Luxury accommodation in Rwanda | Luxury Lodges in Volcanoes National Park

Where to stay on your Luxury Gorilla trekking Tour in the Volcanoes National Park – Rwanda

Travellers making the trek to see Rwanda’s mountain gorillas are now spoiled for choice thanks to several new luxury accommodations and lodges in the Volcanoes National Park.

One& Only Gorilla’s nest — Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda

Luxury Lodge in Volcanoes National Park Rwanda

And those seeking outright opulence will be thrilled with One & Only Gorilla’s Nest. From the moment you arrive, fragrant fauna and flora greet you. A hidden garden at the top of the volcanic mountains where a world of roses and eucalyptus trees grow all year round in the fertile Rwandan soil. Not only does the plant life contribute to everything from your welcome drink to your dinner and the logs burning on the fire – every plant and tree is chosen to encourage flourishing wildlife. A perfect ecosystem that is constantly growing – your backdrop, your hideaway and your palate.

The property’s 21 rooms and suites are built tree-house style in a lush landscape created with thousands of plants and flowers tended to by a team of staff gardeners. The décor throughout is rich and textured, mixing African textiles and art with contemporary furniture and finishes. Every room has a fireplace and a deck, and the one- and two-bedroom suites have outdoor showers (the Virunga suite even has an open-air soaking tub). The food, in the hands of the talented husband-and-wife chefs Bryan and Louise English, is equally sophisticated, blending African and international techniques into daily-changing menus. After a long day mucking through the jungle, few things are better than a pair of slippers (provided while your boots are cleaned) and Louise’s pastries. Doubles from $3,485— James Rumney.

Singita Kwitonda — Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda

Set in Rwanda’s northwestern reaches, right on the edge of Volcanoes National Park, Singita Kwitonda Lodge’s unparalleled position puts life-changing gorilla-trekking experiences within easy reach.

Singita Kwitonda Lodge, Luxury Lodges while on your Gorilla trek Volcanoes

Among the most striking symbols of Rwanda’s unlikely transformation into one of the world’s leading ecotourism destinations is the new Singita Kwitonda Lodge. The expansive property sits at the base of the extinct Virunga volcanoes, where the central African nation’s most renowned natural attraction — the 340-odd endangered mountain gorillas — live in jungles protected from poachers by armed rangers. The lodge feels as if it sprouted naturally from the location itself: Each of the dozen free-standing suites is handcrafted from locally made bricks and quarried stone, with interiors decorated with works by Rwandan artists, private hot tubs, and floor-to-ceiling windows that offer unobstructed views of jagged Mount Karisimbi. But the highlight of any stay is the hike to meet the majestic primates face-to-face in Volcanoes National Park. Every piece of trekking equipment can be provided by the lodge, from state-of-the-art footwear to trousers and walking sticks. After the day hike, the return to the lodge has its own otherworldly air with a fireside glass of bubbly, a gourmet meal (needless to say, the chefs are local and the ingredients come from nearby farms and the lodge’s own garden), or a massage on the table that sits in every suite. Doubles from $1,650 per person, all-inclusive. — Tony Perrottet