Mountain Gorilla View Lodge sits on the lower slopes of the Virunga volcanoes at Kinigi, in northern Rwanda, and makes a natural base for gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park. The lodge sets you within easy reach of the park headquarters where treks assemble each morning, so the pre-dawn transfer to your briefing is short and unhurried. Bear in mind that the $1,500 gorilla permit is charged separately by the Rwanda Development Board and is not included in a lodge stay.
This is one of the longer-established addresses at the foot of the volcanoes, an eco-lodge built from local stone and thatch in a traditional Rwandan style. Guests come for the setting as much as the comfort: a scatter of standalone cottages across terraced gardens, log fires against the mountain chill, and hearty home-cooked meals after a long day on the trail. Here is what to expect, and how to decide whether it suits your trip.
The Cottages
Accommodation is arranged as a collection of individual cottages spread across the lodge grounds, rather than rooms along a corridor, which gives each a real sense of privacy. The cottages are built in the traditional Rwandan manner using native materials such as stone and thatch, so they sit quietly within the landscape rather than imposing on it. Each is generously sized, comfortably accommodating a couple and, in many cases, large enough for a small family. Inside you will find warm bedding, an en-suite bathroom with a hot shower, and a private veranda that looks out over the tropical gardens, the volcanic peaks or the Musanze plains beyond.
Setting and Design
The lodge is laid out on gently terraced ground on the fringe of the national park, with the forested cones of the Virungas rising directly behind. The architecture leans on stone walls, thatched roofs and timber, an approach that keeps the buildings low and grounded among the gardens. Paths wind between the cottages and the central lodge, and the elevation gives long views across the cultivated Musanze plains on a clear morning. It is an unashamedly rustic-meets-comfortable style rather than a slick contemporary one, and that character is much of the appeal.
Dining
Meals are served in a communal restaurant that shares the same outlook over the surrounding hills, with the option of eating on the wooden decking when the weather is kind. The kitchen combines international dishes with local Rwandan cooking, typically presented buffet-style across breakfast, lunch and dinner, and drawing on fresh produce from the surrounding community. After an early start and several hours of climbing through the forest, the emphasis is firmly on warm, filling, home-cooked food. Packed breakfasts and lunches can be arranged for trekking mornings so you are not held up before your briefing.
Gorilla Trekking and Activities
The lodge exists first and foremost for the gorillas, and its position near the park headquarters is its greatest practical asset. Treks are allocated at the Kinigi briefing point each morning, with visitors divided among the habituated gorilla families according to fitness and preference. Beyond the gorillas, the park offers golden monkey tracking, and combining the two makes a rewarding pairing, as our guide to gorilla trekking and golden monkey tracking explains. Guided volcano hikes, the Dian Fossey tomb trail and cultural visits to nearby villages round out an itinerary if you stay more than a single night.
Where It Is and How to Get There
Mountain Gorilla View Lodge lies at Kinigi in the Musanze district of northern Rwanda, a short distance from the Volcanoes National Park headquarters and only a few minutes’ drive from the assembly point where treks begin. Musanze town, with its shops and fuel, is close by. From Kigali the overland journey typically takes in the region of two and a half to three hours on a good tarmac road, making a same-day arrival ahead of an early trek entirely feasible, though many visitors prefer to arrive the afternoon before to settle in.
Rates and Best Time to Stay
Rates at Mountain Gorilla View Lodge are quoted per person per night and are available on enquiry, as they vary with season, room configuration and the meal and transfer arrangements included. The drier stretches of the year, roughly June to September and again from December to February, are the most popular for trekking and see the strongest demand, so cottages and permits alike are worth securing well ahead. The park can be visited year-round; the wetter months bring lower visitor numbers and lush green landscapes in exchange for muddier trails. If you are weighing this lodge against others, our guide on how to choose the right gorilla trekking lodge is a useful next read.
Where exactly is Mountain Gorilla View Lodge?
It stands at Kinigi in the Musanze district of northern Rwanda, on the lower slopes of the Virunga volcanoes and close to the Volcanoes National Park headquarters where gorilla treks assemble.
How far is it from the gorilla trekking start point?
The lodge is only a short drive from the Kinigi park headquarters and briefing point, which makes the early-morning transfer to your trek quick and straightforward.
What are the cottages like?
They are individual stone-and-thatch cottages built in traditional Rwandan style, each with warm bedding, an en-suite bathroom with a hot shower, a fireplace for the cold evenings and a private veranda with views over the gardens, volcanoes or plains.
Is the gorilla permit included in the room rate?
No. The $1,500 Rwanda gorilla permit is charged separately by the Rwanda Development Board and must be booked in addition to your accommodation.
When is the best time to stay?
The drier months of June to September and December to February are the busiest and most reliable for trekking, so book cottages and permits early. The park is open all year, with the wetter months offering fewer crowds and greener scenery.
