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5.0
#1 of 24 lodges in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Location
4.9
Cleanliness
4.8
Service
4.9
Value
4.7
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge is a stunning getaway perched on a magnificent ridge with incredible views of the rugged landscapes and the elegant Virunga Volcano Mountains. The Lodge comprises 9 garden cottages, 5 luxury forest suites, and 2 family villas that sit above the Bwindi Forest canopy, offering a unique blend of distinctive elegance and luxurious comfort amid the trees, flowers, and shrubs. The spacious rooms are locally styled with furnishings that exude an authentic African charm, providing guests with a memorable and comfortable stay. The private viewing decks offer a perfect vantage point to enjoy the scenic views of the steamy forest swath below. This award-winning Lodge has been named Uganda's Best Safari Lodge at the World Travel Awards consecutively from 2016 to 2023. It is a community and conservation powerhouse, running on solar power and rain-harvested water to minimize its environmental impact. It is an excellent base for gorilla trekking adventures in Uganda.
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Nestled amidst awe-inspiring natural beauty, Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge has garnered acclaim for its tranquil location and breathtaking views. Luxurious amenities and personalized service, including butler service, contribute to its exceptional value and create an enchanting atmosphere that guests find welcoming.
The lodge's immaculate cleanliness and spacious, well-appointed rooms with fireplaces and stunning vistas receive continuous praise. Furthermore, the staff's dedication to going the extra mile ensures a stay filled with personalized touches and memorable experiences.
Location
Picturesque
Atmosphere
Enchanting
Rooms
Luxurious
Value
Exceptional
Cleanliness
Spotless
Service
Attentive
Amenities
Lavish
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We stayed 3 nights at the Nkuringo Gorilla Lodge in Feb., 2020. The staff were very helpful and accommodating. They would take our meal orders for the next meal while at the present meal plus would adapt the serving times as required. Their wake-up service was appreciated as a staff member would knock on your door with ordered coffee or hot tea.
The boot cleaning and clothes washing was very helpful but being in the rain forest, the drying time was lengthy. If you ask the staff, they will start a fire in your cottage fireplace which helps the drying process. At night they put hot water bottles in your bed to make it more comfortable.
They have a school group come to sing and dance for the guests. That made the stay even more enjoyable
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Date of stay: February 2020
Rooms
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Jackie Sato, General Manager at Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge
Responded Mar 16, 2020
Hello Deepdive2, Thank you for the review and appreciate that you chose to stay in Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge. As a tradition, our staff and service is aimed to make all clients feel comfortable and accommodated. We are all flexible to meet clients need. We are glad your room was warm and comfortable As you experienced, we are an eco-lodge and use natural light to dry laundry. We appreciated your patience for the drying time. Thank you again!
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We stayed at Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge after trekking through the forest along the spectacular Ivy River Trail (also arranged via the lodge and highly recommended!!).
You are greeted not only with the beating of drums, but with warm smiles, genuine welcomes and some of the most outstanding views in Uganda (big claim I know!) Isabelle, the manager runs an excellent operation with Morris and Beyruth heading up the restaurant in typical Ugandan hospitality. However, a stay here cannot go without mentioning Rosemary, our dedicated housekeeper, whose friendly smile and attentiveness added so much value to our stay.
Rooms are excellent, with comfy beds, warm duvets, large bathroom and a cosy fireplace. The food was great with hearty meals to recharge after a long hike and importantly they always had a cold beer on offer to see out a day as the sun set.
Covid precautions were in place, with plenty of sanitizer and masks worn. The majority of the lodge is outdoor or open-plan, so we felt very safe.
We had a really excellent stay and we would highly recommend a visit, not to mention the gorilla permits are currently discounted to encourage visits!
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Date of stay: February 2021
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Ethel Kimbowa, Sales at Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge
Responded Feb 25, 2021
Hello Rhys, thank you for taking time out to write us a dazzling review! Your words couldn't have put it better. Our dedicated staff were delighted to have you and Samm over and we simply cannot express how much we want you to return!!! Nkuringo is an exquisite experience for any traveller in the southern sector of Bwindi, it offers a revitalizing plunge into mother nature...A million thanks to You!!!
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It was raining as we arrived and the journey to this hotel was “challenging” to say the least: sliding across muddy winding road that follow very steep cliffs was an experience in itself. After a welcome drink, Jude explained the rules and our luggage was carried to our rooms. We stayed in Gahinga, a cottage with a very spacious room and tastefully decorated bathroom (the mixing of hot and cold water was VERY tricky, I gave up and went to our daughters bedroom for a shower). The view from our terrace onto the volcanoes bordering DRC and Rwanda was breathtaking! At night, you could see the volcano glowing red, spewing lava. Our daughters stayed in the nearby cottage: unfortunately, the front garden was overgrown and they did not have the same views. On our second day, after the gorilla trek, as the Sun shone across the valley, the mist slowly descended from the mountains far away and soon engulfed us, preventing us from seeing further than a few metres: again truly magical! We stayed over Christmas and as such the staff treated us to a small song and dance. Indeed, throughout the stay the staff was very attentive to our needs: offering to clean our dirty washing, our boots, lighting a fire in the evening, all as part of the free service. There was no wifi available at the time (although the website promised that there would be) and being in the mountains, there is limited connectivity to 4G. All the attention and beauty of the surroundings was however somewhat dampened down by the rather average buffet that we were served at dinner when the website promised an à la carte menu; it was also very difficult for us to get a balanced vegan meal. We also appreciate that our trek was possibly shorter than most (we were back at the hotel by 1:30pm), but contrary to other places we visited in Uganda, there was very little offered (cultural activities) to fill in the afternoons. Luckily for us, as it was Christmas, a troop of local children and mothers came to present craft, music, songs and dances. Nkuringo is a long way away from other settlements and it seems a shame to travel so far not to see more of the local community. It remains that the truly outstanding views and the service were exceptional, hence the overall rating. We would love to go back and get to know more the local community.
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Date of stay: December 2020
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Room Tip:Gahinga was the room with the best views
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Lydia Nandudu, Owner at Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge
Responded Jan 4, 2021
Dear Gwen and Kristy, It was pleasure hosting you for christmas. after closing the Lodge for some months, it was great pleasure hosting some clients over christmas. As management we decided to discount lodge rates as our way to stand with everyone who loves traveler and have been affected by COVID. We have reduced our staff to just minimum to keep the lodge kempt and we appreciate feedback. We dont do Buffet and the team has been advised on this - we believe in personalised service and i believe when you return as we get back on our feet - you will be sure to receive the service Nkuringo Lodge is best known for. With social distancing - we have tried to limit much of community interaction with guests as directed by Ministry of Health, BUT i beleive on your next visit this will be different. Once again - thank you so much for renewing our faith in knowing that we can open again for Travel and host more guests. We hope for the world to get back on her feet. Stay safe - Together we can fight COVID
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Nkuringo Gorilla lodge and it’s staff were exceptional as the beautiful Bwindi National Forest. We spend 4 nights in a villa with a beautiful view. Our attentive housekeepers provided fires in our rooms, hot water bottles at night & cleaned our trekking clothes and boots. The food is fairly good but the restaurant service and bar tenders were excellent. We enjoyed our massages and the friendly staff. Gorilla trekking , excursions around Nkuringo were made easy by their guides Moses & Adolph and our driver Alias. It was a pleasure to get to know them. Top of the World Sundowners was a memorable way to end our once in a lifetime experience.
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Date of stay: August 2021Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Herbert Baguma, Marketing at Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge
Responded Aug 6, 2021
Thanks a bunch for taking minutes off your precious time to write us this review. It's always refreshing to read something encouraging from our guests. We're so grateful that you enjoyed every moment at our jungle resort. Next time, bring everyone with you because the smiles on our guests fuel our energy to serve. Cheers from everyone here at Nkuringo!
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We stayed there for our anniversary and the Gorilla trek. Staff couldn't have gone more out of their way to make us feel welcome. Flowers, presents, a dance and a homemade cake were the surprises for our anniversary dinner. The lit fireplace in the room and the warm water bottle underneath the blankets were the icing of the cake. What a stay! And if you get lucky you can see all the way to Congo watching the volcano erupt.
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Date of stay: January 2021Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Ethel Kimbowa, Sales at Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge
Responded Feb 12, 2021
Hello Sandra, thank you so much for your positive review! The glowing volcano is a must-see for any East African traveller!!! Nyiragongo is one of the world's most beautiful and active volcanoes and we at Nkuringo are blessed to behold it every now and then. We are glad we could be a special part of your anniversary celebration and memories. We hope to see you again...!
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My husband and I spent two nights in this hotel and everything was perfect. The employees are amazing. The food is also delicious. The hotel provide a lot of complementary services like washing clothes and your shoes after a trekking and you can also get fire in your room before to go to sleep. The view is also amazing at tea time. Wonderful! We will come back one day.
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Date of stay: February 2020Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Isabell10494, Manager at Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge
Responded Feb 16, 2020
Dear Melissa, Greetings from Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, we are pleased to having made your stay spectacular in the wild. Being in this business for years, we have a culture of making out the best packages to make our guests stay as much comfortable as possible. We are glad you recognize our efforts to serve you better. It would be a pleasure to host you again!!!!! Regards to your Husband and we wish you all the best in this month of love.
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The comfort, food, and beauty found at Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge are surpassed by only one thing, the staff. Their professionalism, hospitality, and kindness are unmatched.
Rosemary, who was our housekeeper, is superwoman! We began every day with coffee and biscuits from Rosemary and ended our day by the warmth of a coal fire she lit for us. She created beautiful floral messages in our room daily, hand-washed any laundry, and left our hiking boots cleaner than they started. Oh, and she is also a masseuse, singer, and drummer!
Wesley, who was our butler, anticipated our every need. We were never hungry or thirsty because Wesley kept us well supplied with drinks and snacks between every meal. He checked in with us several times a day, made sure we placed breakfast, lunch, and dinner orders, and was an incredibly attentive waiter. His kindness and friendliness put us completely at ease.
Jessica, the manager, is professional and accommodating. Everything runs seamlessly, and Jessica makes it look far easier than it can possibly be. She ensured that every outing was well arranged and successful including when we changed our plans. We had no worries while we were in her capable hands.
The lodge is located on a breathtakingly beautiful mountaintop, You can take in the view wile enjoying delicious gourmet meals on the porch of the main lodge. The main lodge also has an inside dining room complete with fireplaces, stunning pictures of Uganda, and local art.
What more could one ask for? How about the experience of a lifetime? Spending time with the mountain gorillas was beyond my wildest expectations. It is an experience that I will always carry with me. The rangers and guides have great respect and appreciation for the gorillas. Both of our guides, Peace and John, imparted that respect as well as their considerable knowledge to their groups. We are truly grateful for the kind assistance of our porters, Julian and Innocent. I would not have made it through our first trek without Julian! Take it from me and make sure you hire a porter.
There are not enough words of praise for Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge. Go. Just go and soak in all that they and Uganda have to offer!
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Date of stay: October 2022Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Isabell Kosgey, Other at Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge
Responded Dec 12, 2022
Dear Cara, Thank you for making time to write on your experience at our beautiful lodge. We appreciate our Prime location endowed with captivating riches of Uganda as our home. Your Comfort will remain our foremost priority. We are happy to have met and exceeded your expectations. We would love to host you again. Happy Holidays!!
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We’ve never stayed in a place that has been this luxurious before.
We were greeted with fresh juice, warm eucalyptus scented towels to refresh with and hand massages.
The staff at this resort are absolutely outstanding. Isaac, one of our hosts was very welcoming. He was attentive, thoughtful and diligent. He remembered our wine preferences after our first order, and provided some great beer recommendations. One day I was feeling a little under the weather and he made me a concoction that helped me feel better right away. We were celebrating our honey moon for our stay, and Isaac surprised us with a beautiful table decoration on the last night of our stay. We’ve never been treated so good before in our lives.
Amos was another member of the staff that went above and beyond to ensure that we had the best possible stay. Every afternoon we returned to our room our bed was decorated with flowers and welcome notes made out of cut up flower stems. During dinner he would ask for our key and we would return to our room with the fireplace lit, hot water bottles in the bed sheets and good night well wishes written on paper. Every morning he would bring us coffee and snacks to the room to help us wake up.
Maggie the manager was very attentive and asked us every day how we were doing. She helped us to celebrate our honeymoon in a way we will never forget by planning a traditional performance with all of the staff and had a cake made for us. She wished us years of happiness and sounded very genuine doing so.
Now, onto the accommodation itself. Absolutely idyllic, it was nestled overlooking the forest. The mist would roll in and out of the valley to create an ever changing landscape. The room we stayed in was beautiful and had one of the best bathtubs I’ve ever seen in. The bed was enormous and comfortable. The drivers that work with resort are all very professional, personable and I felt safe with everyone involved.
As good as the lodge is - and it’s phenomenal, it’s really the staff that make this place the best place I’ve ever stayed at.
The food the lodge provides is delicious and is locally sourced. The lodge works with the community to help the local people profit from tourism - which is hugely important for us. The also lodge helps the local Batwa people after being forced to leave the forest for conversation reasons.
Do yourself a favour, and plan to stay here longer!
Thanks very much to everyone Kristin & Josh
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Date of stay: October 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Bert Baguma, Marketing at Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge
Responded Oct 19, 2023
Dear Kristin and Josh, We are grateful for your kind words and appreciate you choosing our lodge as your honeymoon getaway. Your message has brought a refreshing energy to our mountain forest environment, and we are thrilled to hear that you had a memorable time during your stay with us. Our entire team, especially your hosts Amos, Maggie, and Isaac, are delighted to read your heartfelt note. Thank you for your generosity and the time you took to share your experience with us. We hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you back to our lodge on your anniversary. Warm regards from us!
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We visited NBGL as a family and booked two cottages (No 6 & 7). The entire stay was very memorable. The amazing hospitality commenced at arrival and never flagged over the two days we stayed. The rooms were as luxurious as can be managed in this remote region. Hot water showers in the bathroom were much welcome. It gets chilly in the evenings and the fireplace in the rooms was lit for warmth, and a hot water bottle under the blankets came as a pleasant surprise. The entire staff was very courteous and Rosemary in particular was outstanding with her repertoire of expertise. A local children's group also performed for us which provided a good connect with the villagers. The four course supper is excellent and the wide variety of options for breakfast are good too. The approach road from the blacktop Kabale-Kisoro road is 30 +km of dirt top/murram and a four wheel drive vehicle is strongly recommended.
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Date of stay: January 2021
Rooms
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:Room 7 gives a great view towards Congo and the possibility of seeing the Nyiragongo volcano.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Ethel Kimbowa, Sales at Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge
Responded Feb 11, 2021
Dear Brig. Bhatti, I cannot thank you enough for coming to Bwindi and staying at Nkuringo. As a team, we are always excited to have a satisfied guest! I personally appreciate the positive feedback since I was your first point of contact with the lodge. We hope you enjoy the rest of your time in Uganda and we certainly hope to see you again!
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Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge is already a home to me, but there was something different about this time. I had last visited in June last year, so I hadn't yet gotten a chance to see for myself how astonishing both the dining and Forest Suites looked.
I gaped as I marveled at how much work had gone into the enhancement of this property. Cudos to Madam Lydia Nandudu. Everyone must visit.
Their food menu is rich and the bar selection does not disappoint, their barrister Isaac will make you a cocktail you'll never forget!
My bed was comfortable and pre-warmed with 2 hot water bottles every time I was ready to get some shut-eye.
I truly valued how Wesley and Sunday went out of their way for us each time we sat down for a meal.
Can't wait to return!
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Date of stay: April 2022
Value
Cleanliness
Service
Trip type: Traveled on business
Room Tip:Forest Suites are the best I've seen in Bwindi.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Herbert Baguma, Marketing at Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge
Responded Apr 26, 2022
Thank you so much, Ethel, for sparing your precious time to write us a review. We are incredibly happy that you enjoyed your time with us. It's words like yours that fuel our energy to excel. We can't wait for you to visit with us again. Cheers from the Nkuringo team!
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Yes, if you advise us your dates in advance we will ensure that Hairdryer is in your room at the time of check in.... otherwise if you speak to our managers on ground they can sort you with one on check in.
Hi Wilkes
I would highly recommend The Great Trekkers Safaris for Gorilla Permit Booking because they are experts at tailor made safaris for more you could write to them info@greattrekkers.ug
There are more places to choose from in the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park area.
PRICE RANGE
$63 - $63 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
nkuringo gorilla camp hotel bwindi impenetrable national park
LOCATION
UgandaWestern RegionBwindi Impenetrable National Park
NUMBER OF ROOMS
18
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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