Virunga Lodge is the OG. Built in 2004, it has been one of the best gorilla trekking lodges in Rwanda for over 20 years. That’s as long as we’ve been alive. Ahem.
From its ridge-top perch, the lodge has sensational views across volcanoes, valleys and lakes. There are 12 en-suite rooms to choose from, all with fireplaces for cosy evenings and terraces from which to admire the scenery – with personal butler service for the accompanying G&Ts, of course.
At Virunga Lodge, massages are complimentary. So it would be rude not to mosey on down to Ikirunga Spa after a long day tracking gorillas in the mountains – or for that matter after any of the activities you can do from the lodge: visiting the golden monkeys or Dian Fossey’s grave, or hiking volcanoes with no primate pay-off – just for the fun of it.
Take a wander through the Dian Fossey Map Room, which opened at Virunga Lodge in 2017 and contains an exhibition exploring conservation of the Virunga mountains from 1850 to Fossey’s murder in 1985.
If you’re hoping to leave your mark in a more positive way than just muddy footprints through the lodge, you can contribute to Volcanoes Safaris’ community initiatives by donating solar panels or sheep to families in the nearby villages.
And we know late afternoon runs perilously close to post-hike nap time, but don’t miss the local dance troupe’s Intore performance, based on the traditional victory dance of Rwandan royalty.
