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Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge – Nkuringo, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

The Good Safari Guide Winner 2009

As the name implies, you feel on top of the world from your first gaze across the landscape that simply takes your breath away.

Terrain

Situated along the Great Rift valley Bwindi extends over a series of steep ridges, its massive rainforest almost impenetrable, its secretive interior providing the perfect habitat for the gorilla population. Terrain varies from swamp and bamboo forest to dense thicket from the ankle up which makes up 90% of the park, thus making gorilla trekking work hard!

Wildlife

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is home to a population of somewhat 330 Mountain Gorillas(Gorilla gorilla beringei), roughly half of the worlds’ total population. Bwindi is the only forest in Africa to have Chimpanzees and Mountain Gorillas co-existing.

The park is on UNESCO’s list of world heritage sites due to its ecological uniqueness and natural beauty. Bwindi is home to a number of other primate species, including black-and-white colobus monkey L’Hoest’s monkey, red-tailed monkey, blue monkey, vervet monkey and baboon. In addition there are 79 mammal species including duiker, elephant, bushbuck, bush pig, giant forest hog and several small cat species.


More than 350 species of birds have been recorded, of which many are regional endemics. The forest birding ranks best in Uganda with 23 highly localized Albertine Rift endemic present.

Facilities

Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge comprises of 8 Stone bedrooms with two of these being double-roomed family units for people traveling together. The main building with reception, dining, shop and bar area will also have six fireplaces to keep it a cozy area throughout the day. Views from the main balcony area stretch across to Rwanda and the Virungas as well as all the way across the border towards Goma in the Congo.

Each room has their own twin basin en suite bathroom, with hot and cold water, as well as electric lights, plug points and a cozy fireplace. The main lodge offers soft and plush finishes with turned wood and commissioned artwork from Ugandan artists adorn the walls throughout.

Outside sitting areas with comfortable “laid back” chairs for each bedroom with an unobstructive and at the same time unobtrusive view of the forest below.

Activities

Getting There

Charter Flights from Entebbe or Kajjansi to Kisoro, with a road transfer from the airstrip in Kisoro to the lodge.

Travel from Kampala, crossing the Equator, through Mbarara to Kabale.

  • Kampala – Mbarara = 280km
  • Mbarara – Kabale = 147km

Once you reach Kabale, continue further on the Kisoro Road.

Reaching Muko, there is a small campsite at the corner of Lake Bunyoni that is well worth a stop along the way – excellent birding opportunity to break the trip. Continue from here along the road towards Kisoro.

After leaving Muko, continue along and you will come across a right turn that is signposted by a green Uganda Wildlife Authority sign – “Nkuringo”. Take this turn. (This route cuts out going through Kisoro).

Continue along this road (Green UWA signs along the way) through villages like Butengo, Nyanamo and Hamurindi onto Rubugiri. A few kilometers after Rubugiri there is a junction that again has a UWA Green sign – “Nkuringo 10km”. This road takes you along the ridge and southern side of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park reaching Ntungamo Trading Centre – and another 500m and you will see the Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge entrance (Just before the Uganda Wildlife Authority Nkuringo Offices).

Information about Nkuringo Gorilla community

 

    Group Size: 18 Gorillas
    Group Composition:

    • Silver Backs 4 (Over 15 years)
    • Males (Black Backs) 3 (8-12 years)
    • Sub-Adults 1 (5-8 years)
    • Juveniles 2 (3-5years)
    • Infants 4 (0-3years) (twins born October 2008)

    Adult Females 4 (9-above years)

      Habituation of this group started in 1997 and ended on 1st April 2004; the whole habituation process can take 2-3years. The group opened for tourism in 2004 (Mock tourism) and only a few people could track it for 6 months in a home range of about 10km across the circle.

      • Home Range: About 10km across the circle
      • Elevation (Altitude) At Office: 2000m above sea Level
      • Elevation (Altitude) Lowest: 1600mm-2000mm above sea Level
      • Average Temperature: 7-20 degrees Centigrade
      • 2 Dry and 2 Rainy seasons

      Partnership

      Clouds is an initiative of The Ugandan Safari Company (TUSC) and Wildplaces Africa. It was built in partnership with the NCDF (Nkuringo Community Development Fund), Ugandan Wildlife Authority (UWA), United States Aid Organization (USAID) and the International Gorilla Conservation Program (IGCP) through the African Wildlife Fund (AWF). The Nkuringo Community benefit directly from the lodge in every way.