Here are our top 10 Gorilla Lodges in Uganda!

1: Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge

Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge is a tranquil lodge located on the Nteko Ridge overlooking Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, a mountain gorilla habitat. The place also overlooks the Kashasha River Valley, Virunga Volcanoes, and the Great Albertine Rift Valley. The Lodge, which is the ideal place to stay as you await trek the gorillas was named Uganda’s leading Safari Lodge at the World Travel Awards in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019. 

Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge has 9 residences divided into three two-bedroom family villas and six garden cottages. Each cottage features a bedroom, an ensuite bathroom with a walk-in shower and a living area with a fireplace and comfortable chairs to enjoy the golden fire glow. Lounge chairs on the outdoor verandas give the perfect vantage point to take in the constantly changing Bwindi views.

The Gorilla Lodge is a true African bush wonderland that lets the landscape do the showing off. All villa rooms have breathtaking views over the imposing Bwindi Forest, and the garden chalets soar above the Virunga Mountains range. Rounding out the experience are rickety walkways, dramatic black volcano rock finishing, and the constant natural freshness.

2: Mount Gahinga Lodge

Mount Gahinga Lodge is the perfect base to go gorilla tracking on the Ugandan side of the Virungas. The property is inspired by traditional design and building techniques and has that timeless African charm. The luxurious bandas reflect the aesthetic magic of the Bufimbira, with their distinct colours. Each Banda has an ensuite luxury shower room, fireplace and private porch.

The place has premium wine, whisky, and cocktail menus and personal butler service for all guests. It also has a direct private footpath with access to gorilla tracking in the National Park, Wi-Fi is available in the main lodge building and charging facilities available in each banda.

3: Gorilla Safari Lodge.

Gorilla Safari Lodge is found at the edge of the thick, lush Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park in Southwest Uganda. This national park is home to wild gorillas, forest elephants and 23 species of bird endemic to the area. It is a 5-minute walk from the briefing point for trekking and makes it a much sought-after lodge for gorilla tracking safaris. There are plenty of activities on offer, including a visit to the Batwa pygmies, mountain biking and guided forest walks to the Bayenda Falls.

The rooms have solar-powered lighting, an en-suite bathroom with hot and cold water and flush toilets. Each unit is designed to look like a stand-alone log cabin and blends in with the rainforest, ensuring that the lodge does not look out of place in its wild surroundings. Cobbled paths with wooden bannisters join the rooms, each named after gorillas or gorilla tribes. This remote lodge comprises 18 individual units (sleeping 45 in total) each with private wooden balconies overlooking the wilderness. 3 of these units are inter-leading rooms, making them ideal for families. 

4: Gorilla Heights Lodge.

Gorilla Heights Lodge, which is located in Nkuringo, Kisoro district in Southwestern Uganda is a blend of nature, modern architecture and pure luxury. The lodge offers the most breathtaking views of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest on one side and the Virunga ranges on the other and guarantees you proximity to the Nkuringo and Rushaga gorilla families for a thrilling gorilla tracking experience.  Gorilla Heights sits on a 12-acre piece of land with 15 luxurious cottages, a heated swimming pool and a spa with a sauna. The rooms are warmed up from the gas burners and electric heaters and are all ensuite, with in-door showers and freestanding bathtubs for a rejuvenating body soak after a long day of adventure. The bathtubs for the Deluxe cottages are fitted on the private balconies, giving guests opportunities to enjoy the bathtub in the open sky moments.

The Family and Deluxe cottages have modern in-built kitchens and dining spaces for guests to prepare their own meals. All living spaces are furnished with sofas, heaters, mini refrigerators and a 50-inch flat-screen television.  All guests are assigned a personal attendant to cater to their every need. This allows for more intimate and bonding sessions with family and loved ones, surrounded by the luxury that only nature can give.

Children under the age of 6 years stay for free while Children between the ages of 6-18 years qualify for a 50% to 75% discount off the adult rate.

5: Four Gorillas Lodge, Bwindi

The Four Gorillas Lodge in Bwindi Forestoffers contemporary luxury while satisfying the human craving to become one with nature and fellow apes. The cottages are surrounded by dense forest and feature upscale elegance within a cosy homesteading. In this oasis of privacy, serenity and rejuvenation, there are no crowds, just Mountain Gorillas as well as the soothing sound of birds, and breathtaking views. Four Gorillas Lodge is close to the headquarters of the National Park, only 10 minutes away from the Gorilla tracking and briefing centre.

6: Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge

Set on a forested ridge near the entrance to the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge boasts of eight spacious cottages built from volcanic stone. Spectacular views stretch all the way to the Virunga Volcanoes of Rwanda, as well as across the border into the Congo, where the glow of Nyiragongo Volcano can be seen on a clear night.

Warm and welcoming, each cottage features a bedroom, ensuite bathroom with a walk-in shower and separate lounge. Comfortable chairs on the outdoor verandas provide the perfect vantage point to the unforgettable vistas of the forest below. The lodge is situated within easy walking distance of the trail where guests can begin their gorilla trekking adventure. 

7: Chameleon Hill Lodge

Ah, the Chameleon Hill Lodge, this list would be incomplete without some mention of the colourful and eclectic lodge which is tucked away in the lush hills surrounding Lake Mutanda in Uganda. Lake Mutanda is located between Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in the Virunga Mountains and is a region of forested mountain slopes and wetland ecosystems.

The Chameleon Hill Lodge comprises ten chalets, all with sweeping views of the lake, each with the lodge’s signature unique color scheme and furnished with handmade Euro-African style items. Common areas include a wooden deck, modern lounge with fireplace, and a library.

During your stay, you can track mountain gorillas and golden monkeys, take to the water for boating excursions or get to know local families and communities with immersive cultural activities. Plenty of hiking is available outside of gorilla treks, too, for the active traveller. 

8: Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge

This lodge is one of the finest gorilla lodges at Bwindi with views of the forest canopy across a serene stream. Overlooking the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Volcanoes Bwindi Adventure Lodge offers a truly unique Uganda gorilla safari experience. Separated by nothing more than an idyllic stream, the gorillas themselves are frequent visitors to the lodge.

The lodge has 9 bandas and a personal butler service for all guests.  Wi-Fi is available in the main lodge building and charging facilities available in each banda. The lodge’s award-winning Bwindi Bar is stylish, colourful and features an assortment of premium wine, whisky, and cocktail menus.

9: Mahogany Springs Lodge

Mahogany Springs is located in the northern part of Bwindi National Park in the southwest of Uganda. The park is famed for its 11 habituated gorilla groups that you can trek to. Like other properties in the vicinity of Bwindi, Mahogany Springs is just up the road from both the park headquarters (where you go before your gorilla trek) and the small town of Bwindi.

The main area of Mahogany Springs is cosy yet spacious. It is all built of wood and the main area combines a dining area, a large veranda, a bar and a curio shop. The décor is warm and colourful. The rooms are located off a stoned pathway, through beautiful gardens and the forest in the background. The property is quiet and spacious, offering a very relaxing stay.

There are a couple of different room categories at Mahogany Springs. The superior suites can be twin, double or triple and offer ensuite bathrooms with a private terrace with panoramic views of the surrounding forest. There is also a presidential suite which is good for families. The two bedrooms interconnect and a lounge area are provided. The final room type is the honeymoon suite which is similar to the superior suite but has a few extras, such as a larger bed and a bathtub.

10: Buhoma Lodge

Buhoma Lodge is one of only two lodges situated within the Bwindi National Park itself and is a short walking distance from the meeting point for gorilla tracking and other activities in the area. 

Eight comfortable cottages have been carefully built from local materials and each suite has a private verandah and enormous windows, allowing guests spectacular views of the forest canopy and the Park. The lounge area, complete with bar and dining facilities, offers a cosy place to discuss the day’s activities. 

Inside the spacious cottages, you will find comfortable beds, a well-appointed en suite bathroom with a flushing toilet and a hot shower. Meals are freshly prepared from local produce, offering a balance of international and local cuisine. Hot beverages are available throughout the day on a self-service basis, but morning tea or coffee is brought to your cottage, allowing you to savour the early morning sounds of the forest as it awakens.

To arrange customised staycations and or an adventure/holiday to any part of Uganda or East Africa, reach out to Executive Destinations and Experiences Limited (EDXTravel) today.

Contacts:

Phone: +256 751 395 326/ +256 775 716 808

Email: theexectraveler@gmail.com     

#EDXTravel #TheExecTraveler #AuthenticAfricanTravelExperiences #TakeYourPlaceInTheAfricanSun #1000Reasons2ExploreUganda #ChoicestDestinations #TrustedTravelAdvisors #UnforgettableExperiences #UgandaThePearlOfAfrica

The post 10 Lodges That Will Make Your Gorilla Trekking in Uganda Unforgettable appeared first on Executive Destinations & Experiences.

In a recent media interview, soon after ascending 8 out of 10 of Mount Rwenzori peaks in 7 days, Julian said Uganda has so much to offer both in quantity and quality and similarly, everyone seeking to visit Uganda ought to prepare accordingly.

“My message to other guides and visitors coming to the Rwenzoris is to plan your trips, so you have lots of time so that you can really get a sense of the mountains. You can acclimatize well, which then allows you to enjoy the mountain a lot more,” he told journalists at the Mt. base camp.

“ And then plan it so that you have a bit of time after your trip so that you can see some of the other national parks lower down and enjoy some of the wildlife. There’s just so much to do here, I think you need to allow for enough time to be able to see some of it,” smitten Julian confessed.

And Julian no ordinary mountaineer. He is one of a few human beings to multiple severally summit all the three highest points on Mt. Kenya, East Africa’s second-highest mountain as well as repeatedly summit Mt. Kilimanjaro, Africa’s tallest mountain. He has also been an expedition leader to Mt. Everest and the Himalayas in 2017 and 2019. The proprietor of African Ascents Ltd, Julian has severally summitted Mt. Kilimanjaro as well as been to several other mountains in South Africa, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, Canada, the Alps, Southeast Asia and most recently the Rwenzoris.

But Julian is not alone- several visitors to Uganda have all described Uganda as a destination that keeps giving. It is, therefore, not surprising that a 2019 Uganda Tourist Expenditure And Motivation Survey (TEMS)  2019 found that 51% of the visitors to Uganda repeat visitors and more than 6 in 10 visitors to Uganda were most likely to return shortly, while more than 8 in 10 visitors reported a high likelihood of recommending Uganda to their friends and family as a place to visit.

Visitors were also satisfied with the Historical and Cultural Sites, with Nyero Rock Paintings receiving the highest satisfaction score of 5 out of 5.

The Big Five + 2;  Africa’s botanical big game and so much more 

Visitors to Uganda, according to the study, were amongst other factors, blown away by the sheer vastness of Uganda’s attractions especially the wildlife and birds, gorilla tracking and the  breathtaking sceneries and landscapes such as the Source of the Nile and the various lakes and rivers accentuated by the numerous thunderous waterfalls. Visitors were also swept off their feet by our food, hospitality, as well as the nightlife and freedom of movement. 

Specifically, for our national parks, visitors were impressed by the richness and diversity in both plant and animal attractions as well as the natural attractions such as the mountains as well as lakes and rivers— that are equally packed with marine life.

Uganda is home to more than half the world’s population of endangered mountain gorillas (53.9% to be exact)- that reside in two of Uganda’s most beautiful locations — Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park!  Safari opportunities abound in the savanna, forest, and wetland settings throughout the parks where visitors can come face to face with “The Big Five + 2 ” – lion, leopard, rhino, elephant, buffalo, chimpanzee and mountain gorilla– as well as giraffe, zebra, hippopotamus, crocodile, and more than half of all bird species found in Africa.  

It is no wonder that our national parks were rated on average 4.8 out of 5.

Uganda has 10 national parks; 12 wildlife reserves; 5 community wildlife management areas; and 13 wildlife sanctuaries, each of which has their own allure- right from wild savanna game rides, boat rides, forest hikes, mountain climbing, wildlife research and more. Uganda is an unrivalled bird-watching destination with over 1,000 species of birds – several of which are found nowhere else on the planet as well as home to the rate in the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park. For the adrenaline junkies and mountain climbers, you can hike up the  Virunga Volcanoes (3 of the 5 ranges are in Uganda i.e.  Mt. Sabinyo (3,669m) Mt. Gahinga (3,474m) and Mt. Muhavura) as well as  snow-capped Rwenzori Mountains.   

Christened the “Mountains of the Moon” by the Alexandrine geographer Ptolemy in AD 150, the fabled Mountains of the Moon is part of a larger 120km-long and 65km-wide Rwenzori Mountain range, on the western Uganda border with the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The range consists of six massifs separated by deep gorges, namely: Mount Stanley (5,109 metres (16,762 ft)); Mount Speke (4,890 metres (16,040 ft)); Mount Baker (4,843 metres (15,889 ft)); Mount Emin (4,798 metres (15,741 ft)); Mount Gessi (4,715 metres (15,469 ft)) and Mount Luigi di Savoia (4,627 metres (15,180 ft)). Mount Stanley has several subsidiary summits, with Margherita Peak being the highest point.

With its five overlapping vegetation zones― the evergreen forest zone (up to 2,800 metres (9,200 ft)); the bamboo zone (2,800 to 3,300 metres (9,200 to 10,800 ft)); the heather zone (3,000 to 3,800 metres (9,800 to 12,500 ft)); the alpine zone (3,500 to 4,500 metres (11,500 to 14,800 ft)); and, the nival zone (4,400 to 5,000 metres (14,400 to 16,400 ft)), the Rwenzoris, offer tourists a better nature experience, consisting of  99,600 ha of alpine vegetation, most of it rare and or unique to the Rwenzoris.

At higher elevations, some plants reach an enormous size, such as the giant lobelia and groundsels, thus the term “Africa’s botanical big game.” The spectacular snow-capped peaks and glaciers, melt into fast-flowing rivers, that squeeze into V-shaped valleys and narrow gorges, emerging as magnificent waterfalls that feed the clear blue lakes that dot the surreal, boggy Afro-alpine moorlands downstream.

The montane forests that form the lower part of the mountains are also home to threatened species such as the African forest elephant, eastern chimpanzee, l’Hoest’s monkey and the very rare and endangered Rwenzori black-fronted duiker. The entire Rwenzori Mountains National Park- an expanse of nearly 100,000 ha is home to 70 mammals and 217 birds; 19 of which are endemic to the Albertine Rift.  

Describing the Rwenzoris- Julian Wright, said the mountain was an “incredible resource” whose “sheer diversity” is “mind-blowing” and “breathtaking.” 

“The glaciers on the Rwenzoris are very unique. They are a lot bigger than any other glaciers in East Africa.”

“The sheer ecological diversity is mind-blowing,” he said, adding: “Everything here seems to be three times as big. The leaves are bigger, the plants are bigger, everything is so lush, there’s so much life, and it is truly unique.”

“I’ve been guiding and hiking, and I’ve been in the outdoors business for a very long time, but the vastness of the Rwenzoris is just breathtaking,” Julian reiterated.

To arrange customised staycations and or an adventure/holiday to any part of Uganda or East Africa, reach out to Executive Destinations and Experiences Limited (EDXTravel) today.

Contacts:

Phone: +256 751 395 326/ +256 775 716 808

Email: theexectraveler@gmail.com    

#EDXTravel #TheExecTraveler #AuthenticAfricanTravelExperiences #TakeYourPlaceInTheAfricanSun #1000Reasons2ExploreUganda #ChoicestDestinations #TrustedTravelAdvisors #UnforgettableExperiences #UgandaThePearlOfAfrica  

The post Visit Uganda ―The Pearl of Africa and a destination that keeps on giving   appeared first on Executive Destinations & Experiences.