ONE & ONLY NYUNGWE HOUSE – NYUNGWE

One&Only Nyungwe House is set in amongst a working tea plantation on the edge of Nyungwe Forest in Rwanda’s mountainous south west.  Rich with flora and fauna that has thrived for millions of years – Nyungwe is an idyllic eco retreat ideal to while away a few days at the end of your Rwanda experience.

This luxurious lodge has just 22 suites in clusters of villas dotted at the forest edge.  Relax within the beautifully re-imagined spaces where every creature comfort is at your fingertips – from evening cocktails by the crackling fire pit and gastronomic feasts on the elevated deck to soothing indigenous therapies in the warm jungle air.

Trek to encounter chimpanzees and the rare Mangabey monkey living amongst the mahoganies, delicate orchids and exotic butterflies of the forest and soak up the knowledge of local elders who share the secrets of survival in this remote jungle environment. Activities include mountain biking, canopy walking and trekking to view diverse wildlife, birds and indigenous flora of the ancient forest.

LOCATION

One&Only Nyungwe House is located alongside the Nyungwe Forest in South West Rwanda.  Access is either by road taking around 6 hours or helicopter which takes around 30 minutes.

LODGE

The lodge accommodation is situated in five striking wooden villa clusters and the treetop-skimming luxury suites and rooms are secluded in wonderfully scenic surroundings.  Enjoy exceptional dining and selected beverages included in your stay, plus two signature resort experiences daily.

The Nyungwe Room – celebrates Rwanda’s natural beauty from its immersive tree-grazing balcony to its chic African design and thoughtful furnishings. Generous spaces and beautiful interiors make this bedroom amongst the trees a serene base for ecological adventures and wildlife encounters.

The Two-Bedroom Forest Suite – ideal for those travelling with friends or family this luxury suite offers plenty of room across large living spaces and private outdoor decks so you can unwind and enjoy the rainforest experience.

ACTIVITIES AND WILDLIFE

In Southwest Rwanda, just south of Lake Kivu on the Burundi border, One&Only Nyungwe House is set amongst the rich tea-plantations of Gisakura, on the edge of the iconic Nyungwe National Park. The park itself covers approximately 1020 km² of rainforest, bamboo, grassland, swamps and bogs, and is one of the last mountain rainforest habitats on the planet.

As a survivor of the last Ice Age, Nyungwe Forest National Park covers an immense mass that is home to Africa’s oldest rainforest systems, making it the country’s largest and most important area of spectacular biodiversity.

Home to 300 bird species, more than 200 different varieties of trees, and at least 100 species of orchids, our specialist guide will whisk you to the periphery of the National Park. Here, you will learn about the indigenous flora, rare primates and reptiles, bright butterflies and exotic birds – including the rare Grauer’s rush warbler, yellow African citril, great-blue turaco, and red-collared mountain babbler.

The following are offered on a complementary basis bookable at the lodge:

Nature’s Bootcamp – moderate to challenging – your motivating guide will lead you on a kinetic workout through the leafy tracks surrounding the tea plantation. The natural landscape is the only equipment you’ll need for this jungle-style bootcamp in the fresh, mountain air.

Spear Throwing – moderate – on a hilltop above our tea plantation, enjoy a refreshing cool drink as you learn how to make your own spear take flight and take in the fabulous fresh air views.

Conservation – moderate – come and explore some of the initiatives that operate within the Nyungwe National Park and also around the resort.

Chef’s Garden – easy – one of the senior chefs will personally guide you through the kitchen’s dedicated garden filled with unique native ingredients and a few culinary staples!

Umuganda Community Participation – moderate to challenging – Umuganda has roots back to Rwanda’s independence, and is now a nationwide programme where citizens devote the last Saturday morning of every month to working in the local community. From developing infrastructure to environmental protection, you can take part in this positive initiative giving back to the communities of Nyungwe and getting to know the local people.  Available every last Saturday of the month from 8am – 12pm.

The Secrets of African Tea – easy – you will be invited to go into the tea plantation and learn the art of picking tea leaves and trying it out on your own. Don’t miss the interactive and visual presentation revealing the process of growing and processing African tea leaves and at the end sample some beautiful black tea grown in the local area of Gisakura.  3pm – 3.45pm

Exploring by bicycle – moderate to challenging – explore the beautiful surrounds of the property at a pace that suits you.

There are also a number of activities you can join at extra cost including stargazing tour, birding, Nyungwe by helicopter, chimpanzee trekking, colobus monkey trekking, birdwatching in the national park and a canopy walk.  You can also hike a number of trails from easy to challenging.

ONE&ONLY GORILLA’S NEST IS OPEN ALL YEAR ROUND 

THE CAMP WELCOMES FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN AGED 12 YEARS AND OLDER