Visitors accessing Bwindi Impenetrable National Park from the Rushaga and Nkuringo gates can stay at Gorilla Closeup Lodge. The lodge…
Traveling on a budget lets you save money while still enjoying great gorilla adventures in Uganda. In the Nkuringo sector of Bwindi, home to the main gorilla family named after the hills in the area, there are several budget lodges to choose from.
Some provide meals with an on-site restaurant and bar, while others may require you to cook for yourself or eat at nearby restaurants. The main budget accommodations in this sector include:
Mutanda Eco Community Centre
This lodge offers good camping facilities, including a restaurant that prepares healthy meals for guests. The camps sit on raised platforms with roofs to protect visitors from rain, especially during the wet season.
Mutanda sits near Lake Mutanda and can host more than ten guests across four cabin bandas. It also has a dormitory with bunk beds and comfortable bedding, giving visitors a simple, pleasant stay.
Nshongi Camp
Nshongi Camp has four traditional bandas with private bathrooms, toiletries, and mosquito nets to keep you safe from insects. Guests are advised to carry insect repellent and avoid bright-coloured clothes when moving outside. Our gorilla trekking packing list covers this in full.
The bandas have double beds for a good night’s rest. In the evening, a campfire is lit to keep guests warm, offering a chance to meet other travelers while enjoying a hot drink or roasted snacks.
Bwindi Backpackers
Located at the edge of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Bwindi Backpackers gives guests a choice between self-camping (where you carry your own equipment) or staying in cottages and self-contained rooms with comfortable bedding. The lodge is affordable and covers the basics well.
Other budget options in the Nkuringo sector include Bwindi Orungano Lodge, Karungi Camp, Wagtail Safari Lodge, Albertine Gorilla Campsite, and Gorilla Close Up Lodge. These can all be reached by road or air transport.
The Nkuringo sector is known for its gorilla families. The Nkuringo family was first led by a silverback named Nkuringo, who died in 2008. Leadership later passed to Rafiki, who was killed by poachers, but the group has continued to grow and is now well habituated to human presence.
In the past, these gorillas sometimes damaged crops in nearby gardens, but today they draw visitors from around the world. Other families in this sector include the Christmas Gorilla Family and the Bushaho Gorilla Family, led by the silverback Bahati with eight members.
Visitors to Nkuringo can also spot many bird species, animals, and forest plants along the tough but rewarding trails. Our guide to Bwindi’s sectors covers how Nkuringo compares to Buhoma, Ruhija, and Rushaga. On clear days, you may even catch a view of Nyamuragira Volcano in Virunga National Park.
Create lasting memories by staying in one of the budget lodges in Nkuringo sector. Check our gorilla trekking permit cost guide to budget for your trek.
Book your stay at one of these Nkuringo lodges and pair it with one of our Uganda gorilla safari packages to plan your full trip.
