Bwindi Lodge

The atmosphere in the communal area, with its a cosy fireside bar and lounge in which to relax and share your experiences and sightings, is wonderfully warm and light-hearted. Meals are served in the main area too, and you can rest assured that your appetite will be satisfied – the chef can deliver excellent fare ranging from good pasta and vegetarian to classic beef or seafood dishes. Wi-Fi is available in the main lodge building only.

Eight cabins or bandas (three doubles and five twins) face the forest canopy, each with a private terrace from which you can see wildlife visitors, including chimps, mountain gorillas and leaping colobus monkeys, just metres away. Each stone and timber cabin has a steeply thatched roof, wooden floors, an en-suite bathroom with shower (hot and cold water) and flush toilet, fully netted beds and 240v power. A massage is included in the room rate – perfect for post-hike aches.

Follow your guide into the Bwindi Forest to track mountain gorillas – so magical when you consider that there are just 880 or so left in the world. Take a forest walk to a waterfall, follow the self-guided river trail, visit the Batwa pygmy village (of historical interest, although the Batwa have been relocated from their ancestral home), and shop for souvenirs at the local Bwindi crafts centre. A note for shoppers: the local organic coffee beans are first-class.