Rushaga SectorLuxury

Four Gorillas Lodge

$350-$650 per night

Overview

Four Gorillas Lodge has eight cottages built in African traditional style with grass-thatched roofs, positioned at the edge of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in the Rushaga sector. The lodge is approximately ten minutes by car from the Rushaga gorilla trekking centre, which serves as the briefing point for treks into one of Bwindi's most gorilla-rich sectors.

The cottages are spacious and individually designed, blending local building traditions with comfortable interiors. Each has en-suite facilities and views of the surrounding forest and hillside landscape. The main lodge building houses a restaurant, a lounge area, and a bar. The property has a strong community and conservation focus, supporting local initiatives in the surrounding area.

Rushaga has the largest concentration of habituated gorilla families in Bwindi, and the lodge can arrange both standard gorilla trekking and the gorilla habituation experience, which allows up to four hours with a gorilla family that is still being accustomed to human visitors. Other activities include visits to the Batwa trail, bird watching in the forest fringe, and guided nature walks.

Location & Access

Distance to trekking gate: 1.5 km to Rushaga gate

Altitude: 1,840 m

Driving time: 10 min to Rushaga registration point

Map

Room Types

Traditional Cottage

Spacious grass-thatched cottage in African traditional style with king or twin beds, en-suite bathroom with hot shower, and views of the forest and hillside.

Up to 2 guests

Premium Cottage

Enhanced cottage with larger living space, king bed, en-suite bathroom with bathtub and shower, fireplace and private terrace.

Up to 2 guests

Family Cottage

Two-room cottage with interconnected sleeping areas, two en-suite bathrooms and a shared veranda for families.

Up to 4 guests

Dining

The restaurant serves full-board cuisine blending Ugandan flavours with international dishes. Breakfasts are hearty, packed lunches are provided for trekking days, and multi-course dinners feature locally sourced produce. The bar stocks wines, beers, spirits and fresh juices. Vegetarian and dietary requirements are accommodated with advance notice.

Planning Your Trek

Staying at Four Gorillas Lodge puts you close to the Rushaga sector trailhead — the briefing starts at 7:30 a.m.

A gorilla trekking permit costs $800 per person and is booked separately through the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) — not included in your lodge rate. $10 from each permit goes directly to local communities surrounding Bwindi, linking conservation with the livelihoods of the people who live alongside the gorillas.

Source: Uganda Wildlife Authority (ugandawildlife.org) — permit prices subject to change.

Gorilla Permit Guide All Bwindi Experiences

Activities

Gorilla trekking
Gorilla habituation experience (4 hours)
Batwa cultural trail
Bird watching
Nature walks
Community visits

Who Should Stay Here

CouplesLuxury seekersWildlife enthusiastsCultural travellers

Why We Recommend It

Beautifully designed African traditional-style cottages
Access to both gorilla trekking and the extended habituation experience
Rushaga sector has the most habituated gorilla families in Bwindi
Strong community and conservation focus
Intimate lodge with just eight cottages
Ten minutes from trekking briefing point

Things to Know

WiFi is limited or unavailable — embrace the digital detox
Access road requires a 4x4 vehicle
Evening temperatures can be cool at altitude — warm clothing advised
Gorilla habituation permits must be booked well in advance

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Four Gorillas Lodge unique?

The lodge features eight individually designed cottages built in authentic African traditional style with grass-thatched roofs, blending local building traditions with comfortable modern interiors.

Can I do the gorilla habituation experience from here?

Yes, the Rushaga sector is one of the few places offering the extended gorilla habituation experience — up to four hours with a gorilla family, at a cost of $1,500 per permit.

How do I get to Four Gorillas Lodge?

Most guests drive from Entebbe/Kampala (8-10 hours) or fly to Kisoro airstrip (about 1 hour drive to the lodge). Cross-border transfers from Kigali (4-5 hours) are also available.