Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge is a high-end eco-lodge located in Nkuringo sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in southwestern Uganda. The lodge sits on top of the Nteko Ridge 6000 meters above sea level with rewarding views of Mount Sabinyo, Bisoke and DR. Congo. Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge offers full board accommodation and service. The lodge is very close to the park headquarters in Nkuringo sector which makes it easier for the guests to access UWA services like gorilla trekking among others.
Accommodation and amenities at Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge
Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge offers a luxurious and peaceful stay in its eight cottages and lounge area. Each cottage is spacious and decorated with local Ugandan art from volcanic rocks. Each cottage has a big bedroom, a private living room with soft chairs and a warm fireplace, and a big bathroom with a walk-in shower. Additional lodge facilities include a cozy lounge and bar with fireplaces, a small library with books about wildlife and Uganda, and outdoor seating areas with panoramic views. To make the stay even more comfortable, guests are assigned a personal butler and housekeeper.
The food is locally produced from the outskirts of Bwindi Impenetrable forest. Breakfast usually includes fresh fruits, eggs, pancakes, and Ugandan coffee. Lunches are light and may include soups or salads, while dinner is a three-course meal with starters, a main course, and dessert. Afternoon tea with cakes or snacks is served daily. Tea, coffee, and soft drinks are available throughout the day. House wines, beers, and some spirits are included in the stay, while premium alcoholic drinks are available at an extra cost. The lodge also accommodates special dietary requests, such as vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free meals. Guests going for gorilla trekking and long journeys can request packed lunches.
Activities Offered by Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge
Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge offers a variety of activities perfect for all travellers. Some of these activities include;
Gorilla Trekking
Since the lodge is located in Bwindi forest and the place is famous for mountain gorillas, gorilla trekking is the main and the most popular activity offered. The Nkuringo sector hosts a number of habituated gorilla families which are open to visitors. The activity starts with briefing from the park headquarters at 8:00 am and later guests hike into the forest with park rangers and trackers to search for gorillas. In case one is unfit can hire a porter. When gorillas are found, visitors are allowed to spend an hour with them. During this time you’re allowed to take pictures and watch how mountain gorillas live their daily lives.
Guided nature walks and forest hikes
Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge offers both short and long guided natural walks. These nature walks offer visitors an opportunity to explore around the lodge and in the nearby Bwindi Impenetrable forest. The activity is led by the local guide who shares many interesting facts about the forest, the medical plants among others. Along the way many animals and insects can be spotted for instance; L’Hoest’s monkeys, black-and-white colobus, butterflies, and many species of birds like the Rwenzori batis, black bee-eater among others.
Bird Watching
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park hosts over 350 bird species including Albertine rift endemics. Some of these birds include; Handsome Francolin, African Green Broadbill, Shelley’s Crimsonwing, Black Bee-eater, Rwenzori Turaco and Purple-breasted Sunbird.
Batwa Cultural visit
The Batwa are believed to be the original inhabitants of the Bwindi Forest. They were hunter-gatherers and depended on the forest for food, shelter, and medicine. When Bwindi was gazetted as a national park, the Batwa were moved out and settled on park borders. The cultural visit offers an opportunity to learn their history, skills, traditions through singing, dancing, and story telling. The experience also includes a visit to a Batwa craft market, where you can buy handmade items such as baskets, jewelry, and carvings which helps in supporting their livelihoods.
Lodge to the community
Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge has built partnerships with different organisations like; Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF), and the local community through the Nkuringo Community Conservation and Development Foundation (NCCDF). The lodge offers employment opportunities like porters, cleaners, chefs, artists and guides to the community.
Part of the money that is earned from the lodge goes back into community projects like schools, health centers, clean water systems and supporting conservation education. The lodge also encourages guests to visit local markets, craft shops, and cultural sites, which helps villagers sell their handmade goods and share their traditions.
How to access Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge
There are two ways one can get to Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge either by air or by road. The fastest and easiest way is to fly from Entebbe International Airport to Kisoro Airstrip and the flight takes about an hour. When you arrive in Kisoro, a driver from the lodge will be waiting to pick you up. From the airstrip, it is about one and a half hours to access the lodge. This option is best for people who want to save time and avoid long hours on the road.
Whereas by road, you can also travel by car from Kampala or Entebbe.
The journey takes about 10 hours and it passes through different places like Mbarara, Kabale, and Kisoro. Along the way, you will have a chance to see different physical features like lakes, mountains, and green valleys. The road from Kisoro to the lodge is steep and rough especially during the rainy season. It is recommended to use a 4X4 car. However both options offer great experience and a chance to see the natural beauty of Uganda.
Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge can also be accessed from Rwanda by road or air. For instance, by road, from Kigali, you drive for about 3 to 4 hours to the Cyanika border post, which is near the town of Musanze (Ruhengeri) and close to Volcanoes National Park. At the Cyanika border, you will go through immigration and customs to cross into Uganda. Make sure you have a valid passport and visa.
However, most tourists use the East African Tourist Visa, which allows travel between Uganda, Rwanda, and Kenya with one visa. After crossing the border, you enter Uganda and drive about 15 kilometers to reach Kisoro town. From Kisoro, it takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes to drive to Nkuringo, where Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge is located.
For guests who prefer to fly, it is also possible to arrange a private charter flight from Kigali to Kisoro Airstrip, followed by a short road transfer to the lodge. However, this option is more expensive and must be booked in advance.