Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Overview

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest impresses with a truly theatrical landscape - this is a region of volcanoes, jagged valleys, waterfalls, lakes and dramatic mountain ranges. And it is here, on a flat ridge high in the forest, that Sanctuary's Gorilla Forest Camp is tucked away. It's hard to fathom that such luxury and sophistication could be available in an area as remote as this, and we did face enormous logistical obstacles - but it was worth the wait. 

Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp is the ideal base for a gorilla tracking adventure in Bwindi. Guests can dine under the stars and relax by the roaring campfire. On cooler evenings, the central cottage provides a warm shelter. Located within the National Park, Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp offers guests an unrivalled location, including the best bird and wildlife viewing in the Bwindi area. In fact Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp often receives regular visits from the gorillas themselves, up to 4-6 visits per month. For the lucky guests in camp at those times, they may have the chance for a gorilla encounter without even leaving Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp!

The eight tents are just as impressive as the communal areas. Wooden floors and decks support comfortable warm beds, and each tent boasts a bathtub, ideal for soaking tired muscles after a day spent observing and meeting gorillas, that looks straight out into the jungle's canopy.

We were delighted to host Richard Wiese of Born to Explore recently.  Watch the video below to see his experience with the mountain gorillas, the Batwa pygmies and his stay at Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp.  In celebration of the Born to Explore program, we are offering a 20% discount on bookings at Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, book by 16 December for travel in 2012. Click here for more details.

Included Activities

Forest Walk

Bwindi is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a spectacular place to visit. Birders come thousands of miles to see the more than 350 species that live within the area.  There are also rare forest elephant, giant forest hog and eleven kinds of primates, such as red tailed and blue monkey, black and white colobus, baboons and chimpanzee. You can also find forest duiker antelopes and bush buck antelopes and over 200 species of butterflies are found in the park. Enjoy a guided forest walk on the Munyaga waterfall trail. This trail starts from the Park office and ends at the magnificent Munyaga waterfall. The walk to and from the waterfall takes about three hours and is a good way to practice or warm down before or after the Gorilla tracking.

Community Interaction

After a short 10 minute drive from camp, your guide will brief you on the communities that live in the area. Bwindi is surrounded on the Buhoma side by the Bakiga community and the Batwa pygmy community. The walk takes about two hours and begins with a stroll through a small tea farming project, here you can stop to meet the tea pickers and perhaps even learn how to pluck tea leaves along the way.  Then visit a local beer brewery and see how they mash bananas to make a fermented brew which is mixed and distilled to make banana beer - a popular local drink in the area!  From here walk a short distance to the local clinic which Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp supports through various projects. Learn about how it started and the work they do for the community. Continue your walk to a nearby village and visit a traditional medicine men.  The knowledge of using herbs for healing has been passed on from generation to generation and he will show you some of the herbs that grow in the forest and talk about how they are used. Later, relax and enjoy a performance by the Batwa pygmy community before returning to the lodge.

Rates

Per person per night sharing in USD

Rates include:

Getting There & Away

The camp has an airstrip 40 minutes away where most guests arrive, but can also be reached by car in eleven hours from Kampala.

Private charter flights depart daily from Entebbe or Kajansi airstrip (about 25km from Entebbe). 

Smaller groups can land at Kayonza airstrip, then drive about 25 kilometres to the camp.

Larger groups land at the new Kihihi airstrip or Ishaha, then drive about 60 kilometres to camp.

There is also the option of a scenic road transfer from Kigali Airport in Rwanda. Please contact us to find out more.

Additional Activities

Gorilla Tracking

The gorillas are completely wild but have become used to seeing a few humans after years of habituation. Many of the expert guides have been involved in this process since the beginning, and are able to explain the complicated etiquette involved in meeting a giant silverback. This is an opportunity afforded only to a select few, as just eight visitors are allowed to view each group every day. Tracking through dense forest with steep slopes means that participants do need to be physically fit to enjoy the track. Once the gorillas are located, spend a maximum of one hour with them before returning back to camp. Please note only children aged 15 and above can track gorilla. A one day tracking permit is currently US $500 per person valid until 30 June 2013

Birding Walks

Bwindi boast over 350 bird species, including 24 that are endemic to these highlands straddling Uganda, Rwanda and the Congo – the “Albertine Rift Endemics”.  For keen birders, we can arrange for a local expert to guide you on a fascinating 2-3 hour walk through the park.


2012 Price: $15 per person, $40 Half day (Per Group), $50 Full day (Per Group)

Guest Comments

"This has been a wonderful experience on all fronts; of course having the gorillas walk through camp was a wonderful bonus. Thank you very much and we will always recommend it!" Robert & Kathy England

"The lodge was superb and the touch of a hot water bottle in the bed was excellent. The bedding & comfort of the bed is 5 star, bathroom & separate shower facilities 5 star. The quality and presentation of the food is a credit to the chef. The birthday cake for my 50th birthday and the staff singing and dancing presenting it was great. The lodge is a wonderful place to stay with an exceptional team looking after you at all times." Mark & Vanda Woodward

"Nothing was too difficult or too much - thank you. My experience was more than I expected. I will recommend this place to everyone." Julie Ecker

"It was a great experience. All the people were very professional and make you feel at home. We are both really happy and we will not forget ever this experience. Thank you very much for making our honeymoon so great!" Jose M Torres & Nuria Boladeras

"Gorilla Forest Camp is outstanding. The staff and facilities are first rate. We also especially enjoyed the chef and level of cooking and the music and fire at night." Chris Hollinger & E McDonald

Packages

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Bwindi by Road

Duration: 3 nights
Overnight: Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp

Many visitors to Bwindi fly from Entebbe. Alternatively, why not try our newly launched road transfer to Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp via Kigali (Rwanda) and journey across the border to Uganda through a stunning landscape of volcanoes, lakes and hills.

View Safari

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Game Viewing & Gorillas

Duration: 7 nights
Overnight: Sanctuary Olonana, overnight in Entebbe, Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp

Want to see big cats and big apes? Why not combine Sanctuary Olonana in Kenya's Masai Mara with Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, located in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in Uganda!

View Safari

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Gorilla Tracking Adventure

Duration: 3 nights
Overnight: Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp

Bwindi is home to half the world's remaining mountain gorillas. Book a stay at Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp for the once in a lifetime opportunity to track one of the gorilla families.

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Philanthropy Projects

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Bwindi Community Hospital Uganda

Founded in 2003 by U.S. missionaries as a weekly clinic under a tree, Bwindi Community Hospital (BCH), located on the edge of the Bwindi...

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