CELEBRATING TWENTY YEARS OF GORILLA AND CHIMPANZEE TOURISM IN UGANDA AND RWANDA
1997-2017

Twenty years ago we were the first to set up simple camps in the areas around the gorilla parks. Today, Volcanoes Safaris is the leading luxury lodge company in Uganda and Rwanda:

Set on a stunning hilltop in a spectacular location, the magnificent Virunga Lodge offers panoramic views of the Virunga volcanoes and shimmering twin lakes Ruhondo and Bulera. Opened by Volcanoes Safaris in 2004, Virunga Lodge has frequently been described as having ‘the best view in the world’. This charming lodge is the ideal place to base yourself when visiting Rwanda’s rare mountain gorillas.

For guests looking for a truly unique and exclusive experience, take a helicopter from Kigali to the lodge, which offers spectacular views of the “Land of a thousand hills”.

• Honeymoon couples can now enjoy ultimate luxury in one of our new deluxe bandas and be received by their very own gift hamper

• The Dian Fossey Map Room available to all guests staying at Virunga Lodge

• 10 luxurious bandas (6 Doubles, 2 Twins, 2 Deluxe). Each banda has a private terrace from which our guests can watch the sunrise over the dramatic landscape of mountains and lakes. Luxuriously appointed, with the accent on vibrant Rwandese fabrics and stylish locally inspired furniture

• All rooms are complete with a fireplace, en-suite bathrooms with flushing toilet, double vanity and shower with hot & cold running water.

• Wifi access in the main lodge building and Dian Fossey Map Room.

• One complimentary massage per guest. The new Spa will open in May 2018.

• Full board accommodation including all soft drinks and house alcoholic beverages. Premium beverages paid at consumption. 

• Complimentary laundry and boot cleaning service.

• Personal butler service for all guests.

• Guide cottage available.

• Bandas are individually named after lakes in the area.

• Power sockets/charging facilities and hair dryer in the rooms. No air conditioners.

Getting to the Lodge

20 minute helicopter transfer from Kigali International

Airport direct to the lodge

3 hour drive from Kigali International Airport

2 hour drive from Mount Gahinga Lodge

6 hour drive from Bwindi Lodge

7 hour drive from Kyambura Gorge Lodge 

Useful information

• Visa/MasterCard accepted
• Gratuities are at the discretion of the guest. For lodge staff we suggest $5-15 per day, per guest. For volcanoes Safaris guides we suggest $10 or more per day. For park guides $10-20 and for trackers $15-20 per guest.
• Children under 15 years of age are not permitted to track the gorillas. They are very welcome at the lodge, but please be advised we do not have childcare facilities.
• Check out time for all guests is 11am on the day of departure

4-day safari - Gorillas in PNV offers gorilla and golden monkey tracking as well as a chance to visit Dian Fossey’s grave and the Karisoke Research Centre or climb Mount Visoke. Driving: From US $ 5,333 in high season and  US $ 6,288 6-day safari - Gorillas in PNV and Culture in Mgahinga offers gorilla and golden monkey tracking as well as a chance to participate in the culture and traditions of the local Batwa pygmies. All VSPT and lodge activities are included in the price of your safari. All park activities should be pre-arranged with our sales team at the time of booking. Any extra park activities will need to be paid in cash at the start of the activity. • If you are gorilla tracking be sure to order an early wake up call with tea, coffee or hot chocolate and breakfast (we suggest 5.00am & 5.30am respectively) in order to be at the park for your briefing by 7am. • Breakfast is served from 5am to 10am. • While gorilla tracking please follow the rules given to you: • Viewing time is limited to 1 hour with 8 visitors per group • Please maintain a distance of 7m • No flash photography is permitted • You may not be allowed to visit the gorillas if you are sick with a cold or other contagious human diseases. • It is advisable to take layers of clothing, we recommend a fleece or light sweater, long sleeved shirt, strong waterproof walking boots (comfortable for going up and down steep hills, waterproof trousers and waterproof jacket. • We also recommend you take sunglasses, a small torch, binoculars, sunscreen, a hat, gloves and a small backpack • Porters are available to help carry your things. Currently the charge is $20 • The lodge will provide you with a packed lunch and water. • Typically, tracking takes 3 to 8 hours and requires some agility and fitness. • Mountain gorillas live at high altitude, which may cause difficulties. You should walk slowly and drink plenty of water.

The Parc National des Volcans (Volcanoes National Park) makes up one part of the Virunga conservation area, which spans the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda and Rwanda. Evolved from the oldest National Park in Africa, today PNV covers an area of about 160 km2, ranging from 2,400m to 4,507m and contains five volcanoes; Karisimbi, Visoke, Sabinyo, Gahinga & Muhavura. The park was established in order to protect the mountain gorilla, Gorilla beringei beringei, and was brought to the attention of a global audience by Dian Fossey, through her research on the gorillas there and her autobiography Gorillas in the Mist. The Virunga eco-system is composed of four major vegetation zones: bamboo, Hagenia-Hypericum forest, Sub-Alpine and Afro-Alpine. Secondary thicket, meadows, marshes, swamps and small lakes also occur but their total area is relatively small. Although most famous for the gorillas and the endangered golden monkeys, the park is also home to black-fronted duiker, buffalo and bushbuck - elephants are also reported to be in the park, though these are now very rare. The park also boasts approx. 200 bird species, with 13 species endemic to the Albertine Rift. Today there are estimated to be approximately 480 mountain gorillas in the Virunga Conservation Area. PNV has 10 habituated gorilla families used for tracking - almost double what it was 5 years ago.