Nkuringo gorilla lodge
Nkuringo Gorilla Lodge, Bwindi National Park
Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge won the 2023 award for Uganda’s Leading Safari Lodge from the World Travel Awards. Its reputation is well deserved. The lodge offers comfort, privacy, and breathtaking views on the edge of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, one of the oldest rainforests on Earth.
Gorilla treks from the Nkuringo sector are among the most physically demanding in Bwindi. The terrain is steep and challenging, making it ideal for adventurous and fit travellers. However, easier trekking options are available. These can be accessed with a one-hour drive to the Rushaga sector, where the terrain is generally more gentle.
This lodge is an excellent choice for travellers who want an authentic, immersive jungle experience. It combines award-winning hospitality with close access to mountain gorillas and the wild beauty of Bwindi.
Highlights
- Excellent mountain accommodation in the south of the Bwindi
- Eleven standard or deluxe cottages, three two-bedroom villas, four forest suites
- Restaurant, bar, coffee shop, lounge, spa, gardens
- Fantastic gorilla trekking, hiking, canoeing, birdwatching, Batwa experience
Nkuringo Gorilla Lodge Gallery
Access and Location
Nkuringo Gorilla Lodge is located high in the hills at the southern edge of Bwindi Forest National Park. There are two convenient international airports—Entebbe in Uganda and Kigali in Rwanda.
Many guests who fly into Entebbe choose to take a short connecting flight to the Kisoro airstrip, which takes about 90 minutes. From Kisoro, it is another 90 minutes by road to reach the lodge. This is the easiest and most comfortable travel option.
Travellers can also drive from Entebbe, but the journey is long and may take more than 10 hours. Because gorilla trekking requires strength and energy, flying is usually recommended.
At 2,161 metres above sea level, Nkuringo has cool, fresh air, especially in the evenings. Fireplaces around the lodge keep guests warm and add to the cosy atmosphere. The high location also offers some of the most beautiful views in Uganda—looking across the forest canopy and out towards the distant Virunga Volcanoes.
Accommodation & Facilities
Nkuringo offers a variety of cottages and suites designed for comfort and relaxation. Guests can choose from 15 beautifully crafted units: Two-Bedroom Family Villas (2 units), Luxury Forest Suites (5 units), Luxury Forest Suites (5 units) and Deluxe Garden Cottages (6 units).
The Two-Bedroom Family Villas are perfect for families or small groups. Each villa has two connected bedrooms, comfortable living space, and a private veranda with wide forest views.
The Luxury Forest Suites feature large balconies facing the forest, spacious bathrooms with bathtubs overlooking the trees, and a complimentary massage—all designed for deep comfort and tranquillity. The Deluxe Garden Cottages features fireplaces, lounge chairs, and relaxing verandas overlooking the gardens and hills.
All units offer a private veranda, en-suite bathrooms with walk-in showers, warm, comfortable beds and fireplaces for chilly evenings. The lodge is proud of its eco-friendly approach. It uses solar energy for electricity, harvests rainwater, and operates as a fully carbon-neutral lodge—making it ideal for responsible travellers.
LOUNGE
Nkuringo’s lounge is one of its special highlights. Guests can enjoy:
- A daily cocktail masterclass, learning how to make signature drinks inspired by local Ugandan flavours
- Floor-to-ceiling windows offering sweeping views of the Virunga Volcanoes
- A cozy fireplace and stylish seating—perfect for unwinding after a day of trekking
THE MIST SPA
After a long day trekking through Bwindi’s misty forest, guests can relax at the beautifully designed Mist Spa, which offers:
- Signature massages to soothe tired muscles
- Aromatherapy sessions using local organic essential oils
- Peaceful wellness treatments set against a quiet forest backdrop
The spa experience is created to refresh both body and mind, making every stay at Nkuringo calm and restorative.
Community and conservation
Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge places great importance on helping local communities and protecting nature. Through the Gorilla Junction Foundation, the lodge supports education, conservation, cultural preservation, and economic empowerment.
The Batwa Women’s Transformation Land Project
The lodge purchased land for Batwa women—members of an Indigenous community who lived for generations as hunter-gatherers in Bwindi before they were displaced. With support, they are now learning sustainable farming, growing food for their families, and building independent incomes.
Each evening, Batwa women visit the lodge to share their culture through traditional dance, storytelling, music, and handmade crafts. These sessions allow guests to learn directly from the community and help preserve their heritage.
The Gorilla Junction Community Center
With the support of guests, the lodge established the Robert Brierly Community Centre, located near the lodge. This centre focuses on education, skills training, and economic growth. It includes:
- A coffee shop serving locally grown community coffee
- An arts and crafts gallery showcasing handmade works by local artisans
- A skills training hub teaching tailoring, woodwork, sculpture, and other crafts to women and youth
The centre is a place of hope, creativity, and opportunity. Guests are welcome to visit, meet community members, and learn about the positive impact their stay helps support.
Activities Nkuringo Bwindi Lodge
Beyond mountain gorilla trekking, Nkuringo Bwindi Lodge offers a rich selection of activities that connect guests with nature, wildlife, and local culture.
- Gorilla Trekking and Gorilla Habituation: Join expert guides as you search for the world’s remaining mountain gorillas. The standard Gorilla Trek offers 1 hour with a gorilla family and Gorilla Habituation Experience offers 4 hours with a semi-habituated family. Both experiences take place in the Nkuringo and Rushaga sectors.
- Community Walks: Explore nearby villages, meet local residents, learn about their daily activities, and gain insight into rural Ugandan life.
- Birdwatching & Nature Walks: Bwindi is home to over 350 bird species. Guided walks allow visitors to spot colourful birds, monkeys, butterflies, and more.
- Canoeing on Lake Mutanda: A calm and scenic canoe ride across the lake, surrounded by volcanic peaks. Lunch by the lakeshore is included.
- Cycling & Village Bike Tours: Ride through beautiful landscapes, passing farms, markets, and local homes.
- Cooking Classes with Local Women: Learn how to prepare traditional Ugandan meals using fresh, organic ingredients. A fun, hands-on way to connect with local culture.
