In 2025, Volcanoes Safaris, the pioneer of gorilla and chimpanzee ecotourism in Uganda and Rwanda and expert safari curator, proudly celebrates the 25th anniversary of its award-winning Bwindi Lodge, and opens a new interpretation centre. 

Overlooking the primeval Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and with stunning views of the forest canopy across a serene stream, Bwindi Lodge is one of Africa’s most unique lodges. From its beginnings as a simple camp in 1999, it has evolved into the leading luxury gorilla safari lodge in Uganda, featuring ten elegant hand-built bandas with personal butler service.

Bwindi Lodge guests can participate in sustainable conservation and community projects, developed by the Volcanoes Safaris Partnership Trust (VSPT) and in partnerships with leading conservation non-profit organisations.

In June 2025, a new VSPT Gorilla Interpretation Center will open at the lodge, where guests can learn about gorilla conservation and research in partnership with two of Volcanoes Safaris’ key conservation partners: Gorilla Doctors and Conservation Through Public Health (CTPH), founded by founded by Dr Gladys Kamela-Zikusoka.

Guests can pre-book a special fireside briefing with CTPH researchers to understand their gorilla health monitoring and their community livelihoods program and separately with veterinarians from Gorilla Doctors at the VSPT Gorilla Interpretation Centre.

Volcanoes lodges offer hospitality based on the rich culture, history, and traditions of the Great Lakes Region of Africa. As with other Volcanoes’ lodges, Bwindi is run by staff from the region and local communities, including Lodge Manager Phiona Nabagesera.

Ugandan-born founder, Praveen Moman said, “We are delighted to be celebrating this remarkable journey of Bwindi Lodge. Bwindi has been hand-built by our artisans, reflecting the rich cultures and aesthetics of the region and has been recently reimagined to offer a new level of luxury, comfort and elegance, in our distinct and renowned Afro-chic style decoration and interiors.

“We are honoured to be recognised for the impact of our community and conservation projects around Bwindi. As the only ecotourism company to be signatories to the UN Kinshasha Declaration on protecting great apes, signed at the first meeting of the Great Apes Survival Partnership (GRASP) in 2005, our long-term commitment to gorilla conservation is central to our ethos and vision.

“To mark the Bwindi Lodge's 25th year we are delighted to be opening the new VSPT Gorilla Interpretation Centre in 2025. Two of our key conservation partners will be displaying interactive materials for guests to learn about the importance of the vital conservation work they undertake to protect this iconic but endangered species.”

Community and Conservation

Volcanoes Safaris Partnership Trust connects Volcanoes lodges to neighbouring communities and conservation. Near Bwindi Lodge, the award-winning Bwindi Bar, managed by Project Coordinator Lilian Namakiika, offers practical training in hospitality to local youth to develop their skills, fostering sustainable economic growth within the community. Graduates go on to work in Volcanoes lodges or other hotels in the region.

Volcanoes Safaris are working with participants of the Albertine Apes Alliance (AAA) and the Great Ape Disease Prevention Working Group, to promote responsible ecotourism in Bwindi Forest and other parks in the Albertine Rift. The AAA is an informal advocacy network, established at a conservation retreat at Mount Gahinga Lodge in 2022, bringing together stakeholders in conservation and ecotourism.

Volcanoes Safaris continues to develop and evolve unique and special hospitality and wildlife experiences for guests, remains dedicated to communities and conservation, but also turns its attention to the broader advocacy for the Great Apes in the Albertine Rift. We urge our guests and our partners to support us in this important task.

Great Ape Safaris

Volcanoes Safaris’ curated mountain gorilla, chimpanzee and wildlife safaris to the finest Great Ape sites in Rwanda and Uganda give a unique insight into the world of the endangered great apes, their habitats and the communities that live nearby. The safaris are expertly planned and implemented by the in-house team of sales consultants, managed by Betty Nassuna (a 'Conde Nast Traveler Specialist'), and team of experienced and expert wildlife field guides led by Francis Kiwanuka, Ugandan Head Guide.

Signature Spotlight Safaris

Gorillas in Bwindi and Chimpanzees in Kyambura - Spend three nights at Kyambura Gorge Lodge and walk to the ‘Lost Chimps of Kyambura’, join in with a carnivore census with the Kyambura Lion Monitoring Team, enjoy a wildlife boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel, and end with three nights at Bwindi Lodge and trek to the majestic mountain gorillas.  Participate in unique community and conservation projects as part of the Kyambura Ecotourism Project in partnership with the Jane Goodall Institute, visit Bwindi Bar and pick tea with the Bwindi Tea Cooperative.

Bwindi Lodge can also be combined with Kibale Lodge, the new chimpanzee lodge from Volcanoes Safaris. Kibale Forest, the ‘Primate Capital of the World’, is one of the best parks to view chimpanzees in Africa, with a community of 1,500 chimps. Visit the Rwenzori Sculpture Foundation and learn about the cultural partnership with Volcanoes Safaris, visit a school as part of the Jane Goodall Roots and Shoots Program which supports developing women leaders in conservation, and go birding with birding team led by expert guide VSPT graduate Saidi Kakuru.

Need To Know

Bwindi Lodge is a 1 hour drive from Kihihi airstrip. There are daily flights to Entebbe, and to Volcanoes’ four other lodges. The starting point for gorilla trekking in Bwindi is a short walk from the lodge.

2025 safari rates start from $8,760 per person in the low season for both of the all-inclusive 7-day Gorilla and Chimpanzee Safari to Bwindi and Kyambura, or Bwindi and Kibale, including one complimentary night at Bwindi worth up to $1,540*. 

Download images and a short film which showcase the lodge, its staff, the landscape and the local communities.

For more information, visit www.volcanoessafaris.com.

*Rates include accommodation and meals, all soft and alcoholic drinks (except French champagne), cellar collection wines, cocktails and single malt whiskeys, laundry services, lodge activities, and massage and spa treatments.

A $50 per person per night community fee is applied and donated to Volcanoes Safaris Partnership Trust (VSPT), which was established in 2009 as a non-profit organization to support long-term, self-sustaining projects that enrich the livelihoods of local communities, promote the conservation of the great apes, restore natural habitats and work with communities to reduce human-wildlife conflict. Guests can visit and participate in the community and conservation projects at each hosting lodge.