Why Stay at Travellers Rest Hotel?
Travellers Rest Hotel in Kisoro is one of Uganda's most storied small hotels, long associated with the earliest days of gorilla tourism in the Virunga region. Today it offers unpretentious garden-set comfort — 11 rooms and cottages with a pool, spa and firepit — at a strategic crossroads for trekking in both Uganda and Rwanda.
Where Is Travellers Rest Hotel & What Wildlife Can You See?
The hotel sits in Kisoro town in Uganda's far southwest, reached by a 1.5-hour scheduled flight from Entebbe to Kisoro Airstrip followed by a 10-minute drive, a 3-hour road transfer from Kigali, or a scenic 9 to 10-hour drive from Kampala. From this base guests track mountain gorillas in Mgahinga or the southern sectors of Bwindi, join golden monkey and chimpanzee excursions, birdwatch, canoe on nearby lakes and visit local communities.
Rooms & Style
Accommodation comprises 11 units across Standard, Deluxe and Family rooms plus garden Cottages with private verandas, several warmed by in-room fireplaces against the cool volcanic-highland evenings. A restaurant, pool and peaceful gardens keep the atmosphere sociable and low-key, with full-board, half-board and bed-and-breakfast bases all offered.
Who Is It Ideal For?
- Gorilla trekkers wanting a characterful, affordable Kisoro base
- Travellers crossing between Rwanda and Uganda on a two-country primate circuit
- Birdwatchers and canoeists exploring the Virunga lakes region
- Guests who value history and garden calm over glossy luxury
Pairs Well With
The hotel is a practical springboard for Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, and combines well with wider Uganda routings such as the 3-day Uganda safari for those adding a northern leg.
How Do You Prepare for Gorilla Trekking from Travellers Rest Hotel?
The hotel's Kisoro location puts two trekking regions within reach, so your first task is confirming which park your permit covers — Mgahinga or Bwindi's southern sectors — as briefing points and morning transfer times differ. Treks start early: arrange breakfast timing with the kitchen the evening before, and let the front desk coordinate your drive to the trailhead.
Conditions underfoot decide how hard the day feels. The dry seasons from June to September and December to February give the firmest trails, though treks run year-round for those with fixed dates. Whatever the season, the forest is steep, humid and muddy in patches — this is highland terrain, and evenings back at the hotel turn cool at altitude, so a warm layer earns its place in your bag.
- Pack sturdy boots, gardening-style gloves for grabbing vegetation, and a waterproof layer.
- Long sleeves and trousers protect against nettles regardless of temperature.
- Use the hotel's spa or a swim in the pool to ease post-trek muscles.
- Room service suits early nights before dawn starts.
Build in a rest day if you hold permits on both sides of the border — the 3-hour Kigali transfer and border formalities are easier without a trek on the same day.
