One&Only's first Rwanda property — 21 villas and suites in the Virunga Mountains, positioned as the luxury gateway for gorilla trekking.
BrandOne&Only Resorts
DestinationRuhengeri
RegionAfrica
Price TierTier 3 ($5k-$7k)
SettingRural surroundings with views of eucalyptus and volcanoes
Best ForMilestone-trip travelers combining gorilla trekking with luxury accommodation, families with older children seeking wildlife experiences, One&Only loyalists extending to Africa.
PrivacyUltra-Private
ServicePersonalized concierge service
ButlerPersonalised service
Private PoolYes
Built2019
One&Only Gorilla's Nest opened in 2019 in the Virunga Mountains near Ruhengeri, Rwanda's gateway town for gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park. The property has 21 villas and suites spread across eucalyptus-forested grounds with volcano views. The format adapts One&Only's resort programming t
Key Features
Luxurious villas and suites with private balconies
Spa and wellness facilities
Gorilla trekking experiences
Cultural excursions
Fine dining restaurant
Outdoor swimming pool
Dining
Nest Restaurant
Signature Experience
The morning departure for gorilla trekking — One&Only's operational discipline means early breakfast service, packed provisions, and vehicle logistics run smoother than competing properties.
One&Only's full-resort programming translated to gorilla-trekking logistics — the brand's concierge infrastructure handles permit coordination and multi-day trek planning at a level of service that independent lodges in the region don't match.
Signature Suite: Silverback Suite
Interior: Ultra-spacious 1-bedroom suite with a lounge and dining room, Outdoor_Space: Expansive multi-level outdoor space with a stately swimming pool, Private_Deck: Large private deck
Accolades
Africas Leading Hotel Suite 2025, Africas Leading Luxury Resort 2025, Africas Leading Hotel Suite 2024
Best time: June through September and December through January provide Ruhengeri's finest conditions, with the dry seasons offering the most accessible gorilla trekking trails and the Virunga volcanic landscape at its most dramatic.
Demand: Ruhengeri attracts the world's most committed wildlife luxury travelers as Rwanda's primary gorilla trekking gateway, with consistent year-round demand at the finest Singita Kwitonda and Bisate Lodge properties supplemented by golden monkey trekking and volcano hiking.
Pricing: Ultra-luxury Ruhengeri properties command East Africa's highest per-night rates, with all-inclusive packages including gorilla trekking permits representing some of Africa's most premium wildlife luxury investments.
Insider tip: Arrange a private golden monkey habituation experience in the bamboo forests of the Volcanoes National Park on the same day as gorilla trekking — combining both experiences creates one of Africa's most extraordinary single-day wildlife luxury encounters.
Avoid: Avoid April through May during Rwanda's heavy rains when gorilla trekking trails become very challenging and some routes are temporarily closed.
