Burunga Gorilla Lodge is a small eco luxury cottage lodge in the Rushaga sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, on the Kisoro side of the forest. The lodge says it sits about 6 km from the starting point for Rushaga gorilla trekking, with forest facing cottages, full board meals and views over Bwindi and the Kisoro hills. It is one of the newer and less documented lodges in southern Bwindi.
Burunga Gorilla Lodge Location and Trailhead Access
The lodge gives its address simply as the Rushaga sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, on the southern side of the forest, and does not name its village. Its pages describe uninterrupted views of Bwindi and Kisoro, which places it on the hills above the forest rather than down in the valley.
The key figure is distance. Burunga puts itself about 6 km from the gorilla trekking starting point. That is close enough for an easy morning, but it is a drive, not a walk, so make sure your transport is arranged the night before.
As with every Bwindi lodge, your permit must match the sector. Burunga is a base for Rushaga gorilla trekking. A Nkuringo permit can work from here with an earlier start, but Buhoma and Ruhija are far too distant for a same morning trek.
Cottages and Rooms at Burunga
The lodge describes uniquely crafted cottages built with more than 70 percent locally sourced materials, finished in a rustic modern style with warm lighting and heavy bedding for cold Kisoro nights. Every cottage has an en suite bathroom and a balcony facing the forest.
The lodge’s FAQ says up to five cottages can be booked at once, which suggests a small property, though it never states a total. Ask how many cottages there are if quiet matters to you.
Food, Wi Fi and Services
Rates are full board, covering breakfast, lunch and dinner along with hot drinks, laundry and, according to the lodge, a hand and foot massage. Premium drinks cost extra. The kitchen mixes Ugandan and international dishes and sources produce, meat and crafts from local farmers and cooperatives. Ask for a packed lunch on trek day.
Free Wi Fi is offered in the cottages and shared areas. The lodge does not say how its electricity is supplied, so bring a power bank for long trek days. Evenings centre on campfires and sunset viewing from the grounds, and staff are on hand day and night.
Gorilla Trekking From Burunga Gorilla Lodge
After the short drive to the Rushaga briefing, rangers place each group of up to eight with one habituated family. Rushaga families include Nshongi, Mishaya, Bweza, Kahungye, Busingye and several newer groups, all listed on our Bwindi gorilla families page. The Nshongi family is the best known of them.
Expect anything from an hour to most of a day in steep forest, then one hour with the gorillas at about 10 metres. The minimum trekking age is 15. Hire a porter, wear gloves and gaiters, and see our trekking difficulty guide if you are unsure about fitness. Burunga also helps guests arrange permits and guides, and the lodge has published its own explainer on trekking versus the gorilla habituation experience, which is based in Rushaga.
Batwa Visits, Walks and Lake Days
The lodge lists nature walks and birding with local guides, Batwa cultural tours and canoe rides on Lake Bunyonyi as a day trip. Read about the Batwa people before you visit, and see our Bwindi birding guide for the forest species worth looking for. Lake Bunyonyi is roughly two hours away by road, so plan it as a full day out or a stop on the way in.
Getting to Burunga Gorilla Lodge
From Kampala or Entebbe the drive to Rushaga takes nine to ten hours via Kabale, often split with a night at Lake Mburo or Lake Bunyonyi; Kabale to Rushaga is two to three hours. Morning flights reach Kisoro airstrip from Entebbe, followed by a one to two hour transfer. From Kigali, the Cyanika border route takes four and a half to six hours. Our getting to Bwindi guide covers each option, and the lodge offers 24 hour check in with advance notice for late arrivals.
How It Compares With Other Rushaga Lodges
Burunga sits at the upper end of the Rushaga market on price. Kaara Gorilla Mountain Lodge is a similar small hilltop property near Rubuguri, Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge is a well regarded midrange option, and Wild Olives Lodge suits tighter budgets. Our Bwindi lodges guide lists choices in every sector, and our gorilla trekking in Uganda guide explains how sectors and permits fit together.
Burunga Gorilla Lodge FAQ
Which sector is Burunga Gorilla Lodge in?
Rushaga, in the southern part of Bwindi on the Kisoro side. Book a Rushaga permit to trek from here.
How far is Burunga Gorilla Lodge from the trekking start?
About 6 km, according to the lodge. It does not publish a drive time, so confirm how long the morning transfer takes.
What are the rates at Burunga Gorilla Lodge?
A rate table the lodge published for a previous season listed about US$400 for single occupancy, US$540 for double or twin, US$765 for triple and US$1,000 for a family cottage of four, full board. Its FAQ says rates are per person, while the table reads as per cottage, so ask the lodge to confirm the current figures and basis in writing. The gorilla permit is separate at US$800 for foreign non residents.
What is included in a stay?
Full board meals, hot drinks, laundry and, by the lodge’s account, a hand and foot massage. Park fees, transfers, premium drinks and optional activities are extra.
How far ahead should I book Burunga?
The lodge suggests two to three months ahead for the busy trekking months, and a 25 percent deposit confirms the booking. Secure your gorilla permit first.
Is there Wi Fi at Burunga Gorilla Lodge?
Yes, the lodge offers free Wi Fi in the cottages and shared areas. Expect modest speeds in the hills.
