Access & Location
The lodge is accessed via approximately 2 hours’ road transfer from Kigali. It’s situated only 5 minutes from Volcanoes National Park’s headquarters, amidst trees and with amazing views of the park.
One&Only Gorilla’s Nest
A luxurious lodge only 5 minutes from Volcanoes National Park’s headquarters
Spacious lounge, restaurant, bar, deck, gardens
Total of 14 rooms and 7 suites, each featuring a private balcony with beautiful views
Expertly guided gorilla treks, golden monkey treks, nature walks, volcanoes hikes, visits to Dian Fossey’s grave, village visits
Just 5 minutes from the park’s headquarters, Gorilla’s Nest has a fantastic location. It combines perfectly with One&Only Nyungwe House, which is close to the Nyungwe Forest.
Activities
Expertly guided gorilla treks
Golden monkey treks
Nature walks
Volcanoes hikes
Visits to Dian Fossey's grave
Village visits
Resort excursions
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Very conveniently, the distance from the property to the Volcanoes National Park headquarters can be covered in just 5 minutes. From HQ, guests set off on a trek in the company of a guide. Volcanoes is home to about two-thirds of the world’s mountain gorillas! The park’s 600 or so inhabitants are divided into 40 troops, of which eight are habituated to humans. Each trek focuses on finding one of the eight troops and spending an hour with its members, watching the majestic mammals eating and playing together. The time it takes to locate a troop can vary substantially, and your route through the forest can be pretty tough at times, but simply being in the presence of the gorillas is well worth the exertion.
Please note, this activity has a minimum age requirement of 15 years.
These treks are also accompanied by a knowledgeable and experienced guide. Travelers of all ages are invited to head into the forest in search of the golden monkey, an Old World species with a glorious golden patch on its back and upper flanks.
In addition to mountain gorilla and golden monkey, Volcanoes contains forest elephant, buffalo, spotted hyena, giant forest hog, bushpig, bushbuck, black-fronted duiker, and around 200 types of bird! Walks aim to provide sightings of all these species, and a guide is on hand to provide information and answer all your questions. During one such excursion, you could explore the Musanze Caves, complete with their colony of bats!
Gorilla’s Nest also offers opportunities for visitors to ascend the park’s steep volcanoes. For example, you could head up the Bisoke volcano. The views from the top, which include a crater lake, are breathtakingly brilliant!
Guests are invited to walk to primatologist Dian Fossey’s grave too. Situated in the midst of rainforest at high altitude, this is next to the remains of Dian’s research center and close to the final resting places of some of her beloved gorillas.
Add a generous dash of culture to your stay at Gorilla’s Nest, by visiting local village Iby’iwacu. Here, you can enjoy some exuberant drumming and dancing, interact with the friendly locals, and learn about daily life in this magical part of the world.
A Rwandan coffee tasting tour is a lovely option which ends off with a walk to their popular coffee garden. And for the more adventurous, mountain e-bikes are also available to explore the resort grounds.
Make an EnquiryFacilities
The communal facilities at One&Only Gorilla’s Nest are well-appointed.
Restaurant
Bar
Al fresco dining
Swimming pool
The lounge features a medley of modern-style seating around various coffee tables, all set out on imigongo-style rugs. Both floor and ceiling lighting is also modern in design, with lines that really complement the soft furnishings. There are imigongo elements in the restaurant too, where a range of tables-and-chairs are laid in readiness for delicious meals. The bar is positioned at one end of this space, with the lounge and dining areas flowing out onto a spacious deck. Here, guests can relax and dine al fresco, all the while marvelling at the views! And the gardens are perfect for a gentle stroll between activities.
Please be aware that the swimming pool here has no depth markings and no ‘No Diving’ signs, so take care before you jump in!
Make an EnquiryAmenities
Guest accommodation consists of 14 rooms and 7 suites.
Set up in the midst of trees, each feels very private, and the interiors are exquisitely presented in combinations of chic neutrals and vibrant patterns. At entry-level, there’s the Forest Treehouse. Furnishings include a double bed, bedside stands and lighting, and ample storage units. There’s a separate seating area too, featuring a contemporary-style chaise longue, an easy chair, a sleek coffee table, and a cosy fireplace. In-room amenities comprise a television, a telephone, a mini-bar, and Wi-Fi. The en-suite washroom is positioned to one side of the bedroom space, behind a partition, and it contains a flush toilet, twin washbasins, a shower, and a freestanding bathtub. From the living area, doors lead out onto a private balcony – this offers a couple of chairs, a table, and beautiful views over Volcanoes National Park! Next up, there’s the Susa Treehouse, an excellent option for a small group or a family. If you’re looking for a little extra luxury, you could consider one of the three suite categories here. The Virunga suites have an open-air bathtub on its private deck. You then have the two presidential suites, Ingagi benefits from expansive living and dining spaces, and Silverback boasts an open-air lounge, barbecue terrace, and its own fire-pit!
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