Gorilla Heights Lodge Bwindi Impenetrable National Park : The recently opened Gorilla Heights Lodge in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda– is one of the most luxurious gorilla lodges in the country’s gorilla trekking capital.
Gorilla Heights Lodge is located in Nkuringo, Kisoro district, in the southwestern part of Uganda. The facility is an eco-friendly luxury lodge with a total of 15 spacious and exquisite guestrooms, which offer guests breath-taking views of Bwindi and some of the volcanic mountains in the Virunga Massif like; Muhabura, Gahinga, Sabyinyo, Volcanoes and Virunga. The lodge has a signature dining concept, lounge area, a heated swimming pool and spa facility with a steam bath and Sauna.
The lodge’s strategic location, at the edge of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, gives visitors various options for gorilla trekking, with the closet gorilla groups being in the Nkuringo sector of Bwindi. Other habituated gorilla groups within range include Buhoma, Mgahinga, Rushaga, and Ruhija.
Gorilla Heights Lodge is located within easy driving distance of the Nkuringo sector in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, about 30 minutes from the lodge. The Nkuringo sector is found in the southern part of Bwindi and has one of the most interesting gorilla groups to track, the Nkuringo gorilla family/group. Other habituated gorilla groups available for visitors to track in this sector include the Bushaho and Bikingi gorilla families.
The Gorilla Heights Lodges features unique works of contemporary art, incorporated with traditional African artifacts and crafts. Each guestroom in the lodge has a signature look, including large aluminum window and door frames with earthy vanishing that blend with the wooden mahogany ceilings and floors, which create a sophisticated fusion of African elegance.
The lodge which sits on a 12 acre piece of land features 15 luxurious cottages, each featuring gas burners and electric heaters which create a warm and cozy atmosphere for guests staying at the facility. The lodge features 1 family cottage called Silverback, 5 Deluxe cottages named after five of the eight volcanic mountains found within the Virunga ranges and these include; Virunga, Volcanoes, Muhabura, Mgahinga and Sabyinyo. The lodge also has 9 standard cottages which are inspired by the attractions in Bwindi Impenetrable forest, and these are: Bunyonyi, Bwindi, Mulehe, Mutanda, Rushaga, Nkuringo, Ruhija and Kanaba. Each Guest staying at the facility is assigned a personal butler who carters to all the needs of the guest.
All the cottage facilities at the lodge feature amenities like; executive suites with a living room and private bedroom, luxurious lounges with sofas and classy furniture, electric heaters, refrigerators well stocked with a variety of drinks, Wi-Fi, a coffee maker with complimentary coffee and tea, bottled mineral water, bathrobes and slippers, toiletries, a hair dryer, flat iron and board, 50-inch flat screen TV with DSTV and telephone intercom services.
The Humura restaurant is Gorilla Heights Lodge’s all-day signature restaurant. It features the hyper-seasonal cuisine of the highly skilled and talented Chefs at the lodge. With an exposition Kitchen that serves all kinds dishes from local cuisines, continental and even vegetarian delicacies as well. Visitors booking accommodation at the lodge are advised to inform the reservation’s team at Gorilla Heights reservations office, in case of any special dietary requirements.
The Canopy Bar offers a playful cocktail menu with unique takes on classic beverages, as well as a variety of exotic, local and international brand drinks. It also features an interesting and appetizing ‘a la carte’ snack menu which is ideal for both adults and children.
The lodge also has an upscale beauty parlor, which offers guests massages, manicures and pedicures, and relaxing spa treatments. Guests staying at the lodge are given a complementary massage treatments on their first day of arrival at the facility. The lodge also offers free airport transfers to and from Kisoro airstrip.
Other interesting amenities feature in Gorilla Heights Lodge include; an exquisite lobby with a fire place and comfortable lounges, a terrace overlooking Bwindi Impenetrable forest, 24/7 room service, an out-door heated swimming pool, free ample parking space, spice garden, gift shop, laundry service, and free Wi-Fi.
Children aged 6 years and below get to stay at the lodge free of charge, while those aged 6 to 12 years are entitled to receive a 75% discount off the adult rate/fee. Also, children between the ages of 12 to 18 years are given a 50% discount off the adult accommodation fee. The lodge also offers child care services at an additional fee and can be arranged upon request.
Guests staying at the luxurious Gorilla Heights Lodge, can indulge in a variety of activities that are offered in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, and these include: gorilla trekking, gorilla Habituation, hiking and guided nature walks, birding, and community visits.
The Gorilla Heights Lodge can be accessed by visitors travelling from Kisoro, Kampala and Entebbe, with air transfers available for guests flying in from Entebbe International Airport to Kisoro airstrip. Air transfers to Kisoro airstrip can take about 2 hours and about 1½ hours of driving to the lodge. Gorilla Heights lodge can also be accessed by tourists travelling from Kigali city in Rwanda, which is roughly a 3 hours’ drive to the lodge.
