Concious Check-In Edition 5
Set on the Northern edge of Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, an exciting new opeining is taking place this year for Asilia Africa. Erebero Hills occupies an elevated ridge overlooking one of Africa’s most ecologically dense and ancient landscapes. From Erebero Hills. Here, you gain a real perspective first, an opportunity to visualise and understand the terrain before entering it.
Bwindi, in context
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the oldest surviving rainforests on the African continent. Its altitude, which ranges from approximately 1,200 to 2,600 metres, creates a cool and often mist-filled environment that supports remarkable biodiversity. Nearly half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas live here, alongside forest elephants, multiple primate species and more than 350 recorded bird species.
This is not an easy landscape. Treks are physically demanding, trails are narrow and conditions change quickly. Erebero Hills’ elevated position allows guests time to acclimatise while offering a visual understanding of the forest’s scale and complexity before stepping into it.
Positioning and design
Located on the northern edge of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Erebero Hills is set in an advantageous location which is both secluded yet offering convenient access to a preferred gorilla trekking location.
The design is purposeful and pared back. Clean architectural lines, natural materials and a muted palette reflect the surrounding environment. Interiors are both comfortable, offering quiet recovery after long treks, and practical with design features such as small boot rooms for muddy footwear. Huge windows frame the forest whilst flooding the spaces with light.
The Asilia Africa approach
Erebero Hills is part of the Asilia Africa portfolio, a brand known for its long-term commitment to conservation, low-impact tourism and community partnership across East Africa. Asilia’s properties are intentionally small and deeply connected to the landscapes they inhabit, prioritising sustainability over scale.
An ambitious project in conjunction with Change A Life, Bwindi is reforesting an area neighbouring the Bwindi, previously given over to tea plantations and once scarred by agriculture. The project will provide an additional 45 acres of buffer zone and additional habitat for the areas incredible wildlife, whilst also allowing the Batwa tribe to reclaim aspects of their lost heritage.
Gorilla trekking in practice
Gorilla trekking from Erebero Hills is conducted in partnership with the Uganda Wildlife Authority and experienced local trackers. Each trek is different. Duration, difficulty and route depend entirely on where the gorilla families have moved and how the forest behaves that day.
There are no guarantees. You may trek for several hours, climb steep slopes, or wait in silence. Encounters are strictly regulated and limited in time to minimise impact on the gorillas themselves.
Beyond the Gorillas
While gorilla trekking is the primary focus, time at Erebero Hills encourages a broader engagement with the region. Guided forest walks, birding excursions and cultural visits offer insight into both the ecological and human systems that coexist around Bwindi.
Evenings are intentionally understated. Darkness falls early, forest sounds deepen and the pace softens. Fires are lit, meals are unhurried and conversation flows. With so little else to distract you, being present and immersed comes naturally and that is precisely the point.
Why Erebero Hills stands apart
As gorilla trekking grows in popularity, Erebero Hills matters because of its restraint. Scale is limited, impact is considered and the experience attracts travellers who understand that meaningful wildlife encounters require effort and respect. This will not the easiest way to see gorillas but may well be the most rewarding.
Designing the journey
A stay at Erebero Hills works best within a carefully planned and paced itinerary. The destination can be paired with Rwanda, Kenya or Tanzania (including a beach stop in Zanzibar) or even approached as a standalone journey for travellers seeking a focused and immersive experience in Uganda (and I would recommend this as it is a fabulous country with SO much more to offer than Gorillas!)
Get in touch to discuss how we can add this property to your perfect itinerary,
