Gorilla Hills Eco Lodge

For someone who loves nature, this place is quiet, serene, and comfortable, right in the jungle. My room had no Wi-Fi, though it was available in reception, and they were working to extend it across the property. The dinner was a set menu rather than a restaurant-style choice, but I enjoyed it. Breakfast had lots of options, and the packed lunch for the trek was great too. As a solo woman traveler, I was especially grateful that the staff went out of their way to help me feel safe. The lodge is clean and well maintained, the rooms are spacious, and the views are spectacular. I had hot water in the shower. They mentioned the supply is limited, which seems fair given how remote the location is.

The food was the standout for us, and we loved the view over the impenetrable forest. The rooms seemed practically new and were clean, and the staff were helpful, kind, and always smiling. Communication was smooth throughout our stay. This was one of our favorite lodges on our Uganda road trip, and we'd gladly return and recommend it to fellow travelers. Just keep in mind you need an SUV to get there.

The road is very bumpy, so make sure you have a 4x4. Once there, the view of the jungle and mountain gorillas from our balcony was incredibly beautiful. We were looked after so thoughtfully: after trekking in heavy rain, staff were waiting with umbrellas, and later they made a fire and brought hot-water bottles, along with many other kind touches. The food was really good, and the breakfast was the best we had in Uganda. I'd definitely come back.

There were a few power outages during our stay, which I hope the lodge can improve. Also, bring cash: cards aren't accepted, and the nearest ATM is more than an hour away. A 4WD is a good idea, especially in rainy season. It would help if the lodge clearly said that payments are cash only. The rooms were proper and set in the forest, and the staff were friendly and very helpful. We didn't see monkeys or gorillas, though apparently it's possible. One staff member even rode with us to the Gorilla Hike Entrance to make sure we found the right road. We didn't have enough cash, and the owner trusted us to leave and pay by bank transfer afterward. That showed real customer care.