Discover Safari Stay
One&Only Gorilla's Nest
Rwanda Accommodation
One&Only Gorilla's Nest
Volcanoes National Park and the Virunga Volcanoes
Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda’s Northern Province covers 160 square kilometres of montane forest on the slopes of the Virunga Volcanoes, a range of eight ancient volcanic peaks that straddle the borders of Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The park is home to roughly half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas, approximately 400 individuals in habituated family groups that can be visited by a limited number of trekkers each day.
The gorillas are the reason people come to this corner of Rwanda. But the landscape that surrounds them, the volcanoes rising through the mist, the dense montane forest with its bamboo and hagenia trees, the particular green of the highland air after rain, is one of the most beautiful in East Africa and deserves attention in its own right.
The Lodge
One&Only Gorilla’s Nest sits at the foothills of the Virunga Volcanoes, surrounded by eucalyptus forest and overlooking Volcanoes National Park. The lodge has 14 rooms and 7 suites, with room types ranging from the Ingagi Lodge and Silverback Lodge rooms to the Virunga Suite and the Forest King Lodge, a private two-person lodge ideal for honeymoon couples that comes with a secluded open-air viewing deck and an alfresco shower.
The design language across the property is contemporary Rwandan: clean lines, natural materials, soft colours, and the particular aesthetic of a place that has been thought about with great care. Giant hydrangea flowers line the garden paths. The 178 bird species of the volcanic highlands appear and disappear through the trees throughout the day. Mountain monkeys occasionally investigate the veranda railings in the early mornings.
The lodge received a perfect 10.0 score across all categories on recent guest review platforms, which for a property of this ambition and price point is a remarkable achievement. The service, guests consistently note, matches the extraordinary setting.
Accommodation
Room categories at One&Only Gorilla’s Nest range from the beautifully appointed lodge rooms to the Forest King Lodge suite, designed specifically for two people and offering the highest level of privacy and exclusivity on the property. The Forest King Lodge has its own private deck, an outdoor bathtub, an alfresco shower, and interiors that blend luxury fittings with the forest character of the surrounding landscape.
All rooms feature floor-to-ceiling glass where the views demand it, quality beds with excellent linen, and bathrooms that make use of the natural light and the landscape views in the way that only a lodge built with genuine architectural intention can. Minibars are replenished daily, Wi-Fi is available throughout the property, and the butler service that operates for all guests ensures that preferences and needs are anticipated rather than simply met.
On our first evening, we sat on the deck of our suite watching the mist settle into the valley between the lodge and the volcanoes as the last light faded. The volcanoes disappeared into the mist and the frogs began their evening. My husband said it was the most quietly spectacular thing he had ever watched.
Dining
The lodge’s restaurant uses produce from its own organic garden to create menus that celebrate Rwandan flavours while incorporating international technique. The coffee, grown locally from Rwandan highland beans, is exceptional and sets the tone for what follows at every meal.
Breakfasts before the early morning gorilla trek are warm, well-timed, and generous. Dinners in the evening carry a romantic quality that the setting amplifies: candlelight, the smell of the garden, and the awareness that just beyond the lodge the gorilla families are settling into their nests for the night.
Private outdoor dining, cultural performances, coffee tasting experiences, and archery sessions are all available as additional activities alongside the main wildlife programme.
Gorilla Trekking from One&Only Gorilla's Nest
The lodge’s position directly adjacent to Volcanoes National Park makes it one of the most logistically convenient bases for gorilla trekking in Rwanda. Gorilla trekking permits in Rwanda cost USD 1,500 per person per trek and must be booked well in advance. Africa Bed of Roses Safaris manages all permit arrangements as part of the Rwanda honeymoon package.
Treks begin at the park headquarters at 7 am with a briefing, followed by assignment to a specific gorilla family. The walk through the montane forest can take anything from thirty minutes to four hours depending on where the gorillas have moved to overnight. Once found, guests spend one hour in the presence of the family before being guided back.
The experience of being in the presence of mountain gorillas defies the expectations of people who have only seen them on screen. The silverback, often twelve to fifteen times the weight of a human, will glance at you with a quality of attention that you do not expect from an animal. The infants will scramble past your feet. The mothers will nurse with complete indifference to your presence. You are there for exactly sixty minutes, and they are among the sixty most significant minutes in many people’s travel lives.
Additional Activities
Beyond gorilla trekking, the One&Only Gorilla’s Nest offers golden monkey tracking in Volcanoes National Park, a smaller and more playful primate experience that is particularly recommended for the second day after the gorilla trek. Twin Lakes hike, Karisimbi volcano summit trek, community visits to local villages, and spa treatments at the lodge’s wellness centre complete the activity offering.
Cultural immersion in the form of traditional Rwandan dance performances, ibitenge fabric-making workshops, and guided tours of local tea and coffee estates can all be arranged through the lodge or through Africa Bed of Roses Safaris.
Rates for One&Only Gorilla's Nest
| Category | Rate |
|---|---|
| Lodge Rooms (per person sharing) | From USD 1,800 per person per night |
| Forest King Lodge Suite (per person sharing) | From USD 2,400 per person per night |
| Gorilla Trekking Permit | USD 1,500 per person per trek |
| Golden Monkey Tracking Permit | USD 100 per person |
Rates include accommodation, meals, and selected activities. Gorilla permits are additional. Contact Africa Bed of Roses Safaris for current confirmed rates and complete Rwanda honeymoon package pricing.
Getting There
The lodge is approximately two and a half hours by road from Kigali International Airport, passing through the Rwandan highlands in a journey that is scenic rather than merely functional. Africa Bed of Roses Safaris arranges all airport transfers as part of the Rwanda honeymoon package. Helicopter transfers from Kigali are also available for those who prefer a more dramatic arrival.
Why One&Only Gorilla's Nest Is the Right Rwanda Honeymoon Base
The combination of a world-class lodge and the once-in-a-lifetime experience of gorilla trekking creates a Rwanda honeymoon at One&Only Gorilla’s Nest that is genuinely incomparable. Africa Bed of Roses Safaris has arranged Rwanda honeymoons for couples who describe the gorilla encounter as the single most affecting wildlife experience of their lives, and the lodge provides exactly the level of comfort and romance that such an experience deserves to be framed within.
Frequently Asked Questions About
One&Only Gorilla's Nest
Six to twelve months in advance is strongly recommended, particularly for high season visits between June and September and December and January. Africa Bed of Roses Safaris manages the full permit booking process.
The trek requires reasonable fitness and the ability to walk on uneven terrain for extended periods. Some families are easier to reach than others. The lodge can discuss trek assignment preferences based on guests’ fitness levels.
Yes, and Africa Bed of Roses Safaris commonly combines it with Mantis Akagera Game Lodge for Rwanda’s Big Five safari experience and with Gishwati Lodge for chimpanzee trekking and forest recovery tourism.
Plan Your Rwanda Honeymoon with Africa Bed of Roses Safaris
Africa Bed of Roses Safaris designs complete Rwanda honeymoon packages centred on One&Only Gorilla’s Nest, with gorilla permits, golden monkey tracking, transfers, and all honeymoon touches arranged in full. Contact us to begin planning.
Facilities
Welcoming reception area
On-site Bar and Restaurant
24-hour security
Luxury Tented Suites
Swimming Pool
Safari Excursions on Request
Luxury Rooms with Private Bathrooms
Free Wi-Fi in the restaurant and bar areas
Family-Friendly Stay Experience
5/5 Based on Our Reviews
What our guests are saying
"Trustworthy tour oparator"
"Lots of wonderful sights"
"Great tour"
4.8/5 Based on Our Reviews
What our guests are saying
"Trustworthy tour oparator"
"Lots of wonderful sights"
"Great tour"
Partnerships & Accreditations
Africa Bed of Roses Safaris is an accredited tour operator under the Kenya Tourism Regulatory Authority (TRA) and a proud member of the Kenya Association of Tour Operators (KATO). As part of the KATO bonding scheme, our services are insured to ensure your honeymoon holiday safari is protected, offering peace of mind even in the rare event of a member ceasing operations.
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