The Retreat is an 11-room luxury boutique hotel located on a tree-lined street steps from Kigali City Center and 20 minutes from the airport.  It is Kigali’s first eco-friendly resort and features solar electricity, organic toiletries, locally crafted furniture from a Tanzanian sustainable teak farm, outdoor showers, private terraces, a yoga and meditation room, spa, large heated saltwater swimming pool with jacuzzi and diving rocks, and an open-air fitness center.  Fusion Restaurant and its Swahili-inspired bar, located at The Retreat, offer delicious farm-to-table international cuisine, while Heaven Restaurant (reached through the Retreat’s “Stairway to Heaven”) offers an innovative modern African menu.

Kigali, Rwanda’s is the country’s financial, commercial and cultural hub, stretches across undulating lush hills surrounded by towering mountains, the largest of which is Mount Kigali, rising 1850 metres above sea level. Kigali, served by an international airport and featuring a wide range of accommodation options, restaurants and points of interest, including the Kigali Genocide Centre, an atmospheric market and numerous craft shops. With its interesting architecture, busy streets, meandering boulevards, and green hillsides, Kigali is said to be one of the most attractive cities in Africa.

Your Kigali sightseeing options include*:

• Kigali Genocide Memorial
• Nyamirambo Women’s Centre
• The Inema Arts Centre
• Kimironko Market
• Kandt House Museum
• Caplaki Craft Village

* Some options may incur additional

Located at the base of the Volcano Muhabura in northern Rwanda, the Twin Lakes of Burera and Ruhondo are picturesque blue water masses surrounded by the Virunga high hills and separated by a one-kilometre strip of land.  Perched high on a ridge with stunning views of the Virunga Volcanoes and the Musanze valley to the west and Lake Bulera and Ruhondo to the east, it offers the finest views in Africa. The lodge’s uniquely decorated in the Rwandese style, fantastic food and exceptional and personalised service by carefully trained staff. It is the first accommodation choice for the luxury traveller tracking the endangered mountain gorilla. Each of the ten bandas is luxuriously appointed, with the accent on vibrant Rwandese fabrics and stylish locally inspired furniture, and features individual fire places, a luxury shower room with a double vanity, and charging station, and a private terrace for watching the sunrise over the dramatic landscape of mountains and lakes. 

Visitors can take canoe or boat trips along the waters to take in the magnificent views. Other activities include gorilla trekking or golden monkey tracking in the neighbouring Volcanoes National Park, taking fascinating cultural tours from Iby’iwacu Cultural Village, or visiting the intriguing, tropical Musanze Caves. The lakes’ Swamp Rugezi is one of the most important birding areas of Rwanda, and provides a photogenic, serene area to see a number of species. The lakes provide a wonderful opportunity to see people fishing along the shorelines with traditional methods, such as using self-made canoes (consisting of a single piece of wood), fish nets and hooks.

Your Virunga experiences may include*

• Gorilla tracking in Parc National des Volcans (PNV)
• Golden monkey tracking in Parc National des Volcans (PNV)
• Hike to Dian Fossey’s grave and visit the Karisoke Research Centre
• Intore dance group performance
• Community visit
• Iby’iwacu Cultural Village
• Exploring the tropical Musanze Caves
• Birding along the Rugezi Swamp

* Some options may incur additional charges

• Travel overland to Kigali International Airport