Mahogany Springs Lodge, nestled near the Munyanga River and overlooking the breathtaking Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, offers a unique blend of comfort and adventure. This small lodge has quickly established itself as an excellent mid-range option in the northern Buhoma sector of Bwindi.
A Sanctuary in the Forest
Set in beautiful gardens overlooking the Munyanga River, the lodge creates a serene atmosphere for guests to relax and rejuvenate. If you are looking for privacy, tranquility, and optimal comfort in a stunning natural setting that overlooks the breathtaking canopy of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and sits on the banks of Muyanja River, Mahogany Springs Lodge is the perfect choice for you.
The Vision Behind Mahogany Springs
In safari terms, Mahogany Springs is a relative newcomer to the area, built and opened in 2011, but it has quickly become a favorite. Owner Barrie Gotch fell in love with the place while visiting and decided he wanted to contribute to the important work of conservation in this stunning part of the world - and he still runs the lodge to this day.
The location is certainly excellent, with glorious views down over the valley and only a short walk or drive to park headquarters. It’s small and charming, with only eight large individual cottages, and a pleasingly minimalist style- this certainly isn’t a lodge for those who come expecting air conditioning and TV in the rooms. Instead you will find the rooms to be comfortable and spacious with excellent views over the surrounding area from the outside terraces.
Mahogany Springs has fast established itself as an excellent mid-range lodge in the northern Buhoma sector of Bwindi. It’s a homely and well-positioned property, just 2km from the gate to Bwindi Forest, which is home to the great apes. The rooms are well-equipped, and some have amazing views out across the misty treeline.
Read also: Identifying Mahogany
The lodge’s vibrant gardens and intricately designed stone pathways leading to the river invite visitors to explore every corner of this magical place and uncover the numerous surprises, including the on-site vegetable garden.
Accommodation: Comfort in the Wild
Whether you’re a solo traveler, a couple, or a family, the spacious and bright suites at Mahogany Springs are perfect for everyone. The high ceilings and stunning views of the surrounding area are simply breathtaking.
Mahogany Springs features 9 cottages made of stone and thatch, all offering large en-suite bathrooms and a balcony terrace with stunning views of the Bwindi treetops and incredible forest views. The suites are designed with spacious double doors, hardwood floors, sun-drenched windows, crisp white linens, beautifully crafted open terracotta showers, advanced mosquito netting systems, and private terraces with sweeping views of the lush valley.
The guest accommodation at Mahogany Springs comes in three categories - Superior Suite, Honeymoon Suite, and Family Suite (also known as Presidential Suite!). All have mosquito nets, power sockets, a dressing table or desk, well-appointed en-suite facilities, and a private terrace.
Superior Suites: The Superior Suite option can be a twin, a double, or a triple. All options are spacious, and a highlight is the open terracotta shower.
Read also: Mahogany Cutting Board Maintenance
Honeymoon Suite: The Honeymoon Suite is similar in style to the Superior Suite, but newlyweds enjoy use of a bigger bed and a bathtub as well as the shower. If you’re looking for a truly special experience, the Honeymoon Suite is available, offering a prime location on the banks of River Muyanja with stunning views of both the river and rainforest treetops.
Family Suites: Families will appreciate the unobstructed views of the Munyanga River offered by the Family Suites. These suites feature two bedrooms, two en-suite bathrooms, and generous living rooms that lead to private terraces. These large, well-appointed suites are ideal for families or two couples traveling together. One of the rooms, the rather grandly-named Presidential Suite comes with two bedrooms and two bathrooms and a lounge, so can work well for two couples travelling together.
Dining and Relaxation
From the sun’s rising through the day’s end, the main building at Mahogany Springs Lodge provides guests with an optimal place to gather. The communal building is made of classic timber, stone, and thatch, and it contains an open-plan lounge, restaurant, and bar.
The Main Lodge Mahogany Springs’ main lodge structure sits on a hillside, providing breathtaking views of Bwindi from its expansive terrace. The restaurant and terrace serve a diverse selection of internationally-influenced cuisine and beverages. Guests can indulge in private dining experiences by the river or cottage balconies.
Meals are memorable, with Head Chef Subedi preparing a wide range of international flavors. The food at the lodge is excellent - the chef has decades of experience in high-end lodges and prides himself on updating and honing his skills, so prepare to dine well! Barbecue night, a favorite with guests, is held once a week on the terrace, and afternoon tea is included every day alongside fresh cakes and biscuits from the lodge’s pastry chef. Private bush breakfasts and dinners by the river are also available at Mahogany Springs Lodge.
Read also: Discover Muthu Silver Springs
The lounge features plenty of comfortable seating around coffee tables, as well as a super-cozy double-sided fireplace. In the restaurant, separate tables are flanked by smart upright chairs, pleasantly decorated with local fabrics and flowers. The bar is well stocked, and all areas flow out onto a terrace for al fresco dining while marveling at the spectacular mountainside scenery.
Enjoy a glass of wine at the impressive wooden bar. Pick a board game or book from the library and relax in front of the double-sided fireplace.
Mahogany Springs has a shop too, where you can purchase craft items, clothing, and souvenirs. Within the main area, there is a gift shop that sells a variety of locally crafted items, clothing, and Ugandan souvenirs for guests to purchase for themselves or their loved ones. And the gorgeous gardens include a fire-pit area, perfect for morning and evening gatherings when guests can share a few drinks and tell stories of the day’s activities!
Guests can unwind in the newly renovated living room or on one of the highly comfortable sofas by the fireplace in the evening while savoring a well-deserved glass of wine.
Activities and Experiences
The main activity and reason to visit is gorilla trekking, but there are other amazing things to do here! As well as the obvious attraction of visiting the mountain gorillas, there are other excursions to fill your days here.
Gorilla Trekking: The area is home to almost half of the world’s wild mountain gorillas, so your chance of seeing them is very high, but we would always recommend a couple of trekking days. A certain level of fitness is required because you never quite know till the day exactly where the families are located. Just travel the short distance to the meeting point within Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, and you’ll be ready to track these magnificent mammals with the help of an expert guide. The time taken to find the gorillas may vary from 2 to as many as 8 hours, and the trek might be tricky at times. However, you will always have a full hour in which to observe a gorilla family in its beautiful natural habitat - an experience never to be forgotten.
Nature Walks and Birding: Hiking through the forest can be tiring at times, but your efforts will be richly rewarded! Fans of hiking will also love the nature walks on offer from the lodge, and if you are a keen birder you can be on the lookout for a colorful variety of feathery friends. The area is home to hundreds of species, such as warblers, flycatchers, and honeyguides.
Cultural Immersion: Visit and meet local tribespeople… and they will teach you about the forest and show you their way of living.
Aside from gorilla trekking, we can arrange trips to visit the Batwa community, walks and trails through the surrounding area if you (still) want to stretch your legs, and bird watching. Should you wish to give back to the local community guests are invited to plant a tree in the lodge grounds- please just let us know in advance so we can make sure the tree is available for planting!
As well as being home to some of the last remaining mountain gorillas, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest has one of the most diverse habitats anywhere on Earth. Stunning birdlife, butterflies, and a wealth of flora make it like a garden paradise. The air is heavy with the ancient weight of nature at its most primaeval. You might just feel like you’ve come home.
The following activities are designed to give you the most authentic experiences of the area where you're staying. We work with local guides, who use their knowledge and often a resident's eye to show you the main sights and more out-of-the-way attractions.
Cultural and personal experiences are a great ingredient to your exceptional stay at Mahogany Springs Lodge. We specialize in customized gorilla tours in Uganda tailored to your interests. Our selection of gorilla safaris is extensive, and we’d love to connect you with a local expert to help you plan the ultimate jungle vacation adventure of a lifetime.
Important Note: *This property is unfenced and located in a wildlife area, so large and potentially dangerous animals do pass through. If you opt to stay here, always be alert when walking around the camp and request for a member of staff to escort you if you have any concerns.
The Opatra London Spa
Visitors needing a private retreat can arrange a massage with the internationally-branded Opatra London Spa. The spa offers a range of pampering treatments, including soothing massages, pre, and post gorilla trekking foot treatments, bespoke facials using the latest LED devices, and high-quality skincare creams and Aqua Spectra hydro facials - perfect after a day in the Bwindi jungle with gorillas.
Getting to Mahogany Springs
To reach the Mahogany Springs Lodge, take a 1-hour flight from Entebbe International Airport to Kihihi Airport, followed by a one-hour drive. Alternatively, you can drive to the lodge from western Uganda Safari destinations, including Kibale National Park, renowned for chimpanzee tracking experiences, and Queen Elizabeth National Park, a popular destination for classic wildlife safaris.
The property can be accessed by scheduled light aircraft direct into Kihihi airstrip from Entebbe International Airport (1 hour), before transferring by road to Mahogany Springs courtesy of a member of staff (1.5 hours). It is possible to drive from Entebbe too, although this journey is long (12-15 hours!) and you should probably allow two days for it.
Driving from Entebbe International Airport, you can reach Mahogany Springs in about 10 hours via Mbarara-Ntungamo-Rukungiri Road. 70% of this route is well-surfaced road. Driving from Kigali, you can get to Mahogany Springs Lodge via Katuna Border Post in about 6 hours, including the immigration process at the border.
Important Considerations
Mahogany Springs is not a luxury lodge. Not an eco-friendly lodge; does not have solar panels or other sustainable measures documented. Just as an aside here, it’s worth noting that power supplies in this part of Uganda aren’t always 100% reliable. Mahogany Springs has a back-up generator, however this is switched off overnight (the sounds of the forest make for a more peaceful night’s sleep than the rumble of the generator).
No air conditioning or fans; guests may find it hot during the day when temperatures are on the higher side.
Mahogany Springs Lodge Rates
Low Season (March, April, May & Nov): From $290 per person sharing | $405 single person.
High Season (Jan, Feb, June, July, Aug, Sept, Oct & Dec): From $375 per person sharing | $490 single person
Room rates include all meals, accommodation, bottled water, and a glass of house wine, a beer, or a soft drink with dinner.
Other Amenities:
- 25-Hours Electricity
- Laundry Services
- En-suite bathrooms
- In-room safe deposit box
- Private deck/veranda
- Forest Canopy Views
Children: UWA does not permit children under the age of 15 years to trek mountain gorillas. Alternatively, Mahogany Springs provides a selection of activities with a babysitter to keep them busy at the lodge while you embark on your gorilla trekking experience.
Safari Packages
Select Our Highly Recommended & Unique Designed Uganda Safaris & Gorilla Treks That You Want to Tour Visit & Experience
Gorilla Trekking Safari & Road Trip Across The Country: 5 Days Detailed safari
Gorilla Trekking Safari & Nature Walking Trails: 6 Days
Get in touch with us, and we pair you with one of our Uganda safari experts, who will answer any questions you may have and help create your dream gorilla trekking adventure in Africa.
Customer Testimonials
Janet Brown - TEACH Rwanda Founder - United States: AfricanMecca Safaris offers incredibly knowledgeable and skilled services! Our travel arrangements for 2 months of volunteering with TEACH Rwanda in country were made quickly and economically. Honored to work with Raza!
Carol Bobb - Pennsylvania, United States: I just returned from a month in Africa, specifically Rwanda & Kenya. I am left breathless with my experience. AfricanMecca Safaris coordinated the entire trip for me and left no detail, nothing for me to do.
Geoffrey Topliss - Northampton, United Kingdom: Jambo Altaf, Many thanks for a brilliant holiday. Your choice of tented accommodation at the two Tsavos and Amboseli was superb, we didn't have a favourite. We would recommend AfricanMecca to anyone.
Dan Kobick - Managing Director, PricewaterhouseCoopers - New York, United States: I cannot say enough about the quality of AfricanMecca. Their teams in Kenya and Tanzania were top notch. Raza, again thanks to you and your entire organization! We will be repeat customers.
Christine Milan - MT Carmel Travel - Connecticut, United States: This is to let you know my guests, The Bryant's, had a wonderful time on the trip Samburu, Masai Mara/Kenya, Chobe/Botswana & Victoria Falls/Zambia. Everything was perfect! Thank you.
Kim and Mike Claiborne - Texas, United States: Raza and AfricanMecca Safaris did an outstanding job with all of the arrangements lined up to help make our trip unforgettable. We do thank you from the bottom of our heart.
Rwanda was amazing: The accommodations, food, and guides AfricanMecca arranged were great. Raza also helped us through the complicated process of getting permits for gorilla trekking.
Popular articles:
tags: #Uganda
