Virunga Lodge is one of Africa’s most loved lodges, located high on a ridge with incredible views overlooking the dramatic landscape. This magical place was built in Rwanda in 2004, after the genocide through the Volcanoes BLCF Partnership Project in 2003.
Their origin begins in 1927 when Praveen Moman and his family was living in Uganda and pitching the first tent in Mgahinga National Park. This was the beginning of Mount Gahinga Lodge and Volcanoes Safaris.
In 2000 the first guests were welcomed to the site after opening a simple camp at Bwindi Gorilla National Park. This was ideal for the first enthusiasts to start exploring the gorilla tracks and surrounding nature. It was three years later when Virunga Lodge was the first accommodation officially built by an international lodge company in Rwanda after the war.Â
In 2005 Volcanoes Safaris became a signatory of the UN Kinshasa Declaration on Saving the Great Apes, followed by partnerships and non-profit organisations to promote self-sustaining projects, ecotourism, local communities and conservation of the great apes.Â
Everything was moving fast with the creation of other lodges in Uganda and Rwanda offering improved features and an advance design. Now, Volcanoes Safaris celebrates 25 years ensuring wild gorillas are protected for the next 50 years and beyond. From simple camps to luxury lodges, Volcanoes Safaris is recognised as the leader in gorilla and chimpanzee ecotourism in the region.
Virunga Lodge has become pioneers of gorilla and chimpanzee ecotourism in Uganda and Rwanda since 1997.Â
Discover the endangered mountain gorillas, the famous tree-climbing lions of Ishasha, and the chimpanzees of Kibale Forest and Kyambura Gorge on your next safari. You will have the opportunity to find unique landscapes, forests, savannah, mountains and wetlands of the stunning but fragile Great Western Rift Valley.Â
The iconic property has defined itself as Rwandese Afro-chic with a hand-made African style approach, wooden furniture, and authentic robust materials that transports you to a different ambient feeling like home.Â
“The essence of the feeling of luxury is that you should not notice it, nor should it be contrived” Â
The Volcanoes team at Virunga Lodge is excited to share the rich culture, history, and hospitality traditions with its warm welcoming and exceptional service. Virunga Lodge is the first accommodation choice for those adventurous that want to explore the new highlands.
During the last twenty five years they have built a clear vision based on the simplicity of life in the bush, the values espoused by Mahatma Gandhi, and the appreciation of African culture and aesthetics. Empowering local staff at all levels of management is a key aspect of Volcanoes’ philosophy providing extensive training programs and manage guest experience from beginning to end.
Volcanoes Safaris are honoured to have an exceptional level of service being recognised for a number of recent awards.
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“We are proud of the recognition of our work, as well as for our lodge, conservation and community work”
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