Enjoy French press coffee in the huge hillside suite of your Bwindi luxury lodge, listening to the constant soundtrack of birdsong and spotting colobus monkeys scampering in the trees, before you set off through the jungle in search of the king of the primates. The team at Gorilla Forest Lodge will ensure you are well kitted out: everyone gets gaiters, a backpack and sticks to help navigate the tricky terrain. The trek through dense, steep forest means a level of physical fitness is required. But all the exertion is worthwhile once you spend time with the incredible mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. The beauty of this A&K Sanctuary – and why it leads the pack when it comes to luxury lodges for gorilla trekking in Uganda – is its location inside the gates of national park. This means you’re closer to home than anyone else once you’ve marvelled at the gorillas’ family dynamics, and enjoyed a post-trek picnic lunch. Return to the newly revamped lodge for downtime, and leave your boots in the mud room to be cleaned, before a spa treatment to warm down after the morning’s exercise – the natural treatments here are accompanied by the sound of a gently burbling stream outside for maximum immersion in your surroundings. There are plenty of books for leafing through in the Explorer’s Lounge, and the Bush Boutique is stocked with African-crafted items: hand-painted T-shirts, bags in vibrant-colored fabrics echoing the kaleidoscopic local markets, and more. Locally rooted design is a core principle at Gorilla Forest Lodge, as seen in the banana-leaf wallpaper and beaded chandeliers created by women from the nearby village. Anyone keen to get back out into the forest can embark on a guided walk to Munyaga waterfall, ticking off the abundant species along the way (from forest hogs to African emerald cuckoo), or take a short stroll to the local female-run bike shop, amongst other projects set up by A&K Philanthropy. Sundowners back by the fire are a special moment, with long-time team member Wallen singing and playing a distinctive harp, followed by dinner in the softly lit restaurant. After such an active day, a soak in the round tub of your spacious and completely secluded bathroom awaits, with even more forest views on tap.