Gorilla Forest Camp • Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
in a dramatic region
Gorilla Forest Camp in a World Heritage Site
- Luxury Grading:
- Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Address:
- Uganda
- We welcome children of all ages Children:
- 16 adults in 8 tents Bed capacity:
Gorilla Forest Camp lies deep inside Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, a landscape of volcanoes, jagged valleys, waterfalls, lakes and dramatic mountain ranges. Bwindi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in southwest Uganda, is home to about half the world's surviving mountain gorillas. These critically endangered primates share the dense and beautifully green Bwindi Forest with a few other animals.
This luxury camp features 8 tents and a bar, lounge and dining area overlooking the rainforest. A raised natural platform is used for open-air dining.
The camp is the perfect base from which to track the mountain gorilla. The gorillas we track belong to one of the 'habituated' family groups in northern Bwindi. Experienced guides accompany the tracking. Gorilla tracking is a year-round activity.
There is a daily maximum of eight visitors able to meet each gorilla group. The terrain is testing in places but is fine if you are physically fit.
Guests who are unable to trek on foot can be carried into the rainforest by our porters.
Once the gorillas are located, the group can enjoy their company for one hour.
- Be prepared:
- permits need to be bought in advance
- make sure that you bring the correct trekking gear
- take necessary medical precautions beforehand
Learn about and interact with the local Batwa People. It is a full day activity and involves a three hour walk there and a two hour walk back. The visit includes a music performance, visitation by the goddess, hunting and gathering demonstration and an opportunity to see how they live.
For keen birders, we can arrange for a local expert to guide you on a fascinating 2-3 hour walk through the park. Bwindi hosts over 350 bird species, including 24 that are endemic to the highlands straddling Uganda, Rwanda and DR Congo.
A guided forest walk to and from the Munyaga waterfall takes about three hours and is a good way to practice or cool down a day before or after the gorilla tracking.
Game drives in the Queen Elizabeth National Park are available on request, at an additional charge.
Accommodation
Overview
The eight tents at Gorilla Forest Camp are stylish and spacious - exactly what is needed after a day spent tracking gorillas.
Each tent features two queen sized beds and an en-suite bathroom with an indoor shower and a large bathtub that looks straight into the jungle canopy. Also equipped with a hairdryer.
Every tent has a personal attendant to attend to guests' every need.
Let us know if you have any special requests and or dietary requirements.
Guest areas
In the main area, guests can sit around a campfire at night and enjoy Bwindi's crystal clear mountain sky.
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.
There is a small gift shop at the camp offering a variety of local artefacts and practical supplies and a mini spa with a variety of treatments, offering the perfect way to end a day of tracking.
Complimentary Wi-Fi is available in the main areas of the camp. Electricity supply is a combination of silent packed generator and battery system.
Dining
A full English and continental breakfast is served before your morning activity.
When you go trekking gorillas, the camp will pack a scrumptious lunch for you, including fresh fruit and some sweet and savoury delights to take with you.
Afternoon tea is served before the afternoon activity and offers a selection of cakes, sweet and savoury treats, tea, and coffee and fresh fruit juices. Once back at the camp, pre-dinner drinks and a three course dinner will be served.
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 three courses each evening.
Celebrating a special occasion? Romantic private dinners can be arranged upon request.
Other facilities
Our mini spa at Gorilla Forest Camp offers the perfect way to end a long day of gorilla tracking. Treatments include a deep herbal massage, hydrating facial, foot massage, manicures and pedicures.
Rates & Child Policy
2015 RATES
- Per person per night sharing, in USD
1 November 15 December: $273*
(*Best Available Rate: minimum stay of 2 nights)
16 December 20 December: $350*
(*Best Available Rate: minimum stay of 2 nights)
21 December 2 January 2016: $655
2015 Single supplement
- 21 June to 30 September and 16 December to 02 January 2016: $140
Child policy: 2015
- Children below 2 years stay free of charge
- Children aged 2 - 11 pay 50% of the adult rate, please note the child must share with at least one full paying adult
- Children 12 years and above are charged the applicable adult rate
- Adults have to share rooms with children should they be below 15 years
- Children will participate in activities only at the discretion of management
- The minimum age for gorilla trekking is 15 years
RATES 2016
- Per person per night sharing, in USD
3 January to 31 March (High Season): $480
Single supplement: 50%
Reduction for 3rd adult sharing: 15%
1 April to 20 June (Low Season): $380
Single supplement: 25%
Reduction for 3rd adult sharing: 25%
21 June to 31 October (Peak Season): $620
Single supplement: 50%
Reduction for 3rd adult sharing: 15%
1 November to 20 December (Low Season): $380
Single supplement: 25%
Reduction for 3rd adult sharing: 25%
21 December to 5 January 2017 (Peak Season): $620
Single supplement: 50%
Reduction for 3rd adult sharing: 15%
Child policy: 2016
- Children aged 2 and younger stay free of charge
- Children aged 3 - 15 pay the child reduction rate (75% Low Season and 50% High & Peak Season) when sharing with 2 full paying adults
- In all other circumstances children pay the applicable adult rate
- Children aged 15 and younger are required to share with their parents
- The minimum age for gorilla trekking is 15 years
If you require more info before completing the form, you may contact us:
Skype: pietsmiles • Office: +27 12 345 6438 • Cell: +27 (0)71 687 2782
After hours: please send an email message to pieter@smilestravels.co.za and we will reply soonest
Included
- All meals
- All drinks (excluding premium brands)
- Laundry
- Community walk
- Concession fees (for 2016)
Excluded
- 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)
Why Choose Gorilla Forest Camp
Gorilla encounters
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is a dramatic nature region comprising forests, mountain ranges, waterfalls, lakes and volcanoes. It is here where - on a flat ridge high in the woods - the camp is tucked away. The camp is the ideal base for encounters with the mountain gorillas that live in Bwindi.
It is also not unusual for the gorilla families to visit the camp itself and guests have been lucky enough to meet gorillas here.
More than gorillas
In addition to the gorillas, Bwindi also supports the rare forest elephant, giant forest hogs, forest duikers, bushbuck, warthogs, civets, eleven kinds of primates, such as red-tailed and blue monkeys, black and white colobus and baboons, over 350 bird species & over 200 butterfly species.
The hillsides are mist-covered and are sheltered by one of the ancient rainforests in Uganda, comprising of about 400 diverse plant species.
Other activities
Although gorilla tracking is the primary activity at the camp, numerous other activities are also on offer. The camp offers community walks, Batwa Tribe experiences, birding walks, forest walks, and game drives that take place in the Queen Elizabeth National Park on request, at an additional charge. And, at the end of a busy day, the mini spa at the camp offers the perfect way to end a long day. Treatments include a deep herbal massage, hydrating facials and foot massages.
Exclusive seclusion
Gorilla Forest Camp is the only luxury camp within the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. It is an exclusive camp, with only eight tents, tucked away in the forest. Experience the pure luxury that the staff deliver with charm - but with an understanding of this remarkable place.
We are proud of our personalised services. Please let us know if you have any special requests, interests or needs.