • You need to contact Ride 4 a Woman directly to book, and they don’t publish their rates directly, meaning they’re likely to fluctuate considerably. The $120 listed here is based on a conversation with a friend who recently stayed there.

Overview

Ride 4 a Woman has attracted tourists, volunteers, and donors for several years now and is a popular hub of activity in Buhoma. Its strategic location means that it’s difficult to miss, which is why so many people end up at least visiting Ride 4 a Woman, even if they don’t stay there.

I visited a couple of months ago for dinner with friends and found that the recent work they’ve done has really paid dividends – this is a cool and trendy place to be and offers good value in and around Bwindi. 

You can also get chatting with the Ride 4 a Woman team to find out more about their projects and how they support local people in different ways.

Recap: Budget accommodation in Bwindi

The reality is that budget accommodation in Bwindi is hard to come by. But as introduced in this article, it does exist if you do a little bit of research and look past the super expensive lodges that surround the national park entrance.

If you have any more questions about affordable accommodation in Bwindi or need help booking somewhere to stay for your upcoming gorilla trip, let me know in the comments below, and I’d be happy to help!

Planning a trip to Bwindi in the near future? Read our complete guide to gorilla trekking to prepare for the ultimate wildlife experience!