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Rwanda

Gorilla’s Nest

PLAN MY TRIP

Nestled in the foothills of Rwanda's lush Virunga Volcano Range, Gorilla's Nest provides luxury accommodations and the chance to see the elusive mountain gorillas.

Opening in July 2019, this luxury lodge is the best place to stay for Rwanda’s world famous mountain gorilla treks.

The lodge is close to the headquarters for the Volcanoes National Park headquarters, the starting point for all gorilla treks. Spanning ninety-nine miles in the northern part of Rwanda, it is the oldest national park in Africa. As a part of the great volcanic chain of the Virunga Mountains that straddles the borders of Rwanda, Uganda, and the DRC, it encompasses six dormant and two active volcanoes. Most famously it is home to around half of the world’s precious mountain gorillas – some 400 of them. The park’s altitude ranges from about 8,202 feet to the peak of Karisimbi, at 14,763 feet resulting in extensive bamboo forests.

The gorilla treks are the main draw of the lodge. From the park’s headquarters, guests can take a one-hour guided hike through lush bamboo forests with the chance of spotting a fully-grown silverback gorilla, up to three times the size of an average man, yet remarkably peaceable and tolerant of human visitors. As the site of groundbreaking gorilla conservation efforts conducted by primatologist, Dian Fossey, the inspiration for the book and film, Gorillas in the Mist, guests can visit her grave and research center. For an easier walk, there is always a golden monkey trek to watch these playful creatures jumping and climbing through the trees. Guided hikes of Mt. Bisoke take a full day to reach the summit with rewarding views of the rainforest and crater. Nature and bird walks take in the other wildlife in the area. Conservation activities include a visit to Bisate’s reforestation nursery and the chance to plant a sapling.

1 of 2
2 of 2

Rwanda

Gorilla’s Nest

PLAN MY TRIP

Nestled in the foothills of Rwanda's lush Virunga Volcano Range, Gorilla's Nest provides luxury accommodations and the chance to see the elusive mountain gorillas.

Opening in July 2019, this luxury lodge is the best place to stay for Rwanda’s world famous mountain gorilla treks.

The lodge is close to the headquarters for the Volcanoes National Park headquarters, the starting point for all gorilla treks. Spanning ninety-nine miles in the northern part of Rwanda, it is the oldest national park in Africa. As a part of the great volcanic chain of the Virunga Mountains that straddles the borders of Rwanda, Uganda, and the DRC, it encompasses six dormant and two active volcanoes. Most famously it is home to around half of the world’s precious mountain gorillas – some 400 of them. The park’s altitude ranges from about 8,202 feet to the peak of Karisimbi, at 14,763 feet resulting in extensive bamboo forests.

The gorilla treks are the main draw of the lodge. From the park’s headquarters, guests can take a one-hour guided hike through lush bamboo forests with the chance of spotting a fully-grown silverback gorilla, up to three times the size of an average man, yet remarkably peaceable and tolerant of human visitors. As the site of groundbreaking gorilla conservation efforts conducted by primatologist, Dian Fossey, the inspiration for the book and film, Gorillas in the Mist, guests can visit her grave and research center. For an easier walk, there is always a golden monkey trek to watch these playful creatures jumping and climbing through the trees. Guided hikes of Mt. Bisoke take a full day to reach the summit with rewarding views of the rainforest and crater. Nature and bird walks take in the other wildlife in the area. Conservation activities include a visit to Bisate’s reforestation nursery and the chance to plant a sapling.