Gorilla Forest Lodge, An A&K Sanctuary, has officially reopened following a complete rebuild and redesign that sets a new benchmark for sustainable luxury in one of Africa's most precious wildernesses.
The complete transformation has elevated the property into an intimate ten-suite sanctuary where guests can wake to the symphony of the rainforest, trek alongside gorillas in their natural habitat, and return to exceptional comfort that exists in harmony with conservation and community.
The lodge exemplifies Abercrombie & Kent founder Geoffrey Kent's founding principle of Adventure by Day, Luxury by Night, offering transformative wildlife encounters paired with accommodation that respects both the environment and the cultural heritage of Uganda.
Exquisite and exclusive by design
Perched high within the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, home to more than half of the world's remaining 1,000 mountain gorillas, the lodge occupies a position unlike any other as the only luxury accommodation inside the park gates.
Accessible only through a winding ascent through ancient trees, the reimagined property represents a triumph of conscious design.
Overseen by Luxury Frontiers the lodge's redesign celebrates Ugandan craftsmanship whilst honouring the forest itself.
Every collaboration has strengthened the artisan economy, from banana-fibre stools crafted in village workshops to woven ceiling panels produced by NGO Ride 4 a Woman, and textiles created by Florence Nakachwa's Mekeka Designs, which empowers women through weaving.
The design draws inspiration from Bwindi's vibrant textures and Uganda's rich heritage: papyrus thatch roofs blend seamlessly into the tree canopy while weathered Corten steel harmonises with bark.
Light filters through sisal basket installations and cascading beads that echo rainforest vines, and barkcloth textiles and handwoven papyrus panels preserve techniques passed down through generations.
Meanwhile, heritage touches include restored doors from the original camp, given new life by the artisans who carved them decades ago.
Each of the ten significantly enlarged suites features floor-to-ceiling windows and expansive decks that blur the boundary between indoors and out.
Large baths invite guests to soak after exhilarating treks; and clay-textured plaster walls, woven banana leaf ceilings and elongated framed vistas create rhythm and harmony throughout.
Even the rugs beneath guests' feet tell a story, reclaimed from agricultural waste and transformed into beautiful, sustainable design elements.
Barkcloth cushions feature QR codes linking directly to their makers, fostering genuine connection between guests and the community.
The lodge has implemented comprehensive sustainability initiatives including rainwater collection systems, composting, repurposed materials and carefully considered building choices to ensure minimal waste and environmental footprint.
A property with a rich story at its foundations
The story of Gorilla Forest Lodge is deeply intertwined with Geoffrey Kent’s overarching vision for Abercrombie & Kent.
In 1985, Kent met with soon-to-be Ugandan President Museveni to discuss protection of the country's endangered mountain gorillas.
Their collaboration led to the establishment of the first luxury property in the area, creating a sustainable tourism model that has benefited both the gorillas and the local Batwa people for forty years.
Today, as the only luxury lodge located inside the gates of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, Gorilla Forest Lodge continues this pioneering legacy.
Expert rangers lead guests on unforgettable gorilla treks, whilst the creatures themselves have been known to wander onto the property, a testament to its harmonious integration with the forest.
As a pioneer of community-based conservation, A&K Philanthropy has demonstrated for decades that protecting wildlife and empowering local people are inseparable goals, and the Gorilla Forest Lodge stands as a shining example of this philosophy in action.
Every stay directly funds A&K Philanthropy initiatives that support the Bwindi community, wildlife and the forest itself.
These include the Bwindi Community Hospital and Nursing School, improving healthcare and education for local families; the Bwindi Women's Bicycle Enterprise empowers women with sustainable transport and economic independence; and the Safe Water for Schools Uganda project provides safe water access to schools, transforming children's health and futures.
These efforts collectively improve the health, education and economic wellbeing of local communities whilst promoting conservation awareness, ensuring that the protection of mountain gorillas benefits everyone who calls this remarkable forest home.
