Visitors will be familiar with Sanctuary as the company runs lodges in multiple countries on the African continent. Located just within the gates of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and up a small hill in the midst of the forest, the Sanctuary Camp has tent-style accommodations with en-suite bathrooms. Each of the eight tents is equipped with a thatched roof and features two queen-sized beds, a bathtub and cozy details such as sheepskin rugs. Due to its location within the forest, the mountain gorillas can frequently be seen on property, a welcome surprise for guests.

The main areas of the lodge include a dining room and lounge as well as a small treatment room for spa services. All of the common spaces are open-air so guests are often found socializing around a fire pit and sharing dinner at a communal table.

En route to Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge, visitors turn off of the main dirt road and drive through a field of tea trees before arriving at the small welcome house. The eight bandas, or freestanding rooms, sit right along a ridge that overlooks the rainforest and river below. Each of the recently renovated bandas is compromised of a large main bedroom, a modern bathroom with double sinks and a private terrace where guests can spot monkeys and birds in the thick green rainforest. The decoration of the bandas is lighthearted and fun, with multiple colored windows of various sizes in the bathrooms and curtains and chairs made of bright patterned fabrics in the bedrooms. Mosquito nets hang over the beds and turndown service each night includes a bed warmer to keep you cozy throughout the night. In keeping with the local style of home, roofs are thatched in order to control the temperature within the bandas.

Located along the same ridge is the main lodge and sitting area where guests come to gather after a long day of trekking to discuss the day’s adventure. Sitting around an indoor (or outdoor) fire-pit, stories are told while sipping afternoon cocktails and sharing photos. Since the lodge is located within a town, power is available in all of the buildings twenty-four hours a day but Wi-Fi is only located in the main building just as it is at Volanoes Virunga Lodge. The dining area is just off of the sitting area, and each night the staff offers a variety of choices to the guests, including traditional Ugandan fare. The true highlight of the property, however, is the incredible staff who creates a seamless experience from start to finish.

The Volcanoes Kyambura Lodge is the newest and most indulgent property in the Volcanoes portfolio. Located a few miles from the entrance to the Queen Elizabeth National Park and with views of the Kyambura Gorge, the lodge’s main building is a converted coffee-processing plant. The entire property is decorated with reclaimed materials, many of which came from the original plant, creating a funky mix of colors, textures and patterns. Much like the other Volcanoes properties, the heart of the lodge is the main building, with its large interior space as well as its multiple outdoor areas complete with dining tables and comfortable lounge chairs. At the back of the main building, there is a pool and changing area where guests can spend the afternoons between game drives and treks into the gorge.

The rooms at Kyambura (the largest of any of the Volcanoes properties) are extremely spacious. The individual structures are made of stone, wood and reused tin for the roofs, and each has a unique color theme and layout, with private terraces overlooking the park. Bathrooms all have double sinks and windows are located along the back of the building so every single nook comes with a view. The staff is incredibly friendly and knowledgeable and will happily accompany guests on a visit to the community coffee plant (which is in part funded by Volcanoes). They can also take you on walks around the property, creating a wonderful opportunity for guests to ask questions and learn about the area.