Visiting the gorillas? Do you want a reliable place with a reliable staff to rest the night before and after? Volcanoes National Park is located in the northern region of Rwanda and it is two hours and half drive from Kigali city. The park is home to the endangered mountain gorillas and besides that it has other amazing tourism activities like golden monkey tracking, nature walks, cultural tours, birdieing, the Dian Fossey Hike and forest guided walks, among others. While on a self-drive safari, below are the budget and mid-range lodges that you can check out.
Hotel Muhabura
Hotel Muhabura is an old budget hotel from where Mount Muhabura can be seen. It is located 44It is where Dian Fossey used to come when she came to town (room 12), in the seventies. Her room is well decorated and features a bathtub and several windows. Staying in the hotel is like a throwback to a bygone era, and one has to be psychologically ready for old cabin-style rooms. You’ll get a bed, a bathroom with hot water in the shower. Yes, bring ear plugs, because there are noises everywhere in Rwanda, not just this hotel. I recommend it to the savvy, experienced and flexible traveler.
Muhabura’s restaurant is renown by most travelers for offering good portions, tasty and well-priced meals. The restaurant staff were effective, friendly, spoke good English, informative and jovial.
Features of the hotel include
- Parking
- Conference facilities
- Camping
- Balcony/Terrace
- Children Playground
- Garden
- Gift shop-La Boutik
- Reception
- Restaurant
- Sauna and massage
Villa Gorilla Lodge
Villa Gorilla is an ideal budget lodge with its beautiful gardens (worth the stay alone), breathtaking views of the mountains which feel right next to you and fantastic customer service, you feel like family there. Most visitors stay here pre – mountain gorilla tracking or after. The environment in which it is in makes you feel connected to the surrounding nature. The rooms are excellent in making you feel connected to the local culture rather than a Western interpretation of luxury.
Villa Gorilla has spectacular gardens to start and end you day in. Their cottages allow you the privacy to sleep in or snuggle up in the evening with the warm fire on a chilly night. The hosts Lisa and Andrew are world class chefs who bring such passion to their culinary creations.
The local markets and shops, they arranged treks with a knowledgeable local guide who made your Rwandan adventure with the gorillas, and golden monkeys truly incredible.
Lodge Facilities include
- Free parking
- Internet
- Bar/lounge
- Laundry services
- Children Activities
- Free breakfast
Kinigi Guest house
Kinigi Guesthouse is a modest lodging located just down the road from the gorilla and monkey treks ranger headquarters where you start the treks. It is a budget place so don’t expect Marriott style facilities or amenities. The guesthouse is 17km from Musanze and just a minute drive from the Volcanoes National Park offices where most activities start at. The place is quiet and pleasant, between trees and singing birds. Wi-Fi is available in the restaurant and lobby area.
This lodging is mostly for backpackers, the friendliest guesthouse in Volcanoes National Park with single rooms, double and VIP rooms. Guests are usually in transit for the gorilla treks, so if you are looking for somebody to share the transport to and from the park gate you will have lot of chances here.
Guesthouse Facilities include
- Free parking
- Bar/lounge
- Laundry service
- Internet
- Restaurant
Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge
Da Vinci Gorilla lodge, one of the budget lodges offering comfortable accommodation to travelers visiting Volcanoes National Park, northern Rwanda. This lodge is located in Kinigi Musanze and offers a breathing environment to gorilla tracking in Volcanoes National Park. The lodge lies in the shadows of Karisimbi Mountain, one of the eight Virunga volcanoes.
Cottages are very large can easily fit extra beds to accommodate a family traveling together. The individual cottages are very spacious and comfortable, made even cozier with fires and warm water bottle bottles in the bed at night. The location is perfect – in a quiet, lush green spot at the base of the mountains and near the park entrance, so a brief 10-minute drive to begin your early morning hike.
The lodge offers exquisite accommodation to Budget, mid-range and luxury tourists at an affordable rate. The lodge has quiet friendly safari with a maximum of 5 guest cottages for now and a variety of accommodation options.
Lodge Facilities include
- Free parking
- Free parking
- Pets allowed
- Baggage storage
- Free high-speed internet
- Hiking
- Conference facilities
- Concierge
- snack bar
- Bar/lounge
- Shared lounge
- Current exchange
IbyI’wacu Cultural Village
This recreation of a traditional village is one of the most novel places to stay in Rwanda. Although its main purpose is to provide a cultural experience, you can also stay the night and that’s when things get interesting. Guests sleep in one of the cozy huts and are entertained long into the evening by local villages. All up, it’s a great way of forming fast friends with local and learning a bit about their lives and if you have children with you, this is likely to be the highlight of their Rwandan adventure. You should reserve in advance.
La Paillotte Gorilla Place
Right in Kinigi village, not far from the market and bus stand, this small hotel offers exceptional value for money. Rooms come in two categories, with the pricier ones having stone floors with bamboo matting, good bathrooms, pot plants and desks. Cheaper rooms lack the arty touches but are polished white and very comfortable. The attached restaurant with its wood burner for frigid nights is a relaxed place to eat.
Amahoro Guest house
Amahoro Guesthouse is a budget secluded accommodation in Musanze former Ruhengeri. The house is just a couple of streets away from the city main street with easy (5min) walk distance of restaurants, shops, and banks. There are two double rooms (B&B) en-suite (private bathroom) and three twin bedrooms with three beds (B&B) (shared bathroom). The guesthouse has a lovely little private garden and outdoor veranda.
The place is a must, it is quiet, clean, and peaceful, you can go find the garden play with the three pet rabbits, walk around and great restaurants are close by, they serve breakfast in the guesthouse and it is truly delicious
There are kitchen facilities to cook dinner for yourself, which can be a good option as some of the better-known restaurants are quite a walk away. Highly recommended to all on budget travelers while In Ruhengeri – Rwanda because it’s on the gate way to the Volcanoes National Park especially to those who’re interested to go for gorilla trekking or volcanoes hiking.
Guest house facilities
- Secured parking
- Free High-Speed Internet (Wi-Fi)
- Bar / lounge
- Airport transportation
- Baggage storage
- Gift shop
- 24-hour front desk
- Private check-in/check-out
- Wi-Fi
- Car hire
- Mosquito net
- Non-smoking hotel
- Shared kitchen
- Shared lounge/TV area
- Laundry service
Karisimbi Cave Resort
This is an authentic place to stay with the most amazing staff. This is a women based eco resort located in Musanze right after Ines Ruhengeri University on the new road to Kinigi. 8 high-quality, large and bright rooms and 4 budget rooms with all comforts. The rooms are built with local volcanic stone and each has its own terrace. A cozy fireplace invites you to linger in the lobby next to the restaurant.
The Bird rich garden is a wonderful place to have breakfast. Owner Aline grows her own fruit, macadamia nuts, herbs and vegetables for use in the hotel kitchen.
A welcoming present on the first day, fresh fruit, drinking water and fresh flowers are always present in the room. The food is exquisite and if possible, made from daily produce out of their own garden. Karisimbi is a place to relax after a intense day of mountain or gorilla trekking. Don’t hesitate and book at Karisimbi Cave Resort, you will not be disappointed!
The Resort facilities
- Free parking
- Free High-Speed Internet (Wi-Fi)
- Free breakfast
- Hiking
- Bicycle tours
- Kids stay free
- Babysitting
- Pets Allowed (Dog/Pet Friendly)
- Secured parking
- Wi-Fi
- Bar/lounge
- Coffee shop
- Restaurant
- Breakfast available
- Breakfast buffet
- Breakfast in the room
- Complimentary welcome drink
- Kids’ meals
- Outdoor dining area
- Special diet menus
Isange Paradise Resort
Isange Paradise Resort provides its budget customers with a sustainable Island of relaxation on the edge of Volcanoes National Park. The place is at convenient distance from Virunga National Park headquarters. This resort has a bird rich tropical garden, 10 beautiful rooms and one apartment with two bedrooms and I sitting room, fireplace and mini kitchen all with a private terrace attached to the garden, cozy lounge with open fireplace, restaurant with a small refined fresh menu, function hall up to 150 people and the place is surrounded by our ecological fruit and vegetable garden.
Not only does it a boast a lush garden and modest, but clean rooms, it is also run by a man who donates almost everything to a non-profit that aids under-educated youths in the area. Can’t recommend Isange enough to travelers.
Resort Facilities
- Free parking
- Free High-Speed Internet (Wi-Fi)
- Yoga room
- Free breakfast
- Bicycle rental
- Bicycles available
- Children’s playground
- Indoor play area for children
- Secured parking
- Wi-Fi
- Bar/lounge
- Coffee shop
Fravan Eco Resort
Fravan eco-resort is a hidden gem for budget travelers in Musanze/Ruhengeri. The resort is about 3 or 4 km away from the city centre, but it is a nice walk along the way. A short drive from the vibrant Centre of Musanze city, it offers the serenity and tranquility you are looking for and is a good starting point for exploring the surroundings of Musanze city, the Volcanoes National Park, Musanze Caves or the Twin Lakes Area.
This eco resort offers 07 cottages including one tree house. The cottages are embedded in the vast nature of the land, inviting you to leave the stress outside its doors. The eco resort is designed, crafted and built carefully from local wood and natural materials using local elements.
Resort Features
- Free parking
- Free internet
- Yoga classes
- Free breakfast
- Badminton
- Boating
- Children’s playground
- Children Activities (Kid/Family Friendly)
- Parking garage
- Wi-Fi
- Paid internet
- Bar/lounge
- Restaurant
- Breakfast available
- Breakfast in the room
- Outdoor dining area
- Special diet menus
- Wine/champagne
- Canoeing
- Hiking
- Bicycle tours
- Canoeing offsite
Room Features
- Dining area
- Fireplace
- Housekeeping
- Safe
- Coffee/tea maker
- Stove top
- Flat screen TV
- Bath/shower
- Seating area
- Wardrobe/closet
- Private bathrooms
- Electric kettle
- Kitchenware
- Radio
- Complimentary toiletries
- Hair dryer
