Safari
At 2,000 metres above sea level and with the kind of views that are stop-in-your-tracks spectacular, Clouds is certainly an apt name for this cosy lodge. Hovering high on a rocky ridge, the eight stone cottages look over the swirling woodlands and towering treetops of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, home to almost 330 mountain gorillas (that’s half the remaining population in the world). And the gorillas are (aside from the view) the stars of the show here. Treks to the magnificent Nkuringo family begin only metres away from the main area, allowing plenty of time for bacon and eggs Uganda-style before your experience of a lifetime. Now that’s luxury.
Clouds is elegant, cosy and very welcoming – think English country house in the wildest of settings! The main lounge is home to plenty of squashy sofas and a roaring fire whilst soaring ceilings and pale furnishings keep things light and fresh. Meals are served inside or out, depending on the weather, and are delicious and filling. And those views - gaze at the misty mountain-scapes from the pretty gardens, veranda or straight from your armchair, cup of tea in hand.
In keeping with the rest of the lodge, the eight cottages are pretty stone builds, dotted around the gardens. Each has a bedroom (the family cottages have two), linked by a very welcome fireplace to the lounge area, and an ensuite bathroom. You’ll find over-stuffed and incredibly comfortable armchairs, enormous beds draped in cosy duvets, private patios and floor to ceiling windows to make sure you never miss out on the view. And the ultimate luxury? A personal butler to look after your every need.
Clouds is focused around gorilla trekking and the friendly Nkuringo family are the furry primates of choice. Trekking starts almost straight from the door but the hikes are definitely some of the hardest of all the gorilla trekking areas with steep slopes and lots of jungle ferns to navigate. However if you’re fit and healthy (and like a bit of a challenge), the experience at the end of the climb is worth every last breath. There are also village visits, forest walks and bird-watching and photography tours to get stuck into.
What else could we say but the view? The lodge lives up to its name with a perch overlooking the misty peaks and juicy forests.
The lodge is hugely beneficial for the community and if you'd like to contribute, school supplies, sports equipment and shoes are very welcome for the local school.
Fairly easy treks to visit the Nkuringo gorilla family begin just metres away, but if you choose to do the more demanding Rushaga Trek, definitely book porters!
The Time + Tide Foundation is dedicated to preserving natural environments and supporting nearby communities, and guests contribute to sustainability purely by visiting their hotels. The foundation focuses on community and school-based learning, female empowerment, health, and wildlife conservation. Through initiatives like student sponsorship, it aims to ensure the long-term prosperity of wildlife economies and foster positive social change in Time + Tide communities.
A contribution of $10 per guest, which is included in the nightly rate, goes towards the above goals.
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13 nights from $13,657 per person
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A tangle of lush green vines, this magical forest is the country’s top gorilla trekking destination.
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