Virunga Lodge

The spectacular Virunga Lodge is one of Africa’s finest and most renowned lodges. Located in the heart of Colline Gakoro, Rwanda, Virunga offers excellent views of lakes Burera, Ruhondo and the Virunga chain of volcanoes. The lodge has eight well-decorated cottages, each with modern wooden flooring, fine finishing, and luxurious Rwandan art.

This iconic lodge was constructed in 2004 and has since undergone numerous improvements making it one of the most sought-after lodges in the country. Guests enjoy exceptional hospitality and deluxe bandas, offering great internal and external views. The lodge is cozy and inviting, with comfortable cushions, clean rooms, and scenic views. 

When it comes to delicacies, the Virunga lodge stands out. The lodge has plenty of locally made food. You can also ask for fresco meals and other options. The cuisine is excellent, and every guest can enjoy a free breakfast. The experienced staff offers professional services; hence you will feel safe and at home during your stay.

The location of the Virunga lodge is a wow factor. From the warm temperature to the proximity to town and the unique natural sceneries, Virunga lodge is an amazingly dreamy destination. Once you get there, you can participate in a gorilla safari tour with the tour guide assigned to you. You can also explore the nearby Ruhondo and Burera lakes, visit Muhanze caves, or take an itinerary tour to learn about the Rwandan culture. Here is a brief look at the most exciting activities in Virunga lodge.

Virunga lodge is surrounded by a dense forest which provides a magical experience for tracking gorillas. Only group tracking is allowed, whereby eight guests participate in the activity. You can expect to see more than 300 individual mountain gorillas, and each trip should take an average of three to eight hours. Since you will be navigating the forest, you can expect to see other wild animals and more than 200 bird species!

Virunga lodge guests can view or even visit the Virunga chain of volcanoes. If you like adventure, take a hiking tour in the three Volcano Mountains – Mt Muhavira, Mt Gahinga, and Mt Sabyinyo will be excellent. The volcano climbing treks start at 7 am, and you can spend as much time as you want to explore the offerings of the three great mountains fully.

If you don’t like mountains and forest adventures, an afternoon walk around lakes Burera and Ruhondo is a great idea. Both lakes have rugged terrains, so safety is guaranteed when walking along them. There are plenty of bird species; most importantly, you can interact with the locals and learn a few things about their culture.

Lastly, you can spice up your evenings in Virunga lodge by watching the Intore dancers – a local community dance troupe. Intore dancers have partnered with Virunga Lodge since 2004, keeping the lodge guest fully entertained with the traditional Rwandan Mwani songs.