LODGE LIFE

VOLCANOES SAFARIS operates four luxury lodges in Uganda and Rwanda that cater to travellers interested in gorilla-and-chimpanzee safaris. Each lodge offers private accommodation in a banda, full-board with meals and drinks, private butlers and complimentary laundry service — a blessing after soggy jungle hikes. For more information on each lodge, visit volcanoessafaris.com.

VIRUNGA LODGE, RWANDA

None of Volcanoes Safaris’ lodges boast better views than Virunga Lodge. Perched atop a high ridge at an altitude of 2,200 metres, each of the 12 bandas here overlook either the Virunga Volcanoes and the Musanze Valley to the west, or lakes Bulera and Ruhondo to the east.

MOUNT GAHINGA LODGE, UGANDA

This seven- banda lodge sits on the opposite side of the Musanze Valley — and across the border — from Virunga Lodge. In addition to gorilla and golden monkey tracking, Mount Gahinga Lodge offers its guests a chance to interact with Batwa villagers in their new settlement nearby.

BWINDI LODGE, UGANDA

Each of this lodge’s eight overlooks the lush Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Guests should pause at Bwindi Bar just outside the lodge gate for Ugandan coffee, cassava chips or a “Rolex” — an omelette and chapati roll ubiquitous in Uganda.

KYAMBURA GORGE LODGE, UGANDA

Housed in a converted coffee storehouse at the edge of Queen Elizabeth National Park, each of Kyambura’s eight bandas has views across either the savannah or the eponymous gorge. Chimpanzee tracking is the main draw, but other activities include a Kazinga Channel boat cruise and hiking in the Ruwenzori Mountains.