Rwanda's best lodges for luxury
Many travellers come here for to trek in the Volcanoes National Park in search of mountain gorillas, and they often combine it with a safari in Kenya or Tanzania. So if you’re looking to extend your trip with an opulent safari – you will probably do best to continue on Kenya or Tanzania after seeing the gorillas here.
Best camps & lodges for Luxury in Rwanda
Sabyinyo Silverback
Nine comfortable and luxurious chalets made out of local stone are dotted throughout the lush gardens of Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge. Dinner on your private veranda, morning tea and cookies served to the indoor sitting area in front of the fireplace and very spacious bathrooms for comforting bubble baths after a trek all add to the feeling that you're being truly pampered.
Nyungwe House
Offering a heated infinity pool, opulent rooms with fluffy bathrobes and private decks, Nyungwe House is a luxurious base to visit the tropical rainforest of Nyungwe. You’ll experience excellent fine dining, which can be enjoyed on the terrace with fabulous views into the forest.
Bisate Lodge
Bisate Lodge has been designed as an excellent base for gorilla trekking, offering its guests an unforgettable experience. There are just six sumptuous forest villas, each with its own viewing deck, fire place and cosy lounge area. A stay here promises the best in pure luxury.
Virunga Lodge
From Virunga Lodge’s stone terrace with comfortable rattan furniture you’ll get miraculous views towards Lake Burera and Lake Ruhondo. A central fireplace with locally crafted furniture and colourful cushions invite guests to relax and unwind during their luxury holiday.
Kwitonda Lodge
Kwitonda is a highly luxurious and personable getaway, in a wonderful location for gorilla trekking. You can expect private hot tubs, fine wines and dining and top-level service. There is a real feeling of exclusivity here.
Gorilla's Nest
With luxurious private free standing villas, heated infinity pool, spa and fine dining, Gorillas Nest is an exclusive base to trek the mountain gorillas. You’ll experience top level service throughout.
Magashi Camp
Magashi is the only high end offering in Akagera National Park. Located in the remote north, you can expect top-level guiding, charming staff, fine food and very comfortable surroundings.
Luxury elsewhere in Africa
Our top ideas and inspiration for Luxury in other countries.
Where to see wildlife species in Rwanda
Maximise the chances of seeing your favourite animals based on traveller sightings reports from the field.
Buffalo
Syncerus caffer
One of the ‘Big Five’, buffalo earned a fearsome reputation in hunters’ tales. By contrast, big herds of these sociable bovids are placid, but mount formidable defences against predators.
83% SUCCESS
2,956 sightings from 3,549 observations
Chimpanzee
Pan troglodytes
The chimpanzee is our closest living relative. This highly intelligent great ape is a forest animal with a sophisticated social life. Any encounter in the wild is a memorable experience.
100% SUCCESS
28 sightings from 28 observations
Elephant
Loxodonta africana
By far the biggest of the so-called Big Five – indeed, the largest land animal on the planet – the elephant shapes the very landscape it inhabits and is a defining presence on any safari.
91% SUCCESS
4,224 sightings from 4,640 observations
Giraffe
Giraffa camelopardalis
The world’s tallest land mammal, giraffes are herbivores which have evolved many unique adaptations. Their iconic outlines tower above the bush in many of Africa’s wildlife areas.
86% SUCCESS
4,074 sightings from 4,743 observations
Hippo
Hippopotamus amphibius
The territorial calls of the hippo create a signature soundtrack to Africa’s rivers & wetlands. Despite an endearing smile, this aquatic herbivore has a notoriously aggressive disposition.
89% SUCCESS
3,077 sightings from 3,439 observations
Spotted Hyena
Crocuta crocuta
The spotted hyena may be thought of as ‘ugly’ and ‘cowardly’. In fact, this versatile and intelligent carnivore is one of Africa’s most fascinating and warrants attention on any safari.
55% SUCCESS
2,506 sightings from 4,573 observations
Leopard
Panthera pardus
The most numerous of Africa’s big cats, leopard occur across many habitats, from wild tracts to populated areas. Their grace and their elusive nature make them a unique safari drawcard.
47% SUCCESS
2,259 sightings from 4,800 observations
Lion
Panthera leo
Lions are at the top of the food chain and also most safari wish-lists, but with their numbers falling fast, any encounter with these majestic apex predators always feels like a privilege.
81% SUCCESS
3,496 sightings from 4,319 observations
Mountain Gorilla
Gorilla beringei
The world’s most impressive primate, the mountain gorilla inhabits a handful of locations in Africa’s equatorial cloud forests, where guided treks offer an intense wildlife experience.
100% SUCCESS
48 sightings from 48 observations
Black Rhino
Diceros bicornis
The black rhino is the smaller and rarer of Africa’s two rhino species but has the more fearsome reputation. Shy and heavily persecuted, it tends to stick to cover.
30% SUCCESS
715 sightings from 2,354 observations
Pangolin
Smutsia sp.
Pangolins appear to be more pine cone than animal in their unique armoury of scales. These nocturnal, ant-eating oddities are not only highly elusive but also increasingly rare.
2% SUCCESS
65 sightings from 3,833 observations
Aardvark
Orycteropus afer
The aardvark is one of Africa’s most bizarre and enigmatic animals. A shy, nocturnal termite-eater, signs of its presence may be scattered about the bush whilst sightings remain elusive.
2% SUCCESS
81 sightings from 3,794 observations
Eland
Taurotragus oryx
Africa’s largest antelope, eland are culturally important from prehistoric rock art to modern game farms. Though widespread, they are also shy so sightings are uncommon and often fleeting.
49% SUCCESS
1,672 sightings from 3,403 observations
Zebra
Equus sp.
The zebra is a quintessential African animal: the horse in stripy pyjamas at the end of every child’s A–Z. There are three species, of which the plains zebra is much the most common.
84% SUCCESS
4,437 sightings from 5,276 observations
Roan antelope
Hippotragus equinus
Africa’s second largest antelope and one of its most handsome, with a powerful build and distinctive markings, roan are wary of people, but renowned for their bravery against predators.
25% SUCCESS
586 sightings from 2,354 observations
Sable antelope
Hippotragus niger
Perhaps Africa’s most beautiful antelope, sable are renowned for their combative nature, even holding off lions. Shy and restricted in range, sightings of sable are always special.
24% SUCCESS
560 sightings from 2,369 observations
Sitatunga
Tragelaphus spekii
The sitatunga is the most aquatic of Africa’s antelopes and specially adapted to its swampy habitats. Though widespread across Africa, only a handful of places offer reliable sightings.
19% SUCCESS
72 sightings from 380 observations
White Rhino
Ceratotherium simum
The white rhino is the largest and most numerous of the world’s five rhinoceros species. They are larger, easier to see and generally more approachable than the black rhino.
43% SUCCESS
576 sightings from 1,340 observations
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