Lodges in Rushaga Gorilla Sector

Lodges in Rushaga Gorilla Sector : Rushaga Gorilla Sector is located at an altitude of 1,900m near the southern tip of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Rushaga became Uganda’s newest gorilla tracking site in October 2009, following an unusually high-profile launch wherein a brat pack of American film stars were flown in to make positive statements about the experience. Although Rushaga is less well known and quieter than Buhoma and Ruhija, and accommodation facilities are generally good to all travelers who visit the sector.

There are seven habituated gorilla families in the Rushaga Gorilla Sector, that totals up to 56 gorilla tracking permits available daily, the sector is the only place in Bwindi and the whole world where you can habituate mountain gorilla – there are two families (Bushaho and Bukingyi) who are being habituated in the Rushaga sector – Bwindi Impenetrable National Park,  and a total of 4 people daily can habituate wild mountain gorilla and that adds up to a total of 8 permits available for habituation daily – the cost of each gorilla habituation permit is US$ 1,500 per person. Scenically unlike some gorilla sectors in Bwindi, where you can’t view across the deep jungle-clad valley as well as a glimpse of the Virunga Volcanoes, and there’s plenty to attract birders including Rwenzori turaco and Shelley’s Crimsonwing. There are some good lodges near; about 10 minutes walk from the Rushaga Gorilla Tracking trailhead.

Lodges in the Rushaga Sector

The main accommodation collection serving Rushaga are in the village about 1 to 5km from the tracking trailhead – lodges in the Rushaga gorilla sector include

Gorilla Safari Lodge

This gem of a lodge stands on a hillside facing the forest only 1 kilometer from the Rushaga trailhead. The 18 bedroomed en-suite cottages are attractively and colorfully decorated in ethnic style and spread across a pretty garden site surrounded by scattered local homesteads. Good, but is also a touch overpriced.

Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge

This very agreeable and reasonably priced lodge is set on sloping grounds with a view 10 minutes walk from the tracking trailhead. It offers the choice of small but comfortable budget double rooms with large standalone luxury cottages with king-size beds with walk-in-nets, all rooms are en-suite with a private balcony.

Gorilla Valley Lodge

This latest offering from nature lodge has an isolated position on the park boundary about 2km east of the tracking trailhead as the crow flies, but more like 5km by road, sprawling across a hillside, the comfortable en-suite cottages all offer views towards nearby forest canopy. The lodge consists of 12 en-suite rooms; all rooms have a private balcony overlooking Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Rushaga Gorilla Camp

This well-run camp 1km from the tracking trailhead is under the same management as the ever-popular Bunyonyi Overland Resort. It offers the choice of 12 luxurious rooms with canvas sides, glass fronts, stone bathroom and wooden deck with seating and forest views, a log cabin-like row of smaller en-suite budget rooms with a balcony overlooking a eucalyptus plantation.