One&Only Gorilla's Nest
Kinigi, Musanze, Rwanda
Location
At the foot of the Virungas
The lodge stands at the foot of the Virunga volcanoes at Kinigi, near Musanze, around five minutes from the Volcanoes National Park HQ where the gorilla trek begins — among the closest luxury lodges to the start, in eucalyptus forest with volcano views.
Transfer
A Kigali transfer
Around two to three hours by road from Kigali, or around 35 minutes by helicopter — no bush-plane; treks depart early from the nearby park HQ.
Villas
21 rooms & suites
Twenty-one treehouse-style rooms and suites on stilts among the eucalyptus, with glass walls framing the forest and fireplaces, the suites adding private plunge pools.
Best For
Who it suits
Couples, honeymooners and multi-generational families on a bucket-list gorilla trip — treehouse suites five minutes from the trek start, golden monkeys and the Dian Fossey campus — with all-inclusive One&Only service.
Board Basis
All-inclusive
All-inclusive — meals, drinks and two on-site activities per person each day — at The Nest, with a pool bar and private dining; gorilla permits are a separate cost.
About the Resort
Treehouse suites at the foot of the Virungas
One&Only Gorilla's Nest is among the closest luxury lodges to where the gorilla trek begins — around five minutes from the Volcanoes National Park HQ, at the foot of the Virungas. The rooms are treehouse suites on stilts among the eucalyptus, glass walls framing the forest and fireplaces within; of twenty-one rooms and suites, the suites add private plunge pools. Beyond the headline gorilla trek there is golden monkey trekking, the Dian Fossey Fund's Ellen DeGeneres Campus nearby, nature walks to Bisoke Volcano and Musanze Cave, and coffee and garden tours, with dining at The Nest on Rwandan and international dishes from the garden and a wellness centre of African botanicals. The all-inclusive covers meals, drinks and two on-site activities a day; gorilla permits are a significant separate cost. Reached in two to three hours by road from Kigali or by helicopter, it suits couples, honeymooners and multi-generational families on a bucket-list gorilla trip — the proximity and the treehouse design its signatures.
Accommodation
Rooms & suites
Twenty-one treehouse-style rooms and suites on stilts among the eucalyptus, with glass walls framing the forest and fireplaces, the suites adding private plunge pools, up to a family suite of adjoining units.
Entry
Forest King Lodge
Sleeps two. A treehouse king with an elevated deck, glass walls and a fireplace.
Elevated deckForest outlook
Suite
Suite
Sleeps two to three. A larger treehouse suite with a private plunge pool.
Plunge poolVolcano view
Family
Family Suite
Sleeps four. Adjoining treehouse units for families.
AdjoiningForest outlook
Food & Drink
Dining
Dining runs to The Nest, serving Rwandan and international dishes from the garden with a resident mixologist, an al fresco pool bar, and private dining.
Signature
The Nest
The Nest, serving Rwandan and international dishes from the garden, with a resident mixologist.
Bar
The pool bar
An al fresco pool bar.
Private
Private dining
Private dining.
Wellbeing
Wellness & pool
A wellness centre offers African-botanical treatments with a steam room and sauna, alongside an al fresco pool and plunge pools on the suites — with gorilla trekking from among the closest luxury lodges to the start.
The wellness centre
A wellness centre with African-botanical treatments, a steam room and a sauna.
An al fresco pool
An al fresco pool, with plunge pools on the suites.
Gorilla trekking
Gorilla trekking from among the closest luxury lodges to the start.
Activities & Experiences
Signature Experiences
A bucket-list gorilla trek, minutes from the start. Track gorillas and golden monkeys, visit the Dian Fossey campus, walk to Bisoke, and tour the coffee gardens.
Gorilla trekking
Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park — around five minutes from where the trek begins, among the closest luxury lodges.
Golden monkeys
Golden monkey trekking in the park.
The Dian Fossey campus
The Dian Fossey Fund's Ellen DeGeneres Campus nearby.
Nature walks
Nature walks and hikes — Bisoke Volcano, the crater lake and Musanze Cave.
Coffee & garden tours
Coffee and garden tours, with cooking classes.
Getting There
Location & transfers
By road
From Kigali
Around two to three hours by road from Kigali.
By helicopter
From Kigali
Or around 35 minutes by helicopter from Kigali.
Guest Reviews
What Our Clients Say
★★★★★
“The most extraordinary place I have ever stayed. Nothing prepares you for the depth of the silence, the beauty of the reef, or the sheer generosity of the experience.”
✓ Verified via feefo
★★★★★
“We’ve stayed here three times now. The house reef has no equal. The stargazing was, genuinely, one of the most moving experiences of my adult life.”
✓ Verified via feefo
★★★★★
“I had stayed at Four Seasons, One&Only and Velaa before visiting One&Only Gorilla's Nest. They are all magnificent. But this is different in a way that is hard to articulate.”
✓ Verified via feefo
Good to Know
Good to know
Board basis
- All-inclusive — meals, drinks and two on-site activities per person each day.
Gorilla permits
- Gorilla permits are a significant separate cost per person, with limited daily numbers, so book well ahead; the minimum age is 15 and reasonable fitness is needed, as treks can be steep, long and muddy at altitude — but sightings are near-certain.
Made for couples
- A romantic, all-inclusive base for couples, with a family suite for multi-generational trips.
Getting there
- Around two to three hours by road from Kigali, or by helicopter.
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Dates, party size, villa preference and budget.
Destination
Dates & party
Date flexibility
Adults
2
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Budget & accommodation
Budget per person (flights + hotel)
£4,500
£500£50,000+
Villa preference
Flights
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