Health and wellness restoration vacation safari in Uganda
If ever there were a time for a health and wellness safari vacation, it’s now. The pandemic took lives and slaughtered our spirits. For a while, there was a gloomy cloud hovering over our collective sadness, uncertainty, and anxiety across the world. As enlightened sages have urged throughout the centuries, the best path to wellness is nature—immersing oneself in it, connecting with it, respecting it and all its creatures.
Back in the 1980s, the Forest Agency of Japan advised people to take strolls in the woods for better health and called the practice forest bathing or shinrin-yoku. They believed nature had healing powers that could lower stress—but it hadn’t been proved. Since then, there’s a large body of evidence to show that spending time in nature is responsible for measurable beneficial changes in the body.
Recent studies have also linked nature to symptom relief for health issues like heart disease, depression, cancer, anxiety, and attention disorders. “The quiet atmosphere, beautiful scenery, good smells, and fresh, clean air in forests all contribute to the effects,” says Dr. Qing Li in a recent Times health piece.
Nkuringo Safaris built Nkuringo Bwindi Lodge deep in the heart of Africa’s wilderness with a single mindset of healing our guests with nature’s own gifts. Restoration is part of our ethos and for our guests as well.
While this Health and Wellness Restorative Safari Vacation in Southwestern Uganda offers the chance to revive, renew, reconnect to the wild, to each other, and oneself, we’ve selected three of our highly restorative lodges for your ultimate journey to wilderness wellbeing.
Itinerary
From $4674 per person, sharing
A Slow-Paced Adventure and Relaxation at Mutanda Lake Resort
Experience the beauty of southwestern Uganda at a slow pace with a two-night stay at Mutanda Lake Resort. From the walking trail through native communities to a traditional dugout canoe experience on the calm waters of Lake Mutanda, this retreat offers a rejuvenating safari vacation.
A Walk Through Native Villages
Start your adventure with a slow-paced walk through native villages led by an expert local walking guide. The trail backdrop features the jagged peaks of the Virunga Mountains piercing through the clouds. Along the hike, meet fascinating people and learn about the daily lives of local communities.
A Traditional Dugout Canoe Experience
After the walk, enjoy a traditional dugout canoe experience on the calm waters of Lake Mutanda, piloted by local tribesmen who share ancient tales of Mutanda’s wonders. The 2.5-hour canoe journey unveils the lake’s spectacular beauty and surroundings, from fishers checking their nets to busy natives on the slopes of valleys.
Luxurious Tented Accommodations
Arrive at Mutanda Lake Resort, a Dutch-owned retreat with luxury tents raised on wooden platforms with lovely porches and polished wooden floorboards. The thirteen beautifully handcrafted cottages offer ensuite bathrooms, local art and decor, and views of Lake Mutanda in the shadow of the Virunga Mountains.
A Relaxing Lakeside Retreat
Relax at the lakeside with stunning views of the massif, excellent tropical weather, and mind-rebuilding resort activities. Enjoy sunset evenings by the tranquil lake or jump into the clean waters of Lake Mutanda from the private pier. All meals are served on the deck overlooking the lake, with fresh vegetables from the property’s home garden and a wonderfully selected menu.
Restorative Activities
The next day, take a short walk around the lake, listen to captivating local tales, and bask in the resort’s ambiance. Enjoy a therapeutic meditation and yoga class, followed by a heartful dinner and conversations over the fireplace with a glass of wine to relax your muscles.
3 Nights at Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge: Wellness and Luxury in the Heart of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
To continue your unforgettable health and wellness restoration vacation in southwestern Uganda, venture into the heart of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for a deeply immersive wilderness experience. Your private driver will pick you up from the Resort, and you’ll lazily drive through the rugged, artistic landscapes to Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge, elevated on the southern edge of the park.
A Leafy Haven in the Heart of the Wilderness
As you step off the vehicle and look up at the maze of brick-tiled walkways shrouded by myriad species of trees and flowers, the warm smiles and greetings from the Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge staff welcome you to this leafy haven. The lodge’s main area boasts high ceilings and natural materials that blend in with the wilderness, creating a mysterious and enchanting atmosphere.
Sweeping Views and Decadent Surroundings
Once inside the main lounge area, a refreshing drink is served alongside 180-degree views of the rugged terraced landscape, the Virunga mountains chain, and steamy Bwindi Impenetrable forest canopy. The lodge sits at one of the highest points in southwestern Uganda, with sweeping views across the whole region into DRC and Rwanda, blanketed by the Virunga chain.
Luxurious Cottages and Villas
The two villas, six cottages, and two suites are designed with the wilderness in mind. No matter where you stand, birdsong or the quiet thunder of misty clouds blowing through the ridge and greenery swaying along to the rhythm. In this space alone, there is so much room to meditate on the sightings witnessed on your healing journey, from coffee in your reading nook to a surprise tea breakfast served as your wake-up call.
Gorilla Trekking and Adventure Activities
An early morning start of the day with a wake-up call from the forest birds and your butler with a cup of hot coffee or tea. After breakfast, you’ll stroll five minutes to the Uganda Wildlife Authority briefing point with your packed lunch in your backpack and a specially made walking stick from the lodge. Gorilla trekking is a life-long dream for many travelers on this restorative safari vacation. Seeing and spending tranquil yet thrilling (and well-chaperoned) time with mountain gorillas is a rare and stimulating experience.
The lodge also offers various adventure activities, including a visit to local native villages and cultural encounters. After a day of adventure, you can curl up with a book and a glass of wine or engage in deep conversations with other travelers.
The Mist Spa and Immersive Therapy
After the hike into the jungle, the immersive therapy takes place at the Mist Spa. Secluded under a woodland near the reception area, the spa incorporates nature into every experience. Sunlight streams in from every direction, giving the room a glow. Your spa therapist is an expert at creating a warm atmosphere that is sure to inject you with new energy, just in time for another refreshing evening at Nkuringo.
There is something intrinsically peaceful about Nkuringo Lodge, with the rugged artistic ability to restore a sense of oneself with nature. Balancing the remoteness of the rainforest with the comforts of a carefully composed safari lodge, this is one of Uganda’s best places to reflect on the majesty of the wilderness.
3 Nights of Serene Retreat in the Untamed Wilderness of Kidepo Valley National Park
After five unforgettable safari nights in southwestern Uganda, it’s time to journey to the remote and untamed wilderness of Kidepo Valley National Park in the northeast. A short 10-minute flight from Kidepo Airstrip lands you at Apoka Safari Lodge, where you will spend the next three nights on a quest for a restorative safari vacation.
A Sanctuary in Earthy African Tones
Apoka Safari Lodge is a sanctuary in earthy African tones that blend effortlessly into the natural surroundings. Ten superbly furnished rooms offer endless views across the grassy savannah, adorned with a great selection of African art and perpetually serenaded by the wilderness resonances.
Renew and Revive in the Wilderness
There are various ways to renew and revive at Apoka Safari Lodge. You can enjoy yoga on the rocky outcrop or chill in your luxurious tent, at the fire pit, in the pleasant bar, or over a healthy, palate-pleasing supper under the stars. Friendly resident giraffes and buffalo might join you, and elephants, zebras, bushbuck, monkeys, and warthogs are regular visitors.
Game Drives and Guided Walks
Venturing out of camp, game drives into the Narus Valley are richly rewarding and often soothing as you slip into this unadulterated landscape. You can walk with zebras for a memorable guided encounter or drive off the beaten track in the company of towering giraffes, sneaky cheetahs, lions, leopards, buffalo, and various antelope species.
A Therapeutic Journey with Elephants
If you feel too relaxed, camp staff can take you out on a walk in the Karamojong villages to get your blood pumping. You can also venture out on guided walks in the dry riverbeds, where you may encounter some fascinating creatures like elephants. Be present with the elephants, for they’ll profoundly impact your therapeutic journey. Their grandeur, awe, and care for each other and their young are inspiring.
A Sparkling Swimming Pool and Quiet Moments
For quiet moments, you can head to the sparkling swimming pool hewn out of the outcrop after a warm afternoon dip to spoil yourself with creature comforts and thrill at the sight of local wildlife while watching the red sun drop into its slow-flowing currents.
Book This Vacation Holiday
Are you ready to embark on a restorative and unforgettable vacation? At Nkuringo Safaris, we are eager to take you on an adventure that matches your interests and preferences. We offer tailor-made Uganda Safaris that cater to your preferred dates, style of travel, and anything else that you have in mind. Our team of local experts is readily available to answer any questions you may have and assist you in planning your trip with no obligation. Simply send us an email at info@nkuringosafaris.com, and we’ll help you create a personalized itinerary that will exceed your expectations. Get ready to embark on a journey of a lifetime.
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