Top Budget Lodges in Buhoma Sector of Bwindi – The Buhoma sector is located in the northern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and is the most popular and visited sector for gorilla trekking in Bwindi.
Buhoma has five major habituated gorilla groups: Mubare Gorilla Group (the first to be opened for gorilla trekking in 1993), Rushengura Gorilla Group, Habinyanja Gorilla Group, Katwe Gorilla Family, and Muyambi Gorilla Family.
Buhoma was the first sector opened for gorilla trekking by the Uganda Wildlife Authority, attracting a significant number of tourists to the region.
This sector also offers trailheads like the Muyanja River Trail in the Buhoma valley, which allows tourists to enjoy a shorter walk for bird watching along the forest edge.
Another popular trail is the Waterfall Trail, which passes through tree ferns to reach sparkling waterfalls.
In the Buhoma sector, tourists can meet and interact with the Batwa people, engaging in community walks and cultural experiences.
A drive to Buhoma takes about 8 to 10 hours, passing through Ntungamo, Rukungiri, and Butogota, eventually reaching Buhoma.
Gorilla trekking in Buhoma costs approximately USD 800, and gorilla permits are secured through the Uganda Wildlife Authority.
Top Budget Lodges in Buhoma Sector of Bwindi
Below are some of the top lodges in the Buhoma sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Buhoma Community Rest Camp
Opened in 1993, this camp offers budget and basic accommodation in Buhoma. Owned by the local community, the camp features six en-suite safari tents, three en-suite cottages, two non-self-contained twin cottage bandas, a six-bed dormitory, and a campsite for campers.
The bandas are made from local materials with African architecture, giving them a unique and charming appearance. Room Types: Single, Double, Twin, and Triple.
Amenities: Backup power generator, craft shop, laundry services, massage services, restaurant and bar, walking sticks for hikes. Prices: Start from USD 40 to USD 100.
Bwindi View Bandas
This facility also offers budget accommodation for visitors to Buhoma. Located just 100 meters from the park entrance, Bwindi View Bandas provides three bandas (Sparrow, Robin, and Eagle), each with four beds, as well as two small bandas (Kiwi and Warbler), each with two beds, and a campsite.
Facilities: Hot showers, bar and restaurant, grocery, laundry services, tents, gumboots, rain gear, and binoculars for hikes. Bwindi View Bandas also offers three meals and lunch boxes. Prices: Single bandas USD 80, double USD 130, and family USD 220.
Ride 4 A Woman Guest House
Located 17 km from Kanungu Town, Ride 4 A Woman Guest House is within walking distance of the park entrance. This guest house is community-owned, supporting the development of women and their families by providing jobs.
Facilities: Restaurant serving well-prepared food, well-stocked bar with wine, beer, and a selection of spirits.
Other services include free parking with maximum security, free WiFi, bikes for guests, sitting areas, private bathrooms and toilets, working tables, steady power supply, and a children’s playground.
Lake Kitandara Bwindi Camp
Lake Kitandara Bwindi Camp is a 3-star hotel located in the Buhoma sector of Bwindi National Park, serving as an ideal starting point for gorilla trekking in this sector.
Established in 1994, the camp offers panoramic views of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and the Virunga Ranges, accompanied by calming breezes.
The camp provides full-board accommodation, featuring 20 fully equipped tents named after African birds.
Each tent is well-decorated, comfortable, cozy, and comes with complimentary services.
Room amenities: Bathtub, hot and cold showers, toilet in the bathroom, private balcony, WiFi, toiletries, slippers, clothes rack, chair and table, bed with clean bedding, bottled water, and more.
CTPH Gorilla Conservation Camp
CTPH Gorilla Conservation Camp is a 2-star lodge located in Buhoma village, a gateway to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for gorilla trekking.
This budget-friendly camp offers amazing views of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and is highly recommended for visitors to the park.
The camp began operations in 1993, coinciding with the opening of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for gorilla trekking, and was renamed Gorilla Conservation Camp in 2008 when it was acquired by CTPH.
The camp also houses the CTPH Gorilla Research Clinic, which collaborates with the Uganda Wildlife Authority and Bwindi Community Hospital to reduce disease transmission between people and gorillas.
The camp includes three African-style tents, each with two beds, a new guest house with four self-contained rooms, two additional tents, and a camping area.
Bwindi Guest House
Bwindi Guest House is located in the Buhoma sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. It offers both budget and mid-range accommodations, allowing guests to choose based on their budget.
The guest house is owned and operated by volunteers.
On the premises of Bwindi Guest House, there is a facility known as Bwindi Community Hospital, built to improve the health of the local community.
Income from the guest house helps to maintain this hospital.
Bwindi Guest House consists of six guest houses that provide tranquility and comfort for visitors.
Rooms are available in single or shared accommodations, all self-contained with modern amenities.
Buhoma Gorilla Camp
Buhoma Gorilla Camp is a lodge in the Buhoma sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a major global destination for gorilla trekking.
This mid-range facility is situated in the heart of nature, just 400 meters from Bwindi Community Hospital.
Buhoma Gorilla Camp provides an ideal starting point for guests to embark on their gorilla trekking journey, offering a chance to see the world’s most endangered great apes.
The camp offers safe, comfortable, and cozy rooms available in single, double, triple, and family occupancy.
Bwindi Forest Lodge
Bwindi Forest Lodge is an accommodation facility located in the Buhoma sector of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, home to the magnificent mountain gorillas.
Situated in the northern part of Bwindi, the lodge is one of the top budget options in the area.
Bwindi Forest Lodge offers uninterrupted views of the vast Bwindi Forest, serving as a gateway for tourists beginning their gorilla trekking adventures in the Buhoma sector.
The lodge features more than 10 comfortable, clean, and well-furnished cottages raised on platforms overlooking the forest.
Rooms are equipped with facilities including flushing toilets, private bathrooms, hot and cold showers, mosquito nets, free toiletries, slippers, bottled water, a large sitting area, private balconies, and carpeted floors, among others.
Room options include single rooms for one person, double rooms for two, as well as triple and family rooms suitable for families and groups.
Best Time to Visit Buhoma
Gorilla trekking can be done all year round, but the best time to visit is during the dry season, which falls between the months of June to September and December to February.
How to Get to Buhoma
- By Road: Buhoma can be accessed by road via the Kampala-Masaka-Mbarara-Kabale route, taking about 8 to 9 hours. It can also be accessed from Queen Elizabeth National Park via the Ishasha sector, or from Rwanda by flying into Kigali International Airport and connecting to Buhoma via Cyanika, which takes about 3 to 4 hours.
- By Air: Buhoma can be accessed by air, with flights available from Entebbe International Airport to Kihihi Airstrip, followed by a road transfer to Buhoma.
All top budget lodges in the Buhoma sector of Bwindi are affordable and comfortable, offering travelers a great stay in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
