What are the best lodges in the Rushaga Sector to stay in while on a Bwindi safari?

Best lodges in Rushaga Sector in Bwindi: The Rushaga sector is located in the southern part of Bwindi National Park. It is known for having mountain gorillas that have undergone a habituation process. It is one of the four sectors in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, including other sectors like the Buhoma sector, Ruhija sector, and Nkuringo sector. This sector has eight habituated gorilla families, namely, the Nshongi, Busingye, Kungye, Bweza, and Mishaya families.

This sector is easily accessible through Kigali in Rwanda via the Cyanika or Gatuna border. The distance from Kigali International Airport to the Cyanika border is 2 hours, and it is one hour from the border to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. By air, tourists can book domestic flights from Entebbe International Airport at Aerolink Uganda. These flights start from Entebbe or Kajjansi and go to Kihihi or Kisoro airstrip. The flights take about 2 to 3 hours to reach the Rushaga sector.

The gorilla habituation permits in this sector cost $1,500 for foreign non-residents, $1,000 for foreign residents, and UGX 750,000 for East African citizens. These permits enable tourists to observe the mountain gorillas for four hours. Permits can be booked through a licensed tour operator.

Why tourists visit this sector

It provides stunning views of the park and the Virunga volcano mountains and Volcanoes National Park with incredible scenery. Tourists also get a chance to see the view of Lake Bunyonyi in Uganda.

It offers a life-changing experience where tourists get to spend four hours with the habituated gorilla families, where they observe their feeding habits, how they groom their infants, and their behaviors. It has 40 permits that are issued to trekkers each day for the trekking sessions.

Best lodges in Rushaga sector

The Rushaga sector has luxury, mid-range, and budget lodges.

• Luxury lodges 

Four Gorilla Lodge

This is the best luxury lodge in the Rushaga sector. It has a breathtaking view of the dense, thick rainforest and provides comfort to tourists after their trekking safari. It is 10 minutes away from the gorilla trekking point. It has cozy, comfortable rooms with flushing toilets and bath showers. It provides an internet connection, free parking, laundry services, and restaurant and bar services. Tourists that book in this lodge can engage in different activities, like gorilla trekking, nature walks, and hiking, among others. It was constructed from local materials like grass and stones. Each room has furnished beds and bathrooms, private balconies, and carpeted floors.

Gorilla safari lodge

This lodge is a few minutes away from the gorilla trekking point. It comprises a bar, a restaurant, a lounge where tourists relax, and fireplaces for storytelling. It has eight self-contained rooms and double family cottages that have bathrooms with a bath, shower, flushing toilet, and private balconies. It is eco-friendly, using natural resources like solar power for lighting and harvested rainwater. It provides laundry services, internet connections, free parking, among other things. Activities tourists can participate in include gorilla trekking, Batwa visits, nature and forest walks, and gorilla habituation experiences.

• Mid-range lodges

Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge

This lodge is 10 minutes away from the gorilla trekking point of Rushaga sector. T provides a stunning view of the forest where tourists view the different primates in the park, like the monkeys. It is a comfortable lodge for the gorilla habituation safari. It offers accommodation with spacious bedrooms and private verandas. It has a free WiFi connection and free parking. It has a restaurant and a bar with beverages, laundry services, among others. Activities at this lodge include forest walks, bird watching, Batwa visits, and visits to Lake Bunyonyi for canoeing and other water activities.

Rushaga Gorilla Camp

This camp has family bandas, self-contained tents for camping, and tents that are below the main structure. It provides a beautiful view of the forest and the bird species. It has self-contained bathrooms with showers and toilets. It has a restaurant and bar, a fireplace, and scenic surroundings. Activities at this camp include bicycle renting, birding, culture walks, nature walks, and others.

Gorilla Valley Lodge

It is located at the border of Bwindi National Park. It is a mid-range lodge with 12 spacious rooms with private bathrooms and toilets and has a dining area and restaurant. It offers a stunning view of the evergreen forest and the different bird species in the park. Each room has furnished twin beds decorated in an African style. Activities at this lodge include birding, gorilla trekking, nature walks, cultural walks, and others.

Best budget lodges in Rushaga sector

It is located at the edge of Bwindi National Park. It offers single rooms, shared rooms, self-contained rooms, and cottages. It is one of the budget lodges in the Rushaga sector. It has room services like internet connections and free parking. It has a camping site for tourists who are interested in camping. Activities at this lodge include nature walks, gorilla trekking experiences, guided forest walks, and birding, among others.

Rushaga Haven lodge

It is a few minutes away from the gorilla trekking point. It is 6 kilometers from the Kisoro district. It offers the unique views of the Kigezi Hills, Virunga volcanoes, and the breathtaking view of Bwindi National Forest. It has well-maintained lodges that are comfortable with a bar and restaurant. Activities at this lodge include gorilla trekking, forest walks, birding, and visiting Lake Mutanda, Lake Bunyonyi, and Mgahinga National Park.

Rushaga lodge features and amenities

The Rushaga sector on a Uganda safari is located in the south of Bwindi National Park. The lodges have comfortable bandas and breathtaking views of the forest, private balconies, well-stocked bars, 24/7 customer services, massage parlors, and internet connections.

Lodges offer self-contained cottages, family cottages, and luxury tents for camping. Facilities in these lodges include a WIFI connection, beautiful gardens, free parking, laundry services, camping areas, and fireplaces.

Prices of lodges in Rushaga sector

Prices of lodges in the Rushaga sector vary depending on the type of lodges. Luxury lodges range between $300 and $600, mid-range lodges range between $200 and $400, and budget-friendly lodges range from $50 to $150. During the peak season of the park between the months of June to August and from December to February, prices tend to increase since visitors appear in high quantities at the park.

In conclusion

The Rushaga sector has different lodges that are owned by community members in Bwindi, unlike other sectors where lodges are owned by foreigners. This gives tourists an opportunity to develop the community through funds that are used to construct local schools and health communities.