Overview of Volcanoes Virunga Lodge

A comfortable mountain lodge, Volcanoes Virunga Lodge is set on the crown of a high hill overlooking the five extinct Virunga Volcanoes and has almost 360-degree views of the surrounding area. A patchwork of farmland and the beautiful volcanic Lakes Ruhondo and Bulera lie below, ringed by the volcanoes’s calderas and far hills. Volcanoes Virunga Lodge is built in the local style from wood and stone and has a tranquil atmosphere. In the evenings, you can relax around a log fire and tell stories about the day’s adventures in the jungle, tracking gorillas or golden monkeys.

The lodge has been built to high environmentally-friendly standards; rain water is collected and electricity is provided by solar power. Activities to enjoy at Volcanoes Virunga Lodge include gorilla trekking, golden monkey tracking, a visit to renowned primatologist and conservationist Dian Fossey’s grave, and hikes to the top of the volcanoes.

Highlights & Activities

What's on offer whilst on this itinerary?
  • Perfect base for a gorilla-trekking safari - or track golden monkeys
  • Panoramic views of the volcanic lakes and Virungas Volcanoes
  • Peaceful terraced gardens and honeymoon bandas
  • Environmentally-friendly design amid satisfying birding
Animal tracking experience

Animal tracking experience

Bird watching

Bird watching

Cultural visits

Cultural visits

Gorilla tracking

Gorilla tracking

Guided walks

Guided walks

Hiking

Hiking

Historical tours

Historical tours

Live music & entertainment

Live music & entertainment

Local village visits

Local village visits

Rooms at Volcanoes Virunga Lodge

Unwind and relax, in your own private luxury
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    Standard Banda

    Virunga Lodge has four double and two twin bandas beautifully furnished and equipped for a warm and cosy stay in the mountains of Rwanda. Each room has a private en-suite bathroom, a private terrace overlooking panoramic vistas of Volcanoes National Park and a fireplace to take the chill out of the air in the evenings.

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      Deluxe Banda

      The Deluxe Bandas provide a touch more space and elegance, perfect for honeymooners and families. Soak in dramatic landscape views from your sunny terrace, enjoy a nightcap in the spacious lounge area with the crackling fire keeping you toasty, and rest up in between your gorilla and golden monkey treks in the comfortable beds.

      General Facilities

      The stone lodge has a wide wrap-around veranda from which to appreciate the exceptional views across the lakes. Inside the lodge is a cosy lounge with a central fireplace and a small bar area. The dining room features one large table where all guests dine together. Treat yourself to a relaxing massage, particularly welcome after a day tracking the gorillas or other primates.

      Bar

      Bar

      Beauty therapist

      Beauty therapist

      Curio shop

      Curio shop

      Fireplace

      Fireplace

      Private balcony or deck

      Private balcony or deck

      Wi-Fi available

      Wi-Fi available

      Dining

      Three meals are served each day in the dining room, and morning tea or coffee is brought to your room with your wake-up call. Depending on your activities, the lodge will make you a packed lunch or prepare lunch for you when you return. A 3-course dinner is served each evening. Food is healthy, wholesome and plentiful – essential when you return tired and hungry from a hard day’s tracking!

      Expert Opinion

      We know because we go
      Bonita Cronje

      Bonita Cronje

      Africa Safari Expert

      There is very little that can beat the views you will get from this lodge, you feel like you are on top of the world. Add to this a selection of activities, friendly staff and good food and you have the perfect combination for an unforgettable stay.

      Interested to know more? Click the link to find out all about Go2Africa’s Big 5 Guarantee

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      Traveller Reviews

      • RP

        What a wonderful surprise to arrive at Virunga to find that we’d been upgraded to one of the newer rooms. It was really gorgeous, I could have moved in! We loved Virunga and I liked that it was a little further away from the National Park as I loved the morning drives and seeing the early morning goings-on in the town we drove through. The treks were incredible and the gorilla encounters wonderful! I couldn’t believe how close we were. Certainly my all time top travel experience.

        Rachel Palmer
      • RD

        Rwanda was an AWESOME trip. It was clean, chaos free, and the trip was executed with smooth logistics, great sites, and great accommodation.Virunga Lodge Spectacular location; very romantic and intimate with stunning scenery. Service was top notch. The staff was very polite, conscientious, and spoke good English. Gorilla trekking was a very cool experience. Hiking Visoke Volcano was great – kind of like a Tough Mudder Rwandan style.

        Roberta Delidais
      • SP

        This was just perfect. Location was stunning and the view amazing. The room was beautiful and peaceful. We really enjoyed the warm atmosphere at dinner together with all the other guests.

        Stefania Pelloni
      • MD

        We had a fantastic trip – what many may call the trip of a lifetime! Wonderful memories, incredible wildlfe, terrific food – and the African people were warm and welcoming! Virunga Lodge was top-flight – we had great accommodations during the rest of our trip, but Virunga ranked right up there with the best! The chef prepared delicious food, the service was outstanding, and the views spectacular! You were right wehn you said that Virunga was the best of the lodges.

        Mike Deussen
      • AV

        The Virunga Lodge exceeded my expectations for an eco lodge. The staff were the most pleasant, service oriented, and helpful of any resort or lodge I have stayed.

        Allan Vance
      • AV

        The Virunga Lodge exceeded my expectations for an eco lodge. The staff were the most pleasant, service oriented, and helpful of any resort or lodge I have stayed.

        Allan Vance
      • AV

        The Virunga Lodge exceeded my expectations for an eco lodge. The staff were the most pleasant, service oriented, and helpful of any resort or lodge I have stayed.

        Allan Vance
      • AV

        The Virunga Lodge exceeded my expectations for an eco lodge. The staff were the most pleasant, service oriented, and helpful of any resort or lodge I have stayed.

        Allan Vance
      • AV

        The Virunga Lodge exceeded my expectations for an eco lodge. The staff were the most pleasant, service oriented, and helpful of any resort or lodge I have stayed.

        Allan Vance
      • AV

        The Virunga Lodge exceeded my expectations for an eco lodge. The staff were the most pleasant, service oriented, and helpful of any resort or lodge I have stayed.

        Allan Vance
      • WH

        The staff at Volcanoes Safaris, including the staff at the Virunga Lodge, were incredibly helpful, kind, and generous. The lodge was clean and convenient, and the views are unbeatable. Of course, we loved seeing the gorillas! The Dian Fossey trek was worth it, if difficult at times due to the thick mud. I would recommend people wear not only gloves, but also gaiters for their lower legs (as the nettles can go right through most normal hiking pants). All in all, it was an amazing trip and I would be happy to speak with anyone thinking about booking a similar trip. I thank you and Go2Africa for a job well done, and I look forward to booking another trip to Africa with you in the future.

        Wayne Harman
      • WH

        The staff at Volcanoes Safaris, including the staff at the Virunga Lodge, were incredibly helpful, kind, and generous. The lodge was clean and convenient, and the views are unbeatable. Of course, we loved seeing the gorillas! The Dian Fossey trek was worth it, if difficult at times due to the thick mud. I would recommend people wear not only gloves, but also gaiters for their lower legs (as the nettles can go right through most normal hiking pants). All in all, it was an amazing trip and I would be happy to speak with anyone thinking about booking a similar trip. I thank you and Go2Africa for a job well done, and I look forward to booking another trip to Africa with you in the future.

        Wayne Harman
      • WH

        The staff at Volcanoes Safaris, including the staff at the Virunga Lodge, were incredibly helpful, kind, and generous. The lodge was clean and convenient, and the views are unbeatable. Of course, we loved seeing the gorillas! The Dian Fossey trek was worth it, if difficult at times due to the thick mud. I would recommend people wear not only gloves, but also gaiters for their lower legs (as the nettles can go right through most normal hiking pants). All in all, it was an amazing trip and I would be happy to speak with anyone thinking about booking a similar trip. I thank you and Go2Africa for a job well done, and I look forward to booking another trip to Africa with you in the future.

        Wayne Harman
      • WH

        The staff at Volcanoes Safaris, including the staff at the Virunga Lodge, were incredibly helpful, kind, and generous. The lodge was clean and convenient, and the views are unbeatable. Of course, we loved seeing the gorillas! The Dian Fossey trek was worth it, if difficult at times due to the thick mud. I would recommend people wear not only gloves, but also gaiters for their lower legs (as the nettles can go right through most normal hiking pants). All in all, it was an amazing trip and I would be happy to speak with anyone thinking about booking a similar trip. I thank you and Go2Africa for a job well done, and I look forward to booking another trip to Africa with you in the future.

        Wayne Harman
      • WH

        The staff at Volcanoes Safaris, including the staff at the Virunga Lodge, were incredibly helpful, kind, and generous. The lodge was clean and convenient, and the views are unbeatable. Of course, we loved seeing the gorillas! The Dian Fossey trek was worth it, if difficult at times due to the thick mud. I would recommend people wear not only gloves, but also gaiters for their lower legs (as the nettles can go right through most normal hiking pants). All in all, it was an amazing trip and I would be happy to speak with anyone thinking about booking a similar trip. I thank you and Go2Africa for a job well done, and I look forward to booking another trip to Africa with you in the future.

        Wayne Harman
      • WH

        The staff at Volcanoes Safaris, including the staff at the Virunga Lodge, were incredibly helpful, kind, and generous. The lodge was clean and convenient, and the views are unbeatable. Of course, we loved seeing the gorillas! The Dian Fossey trek was worth it, if difficult at times due to the thick mud. I would recommend people wear not only gloves, but also gaiters for their lower legs (as the nettles can go right through most normal hiking pants). All in all, it was an amazing trip and I would be happy to speak with anyone thinking about booking a similar trip. I thank you and Go2Africa for a job well done, and I look forward to booking another trip to Africa with you in the future.

        Wayne Harman
      • CL

        We have returned from our trip to Rwanda and everything was just perfect. We were able to see a large number of gorillas as well as the golden monkeys. The Volcanoes Virunga Lodge was excellent and the staff was very friendly. Our driver/guide was easy going, always on-time and extremely helpful.

        Curt LeVan
      • CL

        We have returned from our trip to Rwanda and everything was just perfect. We were able to see a large number of gorillas as well as the golden monkeys. The Volcanoes Virunga Lodge was excellent and the staff was very friendly. Our driver/guide was easy going, always on-time and extremely helpful.

        Curt LeVan
      • CL

        We have returned from our trip to Rwanda and everything was just perfect. We were able to see a large number of gorillas as well as the golden monkeys. The Volcanoes Virunga Lodge was excellent and the staff was very friendly. Our driver/guide was easy going, always on-time and extremely helpful.

        Curt LeVan
      • CL

        We have returned from our trip to Rwanda and everything was just perfect. We were able to see a large number of gorillas as well as the golden monkeys. The Volcanoes Virunga Lodge was excellent and the staff was very friendly. Our driver/guide was easy going, always on-time and extremely helpful.

        Curt LeVan
      • CL

        We have returned from our trip to Rwanda and everything was just perfect. We were able to see a large number of gorillas as well as the golden monkeys. The Volcanoes Virunga Lodge was excellent and the staff was very friendly. Our driver/guide was easy going, always on-time and extremely helpful.

        Curt LeVan
      • CL

        We have returned from our trip to Rwanda and everything was just perfect. We were able to see a large number of gorillas as well as the golden monkeys. The Volcanoes Virunga Lodge was excellent and the staff was very friendly. Our driver/guide was easy going, always on-time and extremely helpful.

        Curt LeVan
      • GS

        All the Volcanoes lodges were great. You get into the bucket showers and the Eco toilets. We all enjoyed the communal meals and the quality of food was good, although I would have liked to maybe had some more local food rather than the chefs trying to only cook for western tastes. The evenings around the fires before and after dinner sharing stories is a big part of these trips. The best thing about the Volcanoes lodges is the Staff. Nothing is too much trouble and they are all such genuinely nice people.

        Gregory Shimmin
      • GS

        All the Volcanoes lodges were great. You get into the bucket showers and the Eco toilets. We all enjoyed the communal meals and the quality of food was good, although I would have liked to maybe had some more local food rather than the chefs trying to only cook for western tastes. The evenings around the fires before and after dinner sharing stories is a big part of these trips. The best thing about the Volcanoes lodges is the Staff. Nothing is too much trouble and they are all such genuinely nice people.

        Gregory Shimmin
      • GS

        All the Volcanoes lodges were great. You get into the bucket showers and the Eco toilets. We all enjoyed the communal meals and the quality of food was good, although I would have liked to maybe had some more local food rather than the chefs trying to only cook for western tastes. The evenings around the fires before and after dinner sharing stories is a big part of these trips. The best thing about the Volcanoes lodges is the Staff. Nothing is too much trouble and they are all such genuinely nice people.

        Gregory Shimmin
      • GS

        All the Volcanoes lodges were great. You get into the bucket showers and the Eco toilets. We all enjoyed the communal meals and the quality of food was good, although I would have liked to maybe had some more local food rather than the chefs trying to only cook for western tastes. The evenings around the fires before and after dinner sharing stories is a big part of these trips. The best thing about the Volcanoes lodges is the Staff. Nothing is too much trouble and they are all such genuinely nice people.

        Gregory Shimmin
      • GS

        All the Volcanoes lodges were great. You get into the bucket showers and the Eco toilets. We all enjoyed the communal meals and the quality of food was good, although I would have liked to maybe had some more local food rather than the chefs trying to only cook for western tastes. The evenings around the fires before and after dinner sharing stories is a big part of these trips. The best thing about the Volcanoes lodges is the Staff. Nothing is too much trouble and they are all such genuinely nice people.

        Gregory Shimmin
      • GS

        All the Volcanoes lodges were great. You get into the bucket showers and the Eco toilets. We all enjoyed the communal meals and the quality of food was good, although I would have liked to maybe had some more local food rather than the chefs trying to only cook for western tastes. The evenings around the fires before and after dinner sharing stories is a big part of these trips. The best thing about the Volcanoes lodges is the Staff. Nothing is too much trouble and they are all such genuinely nice people.

        Gregory Shimmin