Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge

Tourists are eager to catch a glimpse of Africa’s mountain gorillas. So eager, in fact, that they are willing to pay top dollar for the experience.

AWF is helping the communities of southern Uganda to leverage this influx of tourism through carefully designed community tourism ventures that empower the local people to protect the gorillas and their habitat. Working with local partners and the local community, AWF has helped the residents of southern Uganda to open the doors of a new lodge that offers unique accommodations for tourists, while providing much needed income to the local community.

Situated on the Nteko Ridge, high above the afro-montane forest on the south side of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge sits apart from the well-trodden paths of the region.

The first of its kind in Uganda, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge is part of the International Gorilla Conservation Program’s (IGCP) tri-national program to protect the highly endangered mountain gorilla and the result of a working partnership between the Nkuringo community, AWF and a leading private operator.

The Lodge will directly benefit the Nkuringo community, which has a significant ownership stake in the venture through the Nkuringo Community Development Foundation (NCDF). With strategic support from IGCP, NCDF planned and secured financing for the lodge, which was built with funds from USAID.

The Uganda Safari Company, a leading private operator, will manage the lodge in partnership with NCDF.

With eight stone cottage-style bedrooms, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge offers wildlife enthusiasts an intimate forest experience. With wood burning fires, the lodge is cozy with simple, yet elegant interiors. The main building houses dining and lounging areas plus an open terrace with spectacular views of the famous Virunga Volcanoes.

Thanks to the Ugandan Wildlife Authority’s support, the lodge also has access to six gorilla trekking permits a day, making it easier for tourists to visit the habituated Nkuringo gorillas. When guests are not tracking gorillas, they can participate in guided walks of the surrounding forest, caves, village schools and local forest Pygmy homesteads.

Clouds Mountain Gorilla lodge is a winning solution for tourists, locals and gorilla-seekers. Gorilla-seekers enjoy unique accommodations and a chance to catch a glimpse of the precious mountain gorillas. Locals benefit from employment and community development projects such as improved roads supported by revenues from the lodge. And, the mountain gorillas benefit from a safe habitat supported by the guest fees and other income.