Rwanda - Land of a Thousand Hills

Known locally as “Kandt House,” this museum celebrates the work of Dr. Richard Kandt, a German physician and explorer who embarked on an exploration of Rwanda in 1897, searching for the source of the Nile River. A rich showcase of Rwanda’s natural treasures, the museum includes artifacts from Dr. Kandt’s expedition and also a ship that was sunk off the shores of Lake Kivu during the German troops’ surrender to the Belgian Army in World War I.

This museum is open every day from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. On Umuganda [community work] Day, which is the last Saturday of every month, the museum opens at 12:00 a.m. On 7th April, all museums are closed.

Established in 2007 by 18 women living in Nyamirambo, Kigali, the NWC examines Rwanda’s unfortunate history of violence, inequality and discrimination towards women. Today, the Center’s mission is to provide education and vocational training to disadvantaged women so that they can gain better opportunities for employment.

Located ten minutes from the city centre, the Kigali Genocide Memorial offers guided tours of the exhibits and gardens commemorating the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi. Visitors can choose to be guided by one of the staff, many of whom are survivors of the genocide, or purchase the KGM digital guide, which provides an audiovisual tour.

This collective of Rwandan creative artists showcases local works in contemporary African arts, crafts, music and dance. In addition to exhibiting paintings, sculptures and mixed media expressions, the center conducts programs, projects and initiatives designed to expand the creative arts in Rwanda.

Akagera comprises some of the most picturesque savannah in East Africa – open plains, woodlands, lakes, swamp, and grassy low mountains – with Wilderness Magashi being the only private concession area in the park. Home to one of Africa’s highest hippo densities, reintroduced eastern black rhino and lion, as well as the secretive sitatunga. Guests can participate in conservation efforts, including tracking and identifying the lions and leopards of the area through the use of identikits.

After dark game viewing with filtered spotlights allow you to find intriguing nocturnal animals. Typically seen may include spotted hyaena, civet, genet, mongoose, owls and nightjars. Or even the enigmatic leopard. With day and night game drives on offer, exploring at Wilderness Magashi is truly extraordinary.

Boating in swamp cruisers, with 'double decker' seating for higher elevation game viewing, is an excellent way to view the water birds and many other aquatic animals seen around beautiful Lake Rwanyakazinga.

* Possible year round.

Fishing on a catch and release basis only, year round, with the camp providing a small stock of basic rods and reels.

After an early breakfast in camp, gear up for a thrilling bird watching experience. Akagera National Park is renowned as one of the best birding areas in the world with more than 500 species recorded here. A bird count comparable with the larger Kruger National Park. Rarities include the papyrus gonolek (restricted to the papyrus swamps), the localised red-faced barbet, and the swamp flycatcher.

Boasting a light footprint, Wilderness Magashi is 100% solar powered, and completely single-use plastic free. Besides our commitment to conservation and sustainable operations, we are delighted to have set up a Children in the Wilderness (CITW) Eco-Club at Akayange Primary School, near the North Gate of Akagera. Further community empowerment initiatives include hiring locally, with one-third of staff recruited from the surrounding communities, with ongoing training and development offered to ensure staff are able to grow into senior roles. In addition, the camp supports local community cooperatives that make lunch bags for guests, kitenge beeswax wraps, candles for the dining tables, and carved wooden shoebills.

Known locally as “Kandt House,” this museum celebrates the work of Dr. Richard Kandt, a German physician and explorer who embarked on an exploration of Rwanda in 1897, searching for the source of the Nile River. A rich showcase of Rwanda’s natural treasures, the museum includes artifacts from Dr. Kandt’s expedition and also a ship that was sunk off the shores of Lake Kivu during the German troops’ surrender to the Belgian Army in World War I.

This museum is open every day from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. On Umuganda [community work] Day, which is the last Saturday of every month, the museum opens at 12:00 a.m. On 7th April, all museums are closed.

Established in 2007 by 18 women living in Nyamirambo, Kigali, the NWC examines Rwanda’s unfortunate history of violence, inequality and discrimination towards women. Today, the Center’s mission is to provide education and vocational training to disadvantaged women so that they can gain better opportunities for employment.

Located ten minutes from the city centre, the Kigali Genocide Memorial offers guided tours of the exhibits and gardens commemorating the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi. Visitors can choose to be guided by one of the staff, many of whom are survivors of the genocide, or purchase the KGM digital guide, which provides an audiovisual tour.

This collective of Rwandan creative artists showcases local works in contemporary African arts, crafts, music and dance. In addition to exhibiting paintings, sculptures and mixed media expressions, the center conducts programs, projects and initiatives designed to expand the creative arts in Rwanda.

Work up a sweat in the gymnasium unlike any you’ve seen before – the great outdoors! Allow our motivating guide to lead you on a kinetic workout through the leafy tracks surrounding our tea plantation. The natural landscape is the only equipment you’ll need for this jungle-style Bootcamp in the fresh, mountain air.

An iconic part of Africa’s history, the spear is a symbol of strength, but it’s also a lot of fun! On a hilltop above our tea plantation, enjoy a refreshing cool drink as you learn how to make your own spear take flight and take in the fabulous fresh air views.

We don’t just exist within Nyungwe’s environment, we exist alongside it, which means conservation is part of our daily routine. Come and explore some of the initiatives that operate within the Nyungwe National Park and also around the resort.

What makes the perfect cup of tea? Some will say it’s all in the brew, but our tea expert will show you it starts right at the beginning. You will be invited to go into the tea plantation and learn the art of picking tea leaves and trying it out on your own. Don’t miss the interactive and visual presentation revealing the process of growing and processing African tea leaves. No demonstration would be complete without a taste, so you will have the chance to sample some beautiful black tea grown in the local area of Gisakura.

Saddle up and explore the beautiful surrounds of our property, with the breeze in your hair, at a pace that suits you. There are a few hills around and some dirt track riding, but let your friendly guide know and we can tailor the journey to your comfort levels.

‘Umuganda’ has roots back to Rwanda’s independence, and is now a nationwide program where citizens devote the last Saturday morning of every month to working in the local community. From developing infrastructure to environmental protection, you can elect to take part in this positive initiative, giving back to the communities of Nyungwe and getting to know the local people in a uniquely hands-on way.

There’s fun for all the family as you dabble in the ancient sport of archery. Located on a hilltop in our property’s tea plantation, prepare to breathe in the fabulous views as you enjoy a refreshing cold drink and set your sights on the bullseye – ready, aim, fire!

Is an art form popular in Rwanda traditionally made by women using cow dung. Often in the colors black, white and red, popular themes include spiral and geometric designs that are painted on walls, pottery, and canvas.

Offers you an experience at Lake Kivu.

- Time: 2 hours
- Time Options: 08:00-17:00hrs
- Price: US$163 and maximum capacity is 6 pax.
- Time: 1 hour
- Time Options: 08:00-17:00hrs
- Price: US$87 and maximum capacity is 6 pax.

*Please note prices exclude transportation

Offers you an experience on Lake Kivu.

- Time: 1 hour
- Time Options: 08:00-17:00hrs
- Price: US$30 and maximum capacity is 1 pax.
- Sunset: US$50 per 3 hour trip
- Day trip: US$100

*Please note the prices do not include transportation

Trekking or driving on designated routes along the lake (on request – arranged with Marines)

Guided nature walks on Rubavu Mountain – on request

Guided tour of Gisenyi City

Offers you an experience on biking trails along Lake Kivu.

- Time: Full day

- Time Options: 08:00-17:00hrs

- Price: US$30 and maximum capacity is 1 pax.

- Guiding: US$30 per bicycle.

The Nyiragongo Volcano is one of the most active volcanoes in the world, famous for the lava lakes that have formed in the summit crater. The hike to the summit takes approximately four to six hours and can be difficult in humid conditions, but you are rewarded by sightings of rare birds and animals such as monkeys, bushbucks and chimpanzees, and the summit offers wonderful views of Gisenyi Town.

Lake Kivu Serena Hotel has a tennis court available.

Tracking mountain gorillas through the dense African forests is a magical experience. Only eight visitors are allowed per gorilla group each day, and to minimize possible transmission of human diseases, visitors are asked to maintain a distance of 7m (about 22 feet) from the gorillas. Typically, tracking can take from 3 to 8 hours and requires some agility and fitness; however, all fitness levels can be accommodated and no one should feel deterred from missing this once in a lifetime experience.

This exclusive experience allows a total group of 8 guests to track a gorilla group in the forest on their own. This enables guests to have a deeper connection with these fascinating animals, accompanied by their own guide who can give them personal briefing. The cost is 15,000 USD per trek per day, for a maximum of 8 guests.

With only a small number remaining in the world, the Golden Monkey can be found in the foothills of the volcanic mountains of Mgahinga National Park in Uganda and in Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. Characterized by its bright golden body, cheeks and tail, with contrasting black limbs, crown and tail end, these playful primates are a pleasure to watch. Whether you choose to do this on the Rwandan or Ugandan side, the walk will take you from the bamboo stands and forested gorge on the lower levels of the volcanoes, to the elevated heath and moorland higher up.

The group of Intore Dancers is made up of 24 dancers and two dance trainers.

The troupe perform the traditional Rwandan ballet called The Intore, also known as “The Heroes” for Volcanoes Safaris guests, which is based on the courtly victory dance of the Rwandan Mwami (kings). Being selected as an Intore in times of old was a great honour – they would receive a privileged education, intensive combat training and they held a high status within the court. Today, the dancers use traditional weapons such as spears and bows and wear brightly coloured clothes and long flowing white hairpieces.

Located in a beautiful meadow nestled between the Karisimbi and Visoke volcanoes are the graves of Dian Fossey and some of her beloved research gorillas. For anyone interested in gorilla conservation in Rwanda, or interested in Fossey’s personal story, the trek to her grave is highly recommended. This trek starts early in the morning, can take 6-8 hours and is operated by the National Park.

Rwanda offers some of the world’s best bird watching, with a vast diversity of bird species. Rwanda has over 700 bird species and is home to the second highest number of Albertine endemics in the Albertine region. Each of our lodges offers the chance to see a number of different birds, with the vast majority endemic to the Region.

Guests of Virunga lodge have easy access to the Virunga chain of volcanoes, which offer challenging hikes and stunning panoramas. The three most popular volcanoes to climb are Mt. Gahinga, Mt. Sabyinyo, and Mt. Muhavura. These hikes are of varying difficulty and typically take a full day. The treks starts at 7:00am from the park headquarters, from where visitors will have to drive / be driven to the base of the volcano.

On a free afternoon at Virunga Lodge we recommend taking advantage of the lodge’s unique position by meandering down the mountain slope, through local villages, and to Lake Bulera, which sits at its foot. Passing through the local communities offers a colorful peek into village life and opportunities to visit local schools and community centers.

Although it rains heavily around Virunga Lodge, there are very few facilities for water catchment and storage and in the dry season there is an acute shortage of water. The villagers in Sunzu village around the lodge, where 138 families live, do not have enough clean water for drinking or for growing crops.

Starting in 2016, Virunga Lodge has been providing plastic water tanks to the local community and with the support of our guests,

In June 2014 Virunga Lodge launched the “One Sheep per Family” project, to provide one sheep to each of the 140 families in the Sunzu community. The sheep manure provides natural and effective fertiliser for growing crops. As well as providing manure, selling lambs provide income for the family.

For the project to work effectively, the community is divided up into 14 groups and each group is given nine females and one male. After all females produce an offspring, the breeding males are rotated to a different group for genetic diversity. A new family takes over caring for the male and donates one female offspring back to the previous ram caretaker.

The Dian Fossey Map Room at Virunga Lodge has been built in honor of Dr. Dian Fossey, the pioneer primatologist who set up the Karisoke Center high in the Virunga volcanoes in 1967. The exploration and conservation of the Virunga volcanoes is a very interesting and unique story and has been brought together for the first time in the amazing exhibition at the Dian Fossey Map Room at Virunga Lodge.

The Dian Fossey Map Room was opened on 2 March 2017. A permanent exhibition has been set up in the Map Room charting the ‘Conservationists and Explorers of the Virunga Volcanoes’ from 1850 to 1985 when Fossey died.