Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge

Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge is perfectly set on a forested ridge near the entrance to the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. There are eight spacious cottages that have been beautifully crafted from volcanic stone. Enjoy spectacular views that span all the way to the Virunga Volcanoes of Rwanda as well as the Nyiragongo Volcano along the border of the Congo.

Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge is a gateway to adventure in Uganda. The lodge is warm and welcoming, and each cottage features a bedroom, en-suite bathroom with a walk-in shower & separate lounge area. Comfortable seating on the outdoor veranda offers the perfect vantage point to admire the most unforgettable vistas of the forest below. As evening falls, guests can enjoy a blazing fireplace that creates a cosy glow.

All meals are prepared using the freshest locally sourced ingredients and are served in front of a stunning fire in the dining area or in the privacy of your cottage. The main lodge boasts high ceilings and big picture windows to allow endless views to come through every corner. The staff are dedicated to providing exceptional service and wonderful experiences.

Tracking gorillas is probably one of the most exciting activities to do when at Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge. Apart from gorilla trekking guests can engage in community activities, spa massages or town tours.

About Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park,

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest (or, officially, Impenetrable National Park) is an ancient, deep forest rising up along the southwestern border of Uganda. Climbing up along the slopes of a mountain range, the park consists of a series of narrow, steep valleys, deep green and cloaked in mist. The park is an old and complex ecosystem with a wealth of biodiversity and within its depths lies a rare and striking world. Due to the dense undergrowth and rugged terrain, large portions of it can only be reached on foot, preserving its primordial nature. Forest elephants, giant forest hogs, hundreds of butterfly species and several types of primate roam beneath the thick canopy of trees.

Bwindi is home to half the world’s remaining population of critically endangered mountain gorillas. Out of these, several families have become habituated to humans, allowing small groups of people to track them and spend an hour in their company. The gorillas remain wild and the interaction takes place under the careful eyes of highly trained trackers. As gorillas are susceptible to human disease, the health restrictions for visitors are stringent. Due to the rugged terrain, only those older than 15 years are allowed to track.

A day of gorilla trekking begins early, departing from your lodge with the dawn. The guides will meet and brief groups of visitors at the gathering point before setting off. The walk can be challenging, especially during Uganda’s two rainy seasons, which are from March to May and then again in November and December. Depending on where the gorillas were last seen, the trek can take anywhere between 40 minutes to six hours spent making your way through the tranquil green undergrowth that covers the mountain slopes, with several quiet encounters with the other denizens of the park en route. When the gorillas emerge from the foliage, time stands still as you enjoy their company for an hour. There is something deeply moving about being in the presence of these regal creatures.