Cuckooland Lodge Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Cuckooland Lodge is a small, comfortable mid-range lodge located along Ruhija Road, a 30-minute drive from the entrance of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Ruhija entrance. The lodge is conveniently situated 15 km (30-40 mins) from Ruija, the nearest gorilla tracking station.

Cuckooland accommodation Bwindi Ruhija is situated on the Butogota-Ruhija road on the eastern side of the park, 25km from Butogota and 15km from Ruhija.  It can be reached either from Kabale or from Ishasha Gate of Queen Elizabeth National Park, taking around 2 ½ hours in either case. A 4-wheel Drive vehicle is advisable, especially in the rainy season.

Cuckooland Lodge Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is set on 10 acres of grounds, and built almost entirely of locally sourced natural materials, accommodation consists of 4 spacious comfortably furnished double tents, built on wooden platforms with a thatched roof, and a large veranda with superb views overlooking the forest. 

Each unit is complete with its toilet, and shower, with hot water, and is situated less than 20 meters from the edge of the forest, providing a wonderful vantage point for viewing the prolific birdlife and different primates which are especially drawn to the fruiting trees at the forest edge.

The restaurant, sited with a commanding view of the surrounding forest, serves delicious food incorporating many of the organic fruit and vegetables grown on the site.

Cuckooland is around 2 km from the nearest other dwellings, the small settlement of Murushasha, Ruhija, and equally far from the road, so visitors are assured of complete tranquillity with the only sounds being those of the forest. 

Activities from Cuckooland Lodge include; Guided walks, Working out in the forest gym, Visiting a tea factory, Bird-watching, Gorilla tracking, and Touring the local community, including seeing their farms, tea small-holdings, schools, etc.

2023 Cuckooland Lodge Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Accommodation Rates Per Night Include;

Accommodation on Full Board Basis

Notes

* Lunch – 20 US Dollars
* Super – 15 US Dollars

Gorilla Trekking – Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Bwindi National Park contains approximately half of the world’s population of mountain gorillas, currently estimated to be about 880.  Given that Rwanda has recently doubled its fees to 1500 US Dollars and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is not very secure, it is probably the best place to see them.

Gorilla Trekking | What To Expect

No one staying at Cuckooland has failed to see the gorillas when going tracking, so your chances of seeing them are very high.  But you need to be aware that we are in a mountainous country with steep-sided valleys, and once inside the forest, you may spend quite a lot of time, walking off the path to locate the gorillas. 

Generally, you need to be reasonably fit, at least used to some walking, preferably hill-walking to do the tracking.  Having said that, we have had many guests, who were not so fit, who still managed to see the gorillas.  To reach the gorillas, you may have to walk between 20 minutes and 3 hours, depending on where the gorillas have spent the previous night, and obviously a similar time to get back. 

On average, people spend around 1 ½ hour walking to reach them and the same to come back.  You are allowed 1 hour with the gorillas, and most people get very close to them, within a few metres. You may even have one brush past you!   Most people return to the lodge by 2 or 3 pm after setting off from Ruhija at around 8:30 am. Porters are available to carry your day bags, packed lunches (which we provide), water, etc.

What To Bring:

* I.D. e.g. passport or driving license
* Good walking boots or shoes, although some people have done it in trainers
* Lightweight waterproofs if tracking in the rainy season. At other times, they are not essential
* Insect repellent. There are midges and mosquitos in the forest and it’s best to spray exposed areas of skin
* Don’t forget your gorilla permits. These have to be picked up at the UWA Kampala office unless you have arranged an intermediary to get them for you
* 1-2 litres of water per person. You may get dehydrated if you have to do a lot of climbing.  Snacks/ packed lunches are also advisable, as you may use a lot of energy

Finally, we hope you decide to take this adventure and look forward to welcoming you to Cuckooland in the near future.

Mobile: + 254-721-242-711
WhatsApp: +254-721-242-711
Reservations: +254 718-179-967
Email: info@africanspicesafaris.com
Website: https://africanspicesafaris.com