One & Only Gorilla’s Nest
One & Only Gorilla’s Nest provides a unique opportunity to watch endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat, situated in the slopes of the stunning Virunga volcano range. Visitors can discover areas rarely traversed in one of the globe’s most extraordinary natural settings. One & Only Gorilla’s Nest is the premier ultra-luxury resort located in Kinigi, northwest Rwanda, about five minutes from Volcanoes National Park. The park hosts the largest population of mountain gorillas, five dormant volcanoes, and is classified as a rainforest due to its montane ecology.
Upon arrival, guests at One & Only Gorilla’s Nest are greeted with a traditional Rwandan welcome, characterized by the resonant sounds of colorful drummers as they traverse the expansive wooden gates along the native volcanic stone pathway, unveiling the striking Eucalyptus forest beyond. A trademark rose welcome beverage from the resort’s rose garden, or locally sourced coffee, is served from the Main Lodge, where fireplaces blaze and native African art is displayed, serving as the gathering spot after a long day of trekking.
Elegantly crafted private retreats harmoniously integrate with the surroundings, presenting an exclusive assortment of 21 jungle-chic accommodations. The establishment has 10 Forest King Lodges, four Two-Bedroom Forest Lodges, five Virunga Suites, an Ingagi Suite, and a Silverback Suite, each meticulously planned to showcase nature and situated among Eucalyptus trees on elevated stilts. Private decks and in-room fires provide visitors the chance to immerse themselves in the expansive terrain, seamlessly integrating the outdoors and facilitating an extraordinary African experience. Suites have expansive living and dining spaces, complemented by authentic natural experiences featuring outdoor baths elevated among the trees, ensuring maximum solitude. Each lodge design is contemporary, embodying an African aesthetic that reflects the colors of the surrounding landscapes and the earth, incorporating local volcanic rock, accented by black and white Rwandan imigongo patterns.
Patrons savor cuisine in the primary restaurant, Nest, which provides both indoor and outdoor dining options, along with a private dining space accommodating up to 22 guests. Executive Chef Bryan English and his crew emphasize local and organic cuisine, utilizing the plentiful vegetables from regional farmers and his own Chef’s Garden. Like One & Only Nyungwe House, the culinary team develops a unique cuisine each day, emphasizing Rwandan and African elements according to guests’ preferences and dietary requirements. Guests may opt for private outdoor dining experiences, barbecues, and picnics, or choose lighter meals offered at the Pool Bar throughout the day. Nest Bar offers traditional drinks enhanced with a contemporary flair, including rose water and eucalyptus sourced from the adjacent forest.
The One & Only Spa, in collaboration with the South African firm Terres d’Afrique, serves clients with holistic therapies utilizing plant-based African products and features two treatment rooms within a private facility. Guests may choose treatments customized for particular body areas, including three exclusive signature treatments at One & Only Gorilla’s Nest that reflect the locale, drawing inspiration from the local community and environment: the Forest Coffee and Coconut Treatment, The Gorilla’s Nest Essence of Rose, and Post Trek & Travel. Guests have access to Club One amenities, which include a relaxation area, an open-air heated pool, a plunge pool, a Fitness Centre featuring a steam room and sauna, and the Pool Bar that serves healthy options, including fruit juices that transition into evening cocktails.
One & Only Gorilla’s Nest has Jack Hanna’s Cottage, formerly held by the respected conservationist. The property has been meticulously restored to honor Jack’s legacy in Rwanda, maintaining the original wooden flooring, distinctive antique furnishings, and memorabilia from his time in Rwanda. Resort guests may peruse the library to acquire knowledge about gorillas and conservation efforts, enjoy a leisurely evening in the games area equipped with a snooker table and board games, or retreat to the snug for cinema viewing. The cottage organizes many activities, including informative lectures by local conservation specialists, culinary lessons, and exclusive cigar and whisky tastings.
Guests can explore the destination through activities in the National Park as well as a variety of on-resort experiences available for booking at the dedicated Experience Centre. Each activity is designed to accommodate the physical capabilities of every guest, with the Experience Team, led by Marelize Conradie, customizing each itinerary according to guests’ preferences. Experiences encompass Coffee Tasting with the resort’s barista and local coffee connoisseur; Musanze (Kinigi) is a renowned coffee cultivation region in Rwanda, where guests can sample an array of coffee beans produced from a female-operated cooperative farm. Guests may partake in yoga on an outdoor terrace, acquire photography skills at the Studio, or cycle to a local hamlet to explore Rwandan culture and history, the craft of basket weaving, and see traditional dance and music performances, among other activities.
Situated merely two and a half hours from Kigali International Airport, visitors can enjoy a picturesque drive through the undulating hills of the countryside and intriguing towns, or opt for a stunning 25-minute helicopter flight from the airport to the resort’s private helipad.
One & Only Gorilla’s Nest is the second One & Only resort in Rwanda, complementing One & Only Nyungwe House, which commenced operations in October 2018, providing visitors with an unparalleled ultra-luxury twin-centre experience to explore this intriguing nation. One & Only Nyungwe House and One & Only Gorilla’s Nest are components of One & Only’s refined portfolio, featuring resorts in extraordinary settings of genuine and untamed nature.
THINGS TO DO AT ONE & ONLY GORILLA’S NEST:
Gorilla’s Nest provides the subsequent experiences:
Expertly guided gorilla treks – Please be advised that this activity has a minimum age requirement of 15 years. The property is strategically located about 5 minutes from the Volcanoes National Park headquarters. Guests depart from headquarters accompanied by a guide for a trek. Volcanoes provide the habitat for around two-thirds of the global population of mountain gorillas. The park’s approximately 600 inhabitants are organized into 40 units, of which eight are accustomed to human interaction. Each expedition centers on locating one of the eight regiments and observing its members for an hour while they engage in feeding and social interactions. The duration required to find a troop might fluctuate significantly, and navigating the forest may prove challenging at times; yet, the experience of being in the presence of the gorillas justifies the effort.
Golden monkey treks are conducted with the accompaniment of a skilled and experienced guide. Individuals of all ages are encouraged to venture into the forest in pursuit of the golden monkey, a species from the Old World distinguished by its resplendent golden patch on its back and upper flanks.
Nature hikes – In addition to mountain gorillas and golden monkeys, Volcanoes National Park is home to forest elephants, buffalo, spotted hyenas, huge forest hogs, bushpigs, bushbucks, black-fronted duikers, and about 200 species of birds. Walks are designed to facilitate observations of all these species, with a guide available to furnish information and address any inquiries. On one such expedition, you may investigate the Musanze Caves, which house a colony of bats.
Gorilla’s Nest provides opportunity for visitors to hike the park’s rugged volcanoes. For instance, one could ascend the Bisoke volcano. The vistas from the summit, featuring a crater lake, are astonishingly magnificent!
Visitors are encouraged to walk to the grave of primatologist Dian Fossey. Located in a high-altitude jungle, this site is adjacent to the remnants of Dian’s research center and near the burial sites of some of her cherished gorillas.
Enhance your experience at Gorilla’s Nest by immersing yourself in the local culture through a visit to the Iby’iwacu village. Here, one may experience vibrant drumming and dance, engage with amiable residents, and gain insights into daily life in this enchanting region.
Resort Excursions – A Rwandan coffee tasting tour is an excellent choice that concludes with a stroll through their renowned coffee garden. For the most intrepid, mountain e-bikes are available to traverse the resort premises.
