Imbogo Safari Lodge Review (Near Gahinga Gorilla National Park)
If you’re looking for where to stay near Mount Gahinga National Park in Uganda, whether you’re climbing Mount Sabinyo or just want a cozy weekend escape from Kigali (where I live), Imbogo Safari Lodge is such a special find.
This part of Uganda is only about three hours from Kigali, with an extra hour or so at the border (mostly because it’s confusing the first time). Once at the border, it’s an easy 15 minutes to Imbogo.
The lodge is surrounded by fields of sorghum and corn. Locals pass through the stalks in the fields towards the volcanoes. It’s a beautiful sight.
Why Stay at Imbogo Safari Lodge
Imbogo Safari Lodge sits right at the foothills of the Virunga volcanoes, and the views alone are worth the trip. You wake up to misty volcano mornings and end your day with golden-hour light spilling across the hills.
What’s different than Musanze is the price for the view. At $100/night for the standard rooms, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better deal.
I found Imbogo by scrolling through Google Maps, looking for a place close to the Mount Gahinga National Park entrance but still with incredible views. It’s surprisingly hard to find something that’s affordable and well-located in this area, and Imbogo really hits that sweet spot.
The service is warm and thoughtful. When I visited, I met the owner, Norbert, and his staff, Yonas and Fiona. They took such good care of us, and the chef served genuinely excellent meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Norbert was inspired to open the lodge after visiting his aunt who lives nearby.
There were so many little touches throughout our stay that made everything feel luxurious. I wanted a getaway that required zero effort (on my part), and Imbogo delivered exactly that.
Booking and Getting to Imbogo Safari Lodge
I booked Imbogo via WhatsApp and you can do so here at +256742187335 or on the website.
The lodge is located about 20 minutes from the Rwanda–Uganda border. You’ll drive around 4 km on a paved road and then another 4 km on a dirt road. Our RAV4 managed just fine, but a higher-clearance vehicle would be ideal.
The lodge is called Imbogo Diner & Lounge on Google Maps. The map may suggest an alternative route, but instead follow the directions by kilometer above. There will be a small sign on your right (to turn left) that may be partially hidden by a tree, so keep an eye out, to reach the hotel.
Crossing the Rwanda–Uganda Border
When entering Uganda from Rwanda, your car will need COMESA insurance. You can get this from your insurance company or rental car company. Our insurance was about 30,000 RWF for the weekend (our friends on a motorbike paid only 300 RWF, so clearly there’s a wide range).
At the Cyanika border, give your car paperwork first at the customs section on the Rwandan side. Then drive over to the Ugandan side and show your car papers.
To enter Uganda, you’ll do both exit from Rwanda and entry immigration on the Ugandan side. Ask for the interstate-entry card — the officials will stamp that instead of your passport, which will save you stamps in your passport.
If you’re a foreign resident in Rwanda, entry into Uganda is free. If not, be sure to apply for your e-visa online in advance.
After immigration, there’s still some vehicle paperwork to finish. A guy in a VIP vest helped us get everything sorted (I honestly don’t know exactly what he did, but it worked), and we tipped him 10,000 RWF.
Money Exchange at the Border
Because we weren’t planning to visit any cities with ATMs, we exchanged about $50 worth of RWF into Ugandan shillings at the border. This was enough for tips and part of our hotel payment. Imbogo does have card facilities, but when we visited the internet was shut down due to elections, so we brought cash and US dollars as backup.
Here, we were given a good exchange rate and we lost only about a dollar or two. On the other hand, our friend (who was converting a lot more money than us) was the subject of an attempted trick. Basically, instead of getting 300,000 shillings, he was given 30,000. The stacks of money are so intense that it looks like a lot of money but was, in fact, not. Be sure to count your money.
Imbogo Safari Lodge
When we arrived, tea time was already set up for us with fresh juice, taro chips, and tea. On our second day, we got all that again plus locally boiled corn, which was delicious.
The Rooms
There are two room options at Imbogo: the deluxe rooms (around $500/night) and the standard rooms ($100/night). Although we paid the standard rate, those rooms weren’t available and we were upgraded to a deluxe room. WOW! What a treat.
The deluxe rooms are stunning, with high vaulted ceilings, volcano views, and clawfoot bathtubs that make you want to soak forever. Each deluxe room has its own little balcony, perfect for slow mornings with a book or some yoga (bring your own mat).
After dinner each night, we were offered hot water bottles to warm the beds and a lamp to walk back to our room. It’s such a small thing, but it made the evenings feel extra cozy and made us feel like we got special treatment.
The Meals
Imbogo can cater to different dietary preferences, with both vegetarian and meat options for lunch and dinner each day.
Breakfast was a highlight, especially the homemade bread, peas, and Spanish omelet.
For lunch, the veggie wrap is excellent, and if you’re hiking, you can ask for it as a takeaway. I loved that it was individually wrapped, perfect for eating half on the trail and saving the rest.
For dinner, I tried the goat on the first night and the vegetable curry on the second. Both were delicious and a great introduction to Ugandan flavors.
What to Do
Imbogo is perfectly located for activities in Mount Gahinga National Park
There is one gorilla family that you can hike to in Mount Gahinga National Park. Book your tickets in advance.
We came across the border because Wilhelm and our friends wanted to climb Mount Sabinyo, one of the most dramatic hikes in the region. Imbogo is a great base — they’ll pack your lunch for the hike and even clean your shoes when you return. It’s about a 40-minute drive to the start of the hike. From the top, you’ll be at the meeting point of three countries: Uganda, Rwanda, and the DRC. This is only possible from the Ugandan side. The hike is intense, and the final section involves climbing ladders to the top. It’s not for the faint of heart, but rewarding.
Around Imbogo, you can also:
- Go kayaking on the nearby lake.
- Take long walks around the area.
- Hike to an old crater volcano (about a 10-minute drive, then a 15-minute walk around farmland). Fiona is also a guide and took us to the viewpoint.
- Bring your yoga mat and practice with a view. The garden by the dining area is perfect for bird watching too.
- Enjoy the fire in the evening
- If you want to host an intimate gathering (or even a little retreat), then there is a lovely green space for all that.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for where to stay near Mount Gahinga National Park, whether you’re hiking or just want a peaceful escape with views, Imbogo Safari Lodge is such an easy choice. It’s one of those places that exceeds expectations, and I’d go back in a heartbeat.
Cheers!