Volcanoes Safaris’ Award-Winning Bwindi Lodge Celebrates 25 Years of Pioneering Great Ape Tourism in Uganda
Operator Offers 7-Day Gorilla and Chimpanzee Safari for a unique combination of Uganda’s most remarkable lodges and trekking experiences.
Kampala, Uganda (Febraury, 2025): Volcanoes Safaris, the pioneer of gorilla and chimpanzee safaris in Uganda and Rwanda since 1997, proudly celebrates the 25th anniversary of its award-winning Bwindi Lodge in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. In 2025, the lodge will unveil a new Gorilla Interpretation Center and welcome five newly habituated gorilla families, adding 40 daily trekking permits.
Bwindi Developments
Over the past quarter-century, Volcanoes Safaris has set the standard for great ape tourism, crafting unforgettable guided safaris that connect visitors to Rwanda and Uganda’s wildlife parks while making a lasting social impact in surrounding local communities. Since its humble beginnings in 1999, Bwindi Lodge has evolved into Uganda’s premier luxury gorilla safari lodge, featuring ten hand-built suites, personal butler service, and a 2023 renovation. Ugandan-born founder Praveen Moman reflects, “Bwindi Lodge embodies our Afro-chic style, merging cultural heritage with refined luxury.”
Opening in June 2025, the Gorilla Interpretation Center will educate guests on conservation efforts in partnership with Gorilla Doctors and Conservation Through Public Health (CTPH), founded by Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka. It will also showcase the work of the Albertine Apes Alliance, fostering collaboration in biodiversity protection.
“We are honored to be recognized for our conservation impact,” says Moman. “Our long-standing commitment to great ape protection is central to our mission.”
In addition to offering guests immersive encounters with Bwindi’s endangered mountain gorillas, the Volcanoes Safaris Partnership Trust has spearheaded community-based projects such as the award-winning Bwindi Bar, which 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.
Unparalleled Safari Experiences
Coinciding with Bwindi Lodge’s milestone, the Uganda Wildlife Authority has increased daily gorilla trekking permits to 194—the most of any East African park. Volcanoes Safaris is thrilled to expand opportunities for guests to witness these extraordinary primates up close from Bwindi’s Buhoma or Ruhija sectors. With its 7-day Gorilla and Chimpanzee Safari, travelers can combine Bwindi, Kyambura, and the new Kibale Lodge, all led by Volcanoes Safaris’ expert guides in their comfortable fleet of Land Rovers.
Guests can further engage with conservation by joining fireside discussions with wildlife experts and NGO leaders, gaining unique insights into the collaborative efforts to protect East Africa’s great apes and promote biodiversity.
The 25th anniversary of Bwindi Lodge is not only a celebration of Volcanoes Safaris’ journey but also a reaffirmation of its pioneering spirit, driven by a deep respect for nature and an unwavering commitment to community-based tourism.
Bwindi Lodge is just an hour’s drive from Kihihi airstrip, with daily flights from Entebbe. The starting point for gorilla trekking is a short walk from the lodge.
2025 safari rates start at $8,760 per person in low season for the all-inclusive 7-day Gorilla and Chimpanzee Safari to Bwindi and Kyambura. Rates cover accommodation, meals, drinks (excluding French champagne), spa treatments, and guided activities. A $50 per night community fee supports the Volcanoes Safaris Partnership Trust, funding conservation and community initiatives.
For more details, visit www.volcanoessafaris.com.
About Volcanoes Safaris:
Volcanoes Safaris is recognized as the leader in great ape ecotourism specializing in mountain gorilla and chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda and Uganda since 1997. Their tailor-made wildlife safaris, led by an expert team of guides, connect travelers to its five award-winning lodges, three near the mountain gorilla parks: Virunga in Rwanda and Bwindi and Mount Gahinga in Uganda, and two lodges near Kyambura Gorge and Kibale for chimpanzee trekking. Their circuit of lodges and safaris offers a unique insight into the world of the endangered great apes, their habitats, and nearby communities. Guests can also experience the rich culture, history, and hospitality traditions of the Great Lakes Region of Africa while participating in eco-tourism and conservation efforts designed around and with the local communities developed by the Volcanoes Safaris Partnership Trust (VSPT).
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