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UK: 01473 890499Rating: Deluxe
Virunga Lodge enjoys a stunning hillside location with views of the Virunga volcanoes and twin lakes of Ruhondo and Bulera. There are 10 spacious rooms, all stylishly furnished and with large ensuite bathrooms with hot and cold running water. You have your own terrace where you can unwind in peace and seclusion.
The now well established gardens are terraced into the hillside with lots of hidden seating areas and sunken gardens to sit and relax. The main building has a terrace, perfect for relaxing and enjoying a refreshing drink as you admire the stunning views. The lounge bar has an open fire to warm the chilly nights. Meals are served at the communal dining table, and mealtimes provide a great opportunity to socialise.
Virunga Lodge is a perfect base from which to explore Parc National des Volcans, which offers excellent gorilla trekking opportunties. It is quite a way from the park HQ, so early starts are needed, but are well worth the effort, as spending time among wild gorillas is an amazing experience. Other activities include climbing Visoke or Karisimbi volcanoes, tracking golden monkeys, visiting Diane Fossey's tomb and taking nature walks in the area. You can also visit villages where you see projects supported by the lodge that are improving the lives of local people, and watch an Intore dance performed by a dance troup sponsored by the lodge.
Open: Virunga Lodge is open all year.
Location: The lodge is in the Virunga Mountains on the border with Uganda and Democratic Republic of Congo. It is about a 20 minute helicopter flight or 3 hour drive from Kigali.
Rooms: There are 10 luxury bandas, consisting of 6 doubles, 2 twins and 2 deluxe bandas. Each has an open fireplace, battery charging facilities, a hairdryer and a fully plumbed en-suite bathroom with a shower, twin hand basins and a flush toilet. All bandas have a terrace with volcano or lake views. Deluxe bandas are larger with an indoor sitting area. There is butler service.
Activities: Go trekking for mountain gorillas and for golden monkeys, go bird watching, hike to the grave of Diane Fossey and 2 nearby volcanoes, visit community projects supported by the lodge, and attend an Intore dance performance.
Facilities: These include a lounge, dining room and sun terrace. In addition there is a spa where you can enjoy a massage.
Dining: Meals are usually eaten together as a group.
Children: Children aged 12 and over are welcome. The minimum age for gorilla trekking is 15 years.
Health: This is a malarial area.
Communication: There is Wi-Fi internet access in the main lodge but this can be slow.
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Historic site
Place of Interest
UNESCO heritage site 
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0"WOW!! Really hard to put into words what a special place this is. The lodges are gorgeous, the views are truly breathtaking and the staff are amazing - anticipating your every need without being intrusive. Conversation between guests at dinner centred around gorilla's so probably not the hotel of choice for anyone not trekking, but for us it was the perfect choice and we'd love to go back one day."
Tribes Travel, The Old Dairy, Wood Farm, Ipswich Road, Otley, Suffolk, IP6 9JW. Office hours: Mon - Fri: 9am to 5.30pm Telephone: 01473 890499
