Virunga Lodge is a luxury eco-lodge in Rwanda, set high on a ridge near Volcanoes National Park. It overlooks the Virunga Volcanoes, Musanze Valley, Lake Bulera, and Lake Ruhondo. The Volcanoes Safaris property provides an exceptional base for mountain gorilla trekking in Rwanda.
The lodge features twelve handcrafted guest bandas with private terraces and panoramic views. Each banda combines African-inspired design, artisanal details, modern comfort, and understated luxury.
Stays include locally inspired fine dining, premium drinks, and personalised butler service. Guests also receive complimentary massages at the Ikirunga Spa and Sauna. The Dian Fossey Map Room shares stories about regional conservation and Rwanda’s mountain gorillas.
Virunga Lodge offers convenient access to Volcanoes National Park for guided trekking experiences. Guests can also explore the region’s volcanic landscapes, local culture, and conservation history.
Their story
Praveen Moman founded Virunga Lodge in 2004 as Rwanda’s first international lodge built after the war. It helped revive mountain gorilla ecotourism through conservation and community partnerships.
Its Afro-chic style blends African aesthetics, simple bush living, and Mahatma Gandhi’s values. The locally rooted kienyeji approach celebrates handcrafted, organic design and understated luxury. Read more about them.
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Sustainability actions
Lowest impact construction and operation
- The lodge’s guest accommodation consists of hand-built elegant bandas constructed with a timeless, artisanal style inspired by local African village homes and the natural landscape.
Highest level of energy efficiency
- The lodge utilizes a mixture of solar power, generator power, and main power. Solar power is prioritized whenever possible to minimize environmental impact, and charging facilities are provided in the main living area and in individual guest bandas.
Pioneer in waste management
- The lodge minimizes its environmental impact by harvesting rainwater, recycling water, and recycling wastewater whenever possible.
- Additionally, the property strictly avoids using unnecessary single-use plastics.
Using organic and chemical-free products
- The lodge provides locally-inspired food as part of its full-board service.
Actively protects nature and community
- Through the Volcanoes Safaris Partnership Trust (VSPT), the lodge actively supports the local community and conservation. Initiatives include the “One Sheep per Family” project providing livestock and natural fertilizer, the “Virunga Water Tank Project” delivering clean water access, and the “Virunga Community Carpentry and Tailoring Centre” offering vocational training to youth.
- Conservation initiatives are promoted via partnerships with Gorilla Doctors and the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, featuring educational lectures and a permanent historical exhibition in the onsite Dian Fossey Map Room.
Most Popular Activities Near Virunga Lodge
- Gorilla Trekking
- Golden Monkey Tracking
- Climbing a Volcano (Mt. Gahinga, Mt. Sabyinyo, or Mt. Muhavura)
- Hiking to Dian Fossey’s grave in the Volcanoes National Park
- Visiting the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund
- Fireside chats and conservation lectures with Gorilla Doctors in the Map Room
- Guided Lake Bulera Village Walk
- Birding
- Attending an Intore dance performance
- Participating in community projects (Sheep, Water Tank, and Solar projects)
Best Time To Visit Virunga Lodge
- While Rwanda is a year-round destination, the best times for gorilla trekking and volcano climbing are during the dry seasons, from mid-December to late February and from June to September.