One and Only Gorilla’s Nest is among the premiere gorilla trekking lodges in Rwanda. One for the bucket list, this luxury hideaway offers once-in-a-lifetime wildlife experiences and will see you discovering the wonders of Volcanoes National Park in style.

Place yourself on the edge of gorilla trekking action at the closest luxury lodge to Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park. The remarkable One & Only Gorilla’s Nest is a boutique lodge that very much orients itself around the region’s unique wildlife.

One & Only Gorilla’s Nest makes the magical possible as you enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime, personal encounter with the rare and majestic mountain gorilla, roaming free in its own natural habitat.

Guests will be welcomed by an impactful view of the Main Lodge; up the volcano stone drive complete with traditional Rwandan welcome and signature One & Only Gorilla’s Nest drink.

The resort has 21 guest lodges and suites – 14 guest rooms (king), -2 4Bedroom Forest Lodges and seven one-bedroom suites, including two super suites. Modern in design, yet with traditional Rwandan influences, each overlooks the vast African terrain with private decks and in-room fireplace.

One & Only Gorilla’s Nest itself is a heavenly place to return to after each day of excursions. The small number of private lodges and suites are superbly adorned with a mix of contemporary furnishings, spacious balconies and luxe bathrooms, complimented by traditional African rugs and throws, artworks and ornaments. Then, with observation decks, a fine gourmet restaurant, signature spa, glistening swimming pool and sundeck, you really will be left wanting for absolutely nothing while staying at One & Only Gorilla’s Nest, Rwanda.

One & Only Gorilla’s Nest has one main restaurant, The Nest has ability to welcome over 128 guests; indoor 52; 76 outside as well as the ability to welcome non-resort guests. There is focus on local, organic food; breakfast with semi-buffet (that is hidden); room temperature items on display, interactive fresh juice-making station. Hot food cooked to order—high level of freshness and quality. The Nest also offers a samovar with a wide tea selection as well as another coffee bar. Large terrace with fireplace.

The Nest Bar: traditional cocktails with a modern twist incorporating rose water and eucalyptus (as it surrounds the resort). Wine selection—semi-visual wine fridge with a majority of South African wines but offers global choices.

There is another bar at the pool at the One & Only Spa focusing on the healthy options with fresh juices evolving into evening cocktails.

Offers the relaxation room complete with an open-air (partially covered) plunge pool that is surrounded by the eucalyptus tree forest, fitness centre, steam and sauna, male and female change rooms, Pool and Pool Bar.

Therefore, if you are traveling to Rwanda you want to experience the 5-star luxury gorilla safari you should book one of our packages that are suited with this lodge. This gorilla tour will take you to Volcanoes National Park for gorilla trekking and thereafter transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park where you will experience the chimpanzee trek and then stay in the sister One & Only Nyungwe House that is situated to footsteps of the park and in the green environment of the tea plantation.

Pick you up at Kigali Airport and drive you to one of our luxury hotels in Kigali (Heaven Retreat) and then the next day transfer to Volcanoes National Park. The scenic drive to northern Rwanda will go through Rwanda’s north-western town of Ruhengeri (also known as Musanze) and finally arrive at Volcanoes National Park. If time allows and you are interested, visit the Kigali Genocide Museum or on a complimentary Kigali city tour before driving to Musanze/Ruhengeri.

You will embark on a full-day adventure to track the mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park. This national park is home to a large population of mountain gorillas, making it the destination for tracking. The trek will commence with a short briefing on gorilla trekking rules to ensure the safety of guests and the protection of these animals in their natural habitat. You will then start the trek into the impenetrable forest to encounter the gentle giants of Volcanoes National Park.​

This is a true adventure and part of the excitement is finding the gorillas. Follow the guides as they make paths through the thick vegetation until the special moment that you encounter these majestic creatures. It is a truly unique experience and will surely be one of the standout moments of your trip. After the gorilla trek, head back downhill and return to Kigali over a drive for about 2hrs.

Continue with the city tour to refresh as you memorize the gentle apes. Visit the craft centres where you are able to purchase souvenirs from your stay in Rwanda in turn supporting families of the women involved in making the items. Lunch will be at a local restaurant where you will have a taste of Rwandan traditional food.

Visit Kimironko Market the best place to learn about the culture of a new place is in their markets. Kigali has many local markets where residents go to shop for local items and food stuffs. Kimironko is one of the most popular for shopping spices, herbs, vegetables, fruits, salt, meat and fish. You will also find individuals selling different art pieces and more.

Go to Nyamata church one of the many genocide sites found in the different parts of the country and one of the most prominent in Kigali. About 50,000 people were killed inside this church. They had sought shelter in this church hoping that they would be spared by the Interahamwe. Unfortunately, the church turned out to be a death trap as the killers spared no one. On a visit one can still see skulls, bones, blood-stained clothes, national identity cards and machetes that were used by the Interahamwe. A mass grave can be seen outside the church were most of the victims were buried.

Visit the Museum of history and former house of Doctor Richard Kandt. Kandt is the one who came up with the name Kigali. The Museum is found between Mount Kigali and Mount Jali. Kandt was a famous German explorer who built the very first modern building in Rwanda. The Natural History Museum is the place to go to if one is interested in learning more about the history of Kigali and the era of colonization in Rwanda. It is the oldest modern building in Rwanda.

Wind up your bespoke gorilla safari as you take lunch in the city centre getting ready for your flight back home or next destination in the evening.