Virunga Lodge

Virunga Lodge: Seeking opulent yet reasonably priced lodging in Volcanoes National Park? Consider reserving accommodations at the Virunga Lodge. Virunga Lodge is an exclusive and distinctive luxury accommodation for travelers seeking to trek the mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National park and spend a night in the vicinity to fully appreciate the environment.

The Virunga Lodge is approximately a 40-minute to one-hour drive from the Volcanoes National Park headquarters in Kinigi town. The Virunga Lodge has welcomed visitors from throughout the globe, including Rwanda, for over 15 years, having celebrated its 15th anniversary in 2019. The Virunga Lodge boasts beautiful views, overlooking the Virunga mountain range, which includes Mount Sabinyo, Mount Karisimbi, Mount Gahinga, Mount Bisoke, and Mount Muhabura, all accessible for hiking from the Rwandan side.

The Virunga Lodge is situated at an elevation of 2,175 meters atop a hill, providing guests with a continuous view of the Virunga volcanoes to the northwest as a stunning backdrop. The tourists will enjoy a panoramic view of the twin lakes of Rwanda, Lake Burera and Lake Ruhondo, situated in the eastern Musanze valley.

This hotel was constructed by Praveen Moman in 2004 and has since been accommodating guests seeking a friendly and luxury experience. The Rwandan property features an African yet chic design, complemented by timeless handmade items distributed around the resort. The style is tailored to accommodate luxury travelers annually, with staff that is trained and exceptionally hospitable to this demographic.

The Virunga Lodge features eleven opulent Banda rooms constructed with stone walls and wooden floors, adorned with elegant wooden furnishings. Each of these ten rooms features a spacious balcony that serves as both a vantage point and a sitting area to appreciate the lodge’s scenery, see the sunset, and admire the mountains. Each cottage is situated on the hill, providing guests with seclusion during their stay. The apartments feature a private fireplace that ensures guests remain toasty during their stay in this frigid region of the country. The opulent bandas feature shower rooms equipped with double vanities, solar-heated water, and low-flush toilets, rendering them eco-friendly.

The 10 bandas of the Virunga Lodge consist of two categories: ordinary bandas and luxury bandas, which vary in size, facilities, and cost. The Virunga Lodge comprises 8 regular bandas and 2 premium bandas, designated as Ibirunga and Ibiyaga. The luxury bandas feature a private sitting space, with a more intricate and sophisticated décor, distinguishing them from the other rooms.

The luxury bandas feature expansive hot tubs, which are advantageous on chilly days at the resort, and the terrace seating area is significantly larger than that of the other bandas. The terraces of the luxury rooms offer superior views of the Virunga volcanoes and the twin lakes, Burera and Ruhondo.

Each hotel visitor will receive a personal butler during their stay, and the room cost will encompass spa and sauna treatments. The lodge features a beautiful spa named Ikirunga, where tourists may unwind after the physically taxing excursions in Volcanoes National Park.

Virunga Lodge offers a convivial and adventurous atmosphere, since all guests dine together at a communal table in the evening. The resort employs highly qualified staff who go above and beyond to enhance the guests’ satisfaction during their stay.

In addition to offering delightful amenities, the lodge features indigenous ‘Indore’ dance troupes that perform to entertain tourists following their viewing of the mountain gorillas, and massage services are also available.

Virunga Lodge is presently the premier lodge in the region, boasting one of the most breathtaking sites of any camp in Africa, situated on a ridge that overlooks both lakes.

During your stay at the Virunga resort, you will have the opportunity to visit local community projects, allowing you to observe, support their initiatives, or engage with the local populace as part of your Rwanda safari experience. Receive a complimentary bottle of wine, whisky, or drink crafted by the adept bartenders at the lodge. WiFi connection will be complimentary and available to all guests at the main lodge, which also features a Dian Fossey Map room.

The Dian Fossey Map Room in the Virunga Lodge was established to honor Dian Fossey, the primatologist who devoted her life to the conservation of mountain gorillas. This area was inaugurated for guests in March 2017, with a permanent display that highlights the conservationists and explorers of the Virunga Volcanoes from 1850 to 1985, curated by the historical writer Giulia Ajmone Marsan.

The Virunga Lodge features a troupe of Intore dancers who entertain guests upon arrival and during the evenings of their stay. A Virunga Lodge Standard banda costs approximately 1,200 USD per person per night on a full board basis. Contact us to arrange your stay at the Virunga Lodge.

How to get there:

• From Kigali, Rwanda: It’s about a 2–3 hour drive by car. Alternatively, there is a helicopter transfer from Kigali which takes about 20 minutes. From Mount Gahinga Lodge (Uganda): There’s a drive via Kisoro → Cyanika border and then up to the lodge. Volcanoes Safaris provides directions.