Virunga Lodge is the luxury gorilla experience in Rwanda and one of Africa’s finest and most renowned lodges. The lodge is perched high on a ridge with the finest views in Africa, overlooking the Virunga Volcanoes and the Musanze valley to the west and Lake Burera and Ruhondo to the east.
Each of our ten luxurious Banda’s has a private terrace from which our guests can watch the sunrise over the dramatic landscape of mountains and lakes, an individual fire place, a shower room with a double vanity.
The two deluxe Banda’s called Ibirunga and Ibiyaga have their own private sitting room and more refined interiors and will also include a hot tub and a larger terrace overlooking the majestic Virunga volcanoes or the twin lakes.
The lodge has ten stand-alone Banda’s that are spread out across the ridge. The main lodge, which homes a lounge area, a dining room and the Dian Fossey map room, is particularly inviting, especially in the evening after an exciting day in the national park.
Trekking to see the mountain gorillas and golden monkeys is usually the activity that attracts people to the Volcanoes National Park initially. Other activities at the lodge include climbing Karisimbi and Visoke volcanoes, visiting the nearby twin lakes and doing some communal activities such as watching traditional dance performers, visiting a local primary school and visiting the Roz Carr’s orphanage which takes care of lost or orphaned by the Rwandan genocide).
Bisate lodge is located next to Volcanoes National Park in the west of Rwanda, sat on the natural slopes of its own extinct volcanic core. Bisate is close to the town of Kinigi, where the park headquarters are situated, providing an excellent base for visits into the park and gorilla trekking safari in the mist.
The six forest villas at Bisate Lodge are truly memorable. Inspired by the architecture of the ancient royal palace of the Rwanda monarchy, the suites at Bisate are dome-shaped and covered in thatch and bamboo thickets. Although its exterior is traditionally ‘Rwandan’, its interior contrasts with fresh and modern decor, including bold tones of grey and green to reflect its location in the heart of the mountains.
The main activity at Bisate is trekking with one of the ten habituated gorilla groups of the Volcano National Park. The lodges offer a range of walks around the property, particularly good for those interested in birding and the current reforestation programmes. Visits to the lava tunnels of the Musanze Caves and the Iby’Iwacu cultural village are also offered, as well as seeing the endemic golden monkey.
Singita Kwitonda Lodge & Kataza House located on a breathtaking, isolated but contained 178-acre piece of land right on the edge of Volcanoes National Park. The presence of the lodge on the park border will help to improve the function of the buffer area between agricultural plots and the habitat of the estimated 320 mountain gorillas that find sanctuary here.
Set within a landscape of wetlands and lush meadows, there is eight suites and a four-bedroom villa linked by volcanic rock pathways to a central lodge. The Singita Kwitonda Lodge is built to embody the spirit of Rwanda and offer a tribute to the lodge’s namesake Kwitonda a great silver back gorilla whose legend lives on in Rwanda and was known for his humility and gentleness.
One & Only Gorilla’s Nest provides breath-taking views of Rwandan hills and the slopes of the Volcanoes National Park. Guests are able to discover the magical habitat of critically endangered mountain gorillas, a rare adventure. Bespoke accommodation honors the location and natural elements are woven throughout the resort, to inform the design of both the public and private spaces of the resort.
Local African cuisine surrounds a traditional Boma, providing the perfect location to share adventures from the day and enjoy fruit and vegetables from the resort’s garden. The resort also offers an indulgent One & Only spa. The One & only Resorts also has a second lodge in Rwanda, offering guest a journey to the country’s two most spectacular national parks.
Sabyinyo Silver Back Lodge
A classic on the Rwanda gorilla trekking circuit, staying at Sabyinyo is like visiting an old friend. Warm, welcoming and super-cozy, the terracotta chalets look over a landscape straight out of ‘Gorillas in the mist’, complete with rolling hills and lilting fog. The ever-present Virunga Mountains provide a magnificent backdrop and that’s exactly where you’re headed for your gorilla trek.
The lodge is only a few minutes away from the gate into Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park and the trek starting point, leaving you more time to enjoy a morning coffee and a hearty breakfast (good for the energy levels!) before trekking.
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