With its cute stone cottages, Sabyinyo is a more classic, country-chic accommodation than many of the newer lodges around Volcanoes National Park. It’s the perfect place to retreat to after a long day trekking in the misty mountains.
The style is all about comfortable elegance. Light-filled lounges have fireplaces and plush sofas, there are four-poster beds and deep bathtubs, and verandas have views of the surrounding volcanoes. There are six cottages, a couple of suites and a two-bedroom family unit.
Another welcome perk of staying at Sabyinyo: it’s super close to the Volcanoes National Park HQ (from where you’ll start your gorilla trek), leaving more time for strolling around the lodge’s organic veggie garden, sipping a glass of red by the fire, and enjoying an in-room massage for hike-weary muscles.
Of course, it’s not only gorilla trekking you can do from Sabyinyo (though let’s be honest, that’s the reason you’ve flown all this way). You can visit the cheeky golden monkeys or take a birdwatching walk with an eagle-eyed (sorry) guide.
Sabyinyo was the first community-owned lodge in Rwanda (but managed by safari pros; it’s collaborations like this that make it a favourite). So, when you pop down to Sabyinyo village, you’re not only visiting your neighbours but also your hosts. As well as learning about rural life in Rwanda generally, you can hear about the positive impact gorilla tourism has on local communities. As if you needed another reason to feel good on holiday!
