Mahogany Springs
Mahogany Springs Is A Lovely Boutique Lodge Just Outside Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Mahogany Springs is a very comfortable and well run lodge that offers a great base from which to explore Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Set along a sweeping hillside, the central areas and individual accommodation cottages have views across local farmland to the nearby forest beyond. Comfort and service levels are high, and the property has a relaxed, friendly atmosphere. Mahogany Springs has also managed to retain a sense of good value, and so it is definitely a good option for combining decent quality with decent value.
Rooms
Accommodation is provided in 14 spacious suites – 12 Superior Bandas (of which two are honeymoon suites and two are family suites) and two Premium Deluxe Suites. Each suite has twin or double beds, a dressing table, mosquito net, 24 hour lighting and in-room power and en suite bathroom facilities including wash basin, loo and shower. Each of the suites is slightly cantilevered off the ground and has a private wooden veranda to the front with views over the surrounding area. The two honeymoon suites have super-sized beds plus a bathtub (in addition to the shower); while the two family suites each comprise two en suite bedrooms and a central lounge. The Premium Deluxe Suites are the largest of all the suites, each comprising two bedrooms with two king size four poster beds in each bedroom, two bathrooms (one with a bath in addition to the shower), a central lounge with fireplace and large private terrace with hot tub. Private dining is an option in the Premium Deluxe Suites and these come with the services of a butler.
Central Areas
The central areas house the reception, bar, lounge and dining areas, with an outside viewing deck. There is also a spa.
Facilities
Wi-Fi – Yes
Power for Charging – Yes
Swimming – No
Habitat & Wildlife
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest covers an area of around 32,000 hectares and is located in the south-west of the country, part of the eastern ridge of the Albertine Rift Valley. The rainforest, known as one of the most ecologically diverse in Africa, is spread over a series of steep ridges and valleys which vary in altitude from around 1,160m to over 2,600m. In the south-east sector of the park lies the Mubwindi Swamp, after which the forest was named.
Bwindi is home to the endangered mountain gorilla, as well as a further 11 species of primates, including chimpanzee, red-tailed monkeys, black and white colobus and the ground-dwelling L’Hoests monkey. It actually harbours more species of mammal than any other park in Uganda, although most of them are rarely seen. The birdlife is superb with over 350 species recorded, including the 23 species endemic to the Albertine Rift Valley and a further number found nowhere else in the country including specials such as the African green broadbill and white-tailed blue flycatcher. The butterfly count is equally spectacular.
Activities
The main activity in Bwindi is gorilla trekking, and there are currently 17 habituated groups which can be visited in various areas of the park. However, please bear in mind that the high rainfall and terrain make trekking very difficult and you need to be well prepared. To trek for gorillas, a good level of fitness is required as the terrain over which tracking takes place is extremely difficult. Treks can last anything from roughly two to six hours, often traversing steep-sided mountains and ravines, and regularly clambering over ground vegetation. Temperatures can range from being very warm and humid to being very cold, and rain can fall at any time. Permits must be purchased in advance. Children under 15 years of age are not allowed to trek.
Outside of gorilla trekking, and depending where you stay, it is possible to undertake day exploration walks and shorter birding walks in the forest, explore local villages and cultural experiences, walk to waterfalls or tour a local tea plantation.
From Mahogany Springs further activities which are available from the lodge include bird watching, nature walks, garden tours and Batwa cultural activities. Guests can also visit the community projects supported by the lodge (see Conservation & Community section for further information).
Seasons
Mahogany Springs is open year round, though late September through to early December tends to be the wettest period of the year, along with March, April and early May.
Children of all ages are welcome at Mahogany Springs and the two bedroom suites are ideal for families (children under the age of 16 years must share a room with their parents). However, the minimum age for gorilla trekking is 15 years and so the destination is unlikely to appeal to families with younger children. For older teens, they would need to be comfortable with the strenuous nature of gorilla trekking to fully enjoy a holiday in this destination.
Mahogany Springs runs a tree planting scheme where guests can offset their carbon footprint (this must be pre-booked) and in return, they can receive photo updates on the growth of their tree.
The lodge also supports Ride 4 a Woman, a project which supports local widows with skills training and equipment to start a business and provide for their families. The lodge supports the project through contracting the women to work at the lodge, making curtains, mosquito nets, clothing, cushions, lampshades and more. Located just a two minute walk from Mahogany Springs, clients are able to visit this project.
The Bwindi Plus Nursery and Primary Orphan School was set up by the Mahogany Springs housekeeper, who himself was an orphan raised by the local community. Moses’ dream was to give something back and with the support of numerous clients as well as the lodge itself, his dream came to fruition in 2015. Now with over 200 children at the school, it is constantly growing and providing education, accommodation and food to lots of children in need. The school is close to Mahogany Springs and guests can visit during their stay.
