GOVERNORS’ SABYINYO SILVERBACK LODGE – VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK 

Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge is a characterful little lodge offering fabulous views of the volcanoes and surrounding countryside.  Set close to the headquarters of the Volcanoes National Park from where you trek on foot to see the magnificent Mountain Gorilla, the Lodge is Rwanda’s first ever community owned lodge built and operated by Governors’ Camp Collection but owned by a Community Trust SACOLA (Sabyinyo Community Livelihood Association). Income from the Lodge is the driving force behind socio-economic development projects and has had a very positive impact on the lives of local people and gorilla conservation.

LOCATION

Sabyinyo Lodge is situated in the foothills of the Virunga chain of volcanoes stretching through Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo and adjacent to Volcanoes National Park in north western Rwanda.  The lodge is around 3 kms from the main entrance to the Park and 2 hours’ drive on good roads from Kigali.

LODGE

Guest cottages and the main lodge building have been beautifully constructed and are a very comfortable base from which to explore this unique and fascinating corner of Africa.  There are six cottages, two suites, one family cottage – all are stone buildings with Rwandese terracotta tile roofs and feature large sitting areas, fireplaces, stylish ensuite bathrooms finished with Venetian plaster, a dressing room and a sheltered veranda.

The suites are extra spacious cottages an expansive sitting area with log fires, two verandas, ensuite bathroom with shower and the family cottage has two independent ensuite rooms connected by a shared veranda. The double room has a large sitting area, fireplace, stylish ensuite bathroom with bath and shower and a dressing room. The twin room enjoys an ensuite bathroom with shower.

The main lodge building has a reception, sitting room with snug area, dining room, library / games room, a responsible tourism / community awareness room, shop and bathrooms. Three large fireplaces provide warmth and all rooms are finished with a polished wooden floor. Two patio areas afford wonderful and dramatic views to the Virunga Volcanoes and the surrounding lowland farmland.

Breakfast is a continental and full English buffet, and lunch and dinner is a set menu served in the main dining room. Those going gorilla trekking are provided with snacks.

Sabyinyo offers a range of spa treatments which can be done from the comfort and privacy of your room.

ACTIVITIES AND WILDLIFE

Gorilla Trekking – for those interested in seeing the gorillas in their natural habitat Rwanda offers one of the best locations.  Gorilla treks take place in the morning and depart from the Park Headquarters at around 07:30am. Prior to departure you are given a briefing by park staff, assigned a gorilla family to visit and rangers to guide you. The treks take place on the slopes of the Virunga Volcanoes and clients should be in good physical condition as some of the trek can be physically demanding. The trek normally lasts between 2 and 5 hours depending on the location of the gorilla family and a maximum of eight visitors is allowed per gorilla family. Once you reach the gorillas you are permitted to stay for one hour to view them. Porters can be hired from the park gate and this is an excellent way to put directly cash into the local community.

Golden Monkey Trekking –  The Golden Monkey is a local subspecies of the widespread Sykes Monkey, also known as the “Blue Monkey” and is endemic to the high altitude forests of the Volcanoes National Park area. The monkeys are playful and inquisitive and often spend their time leaping from bamboo branches or frolicking on the forest floor.  Treks to see the Golden Monkeys take place in the mornings and you are permitted to stay for an hour – departure for the Golden Monkey trek is from the Park’s Kinigi Headquarters at 07:00am. Porters can be hired from the park gate and this is an excellent way to put cash directly  into the local community.

Escorted Bird Watching Walks – the Lodge extends over some 7 hectares and is a heaven for all kinds of local birds that do not easily thrive in the surrounding agricultural plots, where natural shelter is rare and disturbance by human activity high. Over 40 species of birds (of which a few species and or subspecies are endemic to the Albertine Rift forests) have been identified on and around Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge.  Binoculars are a must and birds are especially active in the morning between 7am and 9.30am and in the afternoon between 4pm and 6pm.

Escorted Mountain Bike Rides – the lodge has good quality and well serviced mountain bikes available for you to use and can arrange for a staff member to take you on an escorted mountain bike ride to explore the local area-  excursions take between one and two hours and this activity is offered free of charge.  Please note that due to the very hilly terrain and the poor general conditions of most local tracks biking in the area can be tough and physically demanding .

Escorted Cultural Walks – enjoy a guided community walk which offers a fascinating insight into Rwandan rural life today as well as a glimpse into life in the historical past. An enriching experience – you are invited to understand the agricultural lifestyle of Rwanda, including how crops are grown, how milling and processing is done by hand and traditional medicines.  Enjoying traditional Rwandan dancing which is an aspect of the culture still very alive today – the walk is from 1 to 3 hours.

Iby Iwacu Cultural Village – located 15 minutes’ drive from the Lodge and is an interesting cultural excursion. The village convinced ex poachers to turn their back on poaching and instead perform for visitors.  Discover the traditional house of a local king, watch an authentic medicine man prepare herbal mixtures, try your hand at bow and arrow shooting or enjoy cultural dances and drumming performed by people from the local area.  The guided walk of the village takes around an hour and you can freely take photographs.

Trek to Dian Fossey Research Camp and Grave – for those interested visiting Dian Fossey’s original scientific base Karisoke a trek is available from the Volcanoes National Park headquarters. Karisoke scientific base was established by Dian Fossey in the saddle area between two volcanoes; Mt Visoke and Mt Karisimbi and was abandoned during the unrest of the 1990’s.  The trek to the Karisoke research camp takes around 3 – 4 hours and takes you through some of the most beautiful stretches of Hagenia Hypericum forest in the Volcanoes National Park.  The Park fee is extra which includes the fee for the guide.

Trip to Twin Lakes – between Musanze and the Ugandan border are two scenic lakes usually referred to as the twin lakes; Lake Bulera and Lake Ruhondo.  The twin lakes are located about 45 minutes by car from Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge.

Buhanga Sacred Forest – the forest is a site of tremendous ecological importance and beauty.  The walk beneath the cover of tall trees can be rewarded by seeing birds and colourful butterflies and the best time to visit the forest is in the early morning or late afternoon when the birds are at their most active and the birdsong fills the air.

Gishwati Forest – a small population of chimpanzees still survives in the Gishwati forest and the area is the focus of urgent conservation efforts – Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge is supporting the Gishwati Forest Conservation project in the development and promotion of nature orientated eco-tourism in the forest.  Two very scenic hiking trails are now open to visitors where you can discover the forest habitats; primary forest, degraded forest and regenerating forest – and if you are lucky there is the chance of observing wild chimpanzees in their natural environment.

Musanze Market – Musanze Town is the most important town in Rwanda’s Northern Province and in the Volcanoes area.  Musanze serves as the area’s administrative, commercial and service capital. It is a bustling town with plenty of local character. A daily market is held in the new market compound in the centre of town. All kinds of goods essential to the daily life of the local residents are sold or exchanged here including a vast array of dazzling traditional Kitenge fabric on show and available to buy.

SABYINYO LODGE IS OPEN ALL YEAR ROUND

THE LODGE WELCOMES CHILDREN OF ALL AGES – PLEASE NOTE THAT CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 15 CANNOT TREK TO SEE THE GORILLAS