Best hotels in Rwanda

Stopovers in Kigali tend to be dominated by big chain hotel groups. And they're certainly fit for purpose. But there's a new inn in town. One that'll make your stopover a whole lot more glam. So we're rather pleased to introduce Hemingway's Retreat Kigali. This fresh, contemporary boutique hotel has been built with both sustainable principles and comfort in mind, and blends them perfectly. With just 20 luxury rooms surrounded by mature gardens, a good restaurant and a wellness centre, The Retreat is as heavenly as it claims to be, in that appealingly down-to-earth way.

As the name hints, One&Only Gorilla's Nest has a major drawcard - its back yard just happens to be the leafy world of Rwanda's charcoal-furred mountain gorillas. Surrounded by five of the Virunga Mountains' eight volcanoes, this pristine lodge is laid out in a valley of green and surrounded by the fragrance of eucalyptus. Part of the One&Only family, there's no shortage of top-of-the-range facilities that raise the hospitality bar including pop-up restaurants across the grounds so you never gaze at the same vista twice - and the rooms are simply gorgeous! If gorilla trekking with the promise of ultimate luxury is what you seek, Gorilla's Nest does it all in spades.

Northern Rwanda's Mountain Gorilla View Lodge is just 10 minutes by road from the main entrance of Volcanoes National Park, home to families of magical, and rare, mountain gorillas. Above you towers Mount Karasimbi, the highest volcanic mountain in Virunga massif. The lodge is comfortable, with roomy and comfortable accommodation (don't expect glamour), the food is good, the staff are warm and on hand, and the views are simply splendid. The management here is extremely aware of the hotel's privileged location, and takes every step to protect and support the environment.

With the Virunga Mountains as your backdrop and the lush forests of Volcanoes National Park at your doorstep, this lodge brings you straight into the heart of Rwanda’s wildlife wonderland. Spacious rooms, cosy fireplaces, and sweeping views of the landscape ensure that relaxation comes as naturally as the mountain breeze. After a day's exploration, indulge in Rwandan cuisine paired with a side of breathtaking scenery.

Perched on an eroded volcanic cone with views that stop conversations mid-sentence, Bisate Reserve takes wilderness luxury to quietly extraordinary heights. This isn't just another gorilla lodge – it's a 176-acre conservation project where reforestation efforts have transformed former farmland back into pristine forest. Eight villa-spheres nestle into the amphitheatre landscape, their thatched domes echoing traditional Rwandan palace architecture while inside, everything whispers understated sophistication. Between gorilla treks, days unfold with guided reforestation walks, meetings with local beekeepers, or simply watching the mist roll across those impossible volcanic peaks from your private deck.