Rwanda is a fast-growing economy, and tourism is central to this growth. Whereas most tourists to Rwanda focus on the mountain gorillas, the government has worked tirelessly to diversify its major attractions. One can now go and spot the big five at Akagera National Park, bike through the famous Congo Nile Trail, or track chimpanzees in the Nyungwe forest. To catch up with the growth in the tourism industry, several hotels have sprung up outside Kigali and close to the national parks, offering a range of facilities, From Luxury accommodation facilities, Mid-range facilities, and Budget facilities according to someone’s budget. Lodges in Rwanda for Sustainable Travel Hotels and Lodges in Rwanda
We have already looked at hotels and lodges for gorilla trekking. Today, we shall look at the very best luxury hotels and lodges outside Kigali that you can use while visiting Rwanda on a safari.
Bisate Lodge
Bisate Eco-Lodge is simply the best lodge in Rwanda. The lodge is built on the slopes of one of the volcanoes with amazing views of the Volcanoes National Park. Bisate is beautifully designed and offers amazing facilities with uncompromising quality services.
Each villa at this exceptional luxury lodge offers dramatic views of the Bisoke and Karisimbi volcanoes, featuring en-suite bathrooms, private decks, and warming fireplaces. The lodge’s amenities include a wine cellar, a library, and a spa offering treatments using local traditional ingredients.
Their pioneering reforestation project has transformed a former agricultural plot into a thriving indigenous forest, demonstrating their commitment to environmental restoration.
Virunga Lodge
This was the best before Bisate came and changed the status quo. The lodge has won international awards because of the quality services on offer. Virunga Lodge offers ten luxury cottages made out of local materials and decorated with beautiful fabrics and African art.
While at the lounge, guests can read books about wildlife. A double room costs about $1,100, including drinks and food. Hotels and Lodges in Rwanda
One&Only Gorilla’s Nest
One&Only is a resort group operating two Luxury lodges in Rwanda. They first started with a facility in Nyungwe Forest before acquiring the former Gorilla’s Nest Lodge at the Volcanoes National Park and turning it into an ultra-luxury lodge. One&Only Gorilla’s Nest at the Volcanoes National Park is surrounded by an eucalyptus forest with simple but high-quality luxury rooms.
The lodge boasts world-class facilities, including an infinity pool overlooking the volcanoes, a fully equipped gym, and the Nest spa offering traditional Rwandan treatments. The property’s Nest restaurant serves farm-to-table cuisine, incorporating ingredients from their organic garden. Their sustainable initiatives include a water recycling system, solar power integration, and partnerships with local communities for cultural preservation.
One&Only Gorilla’s Nest is close to the park gate and is a great place to stay if you are planning to spot the gorillas and golden monkeys or hike one of the volcanoes. Hotels and Lodges in Rwanda
One&Only Nyungwe House
This lodge is located within the Gisakura tea plantation and close to the border with Burundi. Furthermore, it underwent renovation and reopened in 2018 to offer luxury facilities within Nyungwe National Park. One&Only Nyungwe House has fifteen rooms with balconies offering great views of the forest. Additionally, it is possible to reach the hotel by helicopter or chartered flight.
These Rwanda luxury lodges offer amenities including an infinity pool overlooking the rainforest, a fitness center, and a spa utilizing locally sourced products. The gastronomic experience includes tea-tasting sessions and farm-to-table dining featuring ingredients from their organic garden. Their sustainable practices include rainwater harvesting, waste reduction programs, and community employment initiatives.
Singita Kwitonda Lodge
The lodge takes its name from a dominant silverback in one of Volcanoes National Park’s gorilla groups. As a premier destination in the Musanze District, the lodge features nine beautifully designed, self-contained suites and villas offering double, single, and family rooms. Additionally, the hotel has a section where staff members and their Manager stay ready to offer 24-hour services to guests.
The amenities at this pinnacle of Rwanda luxury lodges include a state-of-the-art spa, a wine cellar featuring rare African wines, and a garden-to-table restaurant serving locally-inspired cuisine. Conservation lies at the heart of Singita Kwitonda’s operations, with the lodge maintaining a native plant nursery that has already planted over 250,000 trees in the area. The property’s sustainable practices extend to its architecture, which uses locally sourced materials and employs renewable energy systems.
Ruzizi Tented Lodge:
This is arguably the best lodge in Akagera National Park. The lodge is close to the park headquarters and is managed by African Parks. It is built close to a lake with stunning views and opportunities to spot animals like hippos and primates in the forest. The tented camp provides very comfortable rooms but still gives a feeling of being out there in the wilderness.
The accommodation at Ruzizi Tented Lodge is designed to offer a serene and relaxing experience. Guests can enjoy the lodge’s communal areas, including a dining area, lounge, and bar. The lodge also features a fire pit, where guests can gather in the evenings to share stories and enjoy the starry skies.
The tents also have hot showers and clean toilets. The international food served is tasty and fresh. Rooms at Ruzizi Tented Lodge cost about $200 (excluding the park activities).
Akagera Game Lodge
This lodge is the main competitor to Ruzizi Tented Lodge. It is built on a hill and with bricks instead of the tents used in Ruzizi Tented Lodge. Akagera Game Lodge offers great views of the park from its elevated position on the hill. Mantis Akagera Game Lodge designs its accommodation to provide a luxurious and relaxing experience. Guests can enjoy the lodge’s swimming pool, spa, and fitness center, as well as a restaurant serving gourmet cuisine. The lodge also features a bar and lounge area where guests can unwind with a drink and enjoy the beautiful surroundings.
The attentive staff ensures that every guest’s needs are met, providing exceptional service and hospitality. The rooms have nice wooden furniture and stone walls with televisions and internet connectivity.
Magashi Camp
Magashi Camp, built recently in 2018 by Wilderness Safaris, overlooks Lake Rwanyakazinga on the northeastern side of Akagera National Park. However, Magashi, the most luxurious lodge in Akagera, commits to wildlife conservation. African art decorates the lodge’s open-tent rooms.
The camp features a main lodge area with a bar, dining room, and pool deck, all designed to maximize views of the lake and its hippo population. Rwanda luxury lodges like Magashi pride themselves on their game-viewing experiences, including boat safaris and night drives. Their commitment to conservation includes supporting anti-poaching efforts and local community development programs.
Lake Kivu Serena
Lake Kivu Serena, situated in Gisenyi near the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo, stands as the premier hotel in Gisenyi, offering the opulent services characteristic of the Serena hotel chain. The establishment boasts a generously sized swimming pool, complemented by spacious, well-appointed rooms featuring elegant carpets, modern bathrooms, and tasteful furnishings.
Moreover, guests can opt to explore the nearby border with Congo, take a leisurely lakeside stroll, observe locals engaging in swimming and fishing activities, or plan gorilla tracking or a Mount Nyiragongo climb in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with Lake Kivu Serena serving as an ideal base.
The Retreat by Heaven
This intimate hotel features beautifully crafted villas with private terraces and plunge pools, where African artistry meets modern sophistication. The on-site Heaven Restaurant serves a delightful fusion of African flavors, using farm-fresh ingredients to create a memorable dining experience.
Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel
The Hotel is located in Musanze (Ruhengeri), on the road going to Kinig. It is the perfect starting point to go for different activities that the Volcanoes National Park offers, but also gives you a lot of opportunities to rest and enjoy the relaxing atmosphere of our lodge.
Amidst the lush gardens is an inviting pool alongside a massage hut, sauna, and steam room for ultimate relaxation. The stone cottages embody a distinctive Rwandan style, with outdoor seating that frames vistas of the surrounding volcanic mountain range
Amakoro Songa Lodge
Primate Lodge rooms are spacious and blend modern and traditional styles. Each room features a fireplace, comfortable beds, and an en-suite bathroom with hot and cold running water. Guests also enjoy a private deck, seating area, satellite TV, hair dryer, and tea and coffee-making facilities. Complimentary water bottles and toiletries complete every stay.
