Mount Gahinga Lodge is a standard lodge that offers luxury hotel accommodation & is set in the foothills of the 3 dramatic Virunga volcanoes: Mgahinga, Muhavuru and Sabinyo. This unique area is a dense jungle with nearby emerald lakes, an abundant bird life and gorilla populations. The lodge is designed according to eco-friendly principles, using natural energy sources to minimize environmental impact. As far as possible, the lodges are run by members of the local population, creating a harmonious African safari location. You can engage in exciting activities as you explore the area. You can go gorilla tracking safaris, climb the dormant volcanoes, visit the emerald waters of Lake Mutanda, or simply relax and watch the birds and other wildlife.

Mount Gahinga Lodge Hotel nestles in the foothills of the Virunga volcanoes on the border of Uganda, Rwanda and the DRC. The lodge is being totally renovated, a sunroom facing the volcanoes has been added, a new terrace and gardens created. The habituated family which used to reside in Mgahinga NP is no longer living there full time, they move between Uganda, Rwanda and the DRC and cannot be viewed. The Nkuringo group in Southern Bwindi can be visited instead. You can als, go birding, or just take in one of the most beautiful landscapes of Africa. An hour's flight or a long day's drive from Entebbe, four hours' drive from Kigali. This is the ideal place to stay while tracking the endangered Mountain gorilla in

Mgahinga National Park in Uganda. 
Mgahinga National Park is in the far south west of Uganda close to the borders of both Rwanda and Congo. Mount Gahinga Lodge, close to the park entrance, sits on a hillside in the shadow of three extinct volcanoes; Muhabura (4,127m), Sabyinyo (3,645m), Gahinga (3,475m). The lodge has a super garden and is surrounded by rural housing and cultivated land mostly producing potatoes, but also some maize and a small amount of beans.

Mount Gahinga Lodge Hotel Accommodation
Mount Gahinga Lodge has nine circular thatched cottages spread throughout the grounds. The cottages have a private 'bucket' shower and 'long-drop' toilet, similar to those found in remote safari camps, along a short corridor from the bedroom. Each of the Mount Gahinga Lodge cottages has its own verandah which, like the bar and dining room, looks across the valley with Lake Mutanda in the distance.
Although mountain gorillas do live in Mgahinga National Park they are not always resident in Uganda, moving across to the neighbouring national parks in Rwanda or Congo for months on end. It is therefore more normal to plan a day walk to climb one of the volcanoes (not to be taken lightly since your starting altitude is 2,300m) or to take part in a nature walk or a trip in a dug-out canoe on Lake Mutanda.

Travellers Rest Hotel - formerly owned by Walter Baumgartel the father of tourists tracking the Mountain Gorillas, a place that Dian Fossey used to call her second home that George Schaller used to stay at.  In those days it was a bit rougher, now it is self-contained and running water, comfortable place, a big fireplace in the lounge area, a comfortable place, close to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, close to Lake Mutanda and within reasonable reach of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. You are in town and it is about the best place to eat there.  Travellers Rest is a good value and comfortable.  Enjoy.

Sample Gorilla Tour
Day 1: Park National des Volcans
you are met on arrival at airport and transfer to Kigali. After lunch depart for Park National des Volcans. The journey north goes through the beautiful, terraced hillsides that characterise much of Rwanda's landscape, gradually climbing to the base of the awesome volcanoes, sometimes with as many as 5 peaks visible. Meals: FB
Accommodation:   Volcanoes Virunga Lodge - Gorilla Nest Hotel

Day 2: Parc National des Volcans
Go gorilla tracking in Parc National des Volcans (subject to permit availability at the time of booking). Tracking the gorillas through the lush forested slopes of the Virungas is a magical experience. If you are lucky you can get to the gorillas, spend an hour with them, and be back at the base in time for a late lunch! Some gorilla families however are more elusive and tracking can take a full day, especially when it is wet and muddy. Meals: FB
Accommodation:   Gorilla Nest Hotel -   Volcanoes Virunga Lodge

Day 3: Parc National des Volcans
There is a wide selection of activities for you to choose from today. You can go gorilla tracking again in Parc National des Volcans (on payment of supplement at time of booking), visit the endangered golden monkeys or trek to Dian Fossey's grave. Other options available include driving to Gisenyi, visiting Ross Carr's orphanage and Lake Kivu or climbing the Visoke/Muhavura volcanoes, visiting the local school and community projects or walking to Lake Bulera. Meals : FB
Accommodation :   Volcanoes Virunga Lodge -  Gorilla Nest Hotel

Day 4: Mgahinga National Park
In the morning either relax or walk near the lodge, visit the golden monkeys or trek to Dian Fossey's grave. After lunch you transfer to Uganda [clocks go forward 1hr], before continuing to Mount Gahinga. Meals : FB
Accommodation :   Volcanoes Mount Gahinga Lodge

Day 5: Mgahinga National Park – Gorilla Tracking
You can go gorilla tracking again, this time in Mgahinga on the northern side of the Virunga mountains, (on payment of supplement at time of booking), or climb the Muhavura or Gahinga volcano; go for a nature walk, or visit Lake Mutanda. Meals: FB
Accommodation:   Volcanoes Mount Gahinga Lodge

Day 6: Bwindi National Park
Drive to Bwindi through the Switzerland of Africa, with the road winding through many hills and valleys, offering distant views of the volcanoes and lakes. Time permitting; go for a guided nature walk in the thick forest rich in birds, butterflies and monkeys. Alternatively, look for monkeys and birds near the river below the lodge.Meals : FB
Accommodation :   Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge

Day 7: Bwindi National Park
Gorilla tracking on day 7 (on payment of supplement at time of booking) involves walking up steep densely forested hills. In this thick and humid forest you almost have to cut your way through the undergrowth, but finally coming across the gorillas camouflaged in the vegetation is an inspiring moment. Tracking in Bwindi requires stamina and can often take most of the day; viewing can be restricted due to the dense vegetation. Alternatively, go for a shorter, more leisurely nature walk on one of the different trails that meanders through the Impenetrable Forest. Meals : FB
Accommodation :   Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge

Day 8: Bwindi
Either go gorilla tracking again (on payment of supplement at the time of booking subject to permit availability), there are 4 habituated gorilla families living in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Another option is to go on a guided nature walk to see birds, butterflies, orchids and primates, or you may prefer to go on a community walk. Meals: FB
Accommodation:   Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge

Day 9: Queen Elizabeth National Park
Leave for Queen Elizabeth National Park. Either drive via Ishasha, home of the tree climbing lion, roads permitting, or take the alternative route through cultivated expanses. If you have enough time on arrival, you can go for an evening game drive. Meals : FB   Jacana Safari Lodge

Day 10: Queen Elizabeth National Park
Go for an early morning game drive to seek out wildlife, the game seen will depend on the season. You have a good chance of spotting lion, which inhabit the Kasenyi plains in large numbers. The Mweya peninsula is usually good to view large mammals, such as bushbuck, waterbuck, and elephant, as well as the unusual giant forest hog; leopard may also be seen in this area. The area around the 7 crater lakes in the northern hills is very scenic but game viewing is erratic.
You can rest during the heat of the day and later there is the option of an evening game drive.
Meals: FB   Jacana Safari Lodge

Day 11: Queen Elizabeth National Park
You partake in an excursion to the nearby Kyambura gorge to track the fast-moving, elusive chimpanzees, one of man's closest relations. It's worth noting that the chimp population is quite mobile and viewing is unpredictable, nevertheless, the walk in this "lost world" is enchanting.
Alternatively, go for a nature walk in Maramagambo Forest; this forest harbours some unusual species - red-tailed and L'Hoest's monkey, potto, giant forest hog, pygmy antelope, and giant elephant shrew. You can also visit the bat caves and the blue lake. In the afternoon a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel is an especially rewarding occasion to view a variety of game, especially hippo, buffalo, elephant and a vast array of birds. Meals: HB
Accommodation:   Jacana Safari Lodge
 

Day 12: Kampala
En route to Kampala you stop to see the royal drum makers, stand on the Equator and be in both hemispheres at once, and bargain at the roadside markets bursting with fruit and vegetables. You have the chance to freshen up in the day rooms at Windsor Lake Victoria Hotel in Entebbe until your transfer to the airport for your return flight.