Booking Terms

We’d rather you spend your energy dreaming about the forest than deciphering a policy page, so here is everything you need to know, in plain terms. For anything unclear, our team is always glad to talk it through before you book.

Deposits & Payment

• A deposit of 30% of the total stay is required to confirm your cottage reservation, with the balance due 60 days before arrival.
• Gorilla permits must be paid in full at the time of booking. This is a Uganda Wildlife Authority requirement, not a lodge policy, and permits cannot be secured without it.
• Bookings made within 60 days of arrival require full payment at the time of confirmation.
• We accept bank transfer and major cards; a small processing fee may apply to card payments.

Cancellations & Changes

• Cancellations 60 days or more before arrival: deposit refunded less a $100 administration fee.
• Cancellations 30–59 days before arrival: 50% of the total stay is retained.
• Cancellations within 30 days of arrival: the full stay is non-refundable.
• Gorilla permits are strictly non-refundable and non-transferable once purchased, in line with UWA policy. Low-season discounted permits also cannot be rescheduled.
• We strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance covering trip cancellation, medical evacuation, and trekking activities.

Permits & Trekking

• Gorilla permits are limited and allocated on a first-paid, first-secured basis. We recommend booking three to six months ahead for high season, and earlier for the December–February and June–September peaks.
• Guests must be 15 years or older to trek gorillas, per UWA regulations.
• Trekking involves sustained walking at altitude over uneven forest terrain; guests should arrive in reasonable physical condition and inform us of any health considerations in advance.
• Sightings are never guaranteed, though the success rate across Bwindi remains very high. This is a wild forest, not a zoo, and we ask every guest to hold that truth with grace.

Check-In & Check-Out

• Check-in from 2:00 PM; check-out by 11:00 AM. Early arrivals and late departures can often be accommodated, just ask.
• Airport and airstrip transfers should be confirmed with your flight details at least seven days before arrival.

Health & Travel Requirements

• A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for entry to Uganda.
• We recommend consulting a travel health professional regarding malaria prophylaxis and other regional health guidance well ahead of your trip.
• Valid passports, visas (or East Africa Tourist Visa where applicable), and travel insurance are the responsibility of the guest.

A Note on Flexibility

Wild places don’t run on fixed timetables. Weather, road conditions, and forest circumstances can occasionally shift an itinerary. When they do, our team will always work with you to make the best of the day — because how we handle the unexpected is as much a part of your stay as the sunshine.