The New Face of Gorilla Forest Lodge” refers to a complete transformation of the property, which has been rebranded as “Gorilla Forest Lodge, an A&K Sanctuary. The lodge, located within Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, has undergone an extensive rebuild, moving from a tented camp to a luxury lodge with a new design and expanded facilities.
Location and Design:
Prime Location: The lodge is the only luxury property located inside the gates of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, providing unparalleled access to gorilla trekking trails. The location is so close to the gorillas’ natural habitat that families of gorillas are known to visit the lodge grounds.
Seamless Integration with Nature: The design ethos is centered on bringing the outside in. The 10 villas feature floor-to-ceiling windows and expansive decks, allowing guests to feel completely immersed in the rainforest environment.
Ugandan Heritage: The new design draws inspiration from local Ugandan heritage, incorporating vernacular building techniques and using locally sourced materials. You’ll find features like woven banana leaf ceilings, papyrus reeds, and indigenous prints, creating an organic and elegant atmosphere.
Accommodation:
Luxury Villas: The property consists of 10 spacious, standalone villas, each significantly larger than the previous tented accommodations.
High-End Amenities: Each villa is a haven of comfort, featuring super king four-poster beds with high-thread-count linens, freestanding bathtubs with forest views, and private decks complete with swing chairs for birdwatching or relaxing. Personalized Service: Every villa has a dedicated attendant to cater to guests’ needs. Facilities and Experiences:
Central Hub: The beating heart of the lodge” is an indoor-outdoor lounge bar and restaurant space that overlooks the rainforest. Here, guests can share stories around a campfire while a resident musician plays traditional African folk songs.
Dining: The lodge offers a luxurious dining experience with a focus on fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Dishes showcase Ugandan flavors, such as traditional smoked beef in peanut sauce with Kalo (millet bread). Guests can also enjoy private, candlelit alfresco dining on their villa’s deck. Wellness and Relaxation: The new lodge includes a spa where guests can indulge in restorative treatments after a day of trekking. Conservation and Community: As part of the A&K Philanthropy portfolio, a stay at the lodge contributes to community development and conservation efforts for the endangered mountain gorillas and the forest itself. Guests can also participate in immersive community visits to meet the local Batwa culture village.
Activities: While gorilla trekking is the main draw, the lodge also offers other activities, including:
Guided forest walks to explore the extraordinary ecological diversity of Bwindi.
Birding walks, as the forest is home to some of the rarest birds on earth. Visits to the magnificent Munyaga waterfall.