Mount Mikeno and Mount Karisimbi in the Virunga volcanoes above the forest, Rwanda

Destination

The best mountain lodges in East Africa

Gorillas in the mist, crater rims and the slopes of Mount Kenya.

6 hotels

East Africa's mountains are some of the most extraordinary places on Earth to see wildlife. In the Virunga volcanoes, on the borders of Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, and in Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, live the world's last mountain gorillas, and spending an hour with a gorilla family in the mist is one of the greatest wildlife encounters of all. In Tanzania, the Ngorongoro Crater, the world's largest unbroken volcanic caldera, holds one of the densest populations of wildlife in Africa, including black rhino, lions and elephants.

Further north, Mount Kenya, the second-highest mountain in Africa at 5,199 metres, rises above the farmland and forests of central Kenya, close to the wildlife conservancies of Laikipia. The lodges here combine high-altitude cool, fireplaces and forest views with the thrill of safari, and many travellers combine a few nights in the mountains with time on the plains of the Serengeti or the Maasai Mara.

Volcanoes National Park · East Africa

Bisate Lodge

Bisate Lodge is one of the most extraordinary places to stay in Africa. Six thatched, spherical villas cling to the inside of an eroded volcanic cone on the edge of Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park, looking out over the forested slopes of Mount Bisoke, Karisimbi and Mikeno. Inspired by the traditional architecture of Rwanda's royal palace and run by Wilderness, it is an intimate, deeply soulful base for tracking mountain gorillas, and a pioneering reforestation project in its own right.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park · East Africa

Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge

Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge is Uganda's highest lodge, perched at around 2,000 metres on a ridge on the edge of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Built from local volcanic stone, its cottages have double-sided fireplaces and views that stretch, on clear days, across the forest to the Virunga volcanoes. It is the finest base in Uganda for tracking mountain gorillas, and one of the most atmospheric lodges in Africa.

Nanyuki · East Africa

Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club

Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club is one of the most famous hotels in Africa. Founded by the Hollywood actor William Holden, it sits on the equator in more than 100 acres of gardens beneath the snow-capped peaks of Mount Kenya, Africa's second-highest mountain. It has welcomed Winston Churchill, Clark Gable and John Wayne, and it still has the gracious, old-world glamour of a 1950s safari club, with peacocks on the lawns and fires in the rooms.

Volcanoes National Park · East Africa

One&Only Gorilla's Nest

One&Only Gorilla's Nest brings resort-level luxury to the edge of Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park. Its 21 treehouse-style suites stand among tall eucalyptus groves in the foothills of the Virunga volcanoes, with a pool, a spa and a restaurant celebrated for its organic, local cooking. It combines the thrill of tracking mountain gorillas with the comforts of one of the world's most polished hotel brands.

Volcanoes National Park · East Africa

Singita Kwitonda Lodge

Singita Kwitonda Lodge is the most luxurious place to stay for gorilla trekking in Rwanda. It sits right on the boundary of Volcanoes National Park, with the forested slopes of the Virunga volcanoes rising behind it. Its handful of suites, built from dry-stone walls and timber with floor-to-ceiling windows, each have a heated plunge pool, and the lodge has replanted tens of thousands of trees to restore the forest edge.

Ngorongoro Conservation Area · East Africa

The Highlands

The Highlands is one of the most original safari lodges in Africa. High on the slopes of Olmoti volcano, in the Ngorongoro highlands of northern Tanzania, its eight geodesic dome suites, inspired by the circular bomas of the Maasai, look out over a vast, misty landscape of volcanic craters and grassland. With wood-burning stoves, sweeping views and the Ngorongoro Crater an hour away, it is a striking alternative to the classic crater-rim lodges.

When to go

The long dry season, from June to September, and the short dry season, from December to February, are the best times for gorilla trekking and for safaris, as the trails are firmer and wildlife gathers around water. They are also the busiest periods, so gorilla permits and lodges should be booked many months in advance. The rainy seasons, from March to May and from October to November, bring mud, mist and frequent showers, but also lush scenery, fewer visitors and sometimes lower rates. Mountain nights are cool all year, so bring warm layers.

How to choose your hotel

For gorillas in Rwanda, choose Singita Kwitonda Lodge for ultimate luxury on the edge of Volcanoes National Park, Bisate Lodge for its striking design and reforestation project, or One&Only Gorilla’s Nest for a resort-style stay with a pool and spa. For gorillas in Uganda, choose Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. For the Ngorongoro Crater, choose The Highlands, with its dome suites on the slopes of Olmoti volcano. For Mount Kenya and Laikipia, choose Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club.

FAQ

Is gorilla trekking safe?

Yes. Treks are led by experienced rangers, and the gorilla families are habituated to people. The walk can be steep and muddy, so a reasonable level of fitness helps.

Rwanda or Uganda for gorillas?

Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park is quicker to reach from Kigali and has the most luxurious lodges. Uganda's Bwindi is more remote, with cheaper permits and denser forest.

How much does a gorilla permit cost?

Permits in Rwanda cost around US$1,500 per person per trek, and in Uganda around US$800. Prices change, so check the current rates when booking.

What is the best time for gorilla trekking?

June to September and December to February, the two dry seasons. Book permits and lodges well in advance for these months.