Gorilla Forest Lodge is a high-end lodge established by Abercrombie & Kent founder Geoffrey Kent who contributed to the establishment of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest as a protected area. In the 1980s and early 1990s, Kent worked alongside the Ugandan government to help safeguard the region’s critically endangered mountain gorillas and advocated for turning the forest into a formally protected national park.
His company later established the luxurious Gorilla Forest Lodge inside the park boundaries. It helped pioneer a high-end tourism model, one that continues to support local conservation and community programs. Today, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site that contains half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas.
Gorilla Forest Lodge is also one of the only few lodgings within the primary forest boundaries, raising the bar for gorilla-trekking lodges in Bwindi.
Because of its prime location, gorillas have been known to visit the lodge. The trekking headquarters is less than five minutes away on foot.
Gorilla Forest Lodge brings a different level of luxury to Uganda. Its standards are on par with the top lodges in neighbouring Rwanda, traditionally regarded as the high-end gorilla trekking option, where permits cost twice the price of gorilla permits in Uganda.
At 1,450m, Gorilla Forest Lodge sits high in the misty cloud forest, surrounded by the deep green landscape. The lodge was recently revamped in June 2025.
Its 10 beautiful palm-thatched suites are scattered around a free-flowing bar, lounge and dining area, with Ugandan art and craftwork woven into the setting. ‘Local’ and ‘natural’ are at the heart of the design. Warm terracotta, natural materials and local craftsmanship give the central common area its character. It is open-sided and high-ceilinged, with a beautiful roof woven from banana fibre and papyrus reeds.
Much of the furniture is crafted in the capital, Kampala from Ugandan woods, including Elgon teak, Mugavu and Mvule. The ceiling lights are another nod to local tradition, with striking sisal lampshades inspired by Uganda’s basket weaving. A wall tapestry by Ugandan artist Yakuze Ivan carries the same theme, adding another distinctive piece of Ugandan craft.
The Explorer’s Lounge has plenty to look at, from vintage maps and masks to Ankole cow-horn artefacts and replica gorilla bones. There are books to dip into, too, with swivel chairs that face the forest.
As the sun goes down, take a drink to one of the deckchair-style loungers and listen to a local artist playing folk songs around the crackling campfire.
A&K Sanctuary reopened Gorilla Forest Lodge, formerly Gorilla Forest Camp, in June 2025 after a major refurbishment. The work included rebuilding the bar, restaurant and terrace, which are now twice the size. The lodge also has a strong connection with the local community.
It supports a range of A&K Philanthropy projects, focusing on four key areas: education, health, enterprise and conservation, with a particular focus on empowering women.
‘Sanctuary’ is a fitting word for these suites. Each one stands alone and has a private deck with two swing chairs, where you can take in the views to the sound of birds and chirping crickets.
Inside, the remodelled villas are calm and inviting. Comfortable four-poster beds, muted colours, handmade wooden furniture and natural fabrics create a relaxed feel.
Banana-fibre wallpaper and straw mat coverings add warmth and texture. The spacious bathrooms are finished in terracotta and feature chandeliers made from Meraki beads. Round, hammam-style baths look out towards the forest, while textured surfaces and rough marble continue the natural, inside-outside feel.
Toiletries come from South African brand Healing Earth and use natural ingredients from minerals, flowers, fruits and seeds. Each villa also has a personal attendant and Leica binoculars for guests.
Like the lodge itself, the food has a strong connection to Uganda. The kitchen uses fresh, regional ingredients and serves generous meals that suit the needs of guests after a day of trekking. Meals are often shared, making it easy to swap stories about close gorilla encounters and curious young gorillas.
Breakfast is served early, with eggs, fresh fruit and strong Ugandan coffee to warm you before the trek. Packed lunches are prepared for days in the forest, making a simple meal to enjoy along the way.
Back at the lodge, dinner is comforting and full of flavour. Expect warming soups, roasted meats and hearty vegetables, alongside Ugandan favourites such as omelette-filled Rolex chapati and Nile perch cooked in coconut curry. The bar has a good selection of drinks for winding down and raising a glass to the day.
Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Lodge has two intimate, open-air treatment rooms decorated in calming neutral tones of earthy browns and soft creams.
They a perfect place to unwind after a day in the forest. A massage can be just what tired legs need after a gorilla trek, especially after steep climbs and uneven trails. Treatments can focus on the lower body, helping ease tight calves, sore feet and the aches that come from a long day on the trail.
The menu is simple and practical. There are recovery-focused massages, body scrubs using natural South African ingredients, and manicures and pedicures. It is less about indulgence and more about helping you feel rested and ready for the next day.
Gorilla Forest Lodge sits just inside the gates of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is about a 10-minute drive from Buhoma village. The setting puts you right in the heart of one of Africa’s richest forests. Beyond the gorillas, there is plenty of wildlife to discover.
Bwindi’s dense jungle, waterfalls, valleys and steep ridges are home to more than 200 butterfly species, forest hogs, antelopes and the elusive forest elephant. 10 other primate species also live in the forest, including red-tailed monkeys, chimpanzees, and black-and-white colobus monkeys.
Birding is another highlight. More than 350 bird species can be found here including 23 Albertine Rift Endemics. You can book a guided birding walk or forest nature walk to see some of them at close range.
Warm, friendly and knowledgeable, the staff are always on hand without being intrusive. Before your trek, they provide walking poles, ponchos, backpacks and gaiters for extra protection on the lower legs.
Children aged 6 and above are welcome at the lodge, although the minimum age for gorilla trekking is 15. Rooms can accommodate up to two extra beds, and cots are available with advance notice. High chairs, however, are not provided.
Sustainability is a big part of the Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Lodge.
During construction, work was deliberately delayed for a full year when heavy rains arrived. Rather than push ahead, the team waited and adapted to the conditions, allowing the buildings to fit more naturally into the landscape. The lodge also works closely with the local community.
Gorilla trekking porters are recruited locally, creating jobs while helping guests on the trail. Guest stays also support local employment and A&K’s philanthropy projects, while gorilla permit fees contribute to conservation. The staff accommodation is solar powered, with a diesel generator as a back-up when the forest receives less sunlight.
Water is double-filtered, and guests are given reusable water bottles to help reduce plastic waste.
The main challenge is the stairs leading up to and down the lodge. Staff can assist by carrying guests in sedan chairs where needed. The lodge also plans to review and improve accessibility in 2026.
A stay here is also a chance to support projects in and around Buhoma.
Guest visits help fund A&K Philanthropy initiatives, so there is a sense that your time at the lodge can benefit more than just your own experience.
In Buhoma village, Ride 4 A Woman supports women through micro-financing, skills training and domestic violence support. It also runs a café and shop.
Nearby, the Batwa Development Program offers an insight into the history and traditions of the Batwa people, who lived in the forest before being displaced in the 1990s as gorilla conservation expanded.
Just outside the park gate, about a 10-minute walk from the lodge, are Bwindi Meraki Women Beads and the Bwindi Women Bike Project. At Meraki, women turn old magazine paper into colourful beads for jewellery, table mats and other items, including pieces designed for the lodge.
Next door, the women-run bike project sells and rents bicycles, supplies spare parts and carries out repairs. The lodge contributes $10 each time a guest visits either project.
A&K Philanthropy also supports Bwindi Community Hospital, including as a major donor to its nursing hospital. More broadly, gorilla tourism helps fund conservation, with money from the $800 permits supporting ranger training and education in local schools.
Gorilla Forest Lodge sits inside the gates of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in south-western Uganda. It is one of the very few luxury lodges within the park itself, giving guests an exceptional setting in the heart of the forest and easy access to gorilla trekking.
The easiest way to reach Gorilla Forest Lodge is by light aircraft. Flights from Entebbe International Airport to Kihihi Airstrip take about 1 hour and 45 minutes, followed by a roughly 2-hour drive to the lodge. Baggage is limited to 15 kg per person in a soft-sided bag, including hand luggage. You can also drive from Kampala or Entebbe. The journey takes around 8 to 9 hours, but it is a scenic way to travel, passing through Uganda’s green countryside, small towns and the rolling hills of the southwest.
Gorilla Forest Lodge has just 10 spacious suites, accommodating a maximum of 20 guests. Each suite covers 105 sq m (1,130 sq ft), giving you plenty of room to relax and unwind after a day in the forest.
The lodge has 10 standalone suites tucked quietly into the forest, with local building techniques and a natural palette of green, terracotta and clay. Inside, each has a king-size four-poster bed, minibar, desk, safe and an en-suite bathroom with a large bathtub overlooking the rainforest. Full-length windows bring the forest closer, while the private veranda has sculptural hanging chairs and Leica binoculars, perfect for watching monkeys in the trees.
All meals, beverages, concession fees, a community walk, emergency medical evacuation, and laundry services are included.
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi is a thrilling and unforgettable experience. The forest is home to around 500 mountain gorillas, more than half of the world’s remaining population, spread across 25 habituated groups. Each morning, groups of up to eight visitors head into the forest with experienced guides and trackers to find one of the gorilla families. The trek can be physically demanding, with steep slopes and dense vegetation along the way. But once you find the gorillas, you can spend up to one hour watching them in their natural home. It is an extraordinary wildlife encounter and, for many guests, the highlight of their time in Uganda.
Wear light, comfortable clothing in natural colours such as green, brown or khaki. Long trousers and sleeves help protect you from the vegetation, while sturdy, comfortable hiking shoes are essential. Strong gloves are useful when you need to hold onto branches on steep sections of the trail. Bring a light rain jacket, as rain can come at any time, even during the dry season. Gaiters help protect your lower legs from scratches and mud. Early mornings and evenings can be cool, so a fleece or light sweater is also worth packing. And keep your camera in a waterproof bag in case of rain.
Gorilla trekking can be physically demanding. The trek begins through farmland before climbing into Bwindi’s dense, humid forest, at an altitude of more than 1,500 metres. The trails can be steep and muddy, especially during the rainy season, and the time spent walking varies depending on where the gorillas are that day. But the effort is worth it. Spending an hour close to these gentle and powerful animals is an experience you are unlikely to forget.
There is plenty to do beyond the gorilla trek. Guided forest walks along the Munyaga Waterfall Trail offer a slower way to explore Bwindi, while birding walks with expert guides are a good choice for keen birdwatchers. You can also visit the Batwa community to learn about their deep connection with the forest, or see A&K Philanthropy projects, including a local school and bicycle enterprise. Back at the lodge, you can slow down with a spa treatment or spend some quiet time in the Explorer’s Lounge after a day in the forest.
Yes. Gorilla Forest Lodge is a wonderful choice for a honeymoon or special celebration. The forest setting, private villas and thoughtful service make it easy to create something memorable. The team can arrange special touches such as a private dinner around a bonfire by the spa or a romantic bubble bath after a day of gorilla trekking. Newlyweds also receive 50% off one partner’s stay, making the experience even more special.
Yes. Children aged 6 and above are welcome at Gorilla Forest Lodge. Forest walks, birding and community visits give younger guests plenty to discover, from the sights and sounds of Bwindi to meeting people in the local community. Children aged 15 and under must share a room with an adult, while the minimum age for gorilla trekking is 15.
Dining at Gorilla Forest Lodge brings together Ugandan flavours and familiar international dishes. Breakfast is served before the morning activities, with a choice of continental or cooked options.
On gorilla trekking days, the kitchen prepares packed lunches to take into the forest, while lunch can also be enjoyed on the terrace. Snacks and afternoon treats are available throughout the day.
Before dinner, gather in the boma for canapés and cocktails, often accompanied by local musicians playing folk songs. Dinner follows with a three-course menu, while the weekly muchomo barbecue is a chance to enjoy some of Uganda’s favourite dishes. Vegetarians are well catered for, and the kitchen can also accommodate dietary requirements.
Yes. Staying at Gorilla Forest Lodge helps support A&K Philanthropy projects that benefit both local communities and conservation in Bwindi. These include improving schools, providing safe water and school meals, and supporting local women through the bike and bead enterprise programmes. The lodge also supports Bwindi Community Hospital and Nursing School, helping provide healthcare and training for people in the surrounding communities.
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