Bwindi National Park is one of the most famous tourist destinations thanks to its thriving population of Mountain gorillas. This park receives millions and millions of tourists each year who travel from all parts of the country to enjoy a Gorilla Tracking Safari during which they will be able to see these giant gorillas. With about 800 mountain gorillas living in the world, they have been listed among the most endangered species in the entire world. However the good news is that Bwindi National Park has about have of their total population living within its thick forest.
The question that many people who wish to visit this place ask themselves is, where will I sleep in the midst of that ‘wilderness’? Well the answer is very simple. There are a number of nice different accommodation facilities located around the park and these range from the luxury, mid-range and the budget facilities.
In this article we are going to focus our attention on the budget accommodation facilities that you can sleep in while visiting Bwindi National Park
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Buhoma Community Rest Camp / Buhoma Bandas
Buhoma Community Rest Camp is a wonderful budget facility that offers six nicely furnished safari tents having en-suite facilities, three self-contained cottages, as well as two twin cottage bandas that are not self-contained. Each of their bandas was constructed using local materials with an African themed architectural design. They also have a dormitory with 6 beds in addition to various campsites.
Their cuisine which is prepared by Ugandan chefs is served based on western and African themes and prepared locally cultivated vegetables and foods. An example of their meal plan includes fresh mushroom soup, roasted potatoes, tilapia fish or well prepared vegetable masala, saucy-mixed vegetables, and crepes having honey sauce, and a cup of hot chocolate tea or coffee
Breakfast includes fresh fruits plus toast served with eggs (omelet, scrambled, poached, fried and boiled,) with a glass of juice and tea or coffee.
They normally pack a sandwich (tomato & cheese, egg, tomato, peanut butter or jelly, cheese), juice, some fruits, a boiled egg plus biscuits for those going to track gorillas.
Lodge Amenities
An open restaurant having a bar and a common room Electricity
Bathrooms with running water (hot and cold)
Available rooms:
8 tents with en-suite bathrooms
5 tents sharing bathrooms
A dormitory having six beds
Available Prices
Self-contained banda:
$120 – 2 people Full-Board
$72 – Single Person
$96 – 2 people sharing one room
Non self-contained banda:
$96 – 2 people Full-Board
$60 – Single Person
$78 – 2 people sharing
Dormitory:
$12 – for each Bed only individual
$48 – Full board
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Bwindi View Bandas
The Bwindi View Bandas and Campsite pledge to offer their visitors a warm pleasant welcome as well as provide assistance to help them to achieve the-most from their visit to this park. They aim to see that you have a great and comfortable stay at their facility. of their visit to the park your stay at Bwindi View Bandas will be a memorable experience. Activities include gorilla tracking, tours and trekking expeditions.
The Banda View Canteen
They have a canteen (comprising of a Restaurant and Bar) which offers traditional dishes and a snacks menu however orders must be placed in advance. They serve Breakfast starting at 07.00am and offer lunch boxes for those going to track gorillas or do forest nature walks.
Accommodation and Prices
| Room Type | Rates (USD) |
| Single Banda Occupancy | $ 80 |
| Double Banda Occupancy | $ 130 |
| Family Banda | $ 220 |
Bwindi View Bandas’ Facilities include:
- Secure parking
- Grocery & storage facilities
- canteen
- Heated showers
- Reading materials
- Pit latrine toilets
- games room
- Laundry services
- Picnic area,
- Informational board
- Different facilities and equipment for rent
How to get there
Its 15 kilometers from Butogota to Buhoma, private taxi hire services can be organized from here. However you can also privately hire a vehicle for this transfer.
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Nkuringo Gorilla Campsite
Nkuringo Campsite is located 2160 meter above sea level uphill overlooking the breathtaking verdant canopy of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Bwindi forest Park is home to the biggest number of habituated Mountain Gorillas. From his campsite you can easily track the Nkuringo habituated gorilla group which has one of the largest number of members. However you should always remember that gorilla tracking activity requires one to have a gorilla tracking permit so don’t forget to get one through your Tour Company or agent.
Accommodation
They offer accommodation in three basic bandas having twin beds.
People with their personal equipment pay US$5 for camping per tent.
Facilities
There is a basic restaurant plus a cooking shelter for self catering visitors.
Thery can provide hot water for bathing however they advice visitors not to use water extravagantly. Water at Nkuringo campsite is obtained from down the river and there are porters who carry this water in drums to the campsite. Also during the wet season, they harvest rain water.
Accommodation Rack Rates
| Room Type | single | sharing |
| Virunga Terrace room | $200 | $125 |
| Family cottage sleeps 4 to 5 persons | $700 | |
For more information about destination Uganda, visit adventureugandasafari.com/
