Reimagined Forest Luxury in Bwindi
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda
Recently redesigned and reopened as Gorilla Forest Lodge in June 2025, this intimate property remains one of our top choices for gorilla trekking in Uganda. Located near the entrance to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, the lodge offers a deeply immersive rainforest setting, surrounded by dense foliage and the constant chorus of forest life.
The lodge features ten luxurious tented suites, each thoughtfully styled with local fabrics and handcrafted furnishings. Canvas walls maintain an authentic safari feel, while spacious ensuite bathrooms and indulgent free-standing bathtubs provide welcome comfort after a day of trekking.
The main guest areas include a relaxed sitting lounge, convivial bar, dining area and central firepit – ideal for sharing stories after returning from the forest. The on-site spa is a welcome retreat post-trek, offering restorative treatments designed to ease tired muscles.
Highlights and Activities at Gorilla Forest Lodge:
ROOMS: 10 luxury tented suites
BEST FOR: Honeymooners, and couples
ACTIVITIES:
- Gorilla trekking (Bwindi Forest)
- Award-winning Bwindi Bar experience
- Munyanga River Trail
- Ride 4 a Woman community visit
- Wellness and spa
- Guided forest walks to waterfalls
- Bird Watching
WHY WE LOVE Gorilla Forest Lodge
The lodge’s proximity to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest allows for easy access to gorilla trekking, while the surrounding forest often attracts a variety of primates and birdlife. The combination of rainforest immersion and post-trek comfort makes this one of Uganda’s most rewarding gorilla lodges.
Insider’s Tip: Brush up on your primate and bird knowledge before arrival – the forest around the lodge supports an impressive diversity of species.
 FAQs About Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Lodge
Has Sanctuary Gorilla Lodge changed its name?
Yes. Sanctuary Gorilla Lodge was redesigned and reopened in June 2025 as Gorilla Forest Lodge. The lodge continues to offer luxury accommodation and direct access to gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, with refreshed interiors and updated guest spaces.
Where is Gorilla Forest Lodge located?
The lodge is located near the entrance to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in southwestern Uganda, providing convenient access to gorilla trekking briefings and trailheads.
Which gorilla sector does the lodge access?
The lodge primarily accesses the Buhoma sector of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, one of the park’s most established trekking areas with multiple habituated gorilla families.
What is the minimum age for gorilla trekking?
Guests must be 15 years or older to participate in gorilla trekking in Uganda.
Is the lodge suitable for honeymooners?
Yes. With just ten tented suites and a strong focus on comfort and privacy, the lodge is particularly well suited to honeymooners and couples seeking a romantic forest retreat.
Can Gorilla Forest Lodge be combined with other Uganda destinations?
Yes. Gorilla Forest Lodge pairs exceptionally well with chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest, Big Five safaris in Queen Elizabeth National Park and the dramatic river landscapes of Murchison Falls National Park. It can also be combined with Rwanda for a cross-border primate and savanna journey.
For guests focusing on Uganda, we often suggest a 12-day itinerary structured as follows:
Days 1-2: Entebbe
Arrive in Entebbe and recover from international travel. Optional sunset cruise on Lake Victoria or botanical garden visit.
Days 3-4: Murchison Falls National Park
Fly north for classic savanna safari. Expect elephant, buffalo, giraffe, lion and strong birdlife. A Nile River boat cruise to the base of Murchison Falls is a highlight.
Days 5–6: Kibale Forest National Park
Transfer to Kibale for chimpanzee trekking in one of Africa’s premier primate habitats. Guided forest walks reveal multiple primate species and exceptional birdlife.
Days 7-8: Queen Elizabeth National Park
Classic Big Five safari experience. Game drives in the Kasenyi plains and a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel. The Ishasha sector offers the chance to see tree-climbing lions.
Days 9-11: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Conclude with mountain gorilla trekking. Many guests opt for two treks for a deeper experience. Add cultural visits and forest walks for a well-rounded stay.
Day 12: Return to Entebbe
Fly back to Entebbe for departure.
Ready to start planning Gorilla Trekking Safari?
Reach out and let’s start talking. We’ll listen and begin to tailor an experiential, private, luxury vacation based on exactly how you want to experience Africa. From adventure to relaxation—and everything in between—let us handle every detail of your unforgettable journey.
Explore These Gorilla Trekking Safaris
Discover our expertly crafted gorilla trekking itineraries, designed to offer unforgettable wildlife adventures in both Uganda and Rwanda.
8-Day Gorilla Trekking & Big Five Safari
Embark on a transformative safari journey from Kigali to Akagera National Park, where you’ll stay at Magashi Lodge and join African Parks’ conservation efforts. Encounter the iconic mountain gorillas at Volcanoes National Park, staying at Bisate Lodge and contributing to the Volcanoes National Park expansion project with a $500 donation per trip.
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5-Day Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Tour
If you have ever dreamed of viewing mountain gorillas in the wild, this itinerary will take you there. This 5-day itinerary will take you up close and personal with primates, including trekking with the gorillas and wildlife encounters in Volcanoes National Park.
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12-Day Uganda Gorilla Trekking Tour
If you’re an off-the-beaten-path traveler, Uganda is your ideal destination. Embark on a 12-day luxury safari from Entebbe’s rare shoebill excursions to thrilling game drives and Nile cruises at Murchison Falls. Continue exploring chimpanzee habitats in Kibale and conclude with unforgettable gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
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What Ubuntu Travelers Are Saying
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From the very first zoom call with Leah to the detailed itinerary that Jenna put together to the boots on the ground communication from Jacinta, Mandie, Nyameka and the whole team we had the most incredible first safari experience in Kenya thanks to Ubuntu. They put us up in the most iconic tents with staff that went above and beyond to make sure we had a memorable experience. Our plane transfers from lodge to lodge were seamless and very easy to navigate. We had the absolute best safari vacation and we owe that to Ubuntu!Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
We worked with Ubuntu to plan our honeymoon, and throughout the entire process, we experienced such wonderful customer service. With so many things pulling us in different directions between wedding planning, our personal lives, and work, there were definitely times when our responses and decisions took longer than expected. No matter how long an email sat in our inbox, though, the Ubuntu team was always quick to respond. They patiently answered all of our questions, no matter how silly, and consistently provided helpful specifics, whether that was a direct link or step-by-step instructions. We really appreciated that the team focused on giving us the information we needed to make informed decisions without ever making the process feel like a sales pitch. They were respectful and realistic when it came to conversations about our budget while still making sure they were creating the best experience possible for us. Once we arrived in Africa, the experience continued to be top-notch. The accommodations were beautiful, and every staff member we interacted with was professional, welcoming, and went above and beyond to make our trip memorable. Having all of our airport transfers and domestic travel taken care of was such a relief and exactly what we needed after the chaos of wedding planning. We would recommend working with Ubuntu to anyone we know who is planning a trip to Africa. They made the entire experience seamless, stress-free, and incredibly memorable. We are so grateful for the role they played in making our honeymoon so special.Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
We just arrived home from a 31 day epic adventure in Africa. We covered SA (Cape Town and surrounds), Singita at Sabi Sands, Vumbura Plains in the Okavango Delta, Joburg, Vic Falls Zimbabwe, Tanzania (Nomad at Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti and Tarangire National Parks), Rwanda (Kigali and Singita at Volcanoes National Park). Ubuntu did an absolutely amazing job in arranging the trip. They were with us every step of the way. Excellent team and service! CDTTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Could not ask for a better safari firm. No stone is left unturned and you always feel like you can get answers, day or night! This is my second time using Ubuntu and I highly recommend them.Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Absolute 1st class travel planning. We had the most amazing and memorable trip, and as a person who likes to travel plan myself, this trip had so many moving parts there's no way I could have tackled it. I'd give Ubuntu an 11/10 rating if I could. They made our travel seamless, relaxed, and delivered the most incredible experience. 100% we will use them again.Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
We had the BEST experience with Ubuntu planning our South Africa trip! From the beginning, they were so easy to work with and were amazing at communicating with us both before and during the trip. They put together the perfect itinerary for us with safari at two different lodges, time on Benguerra Island, and we even decided to add Franschhoek a couple of months before we left. They made everything so easy and somehow managed to make the entire trip feel completely seamless. One of the biggest things that stood out was how responsive they were when we had our international flight canceled. I literally just had to send them a WhatsApp message with our new flight information, and they immediately took care of rearranging everything for us. We never had to stress about figuring out transfers or logistics ourselves. They even had porters meet us at every airport, so we barely had to think about our luggage or where we were supposed to go. We truly felt taken care of every step of the way. It was honestly the trip of a lifetime, and we couldn’t have asked for a better experience. We are already talking about when we can go back and will 100% be using Ubuntu again to plan our next trip. Highly, highly recommend them!Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Fantastic serviceTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
What an incredible South Africa trip Ubuntu planned for my wife and I! Ubuntu set us up with full-day guided Peninsula and Winelands tours during our few days in Cape Town, followed by four days of Safari game drives at the Savanna Lodge within the Sabi Sands Nature Reserve. A huge thank you to Ubuntu for finding a perfect balance/mix of fun activities and relaxed downtime throughout out trip! Ubuntu took care of all the travel logistics once we got down to South Africa. Ubuntu set us up with our Guest Experience Liaison that would check-in with us ever couple of days and was available on call if we needed any sort of logistical support. We didn't end up needing to lean on our liaison since everything went so smoothly, but surely felt we had all the support we needed had something come up. We know we will be utilizing Ubuntu the next time we travel to Africa and highly recommend Ubuntu to anyone else planning a trip to Africa!Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
From the plains of the Serengeti to the shores of Zanzibar, Ubuntu Travel designed an unforgettable Tanzanian package to celebrate a milestone birthday. I was especially grateful that they embraced this solo traveler and ensured that every detail was planned out in advance, making this a trip of a lifetime.Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Ubuntu Travel planned the most epic safari vacay for my husband and in Tanzania. We loved every place we stayed and every detail was taken care of! Their communication was exceptional! 100 out of 10!