Rwanda gorilla trekking luxury lodges
Rwanda gorilla trekking luxury lodges are important accommodation facilities to consider when planning gorilla trekking tours to Rwanda. Rwanda has positioned itself as a luxury gorilla trekking destination in Africa, with the cost of a gorilla trekking permit in Rwanda going for USD 1500 dollars per person. This is quite expensive as compared to her neighbors Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo where gorilla trekking permits go for USD 600 per person and USD 400 dollars respectively.
These gorilla trekking lodges in Rwanda are strategically situated near and some within Volcanoes National Park. The national park is located in Ruhengeri district in the northwestern province of Rwanda. The park was established in 1925 and spans over a radius of 160 square kilometers.
Gorilla trekking lodges in Rwanda offers their guests high quality services and give priority to the needs and preferences of each and every visitor. Some of these Rwanda gorilla trekking lodges include;
- Bisate Lodge
The Bisate Lodge is a luxury accommodation facility that is strategically situated within Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. The lodge was constructed on an eroded volcanic creator and has 6 en-suite rooms. It is a luxurious lodge that can accommodate a maximum of 12 guests.
Guests staying at the Bisate Lodge are graced with stunning views of Bisoke and Karisimbi and Mikeno Mountains. The lodge’s six en-suite forest villas offer guests uttermost comfort and relaxation during their stay at the lodge. The guest rooms are very spacious that feature amenities like; queen size beds, an ensuite bathroom with hot and cold water running, wardrobes, dressing table, Wi-Fi and room service. The lodge offers its guests services such as; free Wi-Fi, restaurant, well stocked bar and restaurant, a well-equipped fitness gym, free parking, airport transportation and laundry services to mention but a few.
Visitors staying at Bisate lodge can take part in a number of activities such as; walks to the surrounding local communities and birding. The lodge is a great place to for visitors to spend the night before or after trekking gorillas in Volcanoes national park.
Bisate Lodge in Rwanda is located in Ruhengeri just 106 km from Kigali City. It is a 2 and a half minute drive from Kigali to the Lodge.
- Virunga Lodge.
Virunga Lodge is located in Kinigi in Volcanoes National Park. The lodge is an hours’ drive from the park’s headquarters, and offers its guests stunting views of lakes Burera and Ruhondo. It is the Rwanda’s first ever luxury gorilla lodge and one of the finest in Africa.
Virunga Lodge in Volcanoes national park was constructed on a hill with stunning views of the Virunga Volcano Mountains, Rwanda’s twin lakes of Burera and Ruhondo, and the Musanze valley.
The lodge has 10 luxurious bandas; each featuring a private terrace, an individual fire place, en-suite bathrooms, a large wardrobe, hair dryer, a dressing table and 24 hour room service and concierge for all guests. In addition to this, the lodge offers all its guests a 30 minute complimentary massage on their first day of checking into the facility.
Virunga Lodge in Rwanda offers its guests activities such as; a tour of the Dian Fossey map room, nature walks, music and entertainment from the local Indore dance group, spa massages amongst others.
Virunga Lodge in Volcanoes National Park can be accessed by road from Kigali which is a 3 hours’ drive to the lodge. The lodge can also be accessed via air from Kigali International Airport which is a 20 minutes flight by helicopter. One can also take a 1 hour flight from Entebbe International Airport in Uganda and then drive for 2 hours to the Lodge.
- Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge.
Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge is Rwanda’s first ever community owned Lodge. It is located close to Volcanoes National Park and is a sister lodge to the popular ‘Governors Camp’ in Kenya’s Maasai Mara National Park. The lodge is a 5- Star luxury accommodation facility situated in Musanze district next to Volcanoes National Park. It is located at the foothill of the Virunga ranges offering visitors explicit views of the five volcanoes in Rwanda and the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Lodge has six cottage rooms, two VIP suites and a family cottage for guests travelling with children. The rooms are spacious, have a walk- in bathroom with Hot water available, beautiful wall hangings and paintings as well. The rooms in the lodge have other amenities such as; a dressing table, a minibar stocked with bottled water and bottles of wine for their guests. The rooms also have a comfortable sitting area with a fire place to keep warm during cold evenings and a private balcony.
The suites in Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge are relatively large as compared to the cottages with a separate lounge area and television. The family cottage has two spacious en-suite bathrooms joined by a shared balcony.
The Lodge has a main lobby with outdoor decks, large and comfortable sofas where one can sit, relax and take in the beautiful views of the landscape especially the Virunga Mountains.
The Sabyinyo Silverback lodge also has a fine restaurant where guests can wine and dine to fine meals prepared by the lodge’s experienced and creative chefs. The lodge has two dining areas; one inside with a fire place for cold nights and the second outside.
The Sabyinyo silverback Lodge is a luxurious Lodge that offers its guests with amenities like; spa treatments, fitness club given its well-equipped gym, free Wi-Fi and in- door dining.
Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge is a 20 minute drive from Volcanoes National Park headquarters in Kinigi. The lodge is approximately 2½-3 hours’ drive from Kigali City in Rwanda and can also be accessed by air with domestic flights from Kigali International Airport to Kihihi Airport.
- Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge.
Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge is located in the Kinigi sector of Volcanoes National Park, near Musanze town in Rwanda. The lodge was constructed using eco-friendly materials like bamboo, and is comprised of 23 self-contained private cottages. Each of these cottages features a fireplace, a working desk, Wi-Fi, private fridge, flat screen cable TV, and large comfortable beds.
The lodge offers its guests mid-range accommodation which is budget friendly especially for gorilla trekkers. The lodge’s close proximity to the park’s headquarters in Kinigi, makes it a convenient lodging option for trekkers.
Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge is situated 2 hours and half from Kigali International Airport, and is only a 10 minutes’ drive from Volcanoes National Park.
Other gorilla trekking lodges in Rwanda include; Kinigi guesthouse, Mountain gorilla view and Gorilla Volcanoes Lodge.
Visitors doing gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda can book a night or two in any of the above mentioned lodges. And while you are at it, you can take part in other activities that are offered by the national park such as; a hike to Dian Fossey tomb, hiking Bisoke and Karisimbi Mountains, golden monkey trekking, a guided forest walk, bird watching, and a visit to the Iby’ Iwacu Community Village.
Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda takes places in groups of a maximum of 8 members per gorilla group. Gorilla trekking activities in the park begin at 7am every morning with a briefing from the head guide at the park, and actual trekking commences at 8am.
Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park can take from 1 to 8 hours depending on the location of the gorilla group. Once a gorilla group has been located, trekkers are given only an hour to spend with the gorillas before returning to the park headquarters. The activity is restricted to visitors aged 15 and above years.
Trekking mountain gorillas in the park still remains the best primate experience that any visitors could ever ask for on a visit to Rwanda. Visitors staying at any of these gorilla trekking lodges in Rwanda is sure to have a relaxing and inspiring trip to Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park.
