Volcanoes Virunga Lodge | Original Gorilla Lodge in Rwanda

Volcanoes Virunga Lodge Overview

• Enjoy the finest views in Africa, overlooking the Virunga Volcanoes and the Musanze valley to the west and Lake Bulera and Ruhondo to the east.
• Twelve elegant hand built guest bandas facing either the Virunga Volcanoes or beautiful twin lakes (Four deluxe, six standard rooms and two guide rooms).
• Make your stay even more special and book the lodge and gorilla group on an exclusive use basis.
• Trek the endangered mountain gorillas and rare golden monkeys in the Virunga Mountains in the Volcanoes National Park.
• Enjoy complimentary spa treatments and massages, including the famous Rungu massage at Ikirunga – Spa & Sauna.
• Exceptional hospitality and locally-inspired food. Personal butler service for all guests. Wifi throughout the lodge and all-inclusive premium wines, whiskies and cocktails.
• Fireside chat with one of conservation partners, Gorilla Doctors or Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, in the Virunga Lodge Map Room.
• Join in with the “One Sheep per Family”, “Donate a Water Tank” and the Intore Dance community projects.
• Hike to Dian Fossey’s grave in the Volcanoes National Park and visit the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund in Kinigi.

Safari Activities & Wildlife in Volcanoes Virunga Lodge

1. Birding

Rwanda and Uganda are two of the top places in the world to go bird watching because of the incredible variety of birds found there. Of the more than a thousand bird species in the world, 150 are unique to Uganda. With more than 700 bird species, Rwanda is the second-most-endemic country in the Albertine area for birds. You can spot a wide variety of birds at any of our lodges, the great majority of which are native to the area.

2. Climb a Volcano

Mount Gahinga Lodge and Virunga Lodge are both located near the volcanoes in the Virunga series, which are perfect for adventurous climbs with breathtaking views. As far as volcanoes go, Mount Gahinga, Sabyinyo, and Muhavura are the three most sought-after peaks to scale. These walks usually last an entire day and can be quite challenging. Guests can drive to the volcano’s base from the park headquarters, where the treks begin at 7:00 in the morning.

3. Fireside Chat with Gorilla Doctors

Come hear a veterinary briefing on gorilla health and conservation from Volcanoes Safaris’ conservation partner, the Gorilla Doctors. You will learn about the organization’s conservation efforts during the discussion, which focus on the One Health approach and life-saving veterinary medicine. The sole group working to protect the eastern lowland and mountain gorillas, both of which are in risk of extinction, is Gorilla Doctors.

4. Golden Monkey Tracking

The Golden Monkey, one of the world’s rarest primates, is found in the foothills of the volcanic highlands of Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park and Uganda’s Mgahinga National Park. These adorable monkeys are a sight to behold, with their striking golden plumage, cheeks, and tail set against a backdrop of black for the limbs, crown, and tail end. From the lower levels of the volcanoes, via the bamboo stands and forested canyon, to the upper levels, over the elevated heath and moorland, this walk will transport you whether you’re in Rwanda or Uganda.

5. Gorilla Trekking

It is a once in a lifetime, enchanted experience to trek with mountain gorillas through the thick African jungle. There is a daily limit of eight visitors per gorilla group, and everyone is urged to keep at least 10 meters away from the animals to prevent the spread of disease. While tracking can take anywhere from three to eight hours and calls for a certain level of agility and athleticism, don’t let that discourage you from experiencing this once in a lifetime opportunity; we can accommodate participants of all fitness levels.

6. Lake Bulera Village Walk

If you have an afternoon to kill at Virunga Lodge, we suggest taking advantage of its prime location by taking a leisurely stroll down the mountainside, past some of the nearby communities, and all the way to Lake Bulera. While you’re out and about, stop by some local schools and community facilities to get a feel for village life.

7. Visit the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund

Dedicated to preserving gorillas and their habitats, conducting research on them, and giving back to the communities that reside in and around these woods, the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund was founded in 1967. The Fossey Fund is the biggest and longest-running organization in the world devoted solely to the protection of gorillas. It has a staff of over 300 experts who operate in Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.