Overview

Once-in-a-lifetime encounters with Uganda's endangered gorillas await when you stay in one of these only eight private luxury tents in the heart of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
Ecologically respectful, contemporary-yet-classic in style, Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp blends in sensitively with the dramatic African mountain landscape and, situated uniquely inside the national park, you are only minutes away from the start of your gorilla trekking adventure.

Accommodation

Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp's unique interpretation of camp living offers unrivalled seclusion and space in the ancient rainforest in one of Africa's most remarkable landscapes.
Due to its location, it's not unusual for the gorilla families to visit the camp itself.

Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp's communal area stars a comfortable lounge with a well-stocked bar and elegant dining area, bestowing great views over the verdant rainforest. Come dusk, under star-strewn skies, and accompanied by the night-chorus, guests gather around the central campfire and swap stories of that day's adventures. Mealtimes lend a taste of the destination: expertly prepared dishes promise simple flavours and showcase fresh local ingredients - try traditional smoked beef in peanut sauce served with Kalo (millet bread). Candlelit alfresco dining is also available on your tent's private deck.

Located in one of the remotest areas of Africa, these comfortable canvas spaces are dressed with indigenous prints and furniture made from natural materials. Beds are draped in neutral-toned linens, and local artefacts set a scene that ensures memorable moments both inside and out the accommodation.

Each tent has a spacious, stone-walled bathroom with private sections, and a free-standing bath for a relaxing soak after a day's trekking. The trees around the camp light up in the morning when the sun starts shining, and thanks to there being so few tents, the camp retains an intimate, exclusive feel, enabling you to experience Africa's magic with the lightest of footprints yet with practically every mod con.

Bedrooms & Bathrooms

Tent 1
Two queen beds with en-suite bathroom, large bathtub, private viewing deck with chairs and table.

Tent 2
Two queen beds with en-suite bathroom, large bathtub, private viewing deck with chairs and table.

Tent 3
Two queen beds with en-suite bathroom, large bathtub, private viewing deck with chairs and table.

Tent 4
Two queen beds with en-suite bathroom, large bathtub, private viewing deck with chairs and table.

Tent 5
Two queen beds with en-suite bathroom, large bathtub, private viewing deck with chairs and table.

Tent 6
Two queen beds with en-suite bathroom, large bathtub, private viewing deck with chairs and table.

Tent 7
Two queen beds with en-suite bathroom, large bathtub, private viewing deck with chairs and table.

Tent 8
Two queen beds with en-suite bathroom, large bathtub, private viewing deck with chairs and table.

Living & Dining Areas

The main lodges area offers a welcoming lounge and bar area where guests are welcome to enjoy beverages and snacks while socialising.
The outdoor boma offers a great dining venue where guests dine under the stars in the heart of nature around a crackling fireplace.
The bar and dining venue provide magnificent vistas over the rainforest. The raised platform serves for open-air dining by the campfire under the stars.

Comfort & Amenities

Confort      
 Bed linen  Toiletries  Towels  
Outdoor      
 Garden  Outdoor dining  Outdoor furniture  Spa
Security      
 Safe      
Services      
 Activities and excursions  Cocktail on arrival  Laundry services  Meals
 Transfers      
Services extra      
 Activities and excursions  Gift shop  Massages  Spa treatment
 Wine card      
Sport & leisure      
 Spa      
Staff extra      
 Chef  Gardener  Maid Service  Villa Manager

Staff & Services

One of the greatest advantages of staying in Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp  is the personalised service provided by dedicated staff.

Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp staff have been professionally trained and will do their utmost to please with their warm and friendly hospitality.

Manager
Your manager and staff provide you with a dedicated and highly personalised concierge service during your stay.

Housekeeping Staff
A discreet daily housekeeping service is provided at Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp.

Chef
Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp prides itself in the personalised service we are able to offer our guests. Please let us know if you have any special requests and or dietary requirements.

*Wine list can be provide.

Location

Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp is nestled deep inside Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.

Kihihi airstrip is the closest airstrip which is 1 hour and 15 minutes from the camp. The camp can also be reached by vehicle from Kampala; and there is also the option of a scenic road transfer from Kigali, Rwanda.

Flying time

  • Scheduled flight from Entebbe to Kihihi airstrip  1h45mins
Road transfer

  • Kampala to Bwindi  10 hours
  • Kigali (Rwanda) to Bwindi 8 hours (weather dependent)

A maximum of 15 kg / 33lbs of luggage per person in soft-sided bags is allowed.

Activities

Gorilla tracking
The gorillas are completely wild but have become used to seeing a few humans after years of habituation. Many of the expert guides have been involved in this process since the beginning and are able to explain the complicated etiquette involved in meeting a giant silverback. This is an opportunity afforded only to a select few, as just eight visitors are allowed to view each group every day. Tracking through dense forest with steep slopes means that participants do need to be physically fit to enjoy the track. Once the gorillas are located, spend a maximum of one hour with them before returning back to camp. Please note only children aged 15 and above can track gorilla.

Batwa tribe experience
Learn about and interact with the local Batwa People. This full day activity involves a three hour walk followed by about an hour spent with the Batwa. The walk back to camp is two hours. The visit includes a music performance, visitation by the goddess, hunting and gathering demonstration and an opportunity to see how they live. The Twa tribe who are also known as the Batwa are the oldest inhabitants of the Great Lakes region of Central Africa. They speak the same language as the Hutu and Tutsi groups of Rwanda. Like most of the tribes in Africa, they have moved from place to place and are now found in Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda and eastern portions of the DRC. Statistics show that by the year 2000 their numbers were approximately 80,000 people, making them a significant minority group in these countries. The first records of the Batwa were made by the Egyptians over 4,000 years ago. They described them as short statured people living near the "Mountains of the Moon" extolling their abilities as dancers and story tellers.

Birding walks
Bwindi boasts over 350 bird species, including 24 that are endemic to these highlands straddling Uganda, Rwanda and the Congo - the so-called the "Albertine Rift Endemics". For keen birders, we can arrange for a local expert to guide you on a fascinating 2-3 hour walk through the park.

Forest walk
Bwindi is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a spectacular place to visit. In addition to the gorillas, Bwindi is also home to rare forest elephants, giant forest hogs and eleven kinds of primates, such as red tailed and blue monkeys, black and white colobus, baboons and chimpanzees. You can also find forest duiker antelopes, bush buck antelopes and over 200 species of butterflies. We can offer a guided forest walk on the Munyaga waterfall trail. This trail starts from the Park office and ends at the magnificent Munyaga waterfall. The walk to and from the waterfall takes about three hours and is a good way to practice or cool down a day before or after the gorilla tracking.

Queen Elizabeth National Park drives
While staying at Gorilla Forest Camp guests are able to venture out on game drives to Ishasha, located in the south of the well known Queen Elizabeth National Park popular for its tree climbing lions, savanna elephants, buffaloes, topi, hippos, various bird species, warthogs and the occational leopard.
The Ishasha Sector is famous for its population of tree-climbing lions. The Lions are normally seen lazily lying within the branches of the huge fig trees staring down at the numerous Uganda Kobs grazing in the open Ishasha plains. This is usually a full day outing where guests are able to stop for lunch at the hippo pool. Departure is 6:30 in the morning.

Community walk
Bwindi is surrounded on the Buhoma side by the Bakiga community and the Batwa people community. The walk takes about two hours and begins with a stroll through a small tea farming project. Here you can stop to meet the tea pickers and perhaps even learn how to pluck tea leaves along the way. Then visit a local beer brewery and see how they mash bananas to make a fermented brew which is mixed and distilled to make banana beer - a popular local drink in the area. From here walk a short distance to the local hospital which Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp supports through various projects. Learn about how it started and the work they do for the community. Continue your walk to a nearby village and visit a traditional medicine man. The knowledge of using herbs for healing has been passed on from generation to generation and he will show you some of the herbs that grow in the forest and talk about how they are used. Later, relax and enjoy a performance by the Batwa community before returning to the camp.

Services included

Rates include

  • All meals
  • All drinks (excluding premium brands)
  • Laundry
  • Community walk
  • Concession fees (for 2016)
Rates Exclude
  • Premium alcoholic drinks
  • Gorilla permits
  • Transfers to and from airstrips
  • Gratuities to driver / guides and staff
  • All items of a personal nature, telephone calls and curio shop purchases
  • Medical insurance
  • Concession fees (for 2015)

Additional Notes

Children
We welcome children of all ages at Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp.
Children aged 2 and younger stay free of charge.
Children aged 15 and younger are required to share with their parents.
The minimum age for gorilla trekking is 15 years

Dinning
Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp prides itself in the personalised service we are able to offer our guests. Please let us know if you have any special requests and or dietary requirements.
A bar and dining cottage overlooks the rainforest, and a raised natural platform is built for open air-dining under the stars by the roaring campfire.

Silver service
The bar and dining cottage overlooks the rainforest and a raised natural platform is built for open air-dining. A full English and continental breakfast is served before your morning activity. Trekking gorilla's today? The camp will pack you a scrumptious lunch including fresh fruit, sweet and savoury delights to take with you.
Once back at the camp celebratory drinks and snacks will be served under the stars by the roaring campfire as you discuss your amazing adventure. All meals are à la carte and served in the bar and dining area overlooking the rainforest. Chef Jackson serves a silver service dinner with four to five courses each evening. One of the mains might even include his favourite dish - Matooke rolled chicken with creamed spinach and ground nut sauce. Celebrating a special occasion? We are able to offer romantic private dinners.

Spa
The mini spa Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp offers the perfect way to end a long day of gorilla trekking. The spa seems a natural enhancement of the gorilla experience and a chance for your mind to fully absorb the magnitude of your wonderful spiritual encounter; allowing your body and mind to blend with the natural surroundings, whilst recalling those magical moments in the Bwindi Impenetrable forest.

Quiet and peaceful, even the small spa breaths the spirit of the forest. Treatments by the specialist therapist, Precious, include herbal massages, hydrating facials, foot massages and manicures, and use luxury, eco-friendly products created with pure natural ingredients. There are also yoga kits in all the tents.

Spa Products
AfricologyTM uses healing essences of some of South Africa's indigenous plants, Rooibos, Aloe Ferox, Marula and African Potato. They are a natural, organic range, chemical free and allow nature to fragrance their products naturally and select actives that bring balance and harmony to the skin. They practice fair trade and show a great social responsibility to empowering the people of Africa. They are dermalogically tested to EU standards, not tested on animals or use any animal products.

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