Top Luxury Lodges in Bwindi National Park

Travelers revere Uganda for its gorilla-filled jungles, awe-inspiring Nile waterfalls, and untamed, un-touristy safaris. But the gorilla safari experience, exclusive to Uganda and its two other neighbors, is frequently appearing on African travelers’ bucket lists like no other experience.

The outskirts of Bwindi have luxury lodges that will get you into the African bush mood and prepare you to explore one of Africa’s most ancient habitats. Most of these accommodation choices have the misty primeval jungle in view and are nestled on ridges, among mountains, terraced hills, and rolling volcanic slopes.

From deluxe “glamping” cottages occasionally visited by the gentle giants of the forest to private rooms on the ridge overlooking the forest canopies to private cottages tucked into a tangle of the rain forest, here are six of the best luxury lodges in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge

Perched high on Nteko Ridge, the charming multi-award-winning lodge has spectacular views over the entirety of Bwindi in one direction and the majestic Virunga Mountains chain on the other.

Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge has Eleven private cottages, two family-style villas, and three luxurious suites nestled above the Bwindi on a forested ridge with distinctive elegance. Some rooms face the Virunga Mountains chain with startling luxury amid a quintessential garden of flowers and trees. Locally styled furnishings grace the spacious rooms, and floor-to-ceiling windows fill the space with natural lighting, allowing the guests to sleep in nature.

The recently added cozy dining and reception area has quirky features amid large wooden columns, beams and flooring, raffia ceilings, volcanic stone fireplaces, and walls. The place exudes a rustic charm with African-styled furniture, art, decor, fabrics, and carvings adorning the walls.

The lodge is entirely eco-friendly, using solar power for light, natural gas for heating and cooking, and rainwater harvesting. It has an onsite fresh vegetable garden to supply the kitchen with your fresh veggie delights.

Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge

Also set in the Northern section of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Bwindi Lodge’s most impressive feature is that sometimes the gorillas sleep on the grounds of the lodge.

This luxury lodge in Bwindi has a rustic charm with a modern, sophisticated ambiance. The central lounge and communal dining area offer spectacular views of the forest below and an ideal setting for evenings around the fireplace reliving exciting gorilla sightings.

The décor in this wilderness safari lodge is contemporary and designed to meld with its natural surroundings. The eight unique cottages, each with an en-suite bathroom, are named after Bwindi’s famous gorillas and furnished with four-poster beds, hand-carved furniture, and terraces affording stunning views of the surrounding forest. The expansive main terrace is ideal for enjoying sundowners. The view is so enchanting that even the mountain gorillas occasionally amble in to relax in the lodge’s gardens.

Guests can follow the River Trail below the lodge and take a dip, perhaps watched by inquisitive monkeys. Not much will make you want to leave the lodge’s comfort and the personal butler service. But a short walk to the local village for a tapas-style meal at the famous Bwindi Bar is a must.

Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge

Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge is located at the visitor center in Nkuringo Sector, south of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. It’s literally the nearest base to tracking Nkuringo gorillas.

This community luxury lodge in Bwindi consists of a chalet-like main lodge and seven guesthouses, built from local volcanic stone and outfitted with handwoven rugs and works from the country’s most renowned artists.  At almost 7,000 feet above sea level, it’s not unusual for visitors to see the Virunga volcanoes across Bwindi Impenetrable Forest glowing amber against the darkened sky.

Ten stone cottages have loft-like interiors with African-themed art, high-beamed ceilings, a spacious bedroom, a lounge area, and an en suite bathroom with a shower. A fireplace links the bedroom and lounge, ensuring the rooms are cozy and warm in the cool evenings. A private butler and housekeeper provide hot-water bottles and keep the fireplace lit on chilly mountain evenings.

Apart from gorilla trekking, one can go for forest walks with Batwa guides and visit lodge-managed community projects designed to help local subsistence farmers.

Buhoma Lodge

Set in the Northern Section of Bwindi, Buhoma Lodge enjoys effortless access to the park and is an excellent base from which to hike the jungle gorilla trekking and explore the area.

Each of the ten chalets accentuates the natural beauty of the surrounds of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. With stunning views from each private veranda, guests will surely gain a new appreciation of Africa’s stunning natural beauty. Each cottage contains comfortable beds, an en suite bathroom, a flushing toilet, and a hot shower, with a few having the added luxury of a bathtub. The rooms have huge windows and private sheltered verandas to take advantage of the montane forest views. Hot water bottles and luxury blankets keep you warm on the chillier mountain evenings.

Communal areas of the lodge include an elevated lounge area with bar and dining facilities. A cozy, communal lounge area surrounding a warm fireplace encourages guests to gather and share stories of the day’s adventures.

The restaurant serves high-quality four-course meals every evening, and the well-stocked bar will keep you hydrated. Relaxing around the open fireside here is hard to beat after a day tracking the mountain gorillas through the misty forest jungle.

Trackers Safari Lodge

Trackers Safari Lodge is a luxury property located in northern Bwindi. The park is located within just four minutes’ drive from the briefing point of the Buhoma Sector. The lodge has seven rooms with spectacular views of Bwindi Forest.

Expect luxurious accommodation, exceptional cuisine, welcoming service and thrilling gorilla viewing combine to create an unforgettable luxury safari experience. Booking the full board. Includes drinks and food, top shelf liquors and bottled wine extra. Local beer, juice, water, coffee, tea, milk, house/carafe wine is free.

Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Lodge

Sanctuary Retreats Gorilla Forest Lodge is one of the two luxury lodges in Bwindi inside the park’s boundaries. The lodge’s fabulous location surprises the guests with occasional visits from one of the local gorilla groups who literally look peep into guests’ rooms.

Gorilla Forest Camp consists of the main lodge and eight sleeping tents built with wood, thatch, and canvas. The sleeping tents are raised on wooden platforms, spacious, airy, and beautifully designed. They possess a double or twin bed, a well-furnished veranda, plenty of room to change in, and a separate bathroom. The bathroom contains a sink, toilet, shower, and a standalone bath.

The rooms feel clean, homely, and welcoming with polished wooden floors, various mod-cons, and well-chosen and locally sourced tables and seats.

The shared areas include a bar, lounge, dining area, veranda, shop, and fire pit. The main lodge is a large open plan with low surrounding walls, a peaked roof, and a comfortable and lightweight seating range.

Gorilla Heights Lodge

Located in Nkuringo region of Bwindi, Kisoro district in Southwestern Uganda is a comfortable and luxurious Gorilla Heights Lodge. This is one of the best lodges to stay during your gorilla trek in either Nkuringo or Rushaga Sector.

Gorilla Heights Lodge is composed of 15 cottages that are widely distributed on the 12-acre land. They come with wide balconies where guests enjoy uninterrupted views of the mist Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Book your accommodation with Gorilla Heights Lodge to experience the world’s class of comfort and tranquility. The lodge features wide array of facilities including lounge, fully stocked bar, restaurant, swimming pool, spa and massage area.

The lodge features a classic restaurant with 2 distinct terraces including the Bwindi terrace which showcases the lush Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, and the Virunga terrace which comes with panoramic views of the Virunga Volcanoes.

Mahogany Springs Lodge

Nestled on the pristine riverbank of the Munyanga river, Mahogany Springs Safari Lodge takes its name from the 400-year-old mahogany tree that towers majestically above the lodge gardens.

From the unrivaled service and breathtaking views to world-class cuisine and gorilla trekking expeditions, the little touches at Mahogany Springs Lodge put it among the best luxury lodges in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.

This luxury lodge consists of seven large thatched cottages that blend seamlessly with the surroundings and overlook the clear waters of the Munyanga River and the dense jungles of the national park. Suites are spacious with large double doors, hardwood floors, crisp white linens, sun-soaked windows, gorgeously designed open terracotta showers, advanced mosquito net systems, and private terraces with panoramic views of the verdant valley.

From the sun’s rising through the day’s end, the main building at Mahogany Springs Lodge provides guests with an optimal place to gather. You can enjoy a glass of wine at the impressive wooden bar and relax in front of the double-sided fireplace with a book or board game from the library.

Celebrate your jungle experience with a massage from the onsite masseuse or a champagne toast on the terrace. The exotic gardens and intricately designed stone pathways leading to the river invite guests to uncover every corner of this magical place, including such surprises as the homegrown vegetable garden.

In conclusion

From the unrivaled service and breathtaking views to world-class cuisine and primate expeditions, the little touches at these luxury lodges leave guests enchanted and wanting more of the African safari experience.