A new dawn in the forest: Uganda’s Gorilla Forest Lodge reimagined

Set deep in Bwindi’s mist-covered jungle, the renewed Gorilla Forest Lodge brings together sustainable design, community craft and Abercrombie & Kent’s long-standing conservation legacy

Hidden within Uganda’s UNESCO-listed Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Gorilla Forest Lodge, An A&K Sanctuary, has reopened following a full transformation that blends contemporary design, local craftsmanship and pioneering conservation. Perched high among ancient trees, it remains the only luxury lodge located inside the national park gates – home to more than half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas.

The rebuild marks a new chapter for the Abercrombie & Kent–owned property, four decades after founder Geoffrey Kent first helped establish a model for sustainable tourism in Uganda. What began in the 1980s as a vision to protect endangered gorillas and support nearby Batwa communities has evolved into a design-led sanctuary that continues to fund healthcare, education and conservation through A&K Philanthropy.

The lodge’s redesign by Luxury Frontiers celebrates Uganda’s natural and cultural heritage. Ten spacious suites now feature panoramic forest views, clay-textured walls, woven banana-fibre ceilings and locally made barkcloth cushions linking guests to the artisans who crafted them. Banana-fibre stools, papyrus thatch and restored doors from the original camp all echo the forest’s textures and hues.

Sustainability is embedded at every level, from reclaimed materials and rainwater harvesting to composting systems and community-made textiles by NGOs such as Ride 4 a Woman and Mekeka Designs. The result is an aesthetic of raw beauty and refined restraint – an architectural dialogue between modern comfort and the ancient landscape.

Every stay contributes directly to A&K Philanthropy projects in Bwindi, including the Bwindi Community Hospital, women’s bicycle enterprise, and safe water initiatives for local schools. The lodge’s ethos reflects a simple truth: protecting the forest and empowering the people who depend on it are inseparable.

Gorilla Forest Lodge’s location allows guests to begin their treks directly from the property, often encountering gorillas wandering through the grounds. Beyond trekking, guided forest walks, birding expeditions and cultural encounters with the Batwa people reveal Bwindi’s rich biodiversity and living traditions.

After days immersed in the jungle, guests return to spa rituals, locally inspired cuisine and fireside evenings beneath the stars – proof that in the wild heart of Uganda, luxury and conservation can thrive together.

Reservations are now open.

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