Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Establishing itself in collaboration with the African Wildlife Foundation and partially run by the Ugandan Safari Company, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge represents an exceptional example of a cross-community endeavor.

Situated in southern Uganda’s Bwindi National Park, amid forests accustomed to the Nkuringo people, this resort is among the first in the area to have the resources and ability to implement the guidelines provided by the International Gorilla Conservation Programme. As a result, it has rapidly established a reputation for offering a service that is considerate, creative, and forward-thinking.

Summary

Clouds is a big stone structure located on Nketo Ridge. It is a family-run business that is eager to add something special to an area that is known more for its flora and fauna than for the quality of accommodations offered. The vistas are breathtaking, with miles and miles of afro-montane forest encircling you.

The main lodge contains a dining area, balcony, lounge (with Wi-Fi), and reception. The communal areas are large and cozy, modern yet with a touch of rustic charm. With several panes and a huge glass area, the windows maximize natural light and provide stunning vistas. The furniture is cream, luxurious, and low, making it cozy and warm. The walls are painted white and feature paintings that were commissioned from Ugandan artists. French doors lead out to the balcony. With just the enormous rafters hanging overhead, the entire impression is one of vast openness.

Services and Food

Excellent international cuisine is served, and Sipi, a head waiter and personal assistant who is well-known in Uganda for giving the best service, is in charge of the floor.

The Rooms

Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge has eight en suite cottages, two of which offer two bedrooms and are ideal for families or small parties. The cottages are ideally situated, just like the main lodge, with some of the rooms having enormous double beds that practically overlook the woodland slopes.

The bathrooms are both practical and elegant, including twin sinks, European-style fixtures, and clean, basic lines. Well-chosen furnishings abound, and the headboards are stunning, hefty pieces of what appears to be salvaged wood. The rooms are beautiful, even though they are not opulent, and they help to establish a new standard for the neighborhood.

The Activities.

Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge offers gorilla trekking, hikes in the forest, opportunities for bird watching, and cultural tours. Through the Nkuringo Community Development Foundation, the local community has taken the lead in ensuring that monitoring the Nkuringa gorillas is a rewarding experience, and they hold significant stakes in both the lodge and the forest.

Impcat Conservation Wild Places is a member of an organization that has been active in Uganda since 1992 and was formerly known as the Green Wilderness Group. People who genuinely love Uganda and are deeply committed to protecting its natural areas have been running the company, which has grown gradually but steadily over the years. In the 1990s, the group gained experience at Semliki Safari Lodge and prevented the degazettement of the Toro-Semliki Game Reserve.

The Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge is a community conservation effort in and of itself. It was founded as a collaboration between Wildplaces, the International Gorilla Conservation Programme (IGCP), the Africa Wildlife Foundation, and the Nkuringo local community.

About forty-three local employees work full-time at Commerce Clouds Lodge. The lodge maintains tight ties with the Batwa community in the area, inviting visitors to experience the culture and help the group by buying handicrafts. Furthermore, it has given a local person a minor loan to launch a mushroom-growing company.

The people

In order to supply staff with food and educate the local students about gardening and nutrition, the lodge has established a model gardens program for several of the surrounding schools. This program provides seeds and basic instruction for the schools to develop school gardens.

Ten thousand USD have been donated to the Bwindi Community Hospital by Clouds visitors. Since the Batwa of Nteko are located far from the hospital, the current aim for the funds is to run an outreach clinic for them. Among other services, the project will offer medical examinations and mosquito nets to a previously underprivileged community.