Great place, only a few minutes walk to the national park HQ for gorilla trekking. A base for a birdwatching tour, excellent service and value for money, lovely views of the rain forest from the tent & dining room area and very good food and experience.
This is a new venture in Buhoma (the gorilla trakking centre of Uganda). This Intimate exclusive high end safari camp with a breath-taking view of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is located at Buhoma - Bwindi Impenetrable Gorilla National Park on a Mountain side.
The camp was designed to blend with the local surroundings. Wherever possible we they used local materials and craftsmen
The Lodge is by the side of the 'main' road through Buhoma and you must descend some steep steps every day and then come back up them. This is usual in Buhoma due to the nature of the topography. Less able people should be aware of this but it is good training for the actual trekking.
There are around 8 self-contained "Tents/chalets" spread around the site so all are quite private from each other. They contain the usual beds and washroom facilities 'out back' through an insect proof screen. There is even a claw foot bath for your post trek indulgence as well as Washbasin, Vanitory unit and WC. This area is not 'inside' and you can admire the view whilst lounging in your bath.
Lighting is by Solar Panel and hot water supplied from the log fired "Kampala" Boiler at the rear. If anything the Tents could do with some hanging space for clothes etc., and maybe a better table to place your Cameras and Binos on, but this is being a bit picky. There are no nets as it is too cold for Mossies. So much so that when they turn down your bed during dinner they place Hot Water Bottles in the bed but it is not really THAT cold.
There is a platform/verandah for each tent (they are built on stilts due to the slope of the ground) and the flowers and shrubs bustle with birds. Everything from Turacos to Sunbirds. You can bird from your balcony or just kick back & admire the excellent view of the Forest Canopy over the valley. Gorillas and Chimps do actually pas
s close by from time to time depending on where the food supply is ripe. The main lapa/restaurant is comfortably furnished and there is also a bar which may or may not have the brand of beer/softee/ or spirit of your first choice. Food is excellent, prepared to order, but sometime dinner choice is restricted. Pre and post prandial drinks can be taken on a platform outside around the ubiquitous log fire. More birding.
Service by the Manager/staff is beyond reproach and you get the feeling that nothing is too much trouble for them. If its there, its served.
I had left my muddy Boots outside the tent solely for hygiene purposes. When I came back from a meeting in the village they had been cleaned and were spotless. Not seen this kind of service in years.All in all an excellent place and worthy of the name "Resort".
Reasonably priced and excellent value for money. Competition for bed nights will hot up and prices may even come down due to the overcapacity.
Accommodation:
The camp features luxurious cottages and East African Safari Tents set on elevated wooden platforms boasting one of the finest views in the area. Wooden decks offer expansive views over the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and the River Munyaga.
Camp Description:
The Main Lodge building features the dining area, lounge, restaurant, bar and elevated camp fire deck overlooking the tropical rain forest. A resident expert safari chef conjures up magnificent meals, catering to all tastes and dietary requirements. Sundowners are served on the campfire deck to the sounds of the African Wilderness.
There are large walk-in safari tents with their own en-suite facilities [including hot and cold water] While each of the accommodations is fitted with a Victorian Ball and Claw-foot Brass Bathtub. The Camp is equipped with comfortable log beds and furniture. Both tents and cottages command spectacular panoramic views of the Bwindi Impenetrable forest.
GENERAL INFORMATION:
A Day at the Gorilla Resort - Bwindi
An Idea on how the day is spent:
06:00am: Wake up call with hot coffee or Tea, this can be had at your Balcony before sunrise, seeing day break.
07:00am: A full Breakfast consisting of cereals, tea/coffee/juices, fruits, eggs, sausages and pastries, all served in the dining area overlooking the Impenetrable forest.
07:45am - Depart for the morning briefing by the Tourism Wardens and guides. The Gorilla trekking starts around 08:30 am and may last up to 8 hours or just a couple of minutes.
Depending on the time one gets back to camp, from now until afternoon tea, guests will be at leisure, reading the wildlife books or on nature walks and visiting the nearby villages.
06:00pm - Pre-dinner drinks and snacks will be served at the bar or at the Campfire Deck.
07:00pm - Five course dinner - generally speaking the salad, starter, main course, desert and either tea/coffee/hot chocolate is served.
08:30pm onwards -Beverages will be served at the camp fire.
How to get there:
Private Chartered Flights from Kampala or Entebbe to Kayonza Airlfield in One and a Half Hours.
Disntace by road Approximately 9 hs by read from Kampala (Uganda).