Broadbill Forest Camp

Broadbill Forest Camp is a mid-range accommodation facility located in Ruhija sector of Bwindi impenetrable forest national park which is home to mountain gorillas. Ruhija sector is a home to mountain gorillas like Orugozo, Mukiza, Kyaguliro, and Bitukura. Broadbill Forest Camp is located 15 minutes derive from the starting point of gorilla trekking in Ruhija sector

Broadbill Forest Camp derives its name from the African green broadbill which is one of the birds seen everywhere around the lodge. The camp comprises raised tents with wooden floors and grass thatched roofs. Broadbill Forest Camp has 4 safari tents that are self-contained with good beds, hot and cold showers, free WiFi, and a private balcony. The lodge has a fireplace where guests seat in the evening to get some warmth while getting to know each other. They do have a bar with soft and cold drinks and they have a restaurant with delicious food prepared by professional chefs.

Getting to Broadbill Forest Camp

Broadbill Forest Camp is located in the Ruhija sector of Bwindi and can be accessed within a single day by using road transport or air transport. The lodge can be accessed from Kigali in 4-5 hours by crossing to Uganda using Katuna birder in Kabale or Cyanika birder in Kisoro. Thew lodeg can be accessed from kampala/Entebbe by going through masaka, Mbarara, kabale, Kisoro to Ruhija sector. Travelers using chattered flights can access Ruhija sector and stay at Broadbill Forest Camp can fly from Entebbe international airport or Kajjansi airstrip to Kisoro airstrip where they will connect to the lodge using road transport in about 2 hours.

Activities to do while staying at broadbill forest camp

Trek Gorillas in Ruhija sector

Gorilla trekking in Ruhija: Guests staying at Broadbill Forest Camp normally do gorilla trekking activities in Ruhija sector of Bwindi. Gorilla trekking is done among gorilla families Mukiza, Kyaguliro, Bitikura, and Oruzogo. The activities start with waking up early in the morning for breakfast and then heading to the sector offices where you meet other trekkers gathered to learn the rules and regulations of the gorilla trekking activity from the park wardens.

Each gorilla family is trekked by a maximum of 8 people who are led by armed ranger guides. The search for mountain gorillas takes you to the jungle where you spend 2-7 hours going through thick vegetation cover. The time taken to meet the mountain gorilla family depends on the location of the gorillas and the speed of trekkers. The moment the mountain gorilla family is located, trekkers are given 1 hour to be around the apes, watch them do daily activities, take photos and learn about their habits.

Birding: Bird lovers staying at Broadbill Forest Camp can encounter birds in the Ruhija sector of Bwindi or around the lodge but with a help of a guide. Bwindi is home to more than 350 bird species and these can be seen in all sectors of the park including Ruhija. Birds to look out for include Oriole finch, African golden breasted bunting, African citril, streaky seed eater, magpie manikin, thick bi9lled seed eater, zebra waxbill, bronze sunbird, zebra waxbill, dusky twin spot, African fire finch, red-headed bluebill, black bishop, violet backed starling, compact weaver, pied crow, wallers starling, sooty boubou, and olive sunbird among others.

Nature walks: Staying at broadbill forest camp, nature walk activities can be enjoyed in Ruhija sector here different nature walk trails have been formed to enable tourists to explore the park on foot. Nature walks are led by armed ranger guides who protect you from dangerous wild animals. The nature walks enable travelers to encounter different park mammals, primates, birds, and plants.

Visit the Batwa community tour in Ruhija

Batwa community tour: Bwindi impenetrable forest national park used to be the home of the Batwa people until 1991 when the government evicted them to protect wild animals, especially the mountain gorillas. The Batwa now live around the park boundaries therefore while staying at broadbill forest camo you can join local guides and visit their communities. A visit to their community gives you an opportunity to interact with the local people, especially elders who tell you stories about their life in the park. You will see them d daily activities, you can taste their local foods, visit the traditional healers, and in the end, you will be entertained by the traditional dancers through dance and drama.

The best time to stay at Broadbill Forest Camp

Travelers intending to visit Bwindi impenetrable forest national park can stay at Broadbill Forest Camp at any time of the year however there are months that are better than the rest. The dry months are the best to visit Bwindi and stay at Broadbill Forest Camp and they do occur from June September and December to February. They are characterized by little or no rainfall that makes the trekking trails stay dry, the vegetation is short with good views of the animals and the roads leading to the park and lodge are in good condition.

Travelers can still visit Bwindi impenetrable forest national park and stay at Broadbill Forest Camp in the rainy season of March to May and October to November to enjoy huge discounts on accommodation facilities. The rainy months are however characterized by too much rainfall that makes the trekking trails muddy and slippery, the vegetation is tall with unclear views of park animals and the roads leading to the park and lodge are impassable.