A&K has reopened Uganda’s Gorilla Forest Lodge after a complete rebuild and redesign, “setting a new benchmark for sustainable luxury”.
Gorilla Forest Lodge is the only luxury lodge inside the UNESCO World Heritage-listed site of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, home to more than half of the world’s remaining 1,000 mountain gorillas.
The property opened after A&K founder Geoffrey Kent met with the soon-to-be Uganda President General Museveni in the 80s to discuss the protection of the country’s endangered mountain gorillas.
Their collaboration led to the establishment of the first luxury property in the area, creating a sustainable tourism model that has benefited both the gorillas and the local Batwa people.
The lodge has now been completely transformed into a 10-suite sanctuary where almost every aspect has helped the local artisan economy, from banana-fibre stools crafted in village workshops to woven ceiling panels produced by NGO Ride 4 a Woman, and textiles created by Florence Nakachwa’s Mekeka Designs, which empowers women through weaving.
Barkcloth textiles and handwoven papyrus panels preserve techniques passed down through generations, whilst heritage touches include restored doors from the original camp, given new life by the artisans who carved them decades ago.
Each of the 10 “significantly enlarged suites” has floor-to-ceiling windows and expansive decks.
Rugs are reclaimed from agricultural waste, and barkcloth cushions feature QR codes linking directly to their makers.
The lodge has implemented comprehensive sustainability initiatives, including rainwater collection systems, composting and repurposed materials.
Lead Architect and Associate at Luxury Frontiers, who led the design, Juan Cloete, says designing for such an iconic and delicate location required a balance of sensitivity and innovation.
“Our aim was to create a lodge that feels like an extension of the forest itself – an experience as profound as the context it inhabits.
“We were looking to the forest for inspiration, drawing on its colours and forms to inform every detail. Our material choices support the local economy and minimise our carbon footprint, showcasing the beauty of Ugandan craftsmanship.”
A once-in-a-lifetime experience
Days here are spent gorilla trekking with Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers and there are forest walks along the Munyaga Waterfall Trail to see Bwindi’s diverse ecosystem, from dense forest and bamboo groves to open glades home to giant forest hogs and red-tailed monkeys.
Twitchers will revel in the 350 bird species, including the African green broadbill and the elusive African pitta.
The Bwindi Community Tour, led by A&K Philanthropy’s Field Coordinator Dennis Mugume, visits the Bwindi Women’s Bicycle Enterprise, local schools and the hospital, for an insight into community life.
Guests can also spend time with the Batwa people, the oldest inhabitants of the Great Lakes region and traditional guardians of the forest, learning about their unique culture through music, storytelling and demonstrations of traditional hunting and gathering methods.
Every stay directly funds A&K Philanthropy initiatives that support the Bwindi community, wildlife and the forest itself.
These include the Bwindi Community Hospital and Nursing School, which improve healthcare and education for local families, the Bwindi Women’s Bicycle Enterprise, which empowers women with sustainable transport and economic independence and the Safe Water for Schools Uganda project provides safe water access to schools.
For more information, visit Gorilla Forest Lodge.
For more about Uganda tours with A&K, go here.
