Budget lodges in Bwindi national park. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is one of the two Uganda’s gorilla National Parks situated in the southwestern region of the country about 503 kilometers from Kampala. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is famous for housing half of the world’s remaining mountain gorilla population estimated to be more than 459 gorillas including several habituated groups that are readily available for tracking. This misty forest is not only a haven to the gorillas but also a home to several wildlife species such as 120 mammal species including several primates and mammals like elephants and antelopes, 350 bird species including 23 Albertine Rift endemics, more than 200 butterfly species and over 400 species of plants. The Park is made up of four gorilla sectors namely Buhoma gorilla sector in the north, Rushaga and Nkuringo in the south as well as Ruhija in the east. The only other place to spot mountain gorillas in their natural habitat is in the Virunga massif that covers three National Parks namely Mgahinga National Park in Uganda, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Virunga National Park in Democratic Republic of Congo. Hotels or lodges in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park are booked according to the gorilla sector one is going to track as indicated on one’s gorilla trekking permit. Some budget hotels in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park include the following;
Albertine Gorilla campsite
This is one of the budget lodges in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park offering accommodation to travelers looking forward to visit and explore Nkuringo gorilla sector in the Park’s southern section. This lodge is situated just 10 meters from the Uganda Wildlife Authority offices/the briefing center of Nkuringo making an ideal accommodation facility for those intending to track gorillas within this gorilla sector. While at the Albertine Gorilla campsite, one is able to capture its spectacular and scenic surroundings as well as the ever misty forest canopies. Its myriad of amenities include a fully stocked bar and restaurant, flushing toilets, hot and cold showers, double and single beds with clean linen, free Wi-Fi, ample parking and many more.
Accessibility
It takes about 8 to 9 hours to get to Albertine Gorilla campsite while driving from Kampala or Entebbe offering an opportunity to explore more of Uganda’s countryside. This lodge can as well be accessed from Rwanda via Cyanika border connecting to Kisoro and then proceeding to Nkuringo gorilla sector where the lodge is situated. By air tourists can book a domestic chattered flight from either Entebbe or Kajansi airstrip to Kisoro followed by a short drive to the campsite.
Activities to engage in while at the campsite
Mountain gorilla trekking; this is the prime activity in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The briefing center is just a few meters away from the campsite where tourists are sensitized about the dos and don’ts of this activity. Tourists then hike through forest trails trying to locate a habituated gorilla family with the guidance of Park rangers. An hour is allowed with the gorillas having located the family where they get the best opportunity to observe the gorilla family while they feed, interact and play.
Bird watching; Bwindi Impenetrable National Park protects over 350 bird species most of which are easily spotted during bird watching excursions. Bird watching is done along the Park’s trails while looking out for several bird species like the crimsonwing, Dusky Twinspot, Kivu ground thrush, Rwenzori batis, regal sunbird, black-billed turaco, Mountain oriole, Grauer’s broadbill, black bee-eater, Doherty’s bush shrike to mention but a few. Bird watching is best done either in the morning or evening hours of the day.
Visits to the Batwa communities; this activity is often done after a gorilla trekking experience where visitors interact with the Batwa as they enjoy their traditional life style, entertainment and learn about their ways of living. These Batwa are the original inhabitants of the Bwindi forests who lived in harmony with the mountain gorillas before being evicted from these forests by the government.
Nature walks; these walks start at the campsite and last for about 2 to 4 hours. Nature walks take visitors along a variety of walking trails for them to experience and encounter several wildlife species for example bird species, butterflies, primates, plant species, several other mammals and many more.
Broadbill forest camp
Broadbill forest camp is situated in the Ruhija gorilla sector to the east of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. It is an Eco lodge aimed at empowering and changing the livelihoods of the people living adjacent to the Park more so in this region. This eco-friendly lodge offers accommodation in tents that are placed on raided wooden floors covered with grass thatch. The camp features 4 en-suit tents with self-contained rooms that have provisions for double, twin and single room occupancy. The restaurant and a fully stocked bar are positioned in the lodge’s main building where breakfast, other meals and drinks are served. Other amenities include free Wi-Fi, laundry services, hot and cold showers, flushing toilets, 24 hours security and front desk, sitting area to mention but a few. There is a designated place for camp fires where fire is lit in the evenings for an African night experience in the wilderness. Several activities can be done from the camp for example camping, gorilla trekking, bird watching, nature walks, butterfly spotting to mention but a few.
Accessibility
By road, Broadbill forest camp can be accessed from Kampala or Entebbe through Kampala-Mbarara, Mbarara-Kabale to Kisoro and then connecting to Ruhija lasting for about 8 to 10 hours. The camp can as well be accessed from Kigali Rwanda crossing to Uganda through Cyanika border to Kisoro and then driving to Ruhija where you connect to the lodge which lasts for about 4 to 5 hours. By flight, the camp can be accessed in just 2 hours by booking a domestic flight from Entebbe airport or Kajansi airstrip to Kisoro airstrip and then being driven for a short distance to Broadbill forest camp.
Rushaga gorilla havens lodge
This is a budget accommodation facility situated in Rushaga gorilla sector in the southern section of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The lodge is strategically set in Rushaga a gorilla sector known for housing the highest number of habituated gorilla families compared to other sectors in the Park. The lodge was set in Ryarutagara village a local phrase that means spectacular views that referred to the ones it offers turning out to be a spectacular spot within the Park. The lodge is also known for offering beautiful and amazing views of the unending Kigezi hills, spectacular Bwindi misty forest canopies and the Virunga Volcanoes in a distance. The lodge offers a variety of room options ranging from single room occupancy, twin rooms, double rooms, triple rooms and family cottages. The lodge has a spacious restaurant where breakfast and other meals are served. Other amenities include a fully stocked bar, strong internet, laundry services, spacious parking, room service, 24 hours front desk and security, shuttle services and many more. There are several activities that are carried out from the lodge such as guided forest walks, bird watching, cycling tours, Batwa community tours, visits to Lake Bunyonyi and Lake Mutanda for canoeing and birding to mention but a few.
Accessibility
Rushaga gorilla havens lodge can be accessed by road from either Kampala Uganda’s capital or Kigali in Rwanda. From Kampala the drive lasts for about 9 hours via Kampala-Mbarara, Mbarara-Kabale to Rushaga and then connecting to the Lodge. From Kigali Rwanda, the lodge can be accessed by crossing to Uganda through Katuna border and then to Kabale where you later on connect to Rushaga and then to the lodge. By flight, the lodge can be accessed by booking a chartered domestic flight from Entebbe international airport or Kajjansi airstrip to Kisoro airstrip and then embarking on a short drive to the lodge in Rushaga.
