Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge

Overlooking the wonderfully named Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, this intimate Bwindi safari lodge is the ideal launchpad for exploring this incredible region and seeking out its most famous residents: the mountain gorilla. Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge offers an unparalleled combination of luxury accommodation and breathtaking primate encounters – a bucket-list experience for many travellers.

The stone-and-timber bandas at Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge do a wonderful job of keeping guests comfortable during the sometimes cool and misty weather experienced in this unique forest environment. At the same time, the fact that they are glass-fronted means that they offer unimpeded views into the forest (which happily, is not quite as dense as its name suggests!).

With just eight guest units, this luxury Bwindi safari lodge feels extremely intimate, which seems appropriate given that the main activity here is gorilla trekking. Encountering a habituated group of mountain gorilla is in itself perhaps one of the most intimate and affecting African wildlife experiences, and one which never leaves people unmoved.

Trekking up into the forest in search of gorilla can involve some reasonably strenuous exertion. Entirely worth it, of course – the first glimpse of a silverback or a playful youngster instantly chases away any fatigue.

Returning to the luxury of the lodge is also the perfect way to soothe tired limbs after the descent: from the indulgently appointed bathroom in each banda to the offer of a complimentary massage, Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge excels at gentling erasing any stiffness in legs unused to the altitude and slopes, while taking nothing away from the astonishing experience of being at close quarters with one of Africa’s most compelling species.

Batwa cultural experiences and refreshing tea plantation tours are also offered to round out time spent in this almost mystical environment, where the trees still reign and where our close relatives cling on.