Uganda's most luxurious gorilla trekking base emerges renewed, weaving sustainable design, artisan craftsmanship and pioneering conservation into the heart of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.

Abercrombie & Kent announces that 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. 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. Reached by a winding ascent through ancient trees, the reimagined property represents a triumph of conscious design. The complete transformation has elevated the property into an intimate 10-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.

A Legacy Four Decades in the Making

The story of Gorilla Forest Lodge is deeply intertwined with the vision of Geoffrey Kent, founder of Abercrombie & Kent. In 1985, Kent met with soon-to-be Ugandan President General 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.

Design That Speaks the Language of the Forest

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. Weathered Corten steel harmonises with bark. Light filters through sisal basket installations and cascading beads that echo rainforest vines. Barkcloth textiles and handwoven papyrus panels preserve techniques passed down through generations, whilst 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 suite 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. 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&K Philanthropy: Conservation Rooted in Community

As a pioneer of community-based conservation, A&K Philanthropy has demonstrated for decades that protecting wildlife and empowering local people are inseparable goals. 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. 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.

Experiencing Gorilla Forest Lodge

Gorilla Forest Lodge offers an unrivalled base for encountering mountain gorillas. The lodge's location inside the national park gates means guests are never far from these magnificent creatures, with gorillas occasionally wandering onto the property itself.

Beyond the main event of gorilla trekking with Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers, the lodge offers a wealth of experiences led by expert guides. Forest walks along the Munyaga Waterfall Trail reveal Bwindi's diverse ecosystem, from dense forest and bamboo groves to open glades home to giant forest hogs and red-tailed monkeys. Birding enthusiasts can search for rare endemic species among more than 350 bird species, including the vibrant African green broadbill and the elusive African pitta.

Cultural experiences connect guests with the people who call this forest home. The Bwindi Community Tour, led by A&K Philanthropy's Field Coordinator Dennis Mugume, visits the Bwindi Women's Bicycle Enterprise, local schools and the hospital, offering genuine insight into community life beyond the wildlife encounters. Guests can also spend time with the Batwa people, the oldest inhabitants of the Great Lakes region and traditional guardians of the forest, learning about their unique culture through music, storytelling and demonstrations of traditional hunting and gathering methods.

After days spent exploring, guests can unwind in the expanded spa, savour impeccable dining that celebrates local ingredients and culinary traditions and relax in communal areas designed to foster connection with fellow travellers and the landscape beyond.

The lodge exemplifies 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.

Planning Your Journey

Gorilla Forest Lodge, An A&K Sanctuary, is now open and accepting reservations. Explore journeys to Uganda with A&K here. Explore on a Tailormade A&K Sanctuary Safari in Uganda or on Small Group Journey Uganda: Gorillas & Beyond

MORE INFO: View more on Gorilla Forest Lodge, An A&K Sanctuary hereand images here. View Luxury Frontiers design write-up here

All media enquiries, please contact:

AKTG

James Treacy, Global Communications Director | [email protected]

A&K USA

Janice Yu, PR Director | [email protected]

Jean Fawcett, Senior Manager, Media Relations | [email protected]

A&K Australasia

Michelle Mickan, VP Marketing | [email protected]

A&K UK/EMEA

India Roche, Communications Manager | [email protected]

About AKTG (Abercrombie & Kent Travel Group)

AKTG is a global lifestyle and travel company that sets the standard for refined and personalised travel experiences worldwide. The group encompasses premier travel brands including Abercrombie & Kent, Crystal, Cox & Kings and Ecoventura, alongside strategic investments in other travel companies.

About Abercrombie & Kent

Abercrombie & Kent pioneered luxury adventure travel with its first African safaris in 1962, founded on an ethos of adventure by day, luxury by night. Today, A&K’s award-winning travel services extend around the globe to more than one hundred countries on all seven continents. A&K’s bespoke itineraries and escorted small-group tours offer one-of-a-kind inspiring experiences, from expedition cruises and tailormade trips to exclusive villas, safari camps and private jet journeys, unlocking a world of possibilities for a Life Well-Travelled. Behind every journey is an international network of more than 3,000 staff, in over 70 offices and 83 countries, ensuring invitation-only access to the people and places that make every destination unique. www.abercrombiekent.com

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About A&K Sanctuary

A&K Sanctuary, part of the A&K Travel Group family, owns and operates luxury safari camps and lodges across Eastern and Southern Africa, riverboats in Egypt and Peru, with an expanding portfolio of exceptional properties planned across key destinations. Each property is designed to provide guests with an authentic and immersive travel experience, showcasing the natural beauty and cultural heritage of its destination. A&K Sanctuary is committed to sustainable tourism practices and actively supports local communities through conservation and development initiatives. www.abercrombiekent.com/sanctuary

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