Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp
Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp is a luxury tented camp set inside Bwindi Impenetrable National Park itself, in the Buhoma sector. Operated by Sanctuary Retreats, it’s one of only two lodges located within the park boundary — and famous for surprise visits from mountain gorillas onto the lodge lawn. Canvas tents, stone-walled bathrooms with free-standing baths, and silver-service à la carte dining make it one of the most premium gorilla-trekking bases in Uganda.
Inside Bwindi National Park
Canvas Tents with Stone Bathrooms
Free-Standing Baths
Silver Service Dining
Outdoor Fireplace
Forest Canopy Views
Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp sits inside Bwindi Impenetrable National Park itself, in the Buhoma sector — one of only two lodges located within the park boundary. The camp is positioned at the entrance, giving guests one of the closest possible starts to a gorilla trek.
It’s operated by Sanctuary Retreats, an internationally established luxury safari brand, with a tented setup designed to blend into the forest. Mountain gorillas occasionally wander onto the camp lawn — a feature few other lodges in the country can offer.
The Buhoma sector is home to five habituated mountain gorilla families, making this one of the most reliable starting points for gorilla trekking in Uganda.
Best for: Luxury trhttps://www.nkuringosafaris.com/uganda-gorilla-families/avellers, honeymooners, and guests prioritising the deepest possible forest immersion — including the rare chance of gorilla sightings without leaving the lodge.
Accommodation at Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp
The camp is small and intimate, with canvas tents dressed in indigenous prints and furniture made from natural materials. Beds are draped in neutral-toned linens, with local artifacts setting the tone.
Each tent features:
- A spacious stone-walled bathroom with private sections
- A free-standing bath
- Forest views from the private deck
- Eco-friendly design with a light footprint
The intimate scale of the camp — fewer tents than most Buhoma lodges — is part of its appeal.
Amenities at a glance:
- 24-hour electricity
- En-suite stone-walled bathrooms with free-standing baths
- Private deck or veranda
- Outdoor fireplace
- Forest canopy views
- Laundry service
Dining at Sanctuary
The lodge’s prized lounge overlooks the rainforest, with a raised natural platform built for open-air dining. Breakfasts are full English and continental, with packed lunches of fresh fruit and savouries provided for trekking days.
Dinner is silver-service, à la carte, and three courses, prepared by Chef Medard. Drinks are served around the outdoor campfire after dark.
Families and Children
The Uganda Wildlife Authority does not permit children under 15 to trek mountain gorillas. The camp can arrange a babysitter and supervised activities so children can stay safely on-site while parents trek. Note that the camp’s intimate, in-park location is best suited to families with older children.
Activities at Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp
The camp’s in-park position is its biggest activity advantage — the gorilla trailhead is on the doorstep, with the full Buhoma sector activity range easily reached.
Mountain Gorilla Trekking Direct walking access to the Buhoma sector — home to five habituated gorilla families. The closest lodge–trailhead distance available, alongside Buhoma Lodge.
Buhoma Community Village Walk A guided walk through the village with the option to visit Bwindi Community Hospital and contribute to its work supporting the local population.
Ride 4 a Women A local women’s empowerment project offering sewing, weaving, and skills training for women facing HIV, domestic violence, and poverty.
Batwa Cultural Experience A full-day experience run by the Batwa Development Program, exploring the historical hunting and gathering lifestyle of the Batwa people in the forest.
Guided Nature Hikes and the Waterfall Trail The Uganda Wildlife Authority runs guided forest hikes. The 3–4 hour waterfall hike is the most popular. Wildlife along the trails includes monkeys, forest hogs, elephants, and over 23 endemic Albertine Rift bird species.
Longer Walking Safaris For deeper exploration of the forest, Nkuringo Walking Safaris leads multi-day treks across Bwindi via historic trails such as the Kasashari River and Ivy Trails.
How to Book Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp
Nkuringo Safaris partners with Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp and can usually secure better rates as part of a wider Uganda safari itinerary.
We can help you:
- Bundle Sanctuary into a tailored luxury gorilla safari in Uganda
- Secure gorilla permits for the Buhoma sector
- Combine the camp with other lodges in Bwindi for a full circuit
- Arrange road or fly-in transfers via Kihihi airfield
Email hello@nkuringosafaris.com or use our online enquiry form and a local expert will reply quickly.
Price Information
Price From: USD 270 pp per night (Low season, 7+ nights) Price Range: 4 (Luxury)
Indicative seasonal rates (per person, per night, varying by stay length):
Low season — Apr–May, Nov–16 Dec
- 1–3 nights: $415
- 4–6 nights: $311
- 7+ nights: $270
Shoulder season — Jan, Feb, Mar, Jun, Oct
- 1–3 nights: $630
- 4–6 nights: $536
- 7+ nights: $504
Peak season — Jul–Sep, 17 Dec–2 Jan
- 1–3 nights: $795
- 4–6 nights: $716
- 7+ nights: $676
Price from
$270pp
Price Range
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Inside Bwindi National Park
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Canvas Tents with Stone Bathrooms
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Free-Standing Baths
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Silver Service Dining
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Outdoor Fireplace
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Forest Canopy Views
Some of Our
Frequently Asked Questions
The camp sits inside Bwindi Impenetrable National Park itself, in the Buhoma sector — positioned at the entrance to the park, giving guests one of the closest possible starts to a gorilla trek. It’s one of only two lodges located within the park boundary.
Rates start from USD 270 per person per night in low season for stays of 7+ nights, rising to USD 795 per person per night in peak season for shorter stays. Pricing rewards longer stays significantly.
Sanctuary and Buhoma Lodge are the only two properties inside the park boundary. Sanctuary is the more premium of the two — canvas tents with stone bathrooms and free-standing baths, silver-service dining, and Sanctuary Retreats branding. Bwindi Lodge (across the valley) is similarly luxurious but uses cottages rather than tents. For travellers wanting maximum forest immersion in a tented setup, Sanctuary is the strongest choice.
Occasionally, yes. The camp is set inside the park and gorillas have been known to wander across the lodge lawn. It’s not a guarantee, but it’s a feature very few lodges anywhere in Uganda can offer.
Children under 15 can’t trek gorillas. The camp can arrange a babysitter and on-site activities, but its intimate scale and in-park location make it best suited to families with older children or couples
You can book through Nkuringo Safaris to bundle the stay with permits, transfers, and a wider Uganda itinerary — usually at better rates than booking direct. Email hello@nkuringosafaris.com or use the online enquiry form.
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