Ruhija Community Rest Camp Reviews

Stayed here for three nights whilst birding in Bwindi. Amazing scenery and attentive staff. Highly recommend if staying in the area. Cabins are very clean and comfortable. Restaurant is basic but fine, very large fireplace came in handy after a heavy storm!

I have been 4 times to Bwindi (organizing bicycle tours through western Uganda to support projects and schools, s. uganda-experience.eu) and of all accomodations I checked or stayed, it had the best price/performance ratio. The food was okay, the cottages clean and comfortable with a beautiful view to the rain forest. Mine had two queen size beds. It has electricity in the evening, produced by solar. Hot water is also provided, using firewood. But you should use water economically, because each litre is carried in jerry cans down from the valley up to the lodge.

I felt fooled here. I made a reservation well in advace based on the information provided in the Bradt guide: US$ 25/50 sgl/dbl B&B. We were two people and stayed one night in a double room. So we were expecting to pay 50$ but the next day the bill was 130$ (65$ each). Although the place is ok, it definately does not cost 130$ the double room. So, do agree the total price before the stay (they can also try to argue that the agreed price was per person and not total). On the other hand, in case that you are offered to do the swamp trail run by the community, take into account that this trail is not the same as the swamp trail offered by the UWA.

The best place and the cheapest you can track , Gorrilla in East Africa , the best way to reach from Uganda Entebbe International Airport about almost 500km on the west and also about 456km from Bukoba Kagera Tanzania

I stayed here one night in a banda, and ate breakfast, lunch and dinner, total cost 48 dollars (should have been 53 apparently but they quoted me the wrong price so I insisted they stuck with it). The Banda was basic but fine, self contained with a what toilet and a cold shower that had minimal water pressure. Electricity from a generator but only 19:00 to 22:00 so if you're getting up early for gorilla trekking it will be in the dark! Lunch and dinner were a single hot course each, but good quality and plentiful. Breakfast was typically for cheaper places but nothing special. The staff, especially the manager Gordon, were very pleasant and helpful. Ruhija is expensive, as are all tourist facilities around Bwindi, especially on the north side of the Forest. These prices would be ridiculous anywhere else in Uganda. It's a nice area but if you don't have to stay there for gorilla trekking then you might be better off heading for a national park with more sensible pricing.

This hotel is situated in the dense forest of Bwindi.We spent here two nights on our gorilla tracking safari and we were overwhelmed by the services at this accommodation. Being located deep in the forest,we did not expect running water and electricity. Water for our shower was warmed by firewood. Our cabin overlooked the valley which gave us a good view of the forest. They also have a camping ground which our driver guide used. Thanks so much for the care and hope to recommend others to this nature friendly hotel.

I stayed for 2 nights in June. The property is very close to the ranger offices and the views are breathtaking. As I was the only guest I was given a large cottage with room for 5! The room was spacious, clean and hot water was available in the evening. The staff (especially Gordon) were very helpful and even arranged for a early morning hot water shower. The food was simple but well prepared

I arrived in the evening on a solo trip, and was convinced by the manager to stay at this place because local accommodation was not available. It was very cold, but warm water could not be provided because I was the only guest. I would expect that at a local accommodation, but not a place like this. As soon as I arrived at the room, the manager held out his hands for money, as if begging; payment was not requested in a professional way. I felt used for money, and not welcomed. I learned the following morning that local accommodation had been available, and that the manager had lied. He worked with two other community members as a ploy to get me to stay at his place.This was confirmed with the Park Office. My impression was that I was not welcomed because I was not carrying a lot of money, and had not traveled direct from the US or Europe to do gorilla tracking. I work with a local NGO in Uganda, and must have given the impression that I am not wealthy. I would not stay again, and do not recommend my friends to stay here, because of the poor reception and treatment I received. I have lived in Uganda for a long time and have become accustomed to being warmly welcomed by local staff; this was definitely not the case here. All this said, I was impressed by the facilities and location. The view from the cottages was good, and the beds are comfortable. If you are the only guest, do not expect warm water.

Lovely little place in the mountains with a jungle view. Very modest accomodation, but very friendly manager Roland. Excellent starting point for mountain gorilla tracking. There are different types of rooms (7 all together), mostly with shower. Very nice covered terrace with fireplace.

We camped here for 2 nights while tracking gorillas and loved it. The garden is a peaceful place with beautiful flowers that attract colourful birds (many of them endemic to the area). We spent a much needed day of relaxation here - reading and taking photos in the garden - and wished we could have had another day to explore the area further. Camping was $10 per person. The rooms also looked like a decent option. The staff were extremely friendly, the restaurant had comfortable chairs around a fire place, and the food was good. We also liked knowing that the money earned supports the community. We would love to stay here again, if we ever get the chance to return.

I went here with my friend in 2013. We reached very late at midnight but we were able to get coffee because it was cold. It was November, we had to bargain for accommodation because we had less money. We got a double room and on top of that price we got breakfast and lunch to take with us on the gorilla tracking. They were always available and very helpful. I would sleep there again if I went tracking.

We stayed here for one night while tracking Gorillas in March 2014. The camp and the rooms are very basic but clean. The camp is very conveniently located when tracking the Ruhija group and has beautiful views into the forest. What stood out for me though was the staff, who were amazingly concerned about our well-being. Without a doubt the best service I encountered in 10 years in Uganda and that for a very moderate price.

Great quiet rest camp 10 minutes walk from the UWA office. Camping for $10 pp and $4 for a basic evening meal. Good showers although they take a while to get hot water. peaceful area with great views with monkeys and a fireplace to gather round in the evening. Lovely staff very welcoming gave us a brief introduction to the area and when we left our kindle they kindly returned it to us in Kibale. Would definitely stay again. Very convenient if gorilla trekking from Ruhija

This place is perfect at $40 pp per night full board, it is 15 minutes stoll to the UWA office and gate, down hill. A log fire and warm blankets, even a hot water bottle are on hand for you for the chilly mountain nights. Packed lunch are provided if you are full board, delicious dinners and breakfasts at 0700. If you don't go full board $25 a night pp then local options are available just opposite 'rolexs' and meat on sticks. Accomodation by the dinner table or down a few steps are on offer. Take the rooms down the steps - the view is straight out onto the forest. Excellent planting mean birds and insects are plentiful in the gardens in front of your little terrace of rooms. A picnic bench means you can enjoy the view with the drink as you watch the sun set in front of you and the forest. Stunning! Basic toilet and shower facilities but this is not the focus here. The beds are clean and warm, mozzie nets in good condition. Towels are rolled and placed on your beds. Walking sticks are available for rental for your tracking experience 5000 shillings pp. Orphan Child Hope - is a charity the staff are actively involved in - if you are interested in supporting a good cause, or have pens, money to donate please ask or simply having a village tour which means the funds go to the children at the orphanage - which caters for single and double orphans as well as children whose families cannot support them. It is 30,000 shilling pp in a taxi back to Kabale at 0530. Which the staff can organize for you. :)

This place was a very nice surprise , it is close to where you set off for gorillas the next day, and the money goes directly into the ruhija community, they are great rooms but no showers. The staff were the most welcoming we have had, even bringing hot water bottles when we went to bed. Nice open fire place to sit and relax, definitely recommended, for African type accommodation.