Gorilla Leisure Lodge

Gorilla Leisure Lodge

Nestled in the southwestern part of Uganda in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a famous gorilla trekking destination worldwide. Gorilla Leisure Lodge is a haven for travellers seeking comfort and an unforgettable gorilla trekking experience, offering luxury lodging and more personalised services in the heart of Bwindi.

Imagine experiencing a luxurious gorilla trekking safari! Gorilla trekking stands out as one of the most thrilling wildlife adventures, providing unforgettable experiences. Gorilla Leisure Lodge in the southern sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, specifically in Rushaga, Rushaga sector, is famous for hosting the largest number of habituated gorilla families in the park. This unique activity allows you to observe mountain gorillas up close in their natural environment, making it a truly once-in-a-lifetime adventure.

Step into Relaxation and Luxury and Gorilla Leisure Lodge

Gorilla Leisure Lodge consists of about 12 luxury en-suite rooms, including deluxe single rooms, double rooms and spacious family cottages, where each room features African prints and private terraces overlooking the lush forests of Bwindi with breathtaking views. The lodge also consists of other modern amenities such as a fully stocked bar and restaurant, free WIFI, and a Lounge where visitors can relax with a soft drink and breathtaking views of the forest, professional chefs who prepare both international and local cuisine.

Gorilla Leisure Lodge is an environmentally conscious establishment crafted to harmonise with the surrounding nature with local materials that do not compromise the environment, thus ensuring sustainability and conservation. Gorilla Leisure Lodge not only offers luxury relaxation but also organises gorilla trekking experiences, cultural and nature walks around the forests. Get ready to immerse yourself in the natural beauty of Bwindi as you trek to the mountain gorillas and collect memories of a lifetime.

Accommodation options in Rushaga

Rushaga is one of the popular gorilla trekking regions in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, offering the largest population of habituated mountain gorillas and excellent accommodation options where visitors can relax after an incredible gorilla trekking experience. Some of the accommodation options include the following;

Gorilla Safari Lodge: The lodge is situated on the edge of the forest, a few meters from the park headquarters. Gorilla Safari Lodge is a midrange facility consisting of 8 spacious luxury rooms with en suite bathrooms, ample parking, a large lounge, restaurant and a fully stocked bar. The lodge offers a perfect balance of luxury and an unforgettable wildlife experience.

Four Gorillas Lodge: Four Gorillas Lodge is a luxury facility located in Rushaga, just about 15 15-minute drive from the park headquarters. The lodge consists of 8 elegant and luxurious en suite cottages that reflect African traditional building style with grass thatched roofs and natural materials of local woods. Rooms are well decorated, elevated with a raised platform and furnished with en suite private facilities of flushing toilets, hot and cold showers, complementary bottled water, bathtubs, mosquito nets, flat screen TVs, hair driers, satellite, extinguishers and many more facilities.

Icumbi Gorilla Lodge: The lodge is an eco-friendly facility situated near the park headquarters and is a perfect base for gorilla trekking, consisting of self-contained rooms, a lounge area with breathtaking views of the park, ample parking, and professional chefs to prepare both international and local cuisine.

Gorilla Valley Lodge: Gorilla Valley Lodge is a midrange facility perched at the edge overlooking the forest with breathtaking views. The facility consists of a restaurant and bar, free WIFI and welcoming and hospitable staff.

Top things to do in Rushaga, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Gorilla Trekking: Gorilla trekking is a major Highlight of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Rushaga Sector, offering visitors a chance to get up close with the mountain gorillas in their natural habitats. Visitors are allowed to spend 1 hour with the gorillas as they learn about their way of life and watch them play, and interact with them, thus making it a memorable adventure.

Gorilla Habituation Experience: Gorilla Habituation Experience involves introducing human beings to the presence of mountain gorillas in their natural habitats. Gorilla Habituation Experience allows visitors to spend 1 to 4 hours with the mountain gorillas, and this experience is only done in the Rushaga sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park amongst all gorilla trekking regions in the world, which makes the region a prime gorilla habituation and trekking destination in the world.

Batwa Cultural Experience: Explore the traditional inhabitants of the forest. The Batwa initially lived in the forests of Bwindi as hunters and food gatherers. These people were a major threat to the existence of mountain gorillas. Later, when the park was gazetted, the Batwa were evicted from the park and are currently living in the neighbourhood of the park. Today, the Batwa offer a chance to learn about their way of life and deep connection with the park through traditional dances, music and storytelling.

Bird Watching: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park consists of over 350 bird species, where a nature lover on a birding safari can be able to spot a variety of bird species, especially during the gorilla trekking experience and nature walks. Some of the bird species include the African Green Broadbill, Shelley’s Crimsonwing, Rwenzori Turaco, Regal Sunbird, Blue-headed Sunbird, Purple-breasted Sunbird, Dusky Crimsonwing, Red-faced Woodland Warbler, Grauer’s Warbler, Grauer’s Broadbill, Handsome Francolin, Bar-tailed Trogon, Black Bee-eater, Montane Oriole, Black-billed Turaco, Yellow-eyed Black Flycatcher, Western Green Tinkerbird, White-tailed Blue Flycatcher, Black-faced Rufous Warbler, Chubb’s Cisticola, White-starred Robin and Mountain Illadopsis.

Other bird species include the Equatorial Akalat, Olive-breasted Greenbul, Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater, African Emerald Cuckoo and African Wood Owl.

How to reach Gorilla Leisure Lodge and get away

The lodge is situated in the southwestern part of Uganda, approximately 550km from Kampala, the capital city of Uganda. Gorilla Leisure lodge can be accessed by both road and air transport, depending on the choice and preference of the traveller.  By road, the journey takes about 8 to 9 hours, including scenic stopovers for lunch and breaks.

For travellers by air, fly from Kajjansi airstrip to Kisoro or Kihihi Airstrip for about 2 hours and later connect to the lodge by road, taking them about 2 hours of driving. Arrive at the lodge and enjoy a peaceful relaxation.