Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge – Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge is one of Uganda’s most luxurious lodges, set high above the clouds on Nteko Ridge at the southern edge of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. Overlooking the Virunga Volcanoes and the vast Albertine Rift Valley, the lodge combines luxury, exclusivity and unforgettable access to one of the world’s great wildlife encounters – trekking to see the mountain gorillas.

Perched on a ridge at 2,000 metres above sea level, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge commands some of the most dramatic views in Uganda, looking out over the Bwindi Forest and across to the volcanoes of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The lodge’s location not only provides a breathtaking setting but also ensures excellent access to the Nkuringo gorilla tracking point.

Built in partnership with the local community of Nkuringo as well as the Africa Wildllife Foundation and the International Gorilla Conservation Programme, Clouds benefits not just the gorillas and their habitat, but also the development of the local community who are the true owners of this property.

Location

Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge is set in southern Bwindia with access to Nkuringo gorilla tracking point.  The lodge can be reached by scheduled flight from Entebbe to Kisoro airstrip followed by a scenic drive, or by road transfer through Uganda’s highland landscapes.  Alternatively it is 11 hours by road from Kampala

Accommodation

Guests stay in individual stone cottages with large private sitting rooms complete with fireplace, overstuffed armchairs, and art commissioned from some of Uganda’s best artists.Hand-built by the local community using volcanic stone and timber, the cottages offer comfort and seclusion while maintaining a strong sense of place. With space for only around fourteen guests, the atmosphere is intimate and highly personalised.

The main lodge has soaring ceilings, massive exposed wooden beams, big picture windows with endless views of treetops, volcanoes and mountains.  With a gentle and warm welcome, the quiet dedication of the personal butlers and the smiles on the faces of virtually all the staff, this can only be in Uganda!

Wildlife and Activities

Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge offers direct access to the Nkuringo trailhead for gorilla trekking, making it one of the most convenient bases for tracking gorilla families in the southern sector of Bwindi. Trekking through the ancient rainforest to spend an hour with a family of mountain gorillas is an unforgettable highlight. In addition to gorilla encounters, you can enjoy guided forest walks, birdwatching, cultural visits to nearby villages, and hikes along the ridge with spectacular views of the Virunga Volcanoes. Back at the lodge, you can relax beside the fire, admire original Ugandan artworks displayed throughout the property, or simply soak in the sweeping panoramas from the terrace.

Batwa Community Experience

The Batwa are an indigenous community of Central African Hunter Gatherers (formerly known as Pygmies) who historically resided within these ancient rainforests living off the what the bush provided. Now, with the recognition that the habitat and its creatures must be protected, these peoples have been forced to leave behind their forested home and assimilate into society, as a result the Batwa culture is on the brink of existence. The Cultural Experience involves a walk through a small pocket rainforest, where you will visit a demonstration village and a reenactment of how the Batwa people used to live. You will realize that though the Batwa people no longer live in this way, their culture, their language and their traditions, are well and truly alive.

Gorilla Habituation Experience

A more in-depth and more exclusive Gorilla experience is available to those staying at Clouds. The Gorilla Habituation experience involves a more experiential 4 hours spent with the Gorilla family (as opposed to the typical 1 hour Gorilla Trek) with a smaller group of travellers. The Rushaga Sector of Bwindi, (30-45 minute drive from the lodge) hosts a family of gorillas dedicated to this unique experience. In many cases, the usual 1 hour is simply not enough time. This is an opportunity to truly immerse yourself into the ancient rainforests of Bwindi, and as is always the case on safari, More time means more opportunities to see an experience more things.

Gorilla Tracking

One of the most sought after experiences on the continent of Africa, Gorilla tracking is the highlight of a trip to Clouds and for many it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience. With a team of trackers, guides and porters, you will descend into the primeval rainforest of Bwindi. Bwindi is a sensitive ecosystem and among the most diverse habitats on the planet. While hiking, your guides will interpret the wilderness around you, pointing out everything from plant species, birds, Gorilla Nests and more. The tracking can take anywhere between 1-6 hours, depending on conditions and animal movements, and requires a degree of fitness and physical ability. The trek culminates in an hour spent with a family of endangered mountain gorillas. For this hour, they will welcome you into their world where you watch them foraging on plants and insects, playing and tumbling around in the undergrowth and simply being a family. After your hour is up, your guides will lead you back out of the forest and return to the trailhead. Weather is unpredictable, the terrain can be challenging and the memories will be long lasting!!

Conservation and Community

Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge is a pioneering community partnership. The lodge was built and is owned by the local community, with Wildplaces Africa managing operations. A significant share of revenue goes directly to community projects, including schools, healthcare and infrastructure. By staying at Clouds, guests directly contribute to the livelihoods of the Nkuringo community and the protection of Bwindi’s gorillas.

CLOUDS MOUNTAIN GORILLA LODGE IS OPEN ALL YEAR ROUND

THE LODGE ACCEPTS CHILDREN OF ALL AGES BUT YOU MUST BE AGED 15 YEARS AND OLDER TO GORILL TREK