There are safaris – and then there is meeting Rwanda’s mountain gorillas. You come here for the softly rounded green hills, the deep rainforest, and that unmistakable feeling of stepping into another world. Standing just a few metres from a gorilla family, hearing the youngsters snort and play, and meeting the silverback’s calm gaze is the kind of experience that stays with you long after the suitcase has been unpacked.

That’s why Upplev Sydafrika highlights gorilla trekking in Rwanda as one of our signature journeys in East Africa. Here, dramatic scenery is paired with exceptional lodges, genuinely personal service, and thoughtful details from start to finish. A typical trek begins at first light, as dawn filters through bamboo and rainforest canopy. You hike through dense, emerald forest until your guide stops, raises a hand – and suddenly you’re right in the middle of the gorillas’ daily life. It’s quiet, close, and unexpectedly moving.

In the Volcanoes area you can also track golden monkeys, alongside unforgettable encounters with Rwanda’s mountain gorillas. Add Kigali – a modern, welcoming capital with a compelling story, excellent restaurants and stylish boutique hotels

As always, Upplev Sydafrika has handpicked some of Rwanda’s finest lodges and hotels – from exclusive rainforest retreats with roaring fires and private verandas to elegant addresses in Kigali – giving the gorilla experience the setting it truly deserves.

Volcanoes National Park

Volcanoes National Park in north-western Rwanda is the country’s most iconic national park and forms Rwanda’s share of the Virunga Mountains. The park borders Uganda to the north and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west, and covers just over 160 km². From around 2,400 metres and upwards, the landscape is shaped by dormant volcanoes, dense montane rainforest, bamboo thickets and open heath and grasslands – together creating habitats for rich flora and fauna. The park is best known as home to the critically endangered mountain gorillas, but it also supports golden monkeys, smaller antelopes, forest buffalo and excellent birdlife. The area was protected as early as the early 1900s and is often regarded as one of Africa’s first national parks.

Wilderness Sabyinyo

Wilderness Sabyinyo sits on lush green slopes just outside the village of Kinigi, with sweeping views towards the mighty volcanoes of Volcanoes National Park. Accommodation is in a small number of freestanding suites and a spacious family suite, each with a sitting area, fireplace, beautifully appointed bathroom and a private terrace – ideal for a post-trek drink as the day settles. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, with natural materials, muted tones and subtle Rwandan touches – more classic mountain lodge than safari cliché.
The main lodge houses the dining room, bar and several comfortable lounges where guests gather before and after their treks. On gorilla-trekking mornings, breakfast is served early, and on your return you can look forward to a proper lunch or afternoon tea. Evenings bring multi-course dinners prepared on site, often using local ingredients, with menus that shift with the season and the mood.
The location is a real advantage: it’s only a short drive to the meeting point for gorilla trekking, making those early starts feel far more civilised. Beyond the mountain gorillas, you can also head out in search of the rare golden monkey, enjoy gentle walks in the surrounding area, or visit nearby villages.
Wilderness Sabyinyo is run in partnership with the local community, with a share of the revenue returning to the villages around the lodge.

Children are welcome, but park regulations require guests to be at least 15 years old to take part in gorilla trekking.

Wilderness Bisate

Elegant Wilderness Bisate is set on a forested volcanic hillside just outside Volcanoes National Park, with far-reaching views across the surrounding peaks. You stay in one of the lodge’s freestanding suites, designed as contemporary takes on traditional Rwandan roundhouses – with a bedroom, sitting area, fireplace, generous bathroom and a private balcony where you can watch the mist lift from the valley below. The look is warm and cocooning, with natural materials, local craftsmanship and soft, earthy tones.
The main lodge houses the dining room, bar and inviting lounge spaces where guests gather before and after treks. The kitchen makes excellent use of produce from the lodge’s own garden and the surrounding area, giving breakfast, lunch and dinner a distinctly local character. After the rainforest, there’s nothing quite like returning to a hot shower, a drink in hand and a comfortable armchair.
Bisate is also a focused conservation and community project, with reforestation of indigenous woodland and close collaboration with the neighbouring villages. Its location means it’s only a short drive to the meeting point for gorilla trekking.

Children are welcome at Bisate, but park regulations require guests to be at least 15 years old to take part in gorilla trekking.

One&Only Gorilla’s Nest

Ultra-exclusive One&Only Gorilla’s Nest is the lodge for those who want nothing but the very best. Tucked among eucalyptus trees and verdant gardens just outside Volcanoes National Park, it comes with the volcanoes as a dramatic backdrop. You stay in freestanding suites that feel more like private villas than hotel rooms, with expansive glass, a terrace, a fireplace and beautifully appointed bathrooms. Interiors are styled in warm, understated tones with natural materials and Rwandan details that tie everything together. In the morning, you can watch the mist lift between the trees from your own terrace; after your trek, a heated pool, spa, yoga – or simply a glass of wine in a comfortable armchair – awaits.
At the heart of the lodge are a bar, lounge and terraces where it’s easy to linger. The culinary standard is consistently excellent, with frequently changing menus that showcase local produce – from an early breakfast before gorilla trekking to dinners that feel like a fitting finale to the day. The location is another advantage, with only a short drive to the meeting point for the gorilla treks.

Children are welcome to stay here, but park regulations require guests to be at least 15 years old to take part in gorilla trekking.

Amarembo by Touch Down

Amarembo by Touch Down is a small, charming retreat just outside Volcanoes National Park, wrapped in the lush greenery of the rainforest. Rather than a classic lodge or villa set-up, you stay in freestanding, round cottages built in local style, with a combined sleeping and sitting area and a private bathroom. The feel is comfortable yet characterful – lots of wood and natural materials, lifted by colourful textiles.
This is a place where you wake to birdsong rather than big views, and where evenings are best spent with a blanket, a drink in hand and a good conversation after the day’s adventures. Well-prepared meals are served in the shared dining area, or outdoors when the weather allows. The atmosphere is relaxed and homely – ideal for smaller groups and families.
Its location makes Amarembo a convenient base if your main focus is trekking: you’re close both to the meeting point for the gorilla treks and to Dian Fossey’s former research station and final resting place. A great choice if you want to stay close to nature, enjoy comfort and a personal feel – without the price tag of the area’s most ultra-luxurious lodges.

Children are welcome to stay here, but park regulations require guests to be at least 15 years old to take part in gorilla trekking.

Virunga Lodge

Virunga Lodge, part of Volcanoes Safaris, sits high on a mountain ridge at around 2,200 metres above sea level, a short distance from Volcanoes National Park (approximately 45 minutes by road). The setting offers one of Rwanda’s most spectacular panoramas: the dramatic silhouettes of the volcanoes in one direction, and far below in the other, the twin lakes Burera and Ruhondo.
Accommodation is in a small collection of freestanding stone-and-wood bandas, each with an en-suite bathroom, fireplace and private terrace. This is the perfect spot to wrap yourself in a blanket with a drink in hand as the light shifts across the lakes below. The style is warm and personal, with natural materials, local craftsmanship and colours that echo the lush landscape outside.
The main lodge houses the dining room, bar and inviting lounge areas, all with large windows framing the views. Generous breakfasts are served before early-morning gorilla treks, while evenings bring well-prepared dinners with a strong local influence after a day in the rainforest.
Virunga Lodge is deeply committed to conservation and community projects in the surrounding villages, adding a strong sense of place and purpose to the stay. It’s an excellent choice for travellers seeking high levels of comfort and personal service — but above all for those who want to stay somewhere truly special, defined by breathtaking views and a profound sense of space.

Children are welcome at the lodge; however, gorilla trekking is restricted to guests aged 15 and over, in accordance with park regulations.

Kigali

Kigali is Rwanda’s capital and largest city, spread across a beautiful patchwork of hills and valleys in the heart of the country. Set at around 1,500 metres above sea level, it enjoys a pleasantly mild climate and a calm, welcoming atmosphere.
Today Kigali feels modern and well-organised, with a growing café culture, excellent restaurants and a quietly stylish boutique-hotel scene. It also offers an important insight into Rwanda’s recent history, not least at the Kigali Genocide Memorial. For most travellers, Kigali is the natural gateway to the country’s highlights – from Volcanoes National Park to the shores of Lake Kivu.

Retreat Kigali (Hemingways Retreat Kigali)

The Retreat Kigali is a small, stylish boutique hotel in leafy Kiyovu, one of Kigali’s calmer neighbourhoods – an ideal first or last stop on your Rwanda journey. You’re close to the city, yet pleasantly tucked away, with gardens, a pool and a pace that feels a world away from the bustle after a long flight. The hotel offers around twenty rooms and suites, all individually designed with plenty of wood, light textiles, Rwandan craftsmanship and generous bathrooms. Most have a terrace or balcony overlooking the greenery.
At the heart of The Retreat is the pool area, alongside a spa, gym and a series of relaxed lounge spaces – perfect for a coffee or a drink. Dining is a real highlight, with fresh produce, vibrant flavours and a focus on vegetables, grilled dishes and local spices, served in the hotel’s own restaurants. It’s easy to pair a night here with a short city tour, a visit to the memorial, or a gentle walk in the surrounding streets before continuing north to Volcanoes National Park and the gorillas.
The Retreat Kigali suits couples, small groups and families alike – a comfortable, easy base to settle into the capital, sleep well and have every convenience in place before the adventure continues.

Children of all ages are welcome.

Contact Upplev Sydafrika for more information about travel to Rwanda.

Curated Add-On

Combine your adventurous days with mountain gorillas and golden monkeys with a superb safari in, for example, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia or Botswana. Get in touch with Safari Collection and we’ll be delighted to tell you more.