One&Only Gorilla's Nest is the most resort-like of the luxury lodges at Volcanoes National Park and a strong choice for couples who want gorilla trekking with spa days, a pool and polished service in between. It sits in eucalyptus forest on the edge of Kinigi, a short drive from the park headquarters where every gorilla trek begins.
The lodge has 21 rooms. The treehouses, raised among the trees with open-air decks and outdoor showers, are the most romantic. The suites are much larger and add open-air bathtubs, big decks and, in the Silverback Suite, a private pool with a fire pit. Meals at The Nest change daily with produce from the kitchen garden. The One&Only Spa uses roses and local coffee in its treatments.
Rates are high. Gorilla permits are extra. The minimum age is 15, so the mood is adult. It suits couples who like the reliability of a luxury brand and want comforts that some smaller lodges do not offer. Couples who want a tiny, conservation-focused lodge with only a handful of rooms might prefer Bisate.
Highlights at a glance
- Treehouses with open-air decks and outdoor showers
- Silverback Suite with a private pool and fire pit
- One&Only Spa using roses and local coffee
- Outdoor pool for post-trek swims
- Close to the Kinigi park headquarters
Why Couples Choose Gorilla's Nest
After a morning on the volcano, a spa treatment and a swim are very welcome. This is one of the few lodges in the area with a full spa and an outdoor pool. That combination makes it easy to balance demanding trek days with lazy ones.
The location also helps. Being so close to Kinigi means shorter drives on trek mornings, when you need to be at headquarters early. You get more sleep and more time over breakfast.
The forest setting is calm. Eucalyptus trees surround the rooms, mist drifts through in the mornings and evenings center on fires and good food. One&Only adds cultural touches too, including Rwandan dance and drumming at The Boma and an evening around the fire learning about the park's gorilla families before your first trek.
Treehouses and Suites to Book
The Forest Treehouse, about 829 square feet, is the classic honeymoon choice: raised in the trees with an open-air viewing deck and an outdoor shower. The Susa Treehouse is slightly larger at about 936 square feet with two bedrooms and a fireplace, which suits couples traveling with a friend or relative.
The suites are a big step up in space. The Virunga Suite, about 1,582 square feet, has floor-to-ceiling glass and an open-air bathtub. The Ingagi Suite, about 2,702 square feet, adds an alfresco bath and shower with a large deck. The Silverback Suite, about 400 square meters, has an open-air lounge with a fire pit overlooking its own private pool.
Nights are cold at this altitude, so ask how your room is heated if you book one without a fireplace.
Food, Drink and the Spa
The Nest is the main restaurant, with menus that change daily to follow the seasons and ingredients from the lodge's kitchen garden. Regular barbecues bring Rwandan dishes to the table. The Boma hosts the Rhythms of Rwanda evenings with a local dance troupe. The Nest Bar is where you will want a drink by the fire after dinner.
The One&Only Spa sits among the trees and uses roses and local coffee in its treatments. Couples can book massages after each trek or try a longer wellness program over several days. The outdoor pool is open around the clock for a post-trek swim, though the water and the air can both be cool.
Check what your rate includes when you book. Inclusions vary. Drinks or meals may be extra on some rates.
Why guests fall for it
Gorillas, Monkeys and Culture
Gorilla trekking leaves from Kinigi each morning. Visitors are assigned to one of the park's habituated families and spend about an hour with them once found. Permits cost about $1,500 per person and must be booked separately, often months ahead; treat that price as approximate. Park activities cannot be booked on your departure day, so add a night if you want to trek on the last morning.
Beyond the gorillas, you can track golden monkeys, hike to Dian Fossey's grave or climb Mount Bisoke. The lodge runs a guided coffee experience and visits to the Iby'iwacu Cultural Village. The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund's Ellen DeGeneres Campus is nearby and worth a visit.
Trails are steep and muddy at high altitude. Bring waterproof boots, gloves and rain gear. Ask your doctor about malaria and check CDC travel health notices, particularly if you're pregnant or hoping to be soon.
Getting There
Fly into Kigali International Airport (KGL), usually connecting through Europe, the Gulf or an African hub from the US. The drive to Kinigi takes about two and a half hours on paved roads through steep green hills. Helicopter transfers can be arranged for a faster arrival.
Many couples spend a night in Kigali on arrival, then drive north. Gorilla's Nest pairs well with its sister lodge, One&Only Nyungwe House, in the rainforest of southwestern Rwanda, where chimpanzee tracking is the highlight. That drive takes about five hours, or around 35 minutes by helicopter.
Entry and visa rules depend on your citizenship and can change at short notice, so check the official government website before you book.
Is It Worth It?
Gorilla's Nest is expensive. A booking-site snapshot showed rooms from about $3,864 a night including taxes. Suites cost much more. Gorilla permits are on top. Treat these figures as approximate and confirm inclusions, which vary by rate.
For that you get a full spa, a pool, generous rooms and the consistency of the One&Only brand, which matters to some couples on a long-haul trip. The gorillas themselves are the same for every visitor, whatever lodge you choose.
Couples who want a smaller lodge with deeper conservation roots should look at Bisate. Couples who want the trek without the price tag can stay at Virunga Lodge or a mid-range hotel near Kinigi and spend the difference elsewhere on the honeymoon.
Insider tips
- Book the Forest Treehouse for the most romantic setting at the lower end of the price range.
- Add an extra night if you want to trek on your last day; park activities cannot be booked on departure day.
- Schedule spa treatments for the afternoons after your treks.
- Combine with One&Only Nyungwe House for chimpanzees, linked by a short helicopter flight.
