About Buhoma Haven Lodge
Buhoma Community Haven Lodge is a highly rated 4-star mid-range eco-conscious safari lodge located on an elevated hillside at the edge of the Buhoma sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda. Established in 2014, the property is unique because it is 100% community-owned and operated by the Buhoma Mukono Community Development Association (BMCDA). Every dollar spent at the lodge goes directly toward funding local community projects, including cleaning water systems, schools, health clinics, and conservation initiatives.
How do you Get to Buhoma Haven Lodge?
To reach Buhoma Community Haven Lodge by road, you will drive approximately 8 to 9 hours (~460 km) from Kampala, or 9 to 10 hours from Entebbe International Airport.
While the majority of the journey follows smooth, paved national highways, the final 30 to 40 kilometers transition into winding, unpaved dirt mountain roads.
This is the most common overland route from central Uganda:
Kampala to Mbarara: Depart Kampala heading southwest on the smooth, tarmacked Masaka–Mbarara Highway (A109). This takes you past the Equator monument and takes about 4 to 5 hours.
Mbarara to Ntungamo/Rukungiri: Continue past Mbarara toward Ntungamo town. From here, you can branch northwest toward Rukungiri or continue south toward Kabale, depending on current road conditions.
The Kihihi Approach: Drive through Rukungiri town down to the trading hub of Kihihi. This section is mostly graded murram (dirt) road.
Kihihi to Buhoma: From Kihihi, complete the final 1.5-hour dirt-road drive through local villages and tea plantations. Follow the signs for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to enter the Buhoma sector.
Arrival: The lodge is situated on an elevated hillside ridge right at the edge of the Buhoma trading center.
To reach Buhoma Community Haven Lodge by air, you will take a 1-hour domestic scheduled flight from central Uganda, followed by a 1.5-hour ground transfer to the property. This replaces a grueling 9-to-10-hour overland road trip.
Primary Arrival Airstrip: Kihihi.
The official landing destination for the lodge is the Kihihi Airstrip (KHX). Kihihi is the primary aviation gateway for the northern (Buhoma) sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Domestic Flight Operators & Timings.
Two main regional carriers offer daily “seat-rate” bush flights using reliable turboprop aircraft like Cessna Grand Caravans:
Aero link Uganda: Operates daily scheduled flights departing from Entebbe International Airport (EBB). Flights typically feature a morning departure (~7:00 AM) and a midday departure (~12:00 PM), arriving in Kihihi exactly one hour later.
Bar Aviation: Offers daily flights to Kihihi departing from both Entebbe International Airport and Kajjansi Airfield (located closer to Kampala).
The Final Ground Transfer.
There is no public transport or taxi network waiting at the bush airstrip. Your final transfer must be pre-arranged: The Route: Upon landing at Kihihi, a 4×4 safari vehicle will pick you up directly from the tarmac. You will complete a scenic 1.5-hour dirt-road drive through local villages and tea plantations to reach the lodge.
What Facilities are at Buhoma Haven Lodge?
Twin / Double Cottages (8 Units): Spacious standalone chalets that can be configured with one large double bed or two separate twin beds. Each features custom wood finishes, bedside reading lamps, and overhanging mosquito nets.
Family Cottage (1 Unit): A multi-room layout specifically tailored for families or groups traveling together. It provides multiple beds and a shared seating area while maintaining full privacy.
The Private Terraces: Every single room opens onto a large, private wooden veranda. These face directly westward, offering sweeping, unobstructed views of the misty Bwindi Impenetrable Forest canopy.
Inclusions & Amenities.
En-suite Bathrooms: Each cottage has a private, attached bathroom featuring a flushing toilet, a hand-washing basin, and a walk-in shower with solar-heated running hot water [ solar-heated running hot water.
Gourmet Meals: Rates are fully inclusive of breakfast, lunch, and a multi-course dinner. Dishes combine Western recipes with traditional African cuisine, prepared using ingredients grown by local farmers.
Solar Power & Charging: The eco-conscious resort runs on a 24/7 solar grid. Power outlets are active inside each cottage, though high-draw appliances like hair dryers are restricted to protect the batteries.
Common Area Perks: Guests receive complimentary access to the central mess building’s high-speed Wi-Fi network, the cozy fireplace lounge, and a fully stocked bar area.
What ACTIVITIES are AT Buhoma Haven Lodge?
While staying at Buhoma Haven Lodge, you might be wondering what activities you can engage in. Below we have listed some of the top safari accommodations you can book and do while staying at Buhoma Haven Lodge.
Mountain Gorilla Trekking: The ultimate highlight. The lodge is located a 5-minute drive from the main Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) park headquarters. Expert rangers guide you into the jungle to spend exactly one hour observing a habituated gorilla family.
Guided Forest Nature Walks: Escorted by UWA park guides along established park tracks like the Munyanga Waterfall Trail or Rushura Hill Trail. These walks reveal massive mahogany trees, waterfalls, and smaller primates like L’Hoest’s and colobus monkeys.
World-Class Birdwatching: Bwindi hosts over 350 bird species. Specialist guides help enthusiasts tick off rare Albertine Rift endemics like the African Green Broadbill and Short-tailed Warbler.
Immersive Community & Cultural Tours.
The Buhoma Community Village Walk: A guided trail tracing daily life in Buhoma village. Key stops include visiting a traditional healer to see plant-based medicines, stopping by a banana brewery to taste local gin, and interacting with children at the Mukono Primary School
The Batwa Cultural Experience: A deeply educational demonstration led by the indigenous Batwa forest people. They share insights into their ancestral hunter-gatherer lifestyle through hunting demonstrations, fire-making, traditional dances, and ancient storytelling.
Social Enterprise Visits: Guests can tour Ride 4 a Woman, a local center empowering women through weaving, sewing, and craft-making. You can also tour the Bwindi Community Hospital to see how tourism revenue funds regional healthcare.
Village Coffee Experience: A first-hand, seed-to-cup journey. Guests assist local farmers with harvesting, roasting, and grinding coffee beans before tasting the final brew.
Active & Leisure On-Site Activities.
Mountain Biking: Guided or self-directed cycling tours along the fringe trails of the national park can be booked directly through the lodge desk.
Massage & Spa Therapies: Unwind after a grueling forest trek with dedicated, on-site massage treatments tailored for tired muscles.
Evening Campfires: The lodge lights a central outdoor fire pit every night, letting travelers gather under the stars to share gorilla tracking stories.
Gallery of Buhoma Haven Lodge
Explore Buhoma Haven Lodge in gallery format to enjoy and feel the look of it. These are real photos that gets updated regulary to ensure that Buhoma Haven Lodge remains up to date with real time information.
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Buhoma Haven Lodge – FAQs
