Wild Olives Lodge is one of the best budget lodges in the Rushaga Sector of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. From as low as US$30 you can stay at this beautifully property that was constructed using the local materials.
Description
Wild Olives Lodge is a comfortable facility with 9 self-contained rooms, each fitted with hand crafted beds made of local materials. Located in Rubuguri town, Wild Olives Lodge is a perfect place to retire for a night by guests with intensions to visit Rushaga and Nkuringo gorilla groups or if you are interested in gorilla habituation experience in Rushaga.
At Wild Olives Lodge, accommodation is at its best. The lodge features a classic restaurant and a fully stocked bar, comfortable rooms comprising of single and double occupancy. There are 9 guest rooms, winery, car parking area, daily housekeeping and laundry facility, hot water heaters and 24/7 security service.
Book your accommodation at Wild Olives and experience the best of gorilla trekking with no worries or embark on several other experiences in and around the park. In Kabale town, you can walk in at the lodge’s offices to book for your accommodation.
Amenities at Wild Olives Lodge in Rushaga
The main amenities that make up Wild Olives Lodge Rushaga restaurant, a bar or lounge, free high speed internet, free parking, free breakfast, room service, showers, and others.
How to get there
Traveling to Wild Olives Lodge is possible starting from Kampala/Entebbe which is 8-9 hours’ drive and 4-5 hours’ drive from Kigali city. By air, take about 1-2 hours to Kisoro airstrip and drive to the lodge.
Activities to do from the Wild Olives Lodge
Gorilla trekking
This lodge is set not far from where gorilla trekking adventures begin from at Rushaga and Nkuringo, the renowned Southern sectors of Bwindi National Park. Stay at Wild Olives Lodge, begin your gorilla trekking adventure through the lush Bwindi Impenetrable Forest with an expert. At Rushaga sector, there are multiple gorilla groups to visit for gorilla trekking and include Mishaya gorilla group, Nshongi, Bweza gorilla family, Busingye group, Kahungye, Bikingi, Kutu, Mucunguzi, and more.
The best time to travel for gorilla trekking in Rushaga/Bwindi in general is during the dry months of the year; that is from June to September or December to February. To enjoy the most Rushaga gorilla trekking safari, consider packing essentials, especially long-sleeved shirts, daypack, waterproof hiking boots/shoes, long trousers, a sweater, rain jacket, insect repellents, first aid kit and others.
Away from normal gorilla treks, still you can also embark on a gorilla habituation experience. This is done only in Bwindi and particularly in Rushaga with permits issued at USD 1500 per person. Gorilla habituation is a unique primate adventure and is entirely a process in which the semi-habituated gorillas trained to get used to the presence of humans in the wild.
Birding
With over 350 bird species, birding excursion in Rushaga is a great opportunity to identify Bwindi’s diverse avifauna. These include bar-tailed trogon, grey cuckoo, African green broadbill, Mountain yellow warblers, Kivu ground thrush, and more.
Cultural experience
Nearby Rushaga are Bakiga and Batwa communities. A cultural tour at any of these local communities allows you to interact with locals and explore in depth about their traditions, cultures, lifestyles and daily practices.