Mahogany Springs Lodge is located in Buhome outside the main entrance of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Kanungu District, southwestern Uganda. It sits on the banks of the Munyanga River and offers views of the rainforest and the Virunga Volcanoes. The lodge was established in 2011 with an aim of providing the highest levels of service and comfort to all clients constantly.
Accommodation and amenities
Mahogany Springs Lodge has several private bandas (cottages) and each built using local wood and stone, surrounding lush greenery. The lodge offers services in all its bandas for instance; the Presidential/Family Suite is a two bedroom cottage mostly used by families. The cottage has two ensuite bathrooms, a shared living room and big terrace. The Superior Deluxe Suites features twin beds, mosquito nets, en-suite bathrooms with hot showers and flushing toilets, and a private terrace with forest views. Each suite has eco-friendly solar lighting, a dressing area, and large windows to let in natural light. Whereas the Honeymoon Suite has a bathtub, romantic lighting, and luxurious bedding. All rooms are cleaned daily and include modern comforts such as charging sockets, wardrobes, solar lights, and natural bathroom products.
Other amenities offered by the lodge include; dining area where a fresh mix of local and international dishes are prepared. The menu changes daily and can be tailored to dietary needs. Guests can dine indoors or outdoors, with special experiences like bush breakfasts and candle-lit dinners available. The Main Lounge features soft couches, WIFI, books, board games, and a fireplace to keep warm during cool evenings. The bar is fully stocked with both alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages like wines, spirits, cocktails, and soft drinks. Others are gift shops, laundry services and message services.
Activities offered by the lodge
Gorilla trekking
This is the major activity mostly done by tourists. Mahogany Springs Lodge is located close to Buhoma park headquarters which is the starting point for gorilla tracking in the Buhoma sector. After an early breakfast, guests are driven to the park headquarters for a briefing before setting off to the forest with the lead of guides and rangers. Mountain gorilla tracking can take a few hours, depending on where the gorillas are that day. When found, guests get to spend one hour observing these gentle giants in their natural habitat. Those doing gorilla habituation go through the same process but they spend more hours with gorillas.
Bird Watching
Bwindi Impenetrable national park is one of Africa’s top birding destinations hosting over 350 bird species many of which are found only in this region. Bird watching can be done on our private veranda, gilded nature walks, forest hikes among others. Some of the birds that can be spotted include; African green broadbill, Rwenzori turaco, black bee-eater, and many others. Mahogany Springs has experienced birding guides who can help both beginners and expert birders enjoy this experience.
Nature Walks and Forest Hikes
Guests can take guided nature walks on trails near the lodge or deeper into the forest. These walks vary in length and difficulty, so there is something for everyone. You can explore waterfalls, scenic viewpoints, and enjoy the lush vegetation. Along the way, you may spot monkeys, butterflies, and rare plants, while your guide explains the forest’s ecology and traditional uses of plants.
Batwa cultural experience
The Batwa are the indigenous people who originally lived in the Bwindi forest. Mahogany Springs Lodge arranges visits to meet Batwa communities where you can learn about their history, traditional hunting techniques, herbal medicine, dances, songs, and forest survival skills. This experience helps preserve their culture and supports their livelihoods through tourism.
How to access Mahogany Springs Lodge
Accessing the lodge is possible either by air or by road, depending on visitors preference, time, and budget.
By Air
This is the fastest and most convenient way to reach Mahogany Springs Lodge by flying from Entebbe International Airport to Kihihi Airstrip. This domestic flight takes approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes and is operated by local airlines such as Aerolink Uganda and Bar Aviation. Once you land at Kihihi Airstrip, it is about a 1 to 1.5 hour drive to the lodge through rural villages and forested hills. The lodge or your tour operator can arrange for a comfortable 4×4 vehicle transfer from the airstrip to the lodge.
By Road
You can also reach Mahogany Springs Lodge by driving from Kampala or Entebbe. The road journey takes about 9 to 10 hours and covers a distance of approximately 500 to 540 kilometers. The route passes through several major towns including Masaka, Mbarara, and Kabale, before turning off toward Kihihi and Buhoma. The roads are tarmacked for most of the way, but the final stretch to the lodge is steep and can be rough and slippery during the rainy season. A 4WD vehicle is highly recommended for this route.
Another option is to access the lodge from Kigali, Rwanda. This journey is shorter, taking about 5 to 6 hours by road, depending on the border crossing used (Cyanika or Gatuna). After crossing into Uganda, the route continues through Kisoro and Kanungu before arriving at Buhoma. This journey takes you through mountainous landscapes and tea plantations. If traveling from Rwanda, it’s important to carry a valid passport, visa, and vaccination certificates such as yellow fever.