Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge
Set on a forested ridge near the entrance of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge is a remote, beautiful and intimate safari lodge set on a mountain ridge with sweeping views of the magnificent Virunga Volcanoes and the Great Rift Valley. The Nkuringo Gorilla Family Trailhead is directly outside the lodge and their home range tends to remain within a 2 hour trek, depending on the movement of the group.
This beautiful lodge was set up in partnership with the African Wildlife Foundation and managed in part by the Uganda Safari Company, the lodge is a cross-community initiative of the highest order.
Locate in Southern Uganda in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge is one of the first lodges in the region with both the means and wherewithal to follow through recommendations made by the International Gorilla Conservation Programme. As such, it has quickly gained a reputation for providing a service that is caring, innovative and far-sighted.
Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge is a family-run business, and keen to add something extra to an area that is known more for its flora and fauna than it is for the level of accommodation on offer. This large stone establishment is situated on Nketo Ridge, surrounded by miles upon miles of afro-montane forest, the views are incredible.
The main lodge of Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge consists of a reception, lounge (which has Wi-Fi access), dining area and balcony. Modern, yet with a country house feel, the shared areas are both spacious and comfortable. The windows – multi-paned and large, allow for a great deal of natural light, and make the most of the views. The French doors open out onto the balcony, the furniture – cream, sumptuous and low, the walks are white and adorned with paintings commissioned from Ugandan artists. The overall feel, with only the giant rafters overhead, is one of great space.
Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge is the first luxury retreat for visitors to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park – a more ancient and biodiverse ecosystem than the Virunga Mountains, inhabited by Rwanda and Congo’s gorilla population.
What we love about Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge
- Enjoy the delicious homemade cakes served on your private veranda by your personal butler each afternoon
- Enjoy a relaxing foot massage right after your gorilla trekking expedition
- Browse through the beautiful artworks displayed throughout the lodge – these are commissioned from a Uganda artist and can be specially ordered for guests.
- Short walking distance to the Nkuringo Trail Head
- Beautifully appointed rooms, all with work from local artists
- Massage cottage – a traditional and natural wattle hut overlooking the forest
- Personal butler service
Food and Service
The cuisine is international and excellent, and the floor is headed up by Sipi, a head a waiter and personal assistant known throughout Uganda for providing the highest standards of service.
Accommodation at Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge
The lodge has ten stone cottages with loft like interiors with high – beamed ceilings and African – themed art, a private butler and housekeeper who provide hot-water bottles and keep the fireplace lit on chilly mountain evenings. All guest rooms and the sprawling main lodge has stupendous views of crop-terraced slopes leading toward the silhouette of seven volcanoes.
The bathrooms – double basins, European – style fittings and simple lines – are both functional and tasteful. The furniture is well-chosen, and the headboards are beautiful, heavy pieces of what looks like reclaimed wood. While not so luxurious, the rooms are lovely, and go some way towards setting a new benchmark standard in the area.
Activities at Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge
Activities to do during your stay at Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge include gorilla trekking forest walk, bid watching and cultural visits.
The local community is an important stakeholder in both lodge and the forest, and through the Nkuringo Community Development Foundation, led the way in making gorilla trekking in Nkuringo an enriching experience.
Impact of Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge
Conservation
Initially called Green Wilderness Group, Wild Place is part of a group that has been operation in Uganda since 1992. Owned and operated by people with a true love for the country and a deep-rooted commitment to the preservation of Uganda’s wild places, the business has grown slowly but steadily over the years. The group cut its teeth on Semliki Safari Lodge in the 1990s and saved the Toro-Semliki Game Reserve from degazettement.
Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge is, in itself, a Community Conservation Project. It was established as a partnership between Wildplaces, the AWF (Africa Wildlife Foundation), the IGCP (International Gorilla Conservation Programme), and the local community of Nkuringo.
Community
Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge has established a model gardens scheme for local schools, providing many nearby schools with seeds and basic training to start their own gardens. These gardens aim to provide staff with food and educate the students about gardening and nutrition.
Though guests staying at Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, 10,000 USD donation has been made to Bwindi Community Hospital. The current plan for the funds is to conduct an outreach clinic for the Batwa of Nteko since they are located far from the hospital. The project will provide mosquito nets and medical exams, among other services, to an erstwhile marginalized population.
