Gorilla Highlands Pocket Guide

free pocket guide
gorillahighlands.com/
videomap
interactive map full
of short videos
trek volcanoes, track gorillas, tour the culture
Are you coming to southwestern Uganda for mountain gorillas?
You won’t be disappointed! But you may be surprised by what else
is on offer...
The Gorilla Highlands are defined by towering dormant volcanoes (8)
and a mysterious rainforest (7) with many pretty lakes thrown in as
a bonus. Lake Bunyonyi (1) boasts numerous islands, like Habukomi
with Tom’s Homestay (2), yet it is Lake Mutanda’s (6) volcano backdrop
that has no equal.
While birders will love the endemic species in Echuya’s mix of woods
and bamboo (3), history buffs will be moved by the WWI colonial
battles around Chahafi (4) and gourmets appreciate the food of Kisoro
(5). If you care about culture, visit the Bakiga museum in Kabale and
learn how unmarried pregnant girls were punished at Kisizi Falls (10).
For a complete travel package add the savannah of Queen Elizabeth
NP (9) and Akagera NP (11) to the wonders of our highlands.
2
Cover photo: Bwindi Impenetrable NP by Marcus Westberg; Mgahinga Gorilla NP volcanoes by Ross Langdon
About
Gorilla
Highlands
Kihihi
road closed
Rwerere
Kambuga
Queen 9
Elizabeth NP
Congo
Rukungiri
Kebisoni
Kanyantorogo
Mbarara
Kanungu
Butogota
Buhoma
Rutenga
7
Nteko
Ruhija
Bwindi
Impenetrable NP
Kisizi
10
Mafuga Forest
(planted)
Nkuringo
Ndego
Rushaga
Rubuguri
Ikumba
Karukara
Lake Mutanda
Lake Mulehe
Kateretere
6
Bunagana
Muko
Kisoro
Goma Mgahinga
Gorilla NP
8
Ruhengeri, Musanze
Kabale
Kachwekano
Mutolere
5
Bubale
Karengere
Echuya
Forest
3
2
1
Bufundi
Mbarara
Lake
Bunyonyi
Lake
4 Kayumbu
Akagera
Cyanika
Rwanda
Butanda
Rubaya
For full info on Gorilla Highlands Trails see pages 4-5
11
Kigali
Katuna
5 mile
10 km
3
Gorilla
Highlands
Trails
The Gorilla Highlands initiative (www.gorillahighlands.com) is about
branding and promoting our region to make tourism dollars reach
those who need them most.
The Gorilla Highlands Trails are a prime example of prosperity that
comes from work that carries dignity, far away from the usual tourism
loop. This system of guided trips, started in 2005, connects the biggest
regional attractions and allows visitors to meet and stay with locals
who proudly share their rich cultures.
Time and again, guests who flew to Uganda to see wildlife will go
home talking instead about how rewarding interaction with local
people has been!
The following page summarises long distance treks while pages
12-13 present Lake Bunyonyi options.
4
An overnight at Mama Bena’s; photo by Marcus Westberg
Valley of No Living | $190 👤👤👤👤👤
👤👤👤👤 $230 | 👤👤👤 $290 | 👤👤 $390 | 👤 $550
Parks Reunited | $250 👤👤👤👤👤
length: 2 days; difficulty: 3
length: 3 days; difficulty: 3
start: Bunyonyi/Rushaga (Bwindi)
start: Mgahinga/Bwindi
Walk where no tourists walk and spend
a night camping at a model mountain
health centre
Canoe through the raw beauty of Lake
Mutanda as you connect two grand
national parks
Three Upland Lakes | $250 👤👤👤👤👤
👤👤👤👤 $290 | 👤👤👤 $360 | 👤👤 $470 | 👤 $810
Rainforest Ramble | $420 👤👤👤👤👤
👤👤👤👤 $480 | 👤👤👤 $590 | 👤👤 $770 | 👤 $1270
length: 3 days; difficulty: 3
length: 5 days; difficulty: 4
start: Bunyonyi/Mutanda
start: Bunyonyi/Buhoma (Bwindi)
Led by a Batwa “Pygmy” leader cross
timeless Echuya Forest and sleep at
incredible lakes
Upgrade your Three Upland Lakes trek
with canoeing across Lake Mutanda
and traversing Bwindi
Volcano Quest | $250 👤👤👤👤👤
👤👤👤👤 $290 | 👤👤👤 $360 | 👤👤 $470 | 👤 $810
Ultimate Hike | $550 👤👤👤👤👤
👤👤👤👤 $630 | 👤👤👤 $770 | 👤👤 $990 | 👤 $1670
length: 3 days; difficulty: 3
length: 7 days; difficulty: 5
start: Bunyonyi/Mgahinga
start: Bunyonyi/Buhoma (Bwindi)
Substitute awe-inspiring trekking at
the base of volcanoes for one of the
Three Upland Lakes
Are you strong enough to combine
Volcano Quest, a day in Mgahinga,
and Parks Reunited?
👤👤👤👤 $290 | 👤👤👤 $360 | 👤👤 $470 | 👤 $810

Prices valid from January
2016 to December 2017.
Additional days for gorilla
tracking, accommodation
upgrades and other
adjustments possible.
Highlighted title prices
refer to five participants or
more, on a per person basis.
gorillahighlands.com/trails
+256 752 558 222
More
info
5
People
Batwa “Pygmies” are one of the oldest peoples
in Africa. They roamed the forests looking for
fruits and honey, and hunted with bows and
trained dogs. As the woods were cut down by
the Bantu, Batwa numbers dwindled. In 1992
they were evicted from the national parks with
no compensation. Recently the authorities have
shown more understanding and some progress
has been made.
Please be cautious when offered to “see the
Pygmies” and avoid exploitation of the Batwa.
There are three recommended activities that
resemble each other and show their history in
the forest, involving costumes and drama: Batwa
Experience at Buhoma, Buniga Forest Walk at
Nkuringo and the Batwa Trail in Mgahinga. A
different approach is offered through Batwa
Today in Echuya Forest (see ad on p.22).
More
info
gorillahighlands.com/batwa
The Bantus—the Bakiga of Kabale and the
Bafumbira of Kisoro—are primarily mixed crop
and livestock farmers. They have similar origins
but are divided by language (Rukiga/Rufumbira).
Their traditional settlement was a compound
with separate houses for wives and their children;
each wife had her own livestock and fields.
Nowadays high population density and land
fragmentation has led to heavy migration to
other parts of Uganda.
6

This Pocket Guide
is part of Gorilla
Highlands, an initiative for
economic and cultural
transformation through
branding and promotion,
multimedia products and
cultural tourism.
© Edirisa, November 2015
studio@edirisa.org
+256 776 558 123
Batwa elder by Samo Acko; Bakiga lady and Festo Karwemera by Marcus Westberg
Photos by Marcus Westberg and Blasio Byekwaso
Animals
gorillahighlands.com/animals
More
info
Mountain gorillas evolved with the rise of the volcanoes half a
million years ago, adapting to the terrain by becoming larger
than lowland gorillas and with thicker fur. They are herbivores who
sometimes eat ants and termites. Only 782 mountain gorillas exist
in the world but the number is increasing. They can be visited in
two national parks, Bwindi and Mgahinga.
Golden monkeys who share the same environment are also
endangered but much less researched. They spend much of their
time in the bamboo zone eating bamboo shoots. Mgahinga is the
only place to see them.
Also present in the area are: elephants, buffalos, chimps, baboons,
blue and redtail monkeys, zorillas (skunk-like creatures), otters and
many other animals. There have been 115 bird species observed in
Mgahinga, over 200 at Bunyonyi and at least 350 in Bwindi.
7
Bwindi Imprenetrable National Park; photo by Georg Schaumberger
Bwindi
Impenetrable
National Park
The steep valleys and high ridges of Africa’s
oldest rainforest hide much more than just
gorillas. Some of the highlights of different
Bwindi gates:
• Buhoma: most accessible gorillas, nature
walk to three waterfalls, Batwa Experience
(see p.6), tour of the groundbreaking
Bwindi Community Hospital
• Nkuringo: spectacular views of the Virunga
volcanoes, Buniga Forest Walk (see p.6)
• Ruhija: nature walk to the bamboo zone or
the big swamp that gave Bwindi its name,
best birding
• Rushaga: largest number of habituated
gorilla groups, occasional visits of elephants
8
Bwindi habituated
gorilla groups
sincegate
Bitukura2008Ruhija
Busingye2011 Rushaga
Bweeza 2011Rushaga
Habinyanja1998
Buhoma
Kahungye2011 Rushaga
Mishaya 2010Rushaga
Mubare 1993Buhoma
Nkuringo2004 Nkuringo
Nshongi2009Rushaga
Oruzogo2011Ruhija
Rushegura2002 Buhoma
See p.18, 21 & 22
Reaching Bwindi
km
miles
hours
by car
(mini)bus/truck
departure
price 
(USh)
Kabale
414
257
7
throughout the day
25,000
Kisoro
494
307
9
throughout the day
35,000
Buhoma
(via Rukungiri)
472
293
10
morning and night
45,000
Mweya (Queen
Elizabeth NP)
442
275
8
throughout the day
40,000 to
Katunguru
95
59
5
Tue, Fri; daily (minus
Sun) to Kanyantorogo
15-20,000
Buhoma (via Kanungu) 112
70
5
Tue, Sat
15-20,000
Ruhija
49
30
2
Mon-Fri
9-13,000
Rushaga
73
45
2.5
Tue, Sat
10-20,000
Nkuringo
91
57
3
Tue, Sat
12-20,000
Rushaga
35
22
1.5
Mon, Thu
5,000
Rubuguri
27
17
1.5
Mon, Thu, Fri
5,000
Nkuringo
33
20
2
Mon, Thu
6,000
from Kampala to:
from Kabale to:
Buhoma (via Ruhija)
from Kisoro to:
from Mweya (Queen Elizabeth NP) to:
Ishasha
96
60
3
/
/
Buhoma
160
99
4.5
/
/
Ruhija
206
128
6.5
/
/
⚠ roads occasionally
passable by 4WD only

The prices listed are for orientation only (November 2015);
for updates and special hire/boda boda prices please consult
www.gorillahighlands.com/trails
9
Kabale
population 40,000; elevation 1,863m/6,115ft
The major town of the Gorilla Highlands provides all you may expect,
including an impressive selection of banks, a challenging 9-hole golf
course and the Bakiga Museum, an amazing recreation of a traditional
home with unique tools and inventions (see p.22).
Rugarama
Hospital
Highland Hotel
rd
Green Hills Hotel
kisoro
Kisoro,
Lake
Bunyonyi Trucks
by car to Kisoro
ave.
nyere
re
Banks
e.
av
re
ere
ny
Referral
Hospital
Kabale Sports Club
Golf Course
Royal Supermarket
District
Headquarters
um
di
sta
rd
Municipal Office
Bank of Uganda
Bank of Baroda
Barclays Bank
MTN
ba
ka
Stadium
d
le r
Queen’s
Hotel
Ngoma Pub
Post Office
t.
es
rag
ga
Cash&Carry
rd
za
mu
hu
mu
Bakiga museum
Engagi Guest House
Kabale Media Centre
(magazines)
Golf Side Inn
Match&Mix
Nightclub
Hot Loaf, Little Ritz
Horizon
Buses
Cepha’s Inn
Grace Villa
Drugstores
1km
10
Skyline
Hotels
Hotel
Equity Bank
Taxi
Park
Visitours
Hotel
katuna rd
Main
Market
1500ft
Mbarara
Kampala
bu
Buses
sh
ek
w
ire
an
bw
White Horse Inn
Capricon Hotel
rd
ya
s
ko
Police
Jopfan
Country
Hotel
Gateway Buses
Kalita Buses
(Fort Portal)
2nd hand
clothes market
Kigali, Rwanda
See p.18
Lake
Bunyonyi
Lake Bunyonyi was formed 10,000 years ago when a river was dammed
by lava. This “place of many little birds” is one of the safest lakes in Africa
and has a great number of islands: 29. Some of their histories:
• Akampene (Punishment Island): Until the 1940s, unmarried
pregnant women were left here to starve to death or drown trying to
swim to the shore; they were often saved by poor men or slaves who
could not afford the regular bride price.
• Bwama: In 1914 it was an anti-colonial rebel base of a famous leader,
Katuregye. In 1921, Dr. Leonard Sharp, a missionary, founded a
leprosy hospital here. After anti-leprosy drugs were introduced in the
1980s, it became a boarding secondary school.
• Njuyeera (Sharp’s Island): Dr. Sharp’s family lived on this island
when he was not on duty in Kabale Hospital and converted it into
a gorgeous botanical garden with a tennis court, boat house, guest
cottage and windmill.
Lake Bunyonyi; photo by Marcus Westberg
11
Bucuranuka
Bucuranuka
UpsideUpside
Down Island
Down
Island
Habukomi Island
Birdnest
overnight
Tom’s
Homestay
Kifuka
Munanira
Overland Resort
Edirisa
Bufuka
Africa Explorer
Kyahugye
Kyaba
Bushara
Bushara
Primary S
Akampene
Akampene
Nature’s Prime Is
Bugombe
Island
Bugombe
Island
Bwama
Sharp’s Island
Ha’buharo
Island
Ha’buharo
Island
BirdNest Resort
Bwama
Island
Lost Paradise
Island Itambira with
Sharp’s Island
Byoona Amagara
Itambira
Karembe Hill
Karembe
(2487
m // 8130ft)
8130 ft)
(2487m
overnight
Mama Bena’s place
Kyevu
12
Kyevu
1 mile
2 km
Gorilla Highlands Trails (p.4) began in 2005 with canoe treks on Bunyonyi. This is
learn all about the lake and its people while you paddle in dugouts and hike off
Touch of Bunyonyi | $15 👤👤👤👤👤
👤👤👤👤 $20 | 👤👤👤 $25 | 👤👤 $35 | 👤 $55
Kabale
length: 2 hours; difficulty: 1
Slide in a dugout canoe over the lake
surface to visit its lushest island Bushara
Culture on the Crest | $40 👤👤👤👤👤
Swamp
👤👤👤👤 $50 |👤👤👤 $60 | 👤👤 $80 | 👤 $140
BirdNest Resort
Kalebas
Byoona Amagara landing
Rutindo Market, landing
Crater Bay Cottages
Gorilla Packers
Bunyonyi Overland
Bugombe Gateway
e Beach
Arcadia
Bunyonyi Safaris
Edirisa
Bufuka Resort
Primary School
Feza Cottage
ahinga
School
sland
length: half a day; difficulty: 2
Get friendly with a traditional healer and
a craftmaker as you admire superb views
Islands of Miracles | $90 👤👤👤👤👤
👤👤👤👤 $105 | 👤👤👤 $125 | 👤👤 $165 | 👤 $250
length: 1day; difficulty: 2
Add Bunyonyi’s most famous islands
to the program of Culture on the Crest
Mama Bena’s Bonus | $180 👤👤👤👤👤
👤👤👤👤 $200 | 👤👤👤 $250 | 👤👤 $320 | 👤 $520
length: 2 days; difficulty: 3
Bunyonyi in numbers:
size: 25 km (15 mi) x 7 km (4 mi)
area: 61 km2 (24 mi2)
altitude: 1,950 m (6,400 ft)
depth: 44 m (144 ft)
number of islands: 29
max. surface temp.: 25 ºC (77 ºF)
1.6 km
Get floored by Bakiga hospitality as you
paddle and hike around the lake
Mother of All Treks | $230 👤👤👤👤👤
👤👤👤👤 $270 | 👤👤👤 $320 | 👤👤 $410 | 👤 $690
length: 3 days; difficulty: 3
add a tented island homestay and a
craftmaker session to Mama’s Bena’s Bonus
1 km
s a special way to
the beaten track.
More
info
See p.19-20
gorillahighlands.com/trails
+256 752 558 222
13
Kisoro
population 13,000; elevation 1,890m/6,200ft
Lake
Mutanda
Golden
Virunga Hotel Monkey
Imperial
Supermarket
Sawasawa
Guest House
Coffee
Tours
UWA office
Bunagana, Coffee Pot,
Congo
crafts
Police
ro
kiso
Crane
Bank
kabale-kisoro rd.
Equity
Bank
Internet Post Office Horizon
Travellers Rest
buses
Mucha Shared
Bistro
vehicles
and
Tourist
Guesthouse
Hotel
Stanbic
Kisoro
UOBDU
Supermarket
.
na rd
aga
-bun
Hospital
Market
Gateway buses
Shared vehicles
to Kabale
Kindly
gas station
Graceland
Kisoro
Centenary
Bank
Buses
Kabale
Rwanda
oro
kis
ika
an
-cy
rd.
See p.18, 22
Kisoro
Congo
Ntebeko
Ntebeko
Gate
Kazibakye
Swamp
Sabinyo
Gorge
Mt. Sabinyo
Garama Cave
Mgahinga
Gorilla NP
1000ft
500m
Muhavura
Trailhead
Mt. Muhavura
Kabiranyuma
Mt. Gahinga Swamp
1 mile
2 km
Rwanda
14
Mgahinga Gorilla
National Park
Kisoro, the region’s prettiest town, is in an idyllic setting below the
volcanoes. It hosts colourful cross-border markets on Mondays and
Thursdays and has a strong beekeeping community. It is the ideal base
for adventures in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
The smallest, but possibly greatest, of Uganda’s national parks boasts
three Virunga volcanoes: Muhavura (4,127m/13,500ft) with a lake at
the top, Mount Gahinga (3,474m/11,400ft) with a swamp-filled crater,
and Sabinyo (3669m/12,000ft) where three countries meet. Mountain
gorilla tracking is, due to less dense vegetation, usually better for
photography here than in Bwindi. Other activities:
• tracking of rare golden monkeys
• the Batwa Trail (see p.6)
• hiking into Sabinyo Gorge,
to all volcanoes and more
MGNP; photo by Marcus Westberg
More
info
get a full chapter on the park
in the free PDF sample at:
gorillahighlands.com/ebook
15
Lake Mutanda; photo by Blasio Byekwaso
Lakes
of Kisoro
Kisoro district hosts five crater lakes. To swim in the highest one you
will have to climb Mt Muhavura (see p.15), while the other four are
more easily accessible.
Lake Mutanda north of Kisoro is the biggest (10 x 3km or 6 x 2mi),
with six significant islands. One of them, Kyangushu, used to be a
burial site to avoid bringing bad luck to the mainland – bones remain
visible from the lake surface. Lake Murehe nearby is as long
as Mutanda is wide, with two islands and much more fish.
The twin lakes of Chahafi and Kayumbu to the southeast have swamps
with over 60 bird species recorded and sport fishing opportunities.
During World War 1 Germans fought the Anglo-Belgian coalition at
Lake Chahafi (2 x 0.5km or 1.25 x 0.3mi); trenches can still be seen. Lake
Kayumbu is as long as Chahafi but twice as wide, and has an island.
16
See p.20
QENP; photos by Marcus Westberg
Queen Elizabeth
National Park
This park is a wonderful addition to a
Gorilla Highlands holiday, popular due to
abundant wildlife thriving in its diverse
ecosystem of sprawling savanna, humid
forests and sparkling lakes. Rare treeclimbing lions live in the Ishasha sector, the
part closest to our region, and there are
many other species: antelopes, buffalos,
crocodiles, elephants, hippos, leopards,
primates and more. Some of the attractions:
• Kazinga Channel launch trip with
plentiful birds and other animals visible
from the boat
• chimp tracking in Kyambura Gorge
• equator circles at the northern tip of the park
See p.21
17
Classifieds
Buhoma
Buhoma Lodge: situated at Buhoma, adjacent
to the Bwindi National Park from where gorilla
tracking begins, this exclusive eco lodge offers
top quality services and accommodation with
spectacular uninterrupted views of the pristine
rainforest canopy from the individual verandas
and main area.
Ten beautifully appointed and spacious en
suite cottages (including one honey-moon
suite), with solar lighting, piping hot high
pressure showers and flushing toilets, are
situated along the mountainside. Doubles/
Twins From USD 280ppn full board, Singles
from USD 375ppn with discounts for residents
offered. Meals are wholesome and freshly
prepared with a variety of international dishes
and local specialties also available.
Unlimited hot beverages are available all day
on a self-serve basis and are delivered to your
cottage with early morning wake up calls upon
request. Cosy fireplaces provide warmth and
comfort in the cool evenings in the main area
where guests can relax, dine and discuss the
day’s events in this intimate and friendly lodge.
📞 +256 772 721 155
 + 256 414 321 479
✉ reservations@ugandaexclusivecamps.com
🔗 www.ugandaexclusivecamps.com
Mahogany Springs Luxury Lodge: a highend lodge in Buhoma with stunning views of
the Bwindi rainforest and surrounding areas,
located in beautiful gardens set back on a
stream. Our Paradise in the Mist has no equal
- do your gorilla tracking in style! Prices start at
$240 per person per night, full board.
✉ info@mahoganysprings.com
🔗 www.mahoganysprings.com
Gorilla Friends Lodge: guest house primarily
catering for budget travellers, researchers,
and volunteers, located on the main road in
Buhoma trading centre. Prices from USD 25
(single) to 70 (self-contained twin full board).
📞 +256 782 822 043, +256 752 600 960
🔗 gorillafriendslodge@yahoo.com
18
Kabale
Cepha's Inn: situated on top of Makanga
Hill just minutes from the centre of Kabale
Town, boasts the finest amenities around.
Relax and enjoy our swimming pool, sauna,
steam bath, game room, bouncing castle, fully
stocked bar, DSTV, and continental cuisine.
Accommodation from USh 85,000 to 220,000
with breakfast included; camping 25,000
pppn. Free wireless internet for residents.
📞 +256 392 821 667, +256 773 240 946
✉ birungicephas@yahoo.com
🔗 www.cephasinn.com
Kisoro
Travellers Rest Hotel: the founder of gorilla
tourism, Dian Fossey’s, second home and still
a home away from home. We offer 11 rooms,
USD 82 for a single B&B or USD 95 for a double.
Relax in the gardens, enjoy our food and wide
range of drinks, sit at the fireplace, or treat
yourself to a massage.
📞 +256 414 200 221, +256 777 820 071
✉ postmaster@gorillatours.com
Mucha Bistro and Guesthouse: provides
a peaceful and modern environment with a
stylish interior design in the heart of Kisoro
Town. Our accommodation consists of nine
European-style rooms, all with own toilet and
hot shower. Enjoy the best coffee in town while
checking your emails. Rates starting at USD 12.
📞 +256 784 479 520
✉ ss@hotel-mucha.com
🔗 hotel-mucha.com/bistroandguesthouse
Sawasawa Guest House: the friendliest
accommodation in Kisoro, a great place for
backpackers and budget travellers. Prices
from $10.
📞 +256 785 642 114, +256 774 472 926
✉ sawasawahotel@gmail.com
🔗 www.sawasawaguesthouse.com
Lake Bunyonyi
BirdNest@Bunyonyi Resort: This peninsula
grass-thatched hotel is as impressive on the
inside as it is from the outside. A Belgian
investor created it in 2011 after finding a
small ruin at a tremendous location. He built
it in a way that gives each of the 14 rooms full
panoramic lake views.
All rooms have a personal touch with a tasteful
mix of European and African designs and start
from USD 85 at BirdNest Eco Overseas and USD
130 at BirdNest Main Lodge.
The resort restaurant and reception are
located in one big space that provides a cosy
atmosphere. The kitchen is the best in the area,
offering a large menu with specialities. The
spacious terrace with a fireplace and the large
ecological lake shore swimming pool are the
central spots for relaxing satisfaction.
Different activities organised by the resort
will make your BirdNest experience even
more complete. The staff are trained following
European standards and the management
is directly handled by the owner which
guarantees a professional approach with lots
of personal attention.
📞 +256 758 402 585, +256 776 252 560
✉ reservations@birdnestresort.com
🔗 www.birdnestatbunyonyi.com
Nature’s Prime Island: an ecotourism site on
the number one island, for you who wish to
escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. It
offers a unique vantage point from which you
experience the beauty and majesty of Mother
Nature’s ability.
Rise with the sun to the sound of birds singing,
not the morning rush hour. Our well-designed
rooms (USD 50pp full-board and USD 35pp
B&B) have a picturesque view of the lake,
mountains and terraces that cover every slope.
📞 +256 772 423 215, +256 772 478 411
✉ naturesprimeisland@yahoo.co.uk
🔗 www.naturesprimeisland.com
Bunyonyi Safaris Resort: the perfect retreat
location for workshops and conferences, team
building retreats, wedding receptions and
anniversaries, graduation and birthday parties,
honeymoon and family retreats.
Ideal for large groups as we have 46 rooms: 6
cosy private cottages, 36 lake view rooms, 2
executive suites and 2 dormitories. Our rates
start from USD 40 for a single room / USD 80
for a double room, on Bed & Breakfast basis.
Our facilities and services include a wellequipped conference hall, hilltop events arena,
waterfront dock, gym and wellness centre,
fireplace lounge and bar, onsite restaurant,
canoe and motor boat rides and mountain
bike hire.
📞 +256 782 187 892
✉ sales@bunyonyisafaris.com
🔗 www.bunyonyisafarisresort.com
Bunyonyi Overland Resort: a place beyond
comparison in terms of facilities, accessibility,
accommodation options and size. The best
base to explore the lake.
It is ecologically built, with local materials,
locally owned and provides important
employment opportunities for the people
around the lake.
Some of the services: free wifi, satellite TV,
hot showers, flushing toilets, secure car park,
fireplaces, picnic sites. Visa, MasterCard and
American Express accepted. Camping from
USD 8; dorm bed USD 15; furnished tents from
USD 50 B&B; rooms from USD 55 B&B; cottages
from USD 70 B&B; family cottage (2 bedrooms,
lounge, kitchen) USD 140.
📞 +256 793 930 006, +256 772 409 510
✉ resort@bunyonyioverland.com
🔗 www.bunyonyioverland.com
Crater Bay Cottages: a cosy and affordable
place to relax and explore Lake Bunyonyi,
offering 12 self-contained cottages (twin/
double at USD 65 and family at USD 110),
2 furnished tents at USD 25 and camping at
USD 5pp. It is located on the mainland next
to the Rutindo Market. Contact: Kamaga Drug
Store, Kabale
📞 +256 772 643 996, +256 392 825 467
✉ craterbay@yahoo.com
🔗 craterbaycottageslakebunyonyi.com
19
Lake Bunyonyi continued...
Tom’s Homestay: a community overnight
on a beautiful remote island. A cultural tour
led by a professional guide, with a dugout
canoe ride to and fro, traditional music, and
campfire stories. Accommodation is tented,
dinner enriched by crayfish, breakfast with
local honey. Only USD 55pp.
📞 +256 752 558 222
✉ home@edirisa.org
🔗 www.edirisa.org/homestay
Edirisa: a rustic place on a primary school
peninsula, with basic facilities but a lot of
charm and a gorgeous location. The base of an
award-winning multimedia team behind Gorilla
Highlands. Prices under USD 10.
📞 +256 752 558 222
✉ home@edirisa.org
🔗 www.edirisa.org
Bunyonyi View Gorilla Packers: relax, refresh,
rejuvenate! Where the rates are as incredible
as the view! Camping $5, Self-Contained
Rooms $30, Family Suite $60. Volunteer with
our children’s project and get discounted rates.
📞 +256 779 515 920, +256 700 933 151
✉ info@lovingheartsuganda.com
🔗 www.lovingheartsuganda.com
Lost Paradise Beach: wonderful place on
the lake with four original cottages - from
USh 25,000! Experience African lifestyle
at Bunyonyi…
Living and travelling with us you support
www.orutindo.eu orphans project.
📞 +256 782 192 689, +256 782 435 426
✉ ondrusek.tomas@gmail.com
🔗 www.lostparadisebeach.jimdo.com
Lakeview Coffee House: located on the main
road from Kabale, offering excellent views of
Bunyonyi. It is a relaxed place to savour Italian
coffee and enjoy snacks like pizza, tilapia,
crayfish and Indian food. Includes a craft shop,
free wifi and satellite TV.
📞 +256 750 777 434, +256 775 925 848
✉ lakeviewcoffeehouse@live.com
20
Lake Chahafi
Lake Chahafi Resort: we offer eight permanent
cabins with spacious en suite bathrooms
with both cold and warm shower; bar and
restaurant; fireplace and a lounge.
The cabins are beautifully designed to blend
with the natural setting and spacious inside,
with an outer wooden frame and a canvas
tent inner. Inside you will find either a twin
or double bed decked with plenty of thick
layers of bedding to keep you cosy. The roll
up netted windows allow for privacy from the
outside and ensure that you don't miss out on
the magnificent scenery while you are inside.
Dbl/Sgl/Dorm USD 90/70/20 BB.
📞 +256 782 754 496, +256 793 330 974
✉ info@lakechahafiresort.com
🔗 www.lakechahafiresort.com
Lake Mutanda
Hotel Mucha: the modern, unique and fresh
hotel experience between Kisoro Town and
Lake Mutanda. Our aim was to integrate a
western style hotel into the natural environment
of the Mucha river and to conserve the unique
flora and fauna.
10 luxury double rooms with either volcano
or river view, a restaurant with terrace serving
crossover cuisine, managed by owners from
Europe. Rates starting at USD 70.
📞 +256 784 478 605
✉ info@hotel-mucha.com
🔗 hotel-mucha.com/hotel
Mutanda Lake Resort: located on a peninsula
and a great starting point for gorilla tracking.
It is famous for excellent food and the most
beautiful views on the Virunga volcanoes.
Rooms from USD 135 for a single or USD 180
for a double/twin.
📞 +256 789 951 943
✉ info@mutandalakeresort.com
🔗 www.mutandalakeresort.com
Chameleon Hill Lodge: this exclusive, yet
un-pretentious and vibrant new lodge enjoys
spectacular views across Lake Mutanda, with
the Virunga mountains as a magnificent back
drop. Each chalet flaunts its own identity and
colour scheme along with furnishings that
boast a unique Euro-African style. We offer a
special blend of comfort and relaxation, where
attention to detail and friendly personalised
service are paramount.
As well as being the perfect base to visit the
Gorillas, one can also enjoy a trip on our hand
built boat available for various excursions. If
in need of a little pampering, our masseur is
also on hand to spoil you. The resort’s kitchen
is already famous for its mouth-watering food.
Specialities include bread from a wood fired
oven and the freshest salads from our very own
organic herb garden.
Enter ‘Lake Mutanda Chameleon Hill ‘ on www.
tripadvisor.com to see what other people think
of us! Prices start at USD 200.
📞 +256 772 721 818
✉ welcome@chameleonhill.com
🔗 www.chameleonhill.com
Nkuringo
Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge: tucked
away in Nkuringo (southern Bwindi), it is
removed from traditional tourist traps but has
immediate access to track 6 gorilla families,
and perfect, uninterrupted views of the
Virunga Volcanoes.
Since it opened, this intimate lodge continues
to win prizes, awards and accolades. Guests
stay in their own cottages built of local
volcanic stone, which have large sitting rooms
with double-sided fireplaces, vast overstuffed
armchairs, big bathrooms, private verandas
and the most comfortable beds in Uganda.
Personal butlers, delicious food from our
organic vegetable garden, a massage spa
and infinite attention-to-detail complete your
stay. Priced $395 - $610 per person sharing per
night (season-dependent). Kampala office:
Wildplaces Africa, Bugolobi.
📞 +256 414 251 182, +256 772 489 497
✉ info@wildplacesafrica.com
🔗 www.wildplacesafrica.com
Queen Elizabeth NP
Ishasha Wilderness Camp: situated besides
the Ntungwe river within the Ishasha sector
of Queen Elizabeth National Park, this eco
friendly, upmarket wilderness camp offers the
ideal combination of luxury in a natural, bush
environment.
Renowned for its excellent game viewing
opportunities including the lions in the trees,
elephants, buffalos, leopards, hyenas and many
antelope varieties, there is much to offer at this
location for bird enthusiasts too. Ten spacious
en suite tented rooms under the shady riverine
trees overlook the river where animals can
often be seen enjoying the cooling water.
Doubles/Twins From USD 310ppn full board,
Singles from USD 405ppn with discounts for
residents offered.
Meals are top quality and special arrangements
for intimate dinners, bush breakfasts and
sundowners can be made. Unlimited hot
beverages are available all day on a self-serve
basis and are delivered to your room with early
morning wake up calls upon request.
An open fire area is provided in the evenings
where guests can relax and enjoy the "safari"
environment.
📞 +256 772 721 155, + 256 414 321 479
✉ reservations@ugandaexclusivecamps.com
🔗 www.ugandaexclusivecamps.com
Wild Tracks Overland Camp: located on the
boundary of Queen Elizabeth National Park, 1.5
km past the equator on Fort Portal - Mpondwe
Road along the way to Bwera, Kikorongo (3 km
from the Equator). Set on a hill with spectacular
views of Lake George, Lake Kikorongo and the
Savannah plains, we offer accommodation in
affordable shared guest cabins (from USD 26)
and safari camping (from USD 7) with a variety
of meals and drinks served in the restaurant
and an adjacent bar.
📞 +256 701 317 476, +256 771 629 804
✉ info@wildtracksafaris.com
🔗 www.wildtracksafaris.com
21
Ruhija
Bakiga Lodge: four ensuite rooms (2 people
USD180 FB), restaurant and bar, all with
spectacular views over Bwindi. We are just 5
minutes from the Ruhija gorilla tracking meeting
point. All profits fund water development work
for our NGO.
📞 +256 774 518 421
✉ info@bakigalodge.org
🔗 www.bakigalodge.org
Rushaga
Nshongi Camp: ideally situated just 5 minutes
walking distance from the UWA meeting point,
this environmentally friendly accommodation
is the perfect base for visiting the many
gorilla groups in Rushaga. Guests stay in cosy
and clean traditional bandas right at the
boundary of the forest, in a nice garden full
of flowers. Perfect place for birdwatching. The
kitchen serves delicious local food. Camping
USh 10,000, bandas from 35,000. Visit to the
local Batwa village and other activities can
be organised.
✉ nshongicamp@gmail.com
🔗 nshongicamp.altervista.org
Rushaga Gorilla Camp: built on 6 acres of land
bordering Bwindi, the lodge is 15 minutes’ walk
away from the gorilla tracking starting point. Its
location on a mountain slope guarantees nice
vistas of the national park and of a spring where
elephants occasionally come down for a drink.
Camping from USD 10; rooms from USD 40 B&B;
luxury tents from USD 80 B&B.
📞 +256 774 633 331, +256 752 409 510
✉ info@rushaga.com
🔗 www.rushaga.com
Gorilla Valley Lodge: hidden in a beautiful
valley close to Rushaga, with fantastic
panoramic views of Bwindi, this is a lodge to
fall in love with. Our place from which you can
trek any of the gorilla groups in the southern
sector of the park is also reasonably priced: a
double on a full-board basis starts at USD 156.
📞 +256 414 200 221, ++256 777 820 071
✉ postmaster@gorillatours.com
22
Tours and Activities
Coffee Tours: a community-based travel
agency that practices responsible tourism
and provides: coffee safaris, homestays, nature
walks, school visits, Batwa visits, general tours
to Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi.
📞 +256 777 412 288, +256 706 783 311
✉ coffeetoursltd@gmail.com
🔗 mountaingoriillacoffeetours.shutterfly.com
Chigo Tours: offers tailor made tours, unique
adventures in Uganda; from chimpanzee tracking
and wildlife safaris in Queen Elizabeth to oncein-life time experience to view mountain gorillas!
Enjoy primate viewing and nature with us!
📞 +256 776 301 902
✉ info@chigotours.com
🔗 www.chigotours.com
Bakiga Museum: Festo Kar wemera’s
masterpiece is an impressive recreation of a
traditional homestead with unique tools and
inventions. USh 10,000 for a guided tour of 30
minutes.
📞 +256 752 558 222
✉ home@edirisa.org
🔗 www.edirisa.org/museum
Batwa Today: How to make a visit to the Batwa
“Pygmies” a positive and enriching experience,
for both the Batwa and their visitors? Edirisa
has been trying to answer this question for a
decade. In 2012 we got to know John Kanusu as
our guide for treks that include crossing Echuya
Forest Reserve. A year later we began to closely
cooperate with the Batwa community Kanusu
leads, impressed by their dedication to bettering
their situation.
The resulting activity, Batwa Today, combines
a nature walk in Echuya Forest Reserve, a visit
to the Batwa community of Rwamahano and a
unique Bakiga bar cultural exchange. It usually
begins from any Lake Bunyonyi lodge and
includes a scenic lake drive. We can also meet
you on the road if you arrive from Kisoro or
Bwindi. Prices start from USD 30.
📞 +256 752 558 222
✉ home@edirisa.org
🔗 www.edirisa.org/batwa
Phrase Book
RukigaEnglish Rufumbira
Ni gaahe/Agandi
How are you?
Ndi gye/Ni marungi I’m fine
Oraire gye?
How was your night?
Osiibire gye?
How’s your day been?
Osiibi gye
Good day
Oraare gye
Good night
OgumehoGoodbye
Umezute/Uraho?
Ndaho/Meze neza/Yegoo
Waraye/Waramutseho neza?
Wiriwe/Wiriweho?
Umusi mwiza
Urare neza/Uramuke
Ngaho/Urabeho
Yebare (munonga)
Thank you (very much)
YeegoYes
IngaahaNo
KareOK
SeboSir
NyaboMadam
Munywani/MugyenziFriend
Wakoze (cane)
Yeego/Yee
Oya
Kare/Nibyo
Mutware
Mubyeyi/Mucyara/Mukuru
Nshuti/Mugenzi
Interactive eBook
$14.99 on the iBooks Store
An award-winning travel guide
with an in-depth companion:
almost 400 pages of expert advice
and photography, video clips, an
extensive audio phrasebook, up
to date prices and maps
gorillahighlands.com/ebook
23
launch trip
Queen
Elizabeth NP
Lake
Edward
chimps
tree-climbing lions
Uganda
DR Congo
Bwindi
The Gorilla Highlands
region is compact enough
to allow for short visits
chock-full of attractions
but if you have a week or
two at your disposal, you
will get the best out of it.
When coming from
abroad, it makes sense to
fly through Rwanda’s
capital Kigali. More:
gorillahighlands.com/tours
Kampala
Ntungamo
gorillas
Tanzania
Lake Bunyonyi
Kisoro
Mgahinga
volcanoes, gorillas
Kabale
Katuna
Musanze
Rwanda
Akagera NP
sand beaches
giraffes, zebras
Rubavu
Lake Kivu
25 km
10 mi
Kigali
This edition of the Pocket Guide is supported by
the UNDP in collaboration with UTB and UNWTO.