Golden Monkey Safari: Day-by-day

Since it was opened in 2012, Ruzizi Tented Lodge, has proved a welcome addition to Akagera National Park. It’s a simple, eco-friendly lodge located within the park itself, in a good position to explore the varying landscapes of Akagera.

"Extremely comfortable and well run. Lovely position on the lakeside."

Mr & Mrs RfromGlos

Arrived 18 Jul 2022, 3 nights

Ruzizi Tented Lodge is a simple but comfortable safari lodge, with a commendable eco policy. The food is excellent, considering the location and the power sources, and the location beautiful and serene. Staff are friendly and offer efficient service. This is our favourite accommodation in Akagera and makes a great stop as part of a longer trip around Rwanda. See our full report on Ruzizi Tented Lodge

Kigali Serena Hotel, formerly known as Kigali InterContinental Hotel, is a large, upmarket hotel with plenty of modern facilities. Located in Rwanda’s busy capital city, it is just 10km from Kigali International Airport.

"A smart hotel, with a very comfortable and quiet room"

Mr N & Mrs SfromUK

Arrived 18 Aug 2024, 1 night

Overall, on our last visit to the Kigali Serena, we were really impressed. The hotel was clean and comfortable and we felt it had a much more relaxed feel than some of the other international hotels in the city. The service was friendly and relatively efficient (compared to our experiences elsewhere in Rwanda) and the food was good. This is our favourite option for a night or two in Kigali. See our full report on Kigali Serena Hotel

Opened in 2011, Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel is a short drive off the main road, on top of a steep hill. From its hilltop vantage point, Top View has beautiful views across the neighbouring forest and tea plantations, and its proximity to the headquarters of Nyungwe Forest National Park makes it is a good base for trekking to see the chimpanzees and exploring the forest.

"The position is very scenic"

Mr & Mrs RfromGlos

Arrived 22 Jul 2022, 3 nights

At first glance, Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel looks quite smart, but on closer inspection it is a little scruffy. The furniture may be modern but it's a mish-mash of design, and is quite cheaply made. And we were pretty disappointed with the food. Yet regardless of the hotel's imperfections we thought the location was great and it is certainly comfortable enough, offering relatively good value. Indeed, the slight scruffiness and the odd mix of styles is rather endearing. In addition, the staff try really hard and we'd expect the friendly atmosphere and welcoming service to add enormously to the overall experience. See our full report on Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel

Set on a steep hill, leading down to the shore of Rwanda’s Lake Kivu, the rustic yet stylish Cormoran Lodge in Kibuye has a small number of wooden cabins, each affording beautiful views over the lake.

"Beautiful location overlooking the lake. "

Mr & Mrs StonefromDorset

Arrived 18 Sep 2024, 2 nights

Overall, we love the location of Cormoran Lodge, and the view over the lake is stunning. It's quirky style, and rustic interiors offer a cosy atmosphere, reminiscent of an alpine ski lodge! The staff are friendly and the food, although a little hit and miss, is on the whole fairly good. It’s a great place for a few days’ rest and relaxation by the water, and would be ideal for those looking for something that is small in size, personal and relatively economical in this area. See our full report on Cormoran Lodge

On the slopes of Mount Sabyinyo, Mountain Gorilla View Lodge has beautiful views of the surrounding volcanoes. Nestled beneath the towering, forested Virunga range, and perfectly placed for gorilla trekking, the lodge is aptly named. The setting, the friendly atmosphere and the best value for money in the area combine to give this lodge enduring appeal.

First up are the sizeable grounds on the slopes of the extinct Mount Sabyinyo, the trees alive with birds and monkeys, and views at almost every turn.

Dotted around the site, 40 large, rather rustic cottages constructed of stone and thatch offer plenty of privacy. Comfortable yet simply furnished, if rather old-fashioned, they have plain plastered walls, a sleeping area raised slightly above the lounge, and a colourful bathroom.

To offset the chill of mountain evenings, there’s a fireplace in each room and in the main area, whose burnt-red walls, patterned rugs and zebra-print sofas afford a somewhat eclectic charm.

Its setting aside, the hotel’s entire raison d’être is its proximity to Rwanda’s habituated mountain gorilla families. Just a 15-minute drive brings you to the start of the trek in Volcanoes National Park, while seeking out golden monkeys, hiking or even canoeing are also on the agenda.

"Great location"

Mr & Mrs StonefromDorset

Arrived 20 Sep 2024, 3 nights

Then, come the evening, settle down on the lawn to watch traditional Rwandan Intore dancing before drinks around the firepit and a homely dinner to round off the day. See our full report on Mountain Gorilla View Lodge