Amakoro Songa Lodge

Amakoro has a singular style and it firmly believes in a community spirit. The bar is cosy and fresh with a bamboo wall of hanging lanterns, leopard-print couches made with textured wood and a TV by the fireplace. If you'd prefer a night under the stars, drinks around the outdoor fireplace and dinners in the quiet of the bush are pretty magical. Meals made with plenty of local flair and ingredients are also available in the shared dining space (blankets are provided for chillier nights).

Along cobbled pathways lined with colourful shrubbery, there are eight luxury cottages decorated in sage green. The interiors are a blend of rustic furnishings (large beds made from rough-hewn wood and hand-woven mirrors) and simple style. Thick drapes keep the light out before throw them open to enjoy misty mountain views from your patio. Each cabin has a vanity and sitting area with plush leather couches and a fireplace. The bathrooms feature gloriously deep tubs to enjoy a soak after trekking into the forest.

The out-and-out star of this trip is a hike through the lush and leafy forests of the Virungas to find troops of gorillas as they rustle and play. While you're in town, spend some time spying on a different primate - the startling Golden Monkey, as they leap between bamboo stalks. And for an extra helping of adventure, explore overgrown caves high in the mountains. Journey to a nearby village to hear stories from the elders and share a picnic together. When you're all trekked out, return to the lodge for a lengthy dip in the hot tub.