An impressive, remote property with modern accommodation in a great location for primate tours
Location: Situated among the lush tea plantations of Gisakura on the edge of Nyungwe Forest National Park in south-west Rwanda, One&Only Nyungwe House offers a beautifully remote wilderness setting. This ancient montane rainforest, one of Africa's best-preserved, harbours 13 species of primates, over 300 bird species and a rich tapestry of orchids and jungle flora. The lodge sits at the boundary between cultivated tea fields and wild rainforest, granting immediate access to forest trails while preserving a sense of serene plantation charm. It lies approximately 230km from Kigali - or a scenic five-hour drive - or you can choose a 35 minute domestic flight to Kamembe followed by a 45 minute transfer.
Rooms: One&Only Nyungwe House compromises 22 luxurious rooms and suites, arranged across five wooden villa clusters designed to blend seamlessly into their forested surroundings. Each room has a private deck or balcony overlooking jungle canopy, floor to ceiling windows, and a wood-burning eucalyptus fireplace for cosy comfort. Interiors feature Rwandan-inspired artwork, Imigongo artwork and locally sourced design elements for an authentic yet modern ambience. A selection of suites includes private Jacuzzis and two-bedroom layouts ideal for families or groups seeking added space and exclusivity.
Amenities: The lodge features a contemporary dining room with panoramic views over tea plantation and forest, supported by a tea lounge where traditional Rwandan tea ceremonies take place. Dining revolves around farm-to-table cuisine, with ingredients grown in the lodge's garden or sourced from local producers in Gisakura and surrounding communities. Guests can relax at the heated infinity pool overlooking the rainforest horizon, visit the holistic spa offering Africology treatments inspired by African wellness traditions, or work out the gym with jungle views.
Activities: With direct access to Nyungwe Forest, One&Only Nyungwe House is a portal to extraordinary wildlife adventures. Guests can trek chimpanzees, colobus and L'Hoest's monkeys, stroll through orchid-rich trails, and bird-watch rare Albertine Rift endemics with expert guides. The park's canopy walk - a 160m suspension bridge 70m above the forest floor - offers incredible aerial views and wildlife spotting opportunities. Other curated experiences include nocturnal spotlight tours, stargazing on elevated decks, tea-planation tours and tastings, spear-throwing or archery lessons, cycling, scenic waterfall hikes, yoga in the treetops, helicopter flights over the forest, and community visits to local cooperatives and cultural trails.
Sustainability: Sustainability is integral to the lodge's operations. One&Only returned management of the on-site Gisakura tea plantation to local community cooperatives, supplying income to help pay school fees and support livelihoods. There is a strict no-plastic policy, and kitchen garden produce or local sourcing minimises food miles. Guests receive reusable water bottles, and on departure have the opportunity to plant a tree in their name as part of a guest-driven conservation initiative. The lodge also works with former poachers to retrain them from trail-building and sustainable mushroom cultivation programmes, alongside educational mentoring in local schools about conservation and biodiversity, in partnership with organisations such as the Wildlife Conservation Society. Turndown gifts are created by local artisans, and the resort regularly participates in Umuganda, Rwanda's national community-service initiative, to support local environmental and social projects.
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