Places to see lions in Uganda

Lions are the iconic attraction of the African safari. Without sighting the Lion, for many the safari would not be a success however plenty of other animals one might have seen. In fact, on setting out into the savannah, the first priority for many is to find the lions before looking for anything else. And catching the lion in action taking down a prey would be the ultimate safari experience… It is like experiencing a Nat Geo moment

Uganda is one of the countries in the world that still have lions roaming the jungle. The lions in Uganda are found in protected wildlife reserves. However, their numbers have for long been dwindling due a number of factors, but the biggest is the human-wildlife as people have continued conflict to invade and encroach on the lion habitat and in the end kill the lions who prey on their cattle.

Seeing lions on a safari in Uganda has been a thing of luck. This trend however is changing as some areas have recently registered an explosion in lion population and resulting in improved sightings of lions. This is thanks to improved conservation efforts by the Uganda Wildlife Authority that’s mandated to protect the game parks and wildlife reserves.

How many lions are in Uganda?

The last research and census carried out between 2018 – 2020 puts the number of lions in Uganda at 373 lions.

You will see lions on game drives when you take a safari trip to the following places in Uganda

Murchison falls national park

Murchison Falls National Park, which is Uganda’s biggest game park, has a population of about 250 lions, the highest number of all the parks.

Murchison Falls national park currently offers the best chances to see lions on safari in Uganda. Chances were not as high previously, it was 50/50 to see lions in Murchison, but of recent it has been observed the park is experiencing an explosion in lion population. Many prides with lots of cubs and juveniles are being seen regularly on game drives (from 215 lions in 2013 to 250 in 2020, this is only lion population increment among all parks). Also, Murchison falls national park being very large and yet with few drive tracks, meant that a large area of the park would not be explored to improve on the chances of seeing the lions. However a few more drive tracks have been opened up in the park, and with increase in number of lions, the park now guarantees lion sightings..

You will search for the lions on the northern bank of the River Nile which divides the park into the north and south parts. The northern part has the savannah which hosts the lions and many other big game

Murchison Falls National Park is also a shorter drive from Kampala as compared to the other parks where lion sightings are also high.

Queen Elizabeth National Park

The last research and census between 2018 – 2020 put the lion population in Queen Elizabeth National Park – Uganda’s second largest park, at just 52 lions.

Queen Elizabeth National Park had built a reputation as the lion park in Uganda, where you didn’t have to do a lot of searching to see lions. One problem however is that Queen Elizabeth National Park, unlike Murchison Falls park, is a biosphere, meaning wildlife and man have been coexisting peacefully in the same eco system since time memorial. It is not unusual to find a pride of lions or a herd of elephants and after a few meters later you will encounter a local man walking or going about his business without any worry about his surroundings. However, it was not so long that the rapidly growing population and its growing economic needs would lead to conflict with the wildlife, and the first wildlife victims are the predators. The locals started rearing cattle within & near the park (which is actually prohibited) which the lions started feasting on and the locals retaliated by killing them en masse. To put it in perspective, the lion population in Queen Elizabeth National Park in 2010 was 144, ten years down the road and they have been reduced to less than half.

The Uganda Wildlife Authority has embarked on fencing some parts of the park which will help deter animals from going into communities and vice versa. This is expected to provide reduce the human-wildlife conflict and sooner we shall have a restored park with lots of lions.

All is not lost however as Queen Elizabeth National Park still provides high chances of seeing the lions. The Kasenyi plains, the breeding ground for antelopes is the hunting ground for lions and other predators.

The Mweya peninsula near to Mweya Safari Loge was a breeding ground of a lion pride and is one of the places you may find lions in Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Lion tracking in Queen Elizabeth National Park

To guarantee seeing lions, Queen Elizabeth National Park provides a lion tracking activity where you can join a group of researchers to locate collared lions that are under surveillance. This activity provides a better closeup experience of the lions in case you want to learn more about lions.

The tree-climbing lions of Ishasha

South of the park in the Ishasha plains are special lions, the tree-climbing lions. The tree-climbing lions have become the iconic attraction of the park. The lions in this area of the park tend to climb fig trees after morning mostly to relax after the morning hunt and also escape from the flies and bugs on ground.

Many people who go through Queen Elizabeth national park want to catch this spectacle of an entire pride of lions “chilling” high up in tree branches like monkeys. Needs a bit of luck though.

Queen Elizabeth is more than just lions

Important to note is that Queen Elizabeth national park is not just about lions and animals, but its scenery too is one of the reasons to visit. Located on the edge of the rift valley its landscape is of lush plains, green hills and a series of crater lakes and lakes Edward and George that attract lots of wildlife.

Kidepo valley national park

The lion population in Kidepo Valley National Park is estimated to be 70 individuals as per the census and research done between 2018 – 2020.

Kidepo National Park is normally identified in pictures by one or two lions sitting on a rocky outcrop overseeing the magnificent wilderness of Kidepo. It is like a scene in The Lion King movie!

Kidepo Valley national park is indeed a good place to see lions in Uganda. However, because of the vastness of the park sometimes the sightings are too distant or the lions are not in sight.

Lake Mburo national park

Lake Mburo National Park should not be featuring on this list but then it does have a lion, just one recorded male lion inhabits the park. It is rarely seen, its more like a myth, but then once in a while it will be heard roaring.

Do not plan your trip to Lake Mburo to see lions. There are predators in a good numbers like leopards and hyenas.

What is the best season to see lions in Uganda?

Lions will be seen throughout the year no matter the season. However, the dry season (June – August, Dec – Feb) will provide better conditions to explore the drive tracks and get to more areas of the park. Also, the savannah is shorter or less thick making it easier to spot the lions among the bushes.

What is the best time to see lions?

The best time of day to see the lions is definitely early morning when the lions are actively hunting or are just from the hunt and are still actively moving in the open. As the day gets hotter, they will look for a nice shade, mostly under a thicket where they will be difficult to see, and sleep away the day. The next good time to see the lions in the evening when they are up and want to hunt again. It is also cooler during this time so they will be moving in the open.

How to plan a lion safari in Uganda?

If you feel you don’t want to miss the lions on your safari in Uganda, the best idea is to visit at least two of the parks with lions. That would be, Murchison Falls National Park plus any of the other two. Murchison Falls National Park and Queen Elizabeth would be easier to combine because of the shorter distances. However if you can endure the long drive to Kidepo or take a flight, it would be worthwhile.

What is the best time to visit Murchison Falls National Park?

Murchison Falls National Park is the obvious choice of park to visit if planning a safari trip to experience the savannah and see lots of wildlife in Uganda. The Murchison is Uganda’s largest park, located along the River Nile on which is found the world’s strongest waterfalls – the Murchison Falls. Safari drives on the northern bank of the River Nile and the boat cruise along the River Nile provide excellent opportunities to see plenty of animals such as elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, lions, antelopes, leopards, monkeys, baboons, hippos, crocodiles, etc…

How much time do you need for a trip to Murchison Falls National Park? You need 2 to 3 days to visit and experience Murchison Falls National Park. A day trip to Murchison Falls is not possible as the park is about 6 hours drive from Kampala to Entebbe.

Wondering when is the best time to visit and see animals in Murchison Falls National Park? Well, you can see animals all year round. You can therefore visit the park any time of the year. However different times may be more favorable depending on the kind of safari experience you want to have in Murchison Falls National Park.

Factors to consider when determining the best time to visit Murchison Falls Park

Weather – wet season vs dry season

The weather may determine when you want to visit Murchison Falls National Park. You will visit Murchison Falls National Park either during the dry season or wet season, the two weather seasons of Uganda.

The dry season from June to August, and December to February, is perhaps the best time for a safari in Murchison Falls National Park because it is mostly sunny and dry so it easier to navigate through the park and reach every trail of the park without worry of getting stuck in the mud. Meanwhile, during the wet season (March to May, and late September to November) some parts of the park may be unreachable due to flooding of some drive trails hence limiting your chances to see more wildlife. If must use a study 4X4 tour car if you have to go to Murchison Falls Park during the wet season. Another reason why the safari experience may be better during the dry season is that the grass is shorter and therefore better visibility of wildlife, especially the not-so-big animals such as warthogs, leopards, foxes, etc.. While during the wet season the bushes and grass are thicker and taller, so you would need the bigger raised 4X4s for better views…

However, visiting Murchison Falls National Park during the wet season has some benefits too. The scenery is at its best during this time as the grass is all lush green. The temperatures can be unbearably high/hot during the dry season causing sunburn to sensitive skin, but the wet season brings such a cool and soothing temperature. Also, the best experience of the Murchison Falls is during the wet season when the volume of water in the Nile increases leading to more powerful and explosive Murchison Falls. If your dream is to witness these mighty falls, you will get the best treat of the falls during the wet season.

Crowds or better weather?

If you prefer a time of safari in Murchison Falls with less crowds, the wet season offers this time as less people visit the park this time (March to May, late September to November). However, be prepared for a rainy day with 4X4 car.

Special offers/discounts/groups

If you like to travel on a budget the low season (wet season) normally has discounted prices by a number of accommodations in the park. So, this the time to advantage of low cost of accommodation and have a cheaper tour.

On the other hand, the high season provides better chances to join a group to reduce the cost of the tour. If you are into group tours to share costs, you have better chances of finding a group tour to Murchison Falls National Park.

Is there a time one should avoid Murchison Falls National Park?

There should not be any time one has to avoid the park, the park provides a beautiful safari any time.

However, the park is wettest during April & November, and if extreme wet weather is a put off then you should avoid the park during this time. On the other hand, the park is quite hot during late August to early September, and so if too much sun causes you great discomfort, then you are better off not visiting during this time.

Uganda’s anti-homosexuality law – is it safe for gay tourists to visit Uganda?

Uganda has passed the “anti-homosexuality law” that criminalizes same sex relationships and the promotion of gay activities in Uganda. The law is said to be one of the toughest anti-LGBTQ laws in the world that includes the death penalty for aggravated homosexuality, and up to 20 years in prison for promoting homosexuality.

The Uganda anti-homosexuality/anti-gay/anti-LGBT law has drawn strong condemnation from local and international human rights organizations and more importantly from world leaders of countries such as the USA President Biden, that uphold and promote the rights of the LGBT persons.

The consequences of the law are starting to bite! The international gay/LGBT rights lobby is already up in arms promoting a boycott of travel to Uganda to discourage tourists from visiting Uganda, the famed Pearl of Africa, that is included on African vacations mostly for the gorilla trekking, in addition to other popular Uganda tours include the chimpanzee trekking, trip to Murchison falls national park – home to the world’s strongest waterfalls and lots of animals, and Mabamba wetlands for the Shoebill bird, among others.

So what is the mood and intention of the law and is it still safe for LGBT/gay people to consider Uganda for a safari?

How popular is the anti-gay law in Uganda?

The above law has been passed on a moralist ground, or call it an excuse, of protecting the cultures and values of the local population. Homosexuality is looked at as a foreign vice that is against what is regarded as normal traditionally. This sentiment is carried and believed by most societies in sub-Saharan Africa.

Uganda is also a highly religious country, with more than 70% of the population identifying as Christians and a big percentage of the rest being Moslems. The law has therefore had a big backing from the ultra religious community that believe homosexuality is one of the worst sins and should therefore be fought in whatever way possible to save Uganda from the fate of the biblical “Sodom and Gomorra”.

A law of convenience for the time?

Drawing from the strong cultural and religious feelings of the local population, the law may seem like a perfect scapegoat the government really needed to sway the public away from its failures! From the assassinations and shootings that had become rampant, to corruption scandals by top government officials making the news every day, and to a total breakdown in the infrastructure of the capital Kampala, are among a sea of problems the country is drowning in. The government had attained such an image of incompetence among the population.

The anti-gay card had always worked whenever the government found itself in such a dilemma and it has not been any different this time. After finally passing and signing the ant-gay law the president has been praised as messiah of sorts for saving the “African values”. Finally the government has managed to sway the public attention from the many crises and temporarily attained some much needed public approval for this time.

A politically motivated law?

Another reasoning behind the motivation for the government to make the anti-gay law is that there is an assumption that gay rights group in the west have been heavily facilitating local organizations and political formations that are hostile to the Ugandan government. By this law, the organizations in Uganda that are found or are thought to be promoting rights of the LGBT in Uganda are sanctioned and prosecuted accordingly.

There is also a fear that the law could be used to set up and falsely accuse political opposition as gay or collaborators of promoters and persecute them. Because of the feelings of the local population about homosexuality, this would be an easy scapegoat of a law for government to use to stifle opposition.

However, experience has shown, politically motivated laws in Uganda only service a political purpose during the political season.

Why LGBT/gay persons can still visit Uganda albeit the anti-gay law

The president of Uganda clarified that the law is not intended criminalize suspected homosexuals or those that identify as gay. So there is no hunt for gay people.

Also important to note is that, as much as Ugandans want to feel strongly about their cultures and religious beliefs, Ugandans are some of the most welcoming and accommodating people irrespective of ones differences. As a gay person, no one will be interested in your sexuality as no one will ask about you, but rather everyone will want to see that you are comfortable as a visitor.

Transport in Kampala – how to get around in the city

Traveling within Uganda’s capital, Kampala City, can be cumbersome for a first time visitor in Uganda. The city does not have a well organized public transport system, leave alone a neat road network with proper signage. Good thing however is there is an abundance of ways by which you can get around the city. You can travel at any time of the day and night and reach any part of the city.

Below are the many ways by which you can get around Kampala.

Boda Boda (motorcycle taxis)

The motorcycle taxis, locally called “Boda Boda” or “Boda” is the most popular means of transport in Kampala and other towns of Uganda.

Boda boda are the quickest way to get around the congested Kampala. They are many and literally everywhere there is a road or path. They are available all through the night as well. They provide such convenience of travel, in that, as soon as you step out of your house, your wait will be a couple of minutes or even seconds before one is passing by and you can summon it to come over pick you.

There is no standard pricing system, the boda boda will charge you as he pleases, so it is good to have an idea of what a fair charge may be depending on the distance you will travel otherwise you will be taken advantage of. The first price for the shortest distance covered is 1000 Uganda Shillings. This can cover up to one kilometer. Hence, your estimate can be around 1000 x the distance you will cover. After your two or three boda boda rides (who will most likely overcharge you) you will start to understand the pricing better and how to negotiate for a better price. If you know a local person you can ask what they think a charge will be for going from one point to another so that you are better equipped to negotiate with the boda boda. Or, you can also ask any random local wherever you and they may give you an idea of the fair charge should be, or still help negotiate for you when a boda boda comes over.

Why you should think twice before taking boda boda

The boda boda are the most convenient mode of transport in Kampala and you can’t almost avoid them. However, the statistics are that there are 5 boda boda caused deaths in Kampala every single day. They are completely reckless, flaunting all traffic rules in the book, including riding in the opposite direction of traffic. They are the number one threat to safety in Kampala. Only take a boda boda when it is completely necessary and be very vigilant, do not allow the boda boda ride recklessly.

Safety is not a priority for the boda boda so a helmet not is provided. If you will be using the boda boda more frequently it is advised to purchase own helmet.

Boda Boda Apps (Motorcycle taxi apps)

Boda Boda ride Apps are the answer to the recklessness of the ordinary Boda boda above. Boda boda riders on riding Apps have gone through some orientation and training on safe riding. And unlike the above “free-range” riders, the App riders are regulated by the App companies, so in case of you issue on the ride such a theft you can follow up with the company.

The Apps determines the price depending on distance covered and time of the day. The App is normally cheaper for short rides/distances.

The downside to the App is that you have to wait a little longer as the app has to scan for the nearest available free rider. You could wait for as long as 20 minutes to get a rider available. Perhaps this is where the free-range boda boda beats the App, you can find a boda boda as soon as you stepped out.

The Bodaboda App companies in Uganda are:

  1. SafeBoda – this is the premier Boda boda App company and the best at that! Their riders are constantly trained, are easily identifiable with uniform and numbers and provide a second helmet for the passenger.
  2. UberBoda – the international taxi company has ventured into boda bodas well. A new entrant not as efficient as Safe Boda. Riders are not uniformed and no helmet for the passenger. However it is cheaper than Safe Boda

Minivan Taxis (matatu)

What we call “taxis” in Uganda are not the cabs, but 14-seater minivans or buses. They are widely called “Matatus” in the region, especially Kenya. These make up Uganda’s public transport system (or semblance of a public transport). They are easily identifiable on the road as they have a blue stripe on the side. The taxis originate from the taxi parking stations in the city center and ply all the roads out of the city to the City suburbs and out of Kampala. So if you want to travel anywhere, just stand by the roadside and wait for a taxi to come by and ask them for the destination the taxi is traveling to and if it is to the direction or destination that you are traveling to then you can board.

There is no standard charge unless if you are taking the taxi from the parking station. Otherwise, if you stop one already in transit you be charged any random fair, hence it is good to have an idea of how much it should be. Asking a local would help you establish the fair price so that you are not taken advantage of.

They are a cheaper and safer option than the Boda bodas. But you should not be in hurry when you board one because you will get in stuck in jam. You will also sacrifice on comfort as it can be congested and hot inside the matatus.

Car Apps

For better comfort and safety, you can download an app and order a cab. The most popular App is Uber. Others include Bolt (formely Taxify), SafeCar (a subsidiary of SafeBoda).

Taxi Cabs

Ordinary cabs can also be found at big shopping malls and streets. These may not be easily noticeable as they may not be marked, but you can ask around.

Walking

Kampala is a small city and is actually fun to walk. Most of the city suburbs are within 5 – 10km from the city center, so if you are fit enough you can walk to town. However note, much of the road network does not have walkways and the motorists (especially boda boda) do not respect pedestrians and walkway hence you have to be very vigilant when walking along the high traffic roads.

Bwindi Forest Gorilla trekking

Bwindi forest park is famous for gorilla trekking in Uganda. Bwindi’s “impenetrable” jungles are home to nearly half of the world’s mountain gorilla population that numbers around 1000 gorillas. Apart from Bwindi Park, mountain gorillas in Uganda are also found in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. And, apart from Uganda, there are two other countries with mountain gorillas and these are Rwanda in Volcanoes National Park and the Democratic Republic of Rwanda in Virunga National Park.

All those other parks with mountain gorillas are part of the Virunga mountains range that straddles along the borders of the three neighboring countries (Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo). Bwindi forest park on the other hand, is fully in Uganda and overlooks the Virunga mountains in the mountainous southwestern park of the country.

What is the price of Bwindi gorilla trekking permit

International tourists: $700

Foreign East African residents: $600

East African citizens: Uganda Shillings 250,000 ($68)

The price of the permit is much more affordable compared to Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda where the permit costs $1500 for international tourists.

Number of habituated gorilla groups for gorilla trekking in Bwindi National Park

Bwindi National Park has 22 habituated gorilla groups for tracking. This is the highest number of habituated gorilla groups of all the parks. The big number of permits makes Bwindi the first choice for gorilla trekking.

However, note a maximum of people are allowed to track a gorilla group in a day. And given the cheaper price of the permit they do sell out quickly especially during the peak tourism season from June to September. If you plan on trekking during this time you should book your permit or gorilla tour way in advance.

Bwindi forest gorilla trekking locations and respective habituated gorilla families

When booking your Bwindi gorilla trekking ticket you are required to know the sector of Bwindi park you would like to track the gorillas from. Bwindi National Park has four gorilla trekking sectors or call them trail heads. These are the starting points for gorilla trekking in the different parts of Bwindi forest. Bwindi forest national park spans massive highlands or hills hence it was not possible to track gorillas of far off areas of the park starting from the same location. Each sector is therefore the location to the nearest habituated gorillas in that area of the park.

The sector of Bwindi you will be tracking from will also determine the hotel or lodge you have to book. You want to sleep in a hotel that is closest to your tracking sector. Therefore, mistake you can make is booking your preferred hotel first and then book a gorilla ticket of a sector that is not close to your hotel. Once you have booked in different location from your booked hotel and want to change the tracking location, you will incur a penalty of 30% on the cost of the permit for change location. But this is also if there is availability of permits at the location you are changing to.

Below are the sectors of Bwindi National Park and the respective groups

Buhoma sector.

Buhoma is the premier gorilla trekking sector of Bwindi National Park. It is basically the headquarter of Bwindi. And because of this, it has the most developed infrastructure and the best of selection of upmarket lodges. Normally Buhoma is the first location to run out of gorilla permits.

Buhoma sector has six habituated gorilla groups which are follows.

  1. Rushegura
  2. Habyinyanja
  3. Mubaare
  4. Katwe
  5. Binyindo
  6. Muyambi

Buhoma sector the closest sector to Ruhija sector (see below) and therefore one sleep there and track a group in Ruhija, in case one finds that the permits are finished in Buhoma but would like to sleep at a nice hotel there. Note that it is about one and half hours drive from Buhoma to Ruhija hence you would need to wake up quite early for the transfer.

Buhoma sector is also believed to have the easiest groups for tracking hence a good option if you are worried about a long trek.

Ruhija

Ruhija sector is perhaps the closest sector if you will be arriving via Kabale. This is perhaps the best sector you are doing a quick tour starting from Kampala or Kigali in Rwanda and want reduce the travel time even by an hour or minutes. Ruhija is the closest sector to Uganda – Rwanda Katuna/Gatuna border.

It is also possible to sleep in Ruhija and track in Buhoma sector.

Ruhija has four gorilla tracking groups and these are:

  1. Bitukura
  2. Mukiiza
  3. Kyaguriro
  4. Oruzogo
Rushaga

Rushaga sector is located in southern area of the park close to Kisoro town, the last town in the southwestern tip of Uganda.

Rushaga is more difficult to access compared to the first two sectors above, and is therefore not always the first option for gorilla trekking in Bwindi. On the other hand, however, Rushaga overlooks the magnificent Virunga mountains. It is also close to the beautiful lakes Mutanda and Mulehe. Tracking in Rushaga comes with amazing scenery.

If you will be coming from Rwanda through Musanze District or after activities in Volcanoes National Park, Rushaga is the right sector to be tracking as it closer to the Uganda – Rwanda Cyanika border.

Rushaga has 8 gorilla groups, the highest of any of the sectors. The groups as follows:

  1. Bweza
  2. Mishaya
  3. Nshongi
  4. Kutu
  5. Mucunguzi
  6. Busingye
  7. Kahungye
  8. Bikingi
Nkuringo

Nkuringo sector is the remotest of sectors located in the southwest in Kisoro District. Nkuringo is near Ruhija and therefore is therefore not always the first choice for gorilla tracking to the long distance.

On the other hand Nkuringo directly overlooks the Virunga mountains offering stunning views of the volcanoes. If you would like to experience surreal scenery, then you should consider tracking in Nkuringo.

Nkuringo has only four gorilla groups and these are:

  1. Christmas
  2. Nkuringo
  3. Bushasho
  4. Posho

How difficult is gorilla trekking in Bwindi National Park and how long does it take find the gorillas?

Bwindi is thought of a difficult place for gorilla trekking, more difficult than in the volcanoes. This is because of the dense forest cover and massive highlands over which you may have to hike to find the gorillas. To some extent it may be true that the gorilla trek in Bwindi is difficult but it is not always the case.

The level of difficult of the gorilla trek in Bwindi depends on how far your assigned group is from the starting point. Advance trackers by the park always set out early in the morning to find where each group is before the tourists start the trek. So, your park guide and advance trackers will try to establish the shortest route to get the gorillas.

Therefore, it may take from as few as 30 minutes to find the gorillas or as many as 4 hours to find them.

If you want an easier trek, ask to be assigned to a group that is nearer.

On the other hand many tourists who have been looking forward to the challenge of trekking through the African jungle and have prepared for several months to attain high fitness levels become very disappointed to find the gorillas within a few minutes trek. If you to test your fitness and have an adventure in impenetrable jungle, you should then ask for a difficult group.

The level of difficulty may also be determined by the weather and season. The wet season from March to May and Oct to Nov makes the most difficult trekking in Bwindi because of the muddy ground and heavy rains.

What is the best time for gorilla trekking in Bwindi

You will see the gorillas any day you trek. The best time for the trek perhaps may mean the time you will have an easier trek? Well in this case, the best time is the dry season from June to mid September and from mid December to February. The trails are dry and the level of difficulty is reduced.

Note that the dry season is also the high tourism season hence there will be lots of people tracking and nearly each gorilla group has the maximum number of 8. This may cause a bit of competition at the sighting. So, the best time for you may when there are no crowds? Well in this case, the best time is during the low tourism season which coincides with the wet season (March to May) when you can be a few individuals at one gorilla group giving you great uninterrupted views. However you would have to content with the muddy trails.

Gorilla trekking in Bwindi from Kigali

You can track the gorillas in Bwindi coming from Kigali in Rwanda. This is in fact shorter journey than if you start the trip from Kampala or Entebbe airport in Uganda.

If you will be starting the trip from Kigali in Rwanda there are two borders you can come through, that is Gatuna and Cyanika. The choice of border to go through depends on the sector of Bwindi you would be tracking the gorillas in. For tracking in Buhoma and Ruhija, the nearest border is Gatuna/Katuna. While for tracking the gorillas in Rushaga and Nkuringo, the nearest border is Cyanika.

Note that you can still go through any of the borders to get to any of the sectors.

Where to stay for gorilla trekking in Bwindi

As explained above, the choice of accommodation very depends on your confirmed sector for gorilla trekking. The gorilla trekking starts at 7am so you need to stay closer to the sector’s office where every trekker has to convene by 7am for assigning the group and briefing.

There are many accommodation options and new one are being built. Below I have listed a few per sector that I highly recommend.

Buhoma

Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp (Luxury)

Buhoma Lodge (Luxury)

Bwindi Lodge (Luxury)

Buhoma Community Haven Lodge (Midrange)

Silverback Lodge (Midrange)

Buhoma Community Rest Camp (Budget)

Ruhija

Kiho Gorilla Safai Lodge (Luxury)

Bakiga Lodge (Budget)

Rushaga

4 Gorilla Lodge (Upmarket)

Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge (Midrange)

Rushaga Gorilla Camp (Budget)

Nkuringo

Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge (Luxury)

Nkuringo Gorilla Lodge (Midrange)