Introduction

Mount Gahinga Lodge sits at the foot of the Virunga Volcanoes — Gahinga, Muhabura and Sabyinyo — and offers one of the most culturally rich and scenically dramatic bases for gorilla and golden monkey tracking in East Africa. Hand‑built stone bandas, terraced gardens, forest views and Volcanoes Safaris’ signature service create an intimate and restorative retreat. The lodge is deeply connected to the Batwa community, whose ancestral forest once covered these slopes, and guests are invited to engage meaningfully with their stories, traditions and conservation journey.

Location – Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Uganda

The lodge lies on the edge of Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in south‑western Uganda, part of the greater Virunga Conservation Area shared with Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. From the lodge’s gardens and terraces, the three volcanic cones rise sharply into the sky, often veiled in mist. The park headquarters, from which gorilla tracking, golden monkey tracking and volcano hikes begin, are only a short drive away. The lodge’s location allows guests to explore bamboo forests, montane woodland and volcanic slopes with ease, while enjoying quiet moments in the gardens overlooking the terraced farmland below.

The Lodge – Eight Hand‑Built Bandas beneath the Volcanoes

Mount Gahinga Lodge comprises eight individually designed stone bandas built using local materials and traditional techniques. Each banda features a spacious bedroom, a fireplace for cool mountain evenings, an en‑suite bathroom with walk‑in shower and hot and cold running water, and a private veranda framed by lush gardens. Interiors blend hand‑woven textiles, volcanic stone accents and locally crafted furnishings, creating a warm, contemporary but deeply contextual atmosphere.

The main lodge includes a lounge with open fires, a bar, a dining room with views of the volcanoes and outdoor terraces ideal for sunny afternoons. A small spa offers massages to ease tired muscles after trekking, while garden pathways lead to quiet seating areas shaded by banana plants and indigenous trees. With attentive butler service and only eight bandas, the lodge maintains a calm, personalised ambiance that encourages both exploration and rest.

Conservation & Community Project

Mount Gahinga Lodge is the heart of the Gahinga Batwa Project, a groundbreaking initiative developed by the Volcanoes Safaris Partnership Trust. After decades of displacement following the creation of conservation areas, the Batwa community at Mgahinga has been supported in establishing a permanent village on land purchased for them — the Gahinga Batwa Village. Here families have secure homes, agricultural plots and access to education and healthcare.

Guests can visit the village and learn how Batwa elders worked with the Trust to design the houses and layout of the community. The Batwa Heritage Trail, led by Batwa guides, introduces travellers to traditional forest skills — hunting techniques, medicinal plants, spiritual sites and cultural stories associated with the volcanoes. A vocational training programme provides young Batwa with skills in crafts, carpentry and hospitality, creating new opportunities for sustainable livelihoods. Staying at Mount Gahinga Lodge directly supports these long‑term initiatives and the cultural revival of a community whose identity is deeply tied to the forest.

Activities & Wildlife Viewing – Gorillas, Golden Monkeys & Volcano Trails

Gorilla tracking from Mount Gahinga Lodge provides a quieter, more off‑the‑beaten‑path experience within the Virunga massif. Guests set out with Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers to locate the habituated Nyakagezi gorilla family, whose movements take them through bamboo forest, hagenia woodland and the lower slopes of the volcanoes. This is a gorilla‑only activity: chimpanzees do not occur in Mgahinga, and any chimp tracking in a broader itinerary is arranged from Kyambura Gorge Lodge or Kibale Lodge.

Golden monkey tracking is another highlight unique to the Virunga region. These rare, fast‑moving primates live in the bamboo forests and offer a lively, photogenic experience. The lodge is also perfectly positioned for volcano hikes — including ascents of Mount Gahinga, Muhabura or Sabyinyo — each providing sweeping views across three countries and the Albertine Rift. Guided nature walks reveal birdlife, butterflies, forest plants and evidence of volcanic geology.

Cultural visits, especially along the Batwa Heritage Trail or to the Gahinga Batwa Village, offer immersive, respectful encounters with Batwa culture. Guests may also explore local farming communities, visit regional markets or simply unwind in the gardens with a view of the volcano peaks shifting in the afternoon light.

Guest Information & Inclusions

Mount Gahinga Lodge operates on a fully inclusive basis, with stays including all meals, most beverages, personal butler service, complimentary laundry, Wi‑Fi, spa treatments and guided walks on the lodge grounds. A nightly conservation and community fee supports the Gahinga Batwa Village, the Batwa Heritage Trail and other VSPT initiatives. Gorilla and golden monkey tracking permits are limited and should be arranged in advance.

The lodge can be reached by road from Kigali, Lake Bunyonyi, Bwindi or Queen Elizabeth National Park, or by scheduled flight to Kisoro followed by a short transfer. Conditions are generally drier from June to September and December to February, but trekking and cultural experiences are rewarding year‑round. Mount Gahinga Lodge combines naturally with other Volcanoes Safaris properties.