MUST’s Buhoma Gorilla Trekking Camp- Bwindi Impenetrable Park now open

KFC-MUST-Entrance-Bwindi-Mbarara-University-of-Science-and-Technology-small

Welcome to Mbarara University of Science and Technology’s Buhoma Gorilla Trekking Camp in the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Kanungu Uganda- The home of more than 50% of the world’s mountain gorillas. The camp is managed by Kigezi Forest Cottages under the brand name of “KFC-MUST”.

The camp was set up as an initiative to harness income generation and innovation under the “Government of Uganda – African Development Bank support for Higher Education, Science and Technology (ADB-HEST)” Project.

The camp has 6 culturally attached executive bandas with a wonderful overlooking view of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. The bandas in the camp, are named after the major Gorilla groups trekked in Buhoma; ‘Rushegura’, ‘Muyambi’, ‘Mubare’, ‘Katwe’, ‘Binyindo’, and ‘Habinyanja’

KFC-MUST-Bandas-Bwindi-Mbarara-University-of-Science-and-Technology
Some of the bandas overlooking Bwindi
KFC-MUST-Another-View-Bwindi-Mbarara-University-of-Science-and-Technology
Another view of the bandas

There are 2 executive camping tents spacious enough, with a scenic view of the enchanting forest. They are protected from uncertainties like running water and heavy rains. There are also 50 single bed tents and a camping ground for those with personal tents.

KFC-MUST-Campsite-Bwindi-Mbarara-University-of-Science-and-Technology
The camping grounds

The Volcanic Health Cave is another interesting facility at KFC-MUST, it is a cave- hut, thatched and cemented with Kisoro volcanic rocks, thus the name Volcanic Health cave. The cave is comprised of open sauna, open steam bath, herbal massage, camp fire, roasting area, man-made hot spring and drinking area. It clearly brings out the real lifestyle of Banyakigezi people and the Batwa.

KFC-MUST-Volcano-Bwindi-Mbarara-University-of-Science-and-Technology
The Volcanic Health Cave

The Camp is 456.8km from Kampala and about 448.3km from Entebbe International Airport.  It takes about 1hr and 45 minutes to fly from Entebbe International airport to Kihihi airstrip pick-ups are arranged to KFC – MUST Buhoma.

KFC-MUST can also be reached from a number of routes by road; From Queen Elizabeth National park in Mweya which is approximately 170kms (3-hour drive); from Kampala –Kabale-Kanungu –Buhoma about 440kms (6-hour drive), from Kabale- Ruhija- Buhoma about 100kms and from Kabale- Nkuringo about 90kms.

For Bookings call – +256 414 597656

KFC-MUST-Side-View-Bwindi-Mbarara-University-of-Science-and-Technology
Another view of the camp
FC-MUST-Inside-Bandas-Bwindi-Mbarara-University-of-Science-and-Technology
The inside of one of the bandas

About Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park lies in southwestern Uganda on the edge of the Rift Valley. Its mist-covered hillsides are blanketed by one of Uganda’s oldest and most biologically diverse rain-forests, which dates back over 25,000 years and contains almost 400 species of plants. More famously, this “impenetrable forest” also protects an estimated 400 mountain gorillas – roughly half of the world’s population, including several habituated groups, which can be tracked.

This biologically diverse region also provides shelter to a further 120 mammals, including several primate species such as baboons and chimpanzees, as well as elephants and antelopes. There are around 350 species of birds hosted in this forest, including 23 Albertine Rift endemics.