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Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge

Large cottages in the heart of Volcanoes National Park
A hidden gem at the top of 186 steps

Gorilla trekking from Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge will be the highlight of your stay in Africa

Location: Located at around 2,100-2,150m in the foothills of the Virunga Volcano range, Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge boasts panoramic views of Rwanda's rolling agricultural hills and mist-shrouded volcanic peaks. The lodge sits a mere 3km from the headquarters of Volcanoes National Park, making it a prime launch point for early0morning gorilla treks. Guests enjoy a sense of peaceful remoteness, yet remain deeply embedded within a faming community managed by SACOLA.

Rooms: There are nine guest cottages in total - six standard stone cottages, two suites with king-size four-poster beds, and one spacious family cottage with two en-suite bedrooms connected by a shared veranda. Each unit features polished timber floors, snug fireplaces that power hot-water bottles at night, large sitting areas, and sheltered verandas with sweeping volcano views. Bathrooms offer deep soaking tubs and stone showers, all style with local terracotta and handsome finishes.

Amenities: The main lodge building is warm and welcoming, with a reception, an open fire-lit sitting room, library/games room, and dining areas that spill out onto panoramic terraces. Meals reflect a true farm-to-table ethos, using produce grown on-site or sourced via SACOLA community farms. Light meals, warm drinks, and even homemade chocolate feature during the day, with hot water bottles attuned to trek recovery. Complimentary Wi-Fi is available throughout, laundry is included, and in-cottage spa treatments can be arranged on request.

Activities: The lodge's primary appeal is gorilla trekking, which begins just minutes away at park headquarters; warm up with a fireplace before heading into the forest for a 1-6 hour hike followed by a treasured one-hour encounter with the gorillas. Beyond that, guests can track golden monkeys, stroll bird-rich gardens (17 acres on the property) with a specialist guide, mountain-bike across local terrain, take guided cultural walks through SACOLA villages, and visit the Dian Fossey Karisoke Research Centre. More adventurous travellers can book hikes up Bisoke, Muhabura or M'Gahinga volcanoes.

Sustainability: Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge is Rwanda's first community-owned luxury lodge, owned by the SACOLA Community Trust. A flat US $50 per guest per night is channelled into community development - funding more than 1,200 homes for genocide survivors, local schools, clinics, agricultural projects and micro-enterprises like beekeeping and mushroom farming. The lodge employs over 90 percent Rwandans, sources most food locally, runs composting and minimal-waste systems, and supports reforestation and habitat monitoring in nearby forests like Buhanga and Gishwati - with guest-engagement in cultural/community walks and conservation education encouraged throughout their stay.

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Elizabeth Spells

I have just returned from the most amazing trip to Tanzania, booked with Far & Wild. Everything went so smoothly from the first time I spoke with them. The planning was great, the itinerary was perfect for us, and the lodges were amazing. We spent 10 nights with an amazing guide, travelling through Northern Tanzania and even got to see the migration, which was a lifetime ambition of mine. This wasn't our first safari, so we were nervous as to how it would compare, but it was spot on. We're particularly grateful that she suggested a private 'bush lunch' in the Ngorongoro Crater as the public picnic spot was very busy! I will certainly be using them again to book our next trip....we're thinking of a relaxing beach stay next time to get over the excitement of safari!

July, 2024
Orla Rhodes

Just back from another amazing F&W organised trip to Namibia with the family (8 adults). Having been there before, Alistair tailored our trip to include our favourite locations and added a new one for us, Okonjima Plains camp, which we loved.The quality of accommodation and guiding, activities, food and drinks was exceptional throughout. Although not inexpensive I felt it was good value for the level of luxury we had. Kwessi Dunes, Shipwreck lodge, Ongava, Okonjima with pit stops Windhoek (city tour recommended ), Swakopmund (Sandwich Harbour and Walvis Bay tour) and Grootberg lodge (best sundowner drive )

June, 2024
Arnhild Schia

We had a wonderful trip to São Tomé and Príncipe - a small island nation in the Gulf of Guinea with paradise (almost empty) beaches and jungle forest. It was all well organised by Far and Wild and we stayed at Omali lodge at Sao Tome, then on Roca Sundy, and Sunday Praia at Principe - a great combination of different types of resorts/hotels. Omali is close to Sao Tome town with its colonial buildings, markets, hustle and bustle. Roca Sunday gives an old plantation experience and Sundy Praia a luxury beach experience. Very friendly (from time to time a bit slow) service, great fresh food, specifically if you like fish/seafood, vegetables and fruits (almost all sourced locally). Nice temperature between 23 and 30 degrees Celsius, nice swimming conditions. We really recommend this for those who want to experience a pristine destination with few other tourists and friendly and welcoming people. The islands also feel (and I believe are) very safe. At Principe, there are no dangerous animals, snakes or whatever, and it was great to be able to hike in the jungle without being very conscious of where to put your hands and feet. Go before everyone else does!

July, 2024
Henri Papenfus

Back home again, basking in the joys of a superb safari. Every aspect you arranged for us, including linking up with Mack Air and Wild Horizons locally to transport us. The choice of camps, Camp Hwange in Zimbabwe and Muchenenje Safari Lodge in Botswana, was spot on and exactly what we had hoped for - ideally situated, comfortable, in good surroundings, and with excellent wildlife on the doorstep and throughout the wider country. The service staff in each looked after us very well, catering was excellent, and the game guides were professional, knowledgeable and helpful. The weather was, as usual for that part of the world, also good at the time of our visit. Blue skies and stunning sunsets. Warm but not too hot during the day, although quite cold at sunrise when viewing game. The viewing started. You made us happy, and we recommend you to similar safari enthusiasts with confidence.

June, 2024
AC

Far and Wild went above and beyond to make sure my trip to Zambia was special. I would definitely recommend them and their services to anyone wanting to travel to Africa.

May, 2024
Tiny

Lovely holiday at the amazing Almanara on Galu beach, a beach like no other. Far and Wild excelled themselves from beginning to end of our holiday in beautiful Kenya.... What a country!,

April, 2024
Stodge

Wow! These guys are amazing. Can’t recommend them highly enough. Friendly AND efficient! Sorted out our trip (last minute and lots of different family member needs, sorry!) in record time and everything worked like clockwork. Trip of a lifetime to the Masai Mara. Will be back (and use F&W again!)!

March, 2024
Fiona C

It was a dreamy holiday on the Kenyan Coast - Far and Wild, their efficiency and professionalism allowed us to relax and be the happiest family alive !! We cannot fault them, their care and understanding of what we wanted from a holiday ensured we had the most memorable trip. We will be booking with them again for sure!

March, 2024

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