Booking a Women Led Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda
Eco Lodges in Murchison Falls National Park
Clouds Gorilla Lodge is a luxurious accommodation located in the Southern Bwindi, Western Uganda Access from Entebbe: it is the highest lodge in Uganda over 6000 feet above sea level. It is one of the best lodges to view magnificent Bwindi forest canopy in its natural state. Scheduled or charter flight (1.5 hours’) | drive (11 hours’) Tucked away in Nkuringo, Clouds has immediate access to track gorillas in Bwindi Nkuirngo sector, and perfect, uninterrupted views to the Volcanoes of Sabyinyo, Bisoke and among others and into the entire volcanoes of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Set on a forested ridge near the entrance to the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge boasts eight spacious cottages and the Main area with an exceptional dining, bar and lounge area built from volcanic stone. Spectacular views stretch all the way to the Virunga Volcanoes of Rwanda, as well as across the border into the Congo, where the glow of Nyiragongo Volcano can be seen on a clear night.
Guests stay in cottages built of volcanic stone, with big sitting rooms, double-sided fireplaces, vast overstuffed armchairs, large bathrooms and private verandas. Personal butlers, delicious food from our organic vegetable garden, a massage spa and infinite attention-to-detail complete your stay. Rates include all meals, non premium brand drinks, butler service and laundry. Comfortable chairs on the outdoor verandas provide the perfect vantage point to admire the unforgettable vistas of the forest below. Blazing fireplaces create a cozy glow as evening falls.
Meals are prepared using the freshest local ingredients and served in front of a roaring fire in the dining area or in the privacy of your stone cottage. The lodge is situated within easy walking distance of the trail where guests can begin their gorilla trekking adventure. Guided forest walks and birdwatching expeditions explore the surroundings, while local community visits give a glimpse of traditional life
In most evenings after gorilla tracking, you will be entertained by the Nkuringo children dancers and experience the uniqueness of the African culture.
Activities that can be done while staying at Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge.
1. Gorilla Trekking
The highlight activity is trekking through the dense Bwindi Impenetrable Forest to observe mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. Treks can range from a couple of hours to most of the day depending on the gorilla family location. You’ll be guided by rangers who share insights into gorilla behavior, conservation efforts, and the forest ecosystem.
2. Gorilla Habituation Experience
Unlike standard treks, the Gorilla Habituation Experience offers up to four hours with a semi-habituated gorilla family. This gives you more time for observation, photography, and learning about gorilla behavior while contributing directly to conservation and research. It’s an exclusive activity limited to very few participants per day.
3. Cultural Visits to the Batwa (Pygmy) Communities
Guests can take part in guided cultural experiences with the Batwa people, the original forest dwellers of Bwindi. Activities include:
- Storytelling sessions about life before the forest became a park.
- Demonstrations of hunting and gathering techniques.
- Traditional dance and music performances.
- Learning about medicinal plants and local crafts.
These visits help support community livelihoods while offering authentic cultural immersion.
4. Guided Nature Walks
The Nkuringo region of Bwindi offers scenic trails ranging from short walks to longer hikes. On these guided nature walks, you may encounter:
- Varied vegetation zones and forest landscapes.
- Smaller primates such as black-and-white colobus monkeys.
- A wide variety of butterflies and colorful flora.
Some routes lead to panoramic viewpoints overlooking the Virunga Volcanoes or down into valleys where local communities live.
5. Bird Watching
Bwindi is a birder’s paradise with over 350 bird species, including 23 Albertine Rift endemics. While staying at Clouds, birding walks can be arranged to spot species such as:
- African green broadbill.
- Bar-tailed trogon.
- Black bee-eater.
- Regal sunbird.
Both forest and community edge birding experiences are possible depending on your interest.
6. Community Encounters and Village Walks
Beyond the Batwa experience, you can explore nearby Nkuringo and Nteko villages to learn about:
- Local farming practices (banana plantations, coffee growing).
- Craft-making cooperatives where you can support women artisans.
- Schools and community development projects supported by conservation.
These visits provide deeper understanding of how ecotourism benefits surrounding communities.
7. Canoeing and Lake Mutanda Visits
A short drive from Clouds Lodge brings you to Lake Mutanda, a stunning crater lake with islands and clear waters. Activities here include canoeing in dugout canoes, boat rides, and picnics by the lakeside with spectacular views of the Virunga Volcanoes.
8. Hiking & Volcano Views
From Nkuringo, the lodge has access to scenic hikes with clear views of the Virunga mountain chain. Guests can opt for day hikes to connect to other Bwindi sectors (such as Buhoma) or simply enjoy guided ridge walks with breathtaking photographic opportunities.
9. Relaxation and Wellness at the Lodge
Clouds Lodge itself is an experience. Activities include:
- Relaxing by the fireplace with views over the forest canopy.
- Enjoying locally sourced meals and fresh garden produce.
- Reading and unwinding with binoculars to spot birds and monkeys right from the terrace.
- Private massage sessions can be arranged for guests seeking wellness after a trek.
What is the best time to gorilla trekking in Nkuringo?
The best time to do gorilla trekking in Nkuringo in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is during the drier months of January, February, June to early September, this is makes it easier to travel to the park and gives a clear view of mountain gorillas given the vegetation cover is not too much high grown.
How to get to Nkuringo for gorilla trekking
By road: You can get to Nkuringo sector from Kampala/Entebbe by private and public transport which is approximately 8-9 hours to the lodge. Or drive from Kigali Rwanda to the lodge which is approximately 4-5 hour’s drive.
By air: You can get to Nkuringo sector by flight from Entebbe International Airport to Kisoro airstrip and the lodge is approximately 1 and half-hour drive to the premises.
How to book a gorilla permit for trekking in Nkuringo?
All gorilla permits are sold at Uganda Wildlife Authority, for you to book a gorilla permit for trekking in Nkuringo sector of Bwindi, you will need to follow a simple procedure as explained. Once you have your planned dates of travel confirmed we will need you to send us an email here so that we check for availability of gorilla permits online with Uganda Wildlife Authority once we confirmed permits are available for your planned dates we will let you know so that we can send you an invoice for you to make payment for the permits. Once the payment is done and we have received it on our account we will go ahead and purchase your permits immediately and send you a scanned copy of the permits for your records and perusal, this will confirm you are booked for Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.
Why book your stay at Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge Through Eco Adventure Safaris?
Eco Adventure Safaris will help you book your gorilla trek in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and stay at Clouds Gorilla Lodge. Contact us and we advise you on the booking process. We as well have different gorilla safari packages to Ruhija sector of Bwindi ranging from budget, mid-range to luxury options that we can book for you including the gorilla trekking permits. Feel free to checkout our TripAdvisor reviews and read from a community of happy satisfied clients. With us, you can be rest assured of a memorable Uganda safari holiday. We are devoted to providing excellent service and customer satisfaction. Our team of excellent tour consultants is always willing to help answer all your safari questions. We guarantee you a great gorilla tour in Bwindi with us.