About

Lake Kivu Serena Hotel celebrates the shores of this African Great Lake as a destination of astonishing beauty, where pristine beaches and the sparkling waters of Africa’s sixth largest lake come together in breathtaking fashion. Your arrival is greeted by a bright, open-plan lobby giving way to a private stretch of beach reserved exclusively for hotel guests. We welcome you to experience unparalleled warmth, hospitality and relaxation at our tropically inspired hotel in Gisenyi, giving way to a private stretch of beach reserved exclusively for hotel guests. We welcome you to experience unparalleled warmth, hospitality and relaxation at our tropically inspired hotel in Gisenyi, Rwanda.

Virunga Lodge is situated in a spectacular location, overlooking the Virunga volcanoes and shimmering lakes of Ruhondo and Bulera. Virunga Lodge is 3 hours’ drive from Kigali, the Capital of Rwanda and it an hours drive from the park headquarters – start of all of the national park’s activities, including gorilla trekking.

Virunga Lodge is definitely on of the area’s top lodges. The lodge has 8 bandas, each with panoramic views of the magnificent surrounding landscape. The stone bandas are extremely spacious and have wooden floors, chunky wooden furniture and large verandas. The spectacular terraced gardens high on the ridge of the mountains is now well established and the focal point is a magical sunken garden.

Virunga Lodge prides itself on being an eco-lodge. The toilets are low flushing eco-friendly toilets and the water for the showers is heated by solar energy.

Fantastic food and exceptional personalized service by our carefully trained staff make it the first accommodation choice for tracking the endangered mountain gorilla. Each of our ten luxurious bandas has a private terrace from which our guests can watch the sunrise over the dramatic landscape of mountains and lakes, an individual fire place, a shower room with a double vanity.

The two deluxe bandas – called Ibirunga and Ibiyaga – have their own private sitting room and more refined interiors and will also include a hot tub and a larger terrace overlooking the majestic Virunga volcanoes or the twin lakes.

Immersed in greenery, situated in five striking wooden villa clusters, our treetop-skimming, luxury rooms and suites are secluded in wonderfully untamed, National Park surroundings. Our stunning Nyungwe National Park accommodation offers a one-of-a-kind escape, bordering one of Africa’s oldest rainforests. Situated in five striking wooden villa clusters, our treetop-skimming, luxury suites and rooms are secluded in wonderfully untamed surroundings, accommodating all adventure seekers and paying homage to Rwanda’s beauty and heritage. Enjoy exceptional dining and selected beverages included in your stay, plus two signature resort experiences daily. Your Nyungwe Room celebrates Rwanda’s natural beauty, from its immersive tree-grazing balcony to its chic African design and thoughtful furnishings.

Generous spaces and beautiful interiors make this bedroom amongst the trees a serene hub for exciting ecological adventures and wildlife encounters. Offering an expansive 40 square metres of living space, these Suites feature a King bed, a lavish bathroom with both a tub and a shower, an integrated work space, a private sitting room with a guest washroom and a furnished veranda overlooking Lake Kivu. Overlooking magical Lake Kivu, Kiyaga Restaurant offers sophisticated yet casual dining. The menu celebrates the best in Rwandese, African and international cuisine, showcasing innovative dishes prepared with the highest quality local ingredients.

Nestled in a small village outside the town of Kinigi, the Amakoro Songa Lodge is a genuine blend of conservation and tourism. Its eight luxurious cottages are designed and built to take advantage of its serene surroundings which give every visitor a chance to escape everyday life and a sense of tranquility. Amakoro Songa Lodge gets its name from the black volcanic rocks that characterize this mountainous part of Rwanda that is home to the Mountain Gorillas. The lodge is set on a seven-acre plot with beautifully manicured lawns, surrounded by the Muhabura, Gahinga and Sabinyo mountain volcanoes. All the cottages at Amakoro Songa Lodge are intentionally furnished with rustic elegance, fusing local and modern pieces that create a good warmth and comfort. The spacious rooms, each equipped with a fireplace, allow guests to opt for a post-trekking massage. Our ‘must-experience’ outdoor fireplace is not to be missed and it allows guests to enjoy an evening drink while watching the traditional Intore Dance Troupe. When it comes to our cuisine, Amakoro Songa Lodge is big on “try local” when it comes to our cuisine. Our chefs grow their spices and organic vegetables in our gardens and are able to cater to the tastes of the world. The carefully recruited staff includes some from the local community who will be at hand to provide you with authentic local hospitality and knowledge of the area. Guests get to visit the villages that neighbour the lodge and take part in traditional activities like tree planting, community cleaning and traditional dancing. The Lodge organises community walks that include home visits and a story moment with the oldest resident who shares stories dating back to pre and post-colonial times. The community walks always end with a picnic and a private moment for the guests to enjoy nature. The primary activity at the Lodge is, without a doubt, Gorilla trekking. Amakoro Songa Lodge is the closest lodge to the Park Headquarters where the adventure begins making it very convenient for our guests, given the very early start required for trekking. After your undoubtedly unforgettable experience meeting humans’ closest relatives, a reinvigorating foot massage awaits. Whether you are looking for adventure through mountain climbing, cycling and bird watching or looking for relaxation and rediscovering your inner self, Amakoro Songa Lodge is the place to be. Songa Lodge is the place to be.

The Retreat is an 11-room luxury hotel created by the American owners of the renowned Heaven restaurant. The hotel was designed by Italian architects, brought to life by an extraordinary team of Rwandan builders and craftspeople, and staffed by a team committed to extending the warmest Rwandan hospitality to all guests. The Retreat is Kigali’s first eco-friendly resort and features solar electricity and locally crafted furniture from sustainable teak farm in Tanzania. Luxury amenities include unique and expansive custom-built rooms with private patio areas, bathrooms with indoor and outdoor rain showers and air conditioning. Facilities include Kigali’s only heated swimming pool, hot tub, sauna, spa and fully equipped workout facilities. An onsite restaurant and bar offers delicious, local farm-to-table cuisine, refreshing cocktails and wellness menus

Ideally located on one of Kigali’s most charming boulevards, the five-star Kigali Serena Hotel is built around a polished granite atrium, which showcases the very best of Rwandese cultural art. Relaxed yet elegant, the hotel centres on the Executive Lounge and Bar, which opens onto a wide sundeck overlooking the newly refurbished swimming pool. Also overlooking the pool, the popular Milima Restaurant offers a wide range of all-day buffet choices, while the relaxed Sokoni Café offers inside and outside poolside seating. The capital’s natural business hub, the hotel also boasts its own extensive conference centre, 500-seater auditorium and lavish ballroom. The hotel is in central Kigali, just 10 kilometres from Kigali International Airport.

Cormoran Lodge is situated on the edge of Lake Kivu. It has its own private beach and luxury chalets. The views from any part of the lodge are fantastic and you can take in the beauty of your surroundings whilst relaxing on your private balcony.

Nyungwe House is a partner hotel of One & Only. Built alongside ancient rainforest, the hotel sits within the lush green expanse of a working tea plantation, offering an exciting window to Africa’s fascinating wildlife and culture. Each of its forest-facing rooms are thoughtfully appointed with luxurious touches including open fireplaces and artwork inspired by the beauty and traditions of Rwanda. Accommodation options include double luxury rooms (king bed), twin luxury rooms and suites (2 bedrooms, 1 with a king sized bed and the 2nd with twin beds).

Located 15km from Musanze (Ruhengeri) and 100km from Kigali with spectacular views of the volcanoes that make up the Virungas Range. Experience the quiet and tranquility of nature where you are only 2-3km from the world famous and endangered Mountain Gorillas. MGVL has thirty-two chalets furnished with your comfort in mind. After a day visiting the Mountain Gorillas in Volcanoes National Park, the warmth of your personal fireplace awaits you. Enjoy an evening of traditional dancing with the Intore dancing troupe with the volcanoes as a backdrop.

This lodge is an exclusive and up market lodge situated minutes away from the headquarters of the Parc National des Volcans, where the starting point for the gorilla trekking is located. Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge is situated in the foothills of the mighty Virungas and affords magnificent views of the volcanoes and the surrounding countryside. Guest cottages and the main lodge are beautifully constructed and finished to a very high standard. The lodge is a perfect base from which to explore this unique and fascinating corner of East Africa.