PIONEERS OF GORILLA AND CHIMPANZEE ECO-TOURISM IN UGANDA AND RWANDA
SINCE 1997
Country: Uganda
Destination: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Property Group: Volcanoes Safaris
Style: Safari Lodge
Number of Rooms: 10
Overlooking the primeval Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Bwindi Lodge is the finest gorilla lodge at Bwindi. With dramatic intense views of the forest canopy across a serene stream, it is one of Africa’s unique lodges.
The property has dramatic views of the impenetrable forest and is a great place to spot the monkeys and birds hidden in the foliage. During 2021 two new delxue bandas have opened, standard bandas have been rebuilt and upgraded, and the lounge and library have been reimagined.
The award-winning Bwindi Bar, in the high street of the village nearby is the most stylish and colourful bar in the area! Guests also enjoy informal tapas style meals inspired by Ugandan dishes. It’s the Harry’s Bar of Bwindi! Guests can make their ‘rolex’ wrap and the delicious Gorillini Cocktail, a must-have after a gorilla tracking in Bwindi! The bar was set up by Volcanoes Safaris Partnership Trust to train disadvantaged local young people in hospitality.
Country: Uganda
Destination: Queen Elizabeth National Park
Property Group: Volcanoes Safaris
Style: Safari Lodge
Number of Rooms: 8
This eclectic safari lodge, fully upgraded during 2018 and 2019 with entirely remodelled public areas and gardens, has been converted from an old coffee store to create a breathtakingly beautiful space. The lodge is located on the edge of Queen Elizabeth National Park with sweeping views of the rolling savanna, the distant mountains of the moon, and the sunken Kyambura Gorge.
The guest bandas have a afro-chic theme with the accent on local artifacts re-imagined in a new context. Each banda offers a unique view either across the savanna or the gorge. Four new deluxe bandas were launched in June 2019. A new spa and swimming pool was launched in 2019.
The lodge is the ideal location for tracking the lost chimps in the sunken forest of Kyambura Gorge nearby and seeing the amazing game in one of Africa’s most beautiful and varied parks, centred around the waterway of the Kazinga Channel where animals come to bathe. The park has six hundred amazing bird species, the highest in an African park.
Country: Rwanda
Destination: Volcanoes National Park
Property Group: Volcanoes Safaris
Style: Safari Lodge
Number of Rooms: 10
The magnificent Virunga Lodge, celebrating its 15th anniversary in 2019, is the luxury gorilla experience in Rwanda and one of Africa’s finest and most renowned lodges. The lodge is perched high on a ridge with the finest views in Africa, overlooking the Virunga Volcanoes and the Musanze valley to the west and Lake Bulera and Ruhondo to the east.
The iconic property has defined Rwandese Afro-chic since the lodge was built by Praveen Moman in 2004. The understated, timeless, hand-made style has been further refined to meet the needs of today’s luxury traveller during 2020.
Fantastic food and exceptional personalised service by our carefully trained staff make it the first accommodation choice for tracking the endangered mountain gorilla.
Each of our ten luxurious bandas has a private terrace from which our guests can watch the sunrise over the dramatic landscape of mountains and lakes, an individual fire place, a shower room with a double vanity.
The two deluxe bandas – called Ibirunga and Ibiyaga – have their own private sitting room and more refined interiors, and a larger terrace overlooking the majestic Virunga volcanoes or the twin lakes.
Country: Rwanda
Destination: Volcanoes National Park
Property Group: Volcanoes Safaris
Style: Safari Lodge
Number of Rooms: 8
Mount Gahinga Lodge opened in 1997 and was the first lodge of the Volcanoes Safaris collection. It is the perfect base to go gorilla tracking on the Ugandan side of the Virungas, track the rare golden monkey, climb a volcano, walk through local villages and most of all to share the culture of the Batwa, the oldest inhabitants of the Central African rain forest.
The charming property, inspired by traditional design and building techniques, has been re-imagined in 2019: the lounge, dining room, and gardens have been remodeled, and two new deluxe bandas have been launched.
The luxury bandas reflect the magic of the aesthetic traditions of the Bufimbira people, with their distinct colours. Each Banda has an ensuite luxury shower room, fireplace and private porch.