Bugoma Jungle Lodge is the first accommodation facility that is situated in Bugoma Forest Reserve, Kikuube District, in Southwestern Uganda. The Lodge got its name after the hidden and off-the-beaten-track tropical rainforest reserve of Bugoma, which protects an incredible biodiversity that ranges from the chimpanzees to mangabey. Bugoma is situated as the best stopover along the tourist route between Murchison Falls and Kibale National Parks. Click here to view mountain gorilla trekking safaris.

The Bugoma Jungle Lodge was established in 2018 to give a chance to tourists who visit Bugoma Forest and enjoy eco-tourism activities within. Bugoma Jungle Lodge is among the conservation projects of the Association for Conservation of Bugoma Forest (ACBF). Click here to see our recommended mountain gorilla trekking tour.

Tourists are always impressed by the sights and sounds of birds, primates, and monkeys; you will be able to spot bush babies. Observe the untouched vegetation from the upstairs veranda. 

Bugoma Jungle Lodge is an eco-lodge that values all aspects of environmental conservation and creativity and takes them seriously. Bugoma Jungle Lodge rooms are raised en-suite wooden deck cottages, with grass thatched roofs and spacious rooms. From your spacious private balcony, enjoy the view of tea plantations while observing primates and birds.

Bugoma Jungle Lodge cottages are well-built wooden platform tented cottages, with grass thatched roofs, private balconies, and bathrooms. The Bugoma jungle lodge concept was an essential choice for building materials, such as timber, poles, local red bricks, grass for the roof, and canvas.

Bugoma Jungle Lodge uses solar panels as their source of power, and the water heater is also solar. Each cottage is fully furnished with one double bed or two single beds for a twin room. Essential amenities include soaps and refillable dispensers for shampoo and showering gels. Drinking water is offered free of charge.

Bugoma Jungle Lodge Restaurant offers both international and local dishes, and the bar serves international spirits, beers, wines, and beverages.

Chimpanzee trekking adventure in Bugoma forest begins in the morning with the rules and regulations to follow during chimpanzee tracking, such as the chimpanzee behavior and the trekking etiquette by the Bugoma ranger guides. The rangers will also discuss the importance of responsible tourism and the conservation projects at the Bugoma Forest Headquarters.

After the short briefing, you will head to the forest while you search for the chimpanzees through hiking in the forest with the help of Bugoma ranger guides. Chimpanzee trekking in Bugoma forest takes approximately thirty minutes to five hours depending on the location of the chimpanzee and movement. Upon finding the chimpanzee troop, the guides will tell you about the behavior and the social structure.

Tourists are given an hour for observing the chimpanzees from a safe distance of at least 8 meters while minimizing disturbance. You will witness how chimpanzees engage in their daily activities, such as feeding themselves, grooming, playing with each other, or resting, among others. Your tour guides will give you more insights into chimpanzee behavior, habitat, and conservation efforts.

Bugoma Forest chimpanzee trekking permits cost $65 per tourist, which allows you to spend an hour with the chimpanzee troop in their natural environment.

The best time for chimpanzee tracking in Bugoma Forest is during the dry season when the trekking trails are dry. Uganda’s long dry season starts in June, July, August, and September. The short dry season runs from December to February, but chimpanzee tracking in Bugoma can be done at any time of the year.