Buhoma Lodge is a mid- luxury eco-friendly safari lodge located inside Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in the Buhoma sector, southwestern Uganda. It is one of only two lodges situated within the park with a close proximity to park headquarters.
Accommodation and amenities
Buhoma lodge has 10 private chalets each carefully designed to give you both comfort and a deep connection with the surrounding forest. These chalets are built using local materials such as timber and stone, which helps the lodge blend beautifully into the natural environment and supports eco-friendly tourism. Each chalet is elevated on wooden platforms offering panoramic views of the forest canopy.
All chalets are equipped with en-suite bathrooms with flush toilets and hot water showers (some units also include bathtubs for added comfort), insect-screened windows, solar-powered lighting, personal safe for securing valuables and private veranda. The central communal space of Buhoma Lodge features a lounge area with cozy seating and views into the surrounding forest, open-sided dining area, well-stocked bar serving a range of beverages, from wines and spirits to Ugandan beer and coffee, fireplace, Free Wi-Fi, massage and spa room. Other amenities and services offered by lodge include; laundry services, packed meals, message and spa and provision of essential trekking gears.
Activities offered by Buhoma Lodge
Gorilla trekking
This is the main highlight for guests staying at Buhoma Lodge. The lodge is ideally located just a five-minute walk from the Uganda Wildlife Authority park headquarters in the Buhoma sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. This makes it very convenient for guests to begin their trek early in the morning without the need for transport.
Gorilla trekking involves hiking through the dense rainforest in search of one of the habituated mountain gorilla families. The treks are led by professional rangers and trackers who monitor the gorillas daily. Once located, guests are allowed to spend up to one hour in close proximity with the gorillas, observing their behavior, social interactions, and daily routines in their natural habitat.
Each trek is limited to a small group of eight people to reduce environmental impact and ensure a respectful experience. The duration of the trek can vary from 1 to 6 hours or more, depending on the movement of the gorilla families. Terrain can be steep and muddy, but porters are available to help carry personal items and assist on difficult sections. A gorilla trekking permit is required and should be secured in advance.
Batwa cultural walk
The Batwa Cultural Experience is offered at Buhoma Lodge as visitors get the opportunity to learn about the Batwa people who are also known as “keepers of the forest. The Batwa are the original inhabitants of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest who lived for centuries as forest dwellers, relying on hunting, gathering, and traditional medicine. Tourists get a chance to witness traditional dances, music, and storytelling, which were once essential parts of Batwa ceremonies and daily life.
Batwa guides demonstrate ancient survival skills, including how they hunted small animals using bows and arrows, made fire by rubbing sticks, built forest shelters, and used medicinal plants for healing. Visitors also learn about the Batwa’s spiritual beliefs and how they once coexisted with the forest’s wildlife, including gorillas.
Bird watching
This is one of the most rewarding activities offered to guests at Buhoma Lodge, especially nature lovers and ornithologists. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a home to over 350 bird species recorded, including 23 species endemic to the Albertine Rift.
Buhoma Lodge arranges guided birding excursions led by experienced local birding guides who are highly knowledgeable about the forest’s diverse birdlife. These walks can take place along forest trails, near the Munyaga River, or in the open areas near the park edge, depending on the guests’ preferences and birding goals. Some of the bird species that can be spotted include; African Green Broadbill, Black Bee-eater, Yellow-eyed Black Flycatcher, Short-tailed Warbler, Regal Sunbird, Grauer’s Rush Warbler, Western Green Tinkerbird, Dusky Crimsonwing. Birding walks typically last 2 to 4 hours, and early morning is the best time for optimal sightings.
Buhoma Lodge and the local Community
Buhoma Lodge plays a vital role in supporting the surrounding communities of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park through sustainable and responsible tourism. The lodge employs most of its staff from local villages, providing stable jobs and on-the-job training in hospitality and tourism.
It also supports local craftsmanship by using locally sourced timber and materials for construction and furnishing, and by selling handmade crafts from local artisans and women’s groups at the lodge.
This directly benefits small community businesses and promotes traditional skills.
Buhoma Lodge contributes to social projects such as school sponsorships, health outreach, and clean water access, with part of its revenue going back into these initiatives. It also supports conservation efforts by involving local guides and former hunters in gorilla trekking activities, turning them into ambassadors for wildlife protection.
Additionally, the lodge promotes cultural preservation by organizing community visits and supporting Batwa heritage experiences, helping locals earn income while sharing their traditions.
How to access Buhoma Lodge
Buhoma lodge can be accessed by air or by road. By Air, travelers can take scheduled chartered flights from Entebbe International Airport to either Kihihi Airstrip or Kayonza Airstrip, both of which are near Buhoma. The flight takes about 1hr and 30 mins. From the airstrip, guests are driven to the lodge in a 4×4 vehicle, which takes around 1 hr and 30 mins depending on road conditions. This is the fastest and most comfortable way to get to the lodge.
By Road from Entebbe or Kampala, you can drive to Buhoma Lodge and the journey takes 9 to 10 hours. While the drive is long, it offers great rewards as you pass through districts such as Masaka, Mbarara, and Kabale or Rukungiri and scenic views of Uganda’s countryside, tea plantations, lakes, and rolling hills. A 4×4 vehicle is highly recommended since the last part of the road is steep, narrow, and sometimes rough and slippery during the rainy season.
Another option is to fly from Kigali International Airport in Rwanda and drive to Buhoma Lodge. Or drive from Rwanda to Buhoma lodge and the drive takes about 4 to 5 hours, depending on traffic and time spent at the Katuna or Cyanika border crossing. This route is shorter than the one from Entebbe and offers views of the Virunga Mountains along the way.