The Nkuringo Gorilla tracking region stands as one of the trailheads for Gorilla tracking adventures within the stunning Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. This region has garnered increased attention due to the growing number of Gorilla families residing here. A visit to the Nkuringo region for Gorilla tracking provides an opportunity to explore the best luxury lodges in the area, ensuring an unforgettable journey without any regrets. Gorilla tracking in Nkuringo is hailed as one of life’s most enriching travel experiences.
Get ready to immerse yourself in the safari spirit and venture into one of Africa’s most ancient habitats—a misty, primordial jungle nestled among mountains, terraced hills, and rolling volcanic slopes. Unwind in enchanting forest lodges that offer breathtaking views of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park‘s lush vegetation. Here, you’ll have the chance to observe endangered Mountain Gorillas, a truly unique experience only a few places on Earth can offer.
The presence of Mountain Gorillas in this region has transformed the fringes of Africa’s oldest rainforest into a luxurious retreat. After enduring a 9-hour drive from Entebbe or Kampala to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, you might not expect to find yourself in a forest room with all the comforts of a luxurious bed.
These breathtaking Nkuringo sector luxury safari lodges have emerged in the span of just a decade. Surprisingly, they come equipped with amenities you might not anticipate in such remote locations: hot showers, flush toilets, and delectable restaurants come as standard. These lodges offer a range of accommodations, from deluxe “glamping” cottages occasionally visited by the gentle giants of the forest, to private rooms perched on the edge of ridges overlooking the forest canopies, and even private cottages nestled amidst the rainforest.
Serving as the trailhead for tracking various Nkuringo Gorilla families, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge is a multi-award-winning luxury retreat in Nkuringo. The lodge consists of a chalet-like main building and seven guesthouses. Constructed from local volcanic stone and adorned with hand-woven rugs and artwork by Uganda’s most renowned artists, the lodge offers a distinct sense of luxury. At almost 7,000 feet above sea level, Clouds is undoubtedly the finest luxury lodge in the Nkuringo region, with its price tag reflecting its status.
Visitors to the lodge often find themselves on a terrace at night, gazing at the Virunga volcanoes across Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, their majestic silhouettes glowing amber against the darkened sky. Each of the ten stone cottages features loft-like interiors adorned with African-themed art, high-beamed ceilings, a spacious bedroom, a lounge area, and an en-suite bathroom with a shower. A fireplace connects the bedroom and lounge, keeping the rooms cozy and warm during cool mountain evenings. A personal butler and housekeeper are on hand to provide hot-water bottles and keep the fireplace lit.
Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge offers guests more than just a Gorilla tracking experience. They can also take part in forest walks led by Batwa pygmy guides and visit community projects managed by the lodge, designed to assist local subsistence farmers. The lodge’s unique combination of creature comforts, nature, and community involvement makes it well worth the effort and expense required to reach this remote location.
Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge is conveniently located at the Nkuringo Bwindi Southside Gorilla tracking trailhead, just a short distance from the briefing and visitor’s center.
Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge offers almost exclusive access to the three habituated Gorilla families in the Nkuringo region. The Gorilla tracking adventure begins just downhill from the park offices, winding through vibrant villages and picturesque tea plantations before delving deep into the forest.
Perched atop Nteko Ridge, Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge provides breathtaking panoramic views over the entirety of Bwindi Forest in one direction, and across the lake towards Kisoro town and beyond in the other. This remarkable lodge rightfully earned the title of Uganda’s leading Safari Lodge at the World Travel Awards in 2016, 2017, and 2018.
The lodge’s inviting dining room is built around a beautiful tree, its trunk adding a unique touch amid wooden beams, raffia ceilings, and terracotta-colored walls. It exudes rustic charm, featuring a small bar, plush sofas surrounding a stone fireplace, and Ugandan fabrics and carvings adorning the walls.
Outside, the terrace offers stunning views of the Virunga Volcanoes, which constitute the only other homeland for Mountain Gorillas in the world. Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge is committed to eco-friendliness and operates as a carbon-neutral establishment. The lodge boasts immaculate and colorful gardens that attract a variety of bird species and even three-horned chameleons.
Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge’s 12 chalet-style rooms are nestled amidst its lovely gardens. The elegant Villa features two bright and spacious bedrooms and private terraces with views of Bwindi’s dense rainforest. All rooms are en-suite and individually decorated, adorned with colorful fabrics and local artwork.
To book your stay at Nkuringo sector luxury safari lodges and embark on a Gorilla trekking adventure in the Nkuringo region, contact Trek Africa Expeditions.