Nshongi Camp's cottages among the trees at the edge of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, seen from the air

Rushaga · Bwindi Impenetrable Forest · Uganda

The forest comes to you.

A small eco-camp on the boundary of Bwindi, five minutes on foot from the Rushaga gorilla trekking briefing point. Rooms with forest-view verandas, home cooking, and a viewing deck over the forest swamp.

Book on WhatsApp See rooms and prices

4.5 from 71 Google reviews 5 min walk to the trek briefing point 1°07′ S 29°42′ E

Close-up of a young mountain gorilla's eyes

The gorillas

Sometimes they walk through the camp.

Nshongi Camp sits on the park boundary, beside the forest that the Nshongi gorilla family calls home. Now and then the gorillas come down to the swamp below the camp, and guests watch them from the grounds without a permit.

It is never guaranteed and never scheduled. When it happens, people talk about it for years.

For a full trek, we arrange your permit and walk you to the gate.

The briefing point at the Uganda Wildlife Authority's Rushaga office is a five-minute walk. Treks from Rushaga visit habituated families including:

NshongiMishayaKahungyeBusingyeBweza

A mountain gorilla resting among branches in Bwindi — Mountain gorilla in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

The deck

A safari from the terrace.

Below the camp, the forest opens onto a swamp where animals come to drink and graze. Sit on the viewing deck with a coffee and watch.

A mountain gorilla sitting among leaves at the forest edge in Rushaga — A visitor from the forest, Rushaga

The wooden viewing deck facing the forest — The viewing deck

Close-up of a mountain gorilla feeding on leaves — Mountain gorilla, close enough to hear it eat

Mountain gorillasnow and then, never promised

MonkeysL'Hoest's, blue and black-and-white colobus

Sitatunga and duikergrazing in front of breakfast

Turacos and cranesamong 350+ bird species

"It's like a safari from the terrace."JuanMa, Google review

Stay

Sleep by the forest.

Three ways to stay, every one with the forest outside. Choose a meal plan to see prices.

Breakfast and dinner included. Prices in US dollars per night.

Deluxe Room

Extra space, a private veranda over the forest, and a large bathroom with hot water around the clock.

Single, per person$105Double or twin, per room$170

Standard Room

Simple, clean and bright. Great value for solo travellers and couples, with the same forest view.

Single, per person$85Double or twin, per room$130

Two wooden chairs in a forest clearing at the campsite

Bring Your Own Tent

Pitch on the campsite and fall asleep to the forest, with hot showers, meals and the camp's lounge close by.

Per person$35

Hot water24 hours a day

Starlink Wi-Fihigh-speed internet

Electricity24 hours a day

Private verandasfacing the forest

Mosquito netson every bed

Trek lunchpacked for gorilla day

The camp's cottages in the valley at the edge of Bwindi, from the air

Wake to the calls of the forest.

Explore

More than one perfect hour.

Gorilla day is the highlight. The days around it are worth staying for.

A silverback gorilla feeding in thick vegetation

Gorilla trekking

Permits arranged by the camp. Staff walk you to the Rushaga briefing point and send you off with a packed lunch and a walking stick.

A monkey sitting in a tree near the camp

Birds and primates

More than 350 bird species, including 23 Albertine Rift endemics, plus monkeys in the trees around the camp.

Women from the Rushaga community performing a traditional dance

Batwa and Rushaga culture

Meet the Batwa forest people and hear evening music and dance from the Rushaga Young Stars. Village craft shops are a short walk away.

A small waterfall on a forest walk near Rushaga

Forest walks

Guided hikes to waterfalls and viewpoints over the hills of southwest Uganda.

The new open-air restaurant with wooden tables facing the forest

The new restaurant

Guests relaxing on the restaurant terrace by the forest

The table

Home cooking with a forest view.

Our new open-air restaurant looks straight onto Bwindi. Meals are fresh, Ugandan and international, served as three courses at dinner. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free are no problem.

After dinner there is the campfire, a cold drink and the night sounds of the forest.

"Chef Julius is the man!"Jordan, Google review

Guests

What people say.

4.5
71 reviews on Google

"Staying there is just the most magical and relaxing time."

"Breakfast with a duiker grazing in front. Also just a 5 minute walk to the briefing location for gorilla trekking."

"This place is magical! You're practically inside the park."

"Room is amazing, really peaceful atmosphere, great view from their restaurant!"

"The photos online simply do not do this place justice."

"The staff were incredible, even escorting us to the start and checking us in."

Read all reviews on Google

Tours

Uganda and Rwanda, planned by people who live here.

Two signature journeys, both private and guided. Every tour can be adjusted to your dates, budget and interests.

8Days

Uganda–Rwanda Safari

Golden monkeys, mountain gorillas, tree-climbing lions and chimpanzees.

Day 1
Kigali to Volcanoes National ParkCity tour if time allows, then north through Rwanda's hills to Musanze.
Day 2
Golden monkey trekA guided hike to the golden monkeys of the Virunga volcanoes.
Day 3
Into Uganda and the BatwaCross at Cyanika to Bwindi. Afternoon with the Batwa people.
Day 4
Gorilla trekking in BwindiOne hour with a habituated gorilla family.
Day 5
IshashaThrough the sector known for tree-climbing lions to Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Day 6
Game drive and Kazinga ChannelKasenyi plains at dawn, then a boat among hippos and crocodiles.
Day 7
Chimpanzees in Kyambura GorgeTracking in the "Valley of Apes".
Day 8
Back to EntebbeVia the Equator, to the airport or your hotel.

Price

On request

Included

All accommodation and meals
Gorilla, chimpanzee and golden monkey permits
Game drive, boat cruise, cultural visits
English-speaking guide and private 4x4
Park fees, taxes and bottled water

Not included

International flights
Uganda and Rwanda visas
Travel insurance
Optional activities and personal costs

Ask about this tour

10Days

Uganda Cultural Journey

From the Karimojong of the northeast to the Batwa of Bwindi, through five regions.

Day 1
Entebbe to KaramojaThrough Jinja and Soroti to Moroto.
Day 2
Karimojong cultureA traditional manyatta homestead, dance, food and stories.
Day 3
Mbale and Mount ElgonTo the Bagisu homeland at the foot of the mountain.
Day 4
Bagisu traditionsKadodi drumming, clan history and an Arabica coffee farm.
Day 5
Fort PortalWest to the Tooro Kingdom, crater lakes and tea.
Day 6
Batooro cultureThe Tooro Palace, musicians and storytellers.
Day 7
BwindiSouth to the rainforest and Nshongi Camp.
Day 8
The Batwa TrailA forest walk with Batwa guides: skills, music and ritual.
Day 9
KampalaAcross the Equator to the Buganda Kingdom.
Day 10
Buganda and departureKasubi Tombs, the Kabaka's Palace or the craft markets.

Price

On request

Included

Mid-range lodges, full board
Cultural experiences in five regions
Entry fees, guides and all ground transport
Bottled water and government taxes

Not included

International flights and Uganda visa
Travel insurance
Optional activities and tips

Ask about this tour

Permits 2026–2027

Trek in low season, save $200.

Uganda Wildlife Authority discounts gorilla and chimpanzee permits in April, May and November. Same families, same rangers, greener forest and fewer people.

Permit, foreign non-resident	Low season	Rest of year
Gorilla trekking, Bwindi	$600	$800
Chimpanzee tracking, Kibale	$200	$250, then $300 from Jan 2027
Gorilla habituation, Bwindi	No discount	$1,800 from Jan 2027

Low season permits cannot be rescheduled. Full payment is due when booking.
We can buy your permit for you. Message us with your dates.
Source: Uganda Wildlife Authority, February 2026. Prices can change; we confirm the current rate when you book.

Silver Twesiime and his daughter Gloria at the Uganda Equator monument at sunset — Silver with his daughter Gloria

Our story

Built by a teacher from Rushaga.

Silver Twesiime grew up in this village. Uganda's troubled years meant he started primary school at 13. He went on to become a teacher, and then built Nshongi Camp right where the gorilla trek begins.

Guests know him for answering messages before they arrive, sorting transport and permits, and walking them to the gate himself. A share of what the camp earns goes back into community and conservation projects in Rushaga.

The team you'll meet:

BarnabasMosesGloriaMary JoyChef JuliusHillary, driver

Getting here

Rushaga, southern Bwindi.

About 340 km from Entebbe and Kampala. We can arrange transfers, including from the Rwanda border.

8–10 h

By road

From Entebbe or Kampala via Mbarara to Rushaga. A 4x4 is best for the last stretch.

1.5 h + 2 h

By air

Fly Entebbe to Kisoro airstrip, then a two-hour drive to the camp.

5 min

On foot

From the camp to the Uganda Wildlife Authority briefing point for gorilla trekking.

Open in Google Maps

Book

Tell us your dates.

Fill in the form and it opens WhatsApp with your message ready to send. Silver or the team will answer, usually the same day.

Phone and WhatsApp+256 774 231 913

Emailinfo@nshongi.com

AddressNshongi Camp, Rushaga, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda