About Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel
Opened in 2011, Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel is a short drive off the main road, on top of a steep hill.
From its hilltop vantage point, Top View has beautiful views across the neighbouring forest and tea plantations, and its proximity to the headquarters of Nyungwe Forest National Park makes it is a good base for trekking to see the chimpanzees and exploring the forest.
At first glance, Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel looks quite smart, but on closer inspection it is a little scruffy. The furniture may be modern but it's a mish-mash of design, and is quite cheaply made. And we were pretty disappointed with the food. Yet regardless of the hotel's imperfections we thought the location was great and it is certainly comfortable enough, offering relatively good value. Indeed, the slight scruffiness and the odd mix of styles is rather endearing. In addition, the staff try really hard and we'd expect the friendly atmosphere and welcoming service to add enormously to the overall experience.
Our view
At first glance, Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel looks quite smart, but on closer inspection it is a little scruffy. The furniture may be modern but it's a mish-mash of design, and is quite cheaply made. And we were pretty disappointed with the food. Yet regardless of the hotel's imperfections we thought the location was great and it is certainly comfortable enough, offering relatively good value. Indeed, the slight scruffiness and the odd mix of styles is rather endearing. In addition, the staff try really hard and we'd expect the friendly atmosphere and welcoming service to add enormously to the overall experience.
Rwanda expert
Accommodation
12 cottages
Children
Best for 10+
Open
All year
Activities
Birdwatching
Cultural excursion
Guided walking safari
Primate trekking
Traveller reviews of Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel
22 real, un-edited reviews from Expert Africa's travellers.
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Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel: Our full report
Opened in 2011, Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel is a short drive off the main road, on top of a steep hill.
From its hilltop vantage point, Top View has beautiful views across the neighbouring forest and tea plantations, and its proximity to the headquarters of Nyungwe Forest National Park makes it is a good base for trekking to see the chimpanzees and exploring the forest.
The main areas at Nyungwe Top View are housed in a large, two-tiered ‘rondavel’ with a phenomenally high roof. Although a rondavel is usually a traditionally built round house, this building offers a rather more modern take on the theme. The ground floor, where you will find the reception, is sparsely furnished with a few modern angular sofas and walls adorned with traditional Rwandan murals. Circular wicker lights hang from the ceiling and dark tiled stairs lead up to a mezzanine balcony.
It is on this second level that you will find the dining area, with tables and chairs set on a rather out-of-place black-tiled floor, and a sweeping veranda with wooden tables and chairs. The views from here are stunning and on clear days you can even see Lake Kivu and the volcanoes of the Congo beyond. There is also a bar on this level made almost entirely from bottle tops, giving it a bright, very kitsch look. It really was a piece of art – almost Art Deco – and probably our favourite part of the hotel.
Glass doors at the front of the rondavel open onto a beautifully kept lawn. This is surrounded by a low hedge, and when we stayed here in May 2017, we were pleased to see that the plants had matured nicely since our previous visit.
The 12 red-brick cottages at Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel are ranged in two rows, one on each side of the rondavel, along two sides of the lawn. Every cottage houses a bedroom, a small lounge area at the front, with terracotta-tiled floors, a sofa, chair and coffee table, and a fireplace. Although the furniture is different in every cottage, it is angular and modern throughout, and not of great quality. Even the colourful new sofas and curtains felt a bit mismatched and the rooms lacked a cohesive design. It also appeared to us that some cottages had been finished to a higher standard than others.
The bedrooms are quite sparse, furnished only with a double, twin or triple beds, a chest of drawers and hanging space for clothes, but they have plenty of space and were spotlessly clean. African patterned throws cover the beds and there is traditional Rwandan ‘imigorigo’ artwork on the walls. There are no fans or air con but the team here will put hot-water bottles in your beds on cooler nights.
The tiled bathrooms each have a sink, toilet and shower and some also have baths, with towels and toiletries provided. Although the bathrooms looked attractive with their individual colour schemes, cracks were already starting to appear when we last visited and they lacked attention to detail.
As at any other lodge in this area, activities from Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel focus on those offered by Nyungwe Forest National Park, which is home to a high diversity of wildlife, including 13 species of primates and 37 endemic birds. Your private driver (included as part of virtually all our trips here) will be on hand to take you to the park headquarters, just 3km away, to start each activity. These include looking for one of the habituated chimpanzee groups; trekking in search of Ruwenzori colobus monkeys; or going on one of many nature walks the forest has to offer. More adventurous travellers may like to try their hand at the high canopy walk!
Activities
Birdwatching
Cultural excursion
Guided walking safari
Primate trekking
Families & children
- Attitude towards children
- Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel is happy to accept children of any age.
- Property’s age restrictions
- The hotel has no age restrictions, but children must be at least 15 years old to take part in most of the primate-focused activities in Nyungwe Forest.
- Special activities & services
- No
- Equipment
- The hotel can offer a triple room on request, but does not have any additional facilities for children.
- Generally recommended for children
- Nyungwe Top View Hill would be fine for older children who are able to make the most of the activities that the area offers.
- Notes
- There are some quite steep sections of hillside in front of the cottages so parents should keep a close eye on their children at all times.
Food & drink
- Usual board basis
- Full Board
- Food quality
- On our most recent visit to Nyungwe Top View Hotel, in May 2017, the menu was quite simple, and sometimes disappointing. If the food is unlikely to be winning culinary awards any time soon, it would probably be acceptable for a two- to three-night stay.
Breakfast is served throughout the morning with cereals, fruit and toast available along with fruit juice, and a selection of teas and coffee. Guests may also order a full English breakfast with eggs (at extra cost) cooked to their liking. The hotel can provide a packed breakfast if you are leaving early in the morning.
Lunch is three courses, from an à la carte menu. We tucked in to a Greek salad, followed by a creamy chicken curry with saffron rice and green vegetables; dessert was a tropical fruit salad.
Dinner is typically served as a buffet, but if there are only a few guests this may be à la carte. The starter is normally soup, with the buffet featuring a range of hot dishes such as meat stews, vegetarian dishes, fish, rice and a selection of vegetables and potatoes. We had pumpkin soup followed by beef stew accompanied by steamed butternut squash, roast potatoes and green beans. For dessert, our chocolate ‘pudding’ turned out to be just a bowl of chocolate-flavoured custard. - Dining style
- Individual Tables
- Dining locations
- Indoor and Outdoor Dining
- Further dining info, including room service
- Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel offers free room service, although there are no phones in the cottages so this has to be arranged in advance.
- Drinks included
- Drinks are not included. A soft drink or local beer would cost US$3 and a glass of wine US$5.
Bottled water is provided in the rooms.
Our travellers’ wildlife sightings from Nyungwe Top View Hill
Since mid-2018, many of our travellers who stayed at Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel have kindly recorded their wildlife sightings and shared them with us. The results are below. Click an animal to see more, and here to see more on our methodology.
100% success
0% success
Getting there
- Location
- Nyungwe Forest National Park, Rwanda
- Ideal length of stay
- We would recommend at least two nights at Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel, though three would be better. Then you would have time to sample a number of the activities here, such as trekking to see the colobus monkeys and chimpanzees, birding walks and the high canopy walk.
- Directions
- Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel is a five-hour drive from Kigali on relatively good tarmac roads, until the final five minutes up a steep track to the hotel.
- Accessible by
- Fly-and-Transfer
Special interests
- Scenic walking & hiking
- Close to the Nyungwe Forest, Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel is an excellent spot for walking in Rwanda. Trek to see habituated chimpanzees and colobus monkeys; explore the treetops high up in the canopy walk; or go on nature walks to find hidden waterfalls.
- See ideas for Scenic walking & hiking in Rwanda
Communications
- Power supply notes
- There is a back-up generator in case of emergencies.
It is possible to charge batteries in the rooms. The sockets have two European-style round pins, but the hotel can provide adaptors on request. - Communications
- There is WiFi in the central area, although this can be fairly slow. The hotel plans to install phones in all cottages, however this is not yet in place.
- TV & radio
- There is no TV or radio at Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel.
- Water supply
- Borehole
- Water supply notes
- All water comes from the forest itself. Whilst this is fine for brushing your teeth, bottled water is provided in all rooms.
Health & safety
- Malarial protection recommended
- Yes
- Medical care
- The nearest medical service is at Kibogora Hospital, 10km from the hotel. There is a first-aid box at the hotel and we were told that a team member was also trained in first aid.
- Dangerous animals
- Low Risk
- Security measures
- There are security guards dotted around the property day and night, and there are safes in half of the cottages. Guests staying in cottages without safes may leave valuables with the manager who can lock them away.
- Fire safety
- Fire extinguishers are positioned by every cottage and around the main areas. Some members of staff are trained to use them. We would advise travellers against having the log fires lit as there are currently no carbon monoxide detectors in the rooms.
Useful info
- Disabled access
- Not Possible
- Laundry facilities
- Laundry is washed and dried by machine. We felt this service was fairly expensive at around US$4–5 per item.
- Money
- The hotel will exchange currency in US dollars, euros and British pounds, using the bank's rate of the day.
- Accepted payment on location
- Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel will accept cash in Rwandan francs, US dollars, euros and British pounds. They also accept all major debit and credit cards, with the exception of American Express.
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Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel's location
Look closer at the environment and surroundings of Nyungwe Top View Hill.
Excursions from Nyungwe Top View Hill
Optional extra day-trips and excursions possible whilst you're staying at Nyungwe Top View Hill. Talk to us: these are usually best arranged before you go.
Bird Walk in Nyungwe Forest
Two–four hours
For many, the wealth of birds that inhabit Nyungwe Forest is the park’s greatest attraction. Spend a morning or afternoon exploring in the company of a birding specialist, following forest trails as you watch out for the colourful, the secretive and sometimes the extremely rare birds of this ancient tropical rainforest.
More about Bird Walk
Canopy Walk in Nyungwe Forest
Two - three hours
The Canopy Walk in Nyungwe Forest opened in 2010 and was one of the first high-level bridges of this kind to cross a forest canopy on the African continent. You'll be amazed by this easy walk high above the forest canopy.
More about Canopy Walk
Chimpanzee Trekking in Nyungwe Forest
Half day - one hour with the chimpanzees
Trekking to see the chimpanzees in Nyungwe Forest National Park can be exhilarating. While sighting them in dense forest can be challenging, to watch them cavorting in the tree tops, their all-too-human characteristics to the fore, makes this an exceptionally rewarding half-day excursion.
More about Chimpanzee Trekking
Colobus Trekking in Nyungwe
Two hours approx, morning or afternoon
Visiting the black-and-white colobus monkeys of Nyungwe Forest is a highly enjoyable excursion. A gentler walk than trekking in search of chimpanzees, it takes you through lush green tea plantations surrounding an isolated patch of rainforest, where these striking primates can be spotted jumping around the trees.
More about Colobus Monkey Trekking
King’s Palace & Museum Visit
Half day
If your trip in Rwanda incorporates travelling south from Kigali, a visit to the King’s Palace and Museum gives an interesting insight into Rwanda’s cultural history and monarchy. It's also ideally placed to break up the long journey to Nyungwe Forest.
More about King’s PalaceOther lodges in Nyungwe Forest National Park
Alternative places to stay in this same area.
Nyungwe House
Nyungwe House is the most upmarket place to stay in Nyungwe Forest National Park, and one of Rwanda's very best lodges.
When to go to Nyungwe Forest National Park
Our month by month guide: What it's like to visit Nyungwe Top View Hill in Nyungwe Forest National Park
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Rwanda in January
January falls into the shorter dry season in Rwanda and conditions can be good, however expect some showers during your stay. Christmas and New Year can be a very popular time of year to travel and lodges book up early. The high demand and favourable conditions lead to high prices for the more luxurious lodges.
Travellers spending at least two nights in another of Rwanda’s national parks, in addition to the Volcanoes National Park, can take advantage of lower prices for one gorilla permit. This makes it great-value to do a longer trip to Rwanda, taking time to explore Nyungwe Forest and Akagera National Park. January can be fantastic for birding too, with plenty of migrant species found in the forests.
- Generally good weather although with some rainy spells.
- Popular time of year to travel, particularly around New Year.
- Advance booking advised, particularly for high-end trips.
- Good for birding with migrant species present.
- Special offers are great for exploring the other national parks.
Our view
A very good time to visit
Weather in January
Rwanda in February
As February progresses the likelihood of more rain increases as Rwanda heads towards the heavy rains in March and April. This can still be a good time of year to visit, particularly at the start of the month, and you are a likely to experience a mix of dry days and rainy spells. Your days are likely to be warm, however as with the rest of the year nights can be cold. This is particularly true of the Volcanoes National Park which is at higher altitude.
February can be a good time of year to combine gorilla trekking in Rwanda with seeing the wildebeest migration in Tanzania as the vast herds gather in February on the southern Serengeti plains for the calving season.
- Transitional month, with the chance of rain increasing towards March.
- Warm days and cold nights, particularly in Volcanoes NP.
- High-end lodges are expensive, although demand is lower.
- Migrant birds present with great birding to be had.
- Good time of year to combine with the wildebeest migration.
Our view
A good time to visit, with pros & cons
Weather in February
Rwanda in March
The heavy rains typically start in March, often continuing through to early May. This is generally not a great time to visit Rwanda and conditions are likely to be fairly wet and muddy underfoot. Many people still visit at this time, taking advantage of lower prices at the more luxurious lodges and good availability of gorilla permits. The rain clears the air and it is likely to be far less hazy at this time, making it very good for photography.
The green season can be particularly good for bird watching with many migrant species visiting Rwanda at this time. This can also be a good time of year for chimpanzee trekking, as their food is plentiful in March and troops are not likely to travel as far.
- Heavy rains make gorilla trekking conditions not ideal.
- Lower prices and good availability for gorilla permits.
- Good for bird watching with plenty of migrant species present.
- Typically shorter distances to walk for chimpanzee trekking.
Our view
This is not a great time to visit
Weather in March
Rwanda in April
April is typically one of the wettest months in Rwanda, with an average rainfall of around 150mm. It is still possible to visit during April, however be prepared for heavy rain and muddy conditions in the mountains. April is the low season for high-end lodges and prices can be significantly cheaper at this time.
Comparatively few people choose to visit during April, meaning that it is likely to be fairly quiet and relatively easy to secure gorilla permits. The 7th of April marks ‘Kwibuka’, an annual ceremony which begins three months of remembrance for the victims of the genocide. During this time the whole nation enters a period of reflection, with a number of events being held in commemoration.
- Expect heavy rains throughout the month.
- Few visitors means it is fairly easy to secure gorilla permits.
- It is the green season for luxury lodges, with much lower prices.
- Good time of year for birding.
- Kwibuka remembrance ceremony on 7th April.
Our view
This is not a great time to visit
Weather in April
Rwanda in May
May is often a transitional season in Rwanda, following on from the rains in April. Heavy bursts of rain can be expected at times, however it will often start to dry up as the month progresses. Any rainy spells are likely to last a few hours rather than all day. With the heavy rain earlier in the year it can often remain muddy underfoot when trekking the gorillas and chimpanzees and it’s advisable to wear gaiters.
Following the rains the air can be clear, without any haziness, and this leads to great photographic opportunities at this time of year. For many of the high-end lodges May is classed as the low season, which can make this month great value for money, with fairly good weather and comparatively low prices.
- Weather can be variable, mostly dry with some rainy spells.
- Be prepared for muddy conditions when trekking the gorillas.
- Good air clarity leads to great photographic opportunities.
- Can be good value for money if you’re looking at a high-end trip.
Our view
A good time to visit, with pros & cons
Weather in May
Rwanda in June
The weather in June can be fantastic and this is one of the best times of year to visit Rwanda. This is the start of the main dry season in Rwanda and the rainfall in June typically averages only around 20mm. It is likely to be warm and dry during the day, however the odd rainy shower remains possible. Conditions for gorilla trekking can be very good, although you are still likely to experience mud underfoot in parts.
This is the peak season for the high-end lodges and prices rise significantly. Rwanda is exceptionally popular between June and September and the luxurious lodges regularly fill up well over a year in advance, so we advise planning early.
- Dry weather can lead to excellent conditions for gorilla trekking.
- High-end lodges increase their prices and trips can be costly.
- Very popular time of year, advance booking is strongly recommended.
Our view
Fantastic: the very best time to visit
Weather in June
Rwanda in July
July is a great time of year to visit Rwanda, this is in the middle of the longer dry period and conditions for gorilla trekking can be excellent. Expect long dry days, although always with the off-chance of rain at some point during your stay. As with the rest of the year, temperatures are likely to average around 20-25ºC during the day, though nights can be chilly.
July is a very popular time of year to travel to Rwanda and we advise booking at least 12 months ahead, particularly if you’re looking for a high-end trip. Prices at the top end of the market can be very high in July, however many of the mid-range lodges have the same prices throughout the year, making these options great value at this time.
- Excellent conditions with dry weather for much of the month.
- Very popular time to travel with a limited number of gorilla permits.
- Advance booking is required to for the best choice of accommodation.
- High-end trips can be expensive at this time of year.
- Many mid-range lodges have the same price throughout the year.
Our view
Fantastic: the very best time to visit
Weather in July
Rwanda in August
August is one of the most popular times of year to visit Rwanda. This is the middle of the longer dry season and conditions can be very good. While it can still be muddy underfoot this is unlikely to impact your trek. Our top advice for travel in August is to plan early as many of the more popular lodges will regularly book up well over a year in advance at this time.
Many people visiting Rwanda will choose to combine this with a safari in the Serengeti and August is one of the best months for this. The wildebeest migration is in full swing, with the vast herds being up near the Mara River and river crossings likely.
- Fantastic time to visit with dry weather and great conditions.
- Very popular time to travel, we advise booking early.
- Lodges book up and gorilla permits can be hard to secure.
- Higher prices for the top-end lodges.
- Great time of year to combine with a safari in the Serengeti.
Our view
Fantastic: the very best time to visit
Weather in August
Rwanda in September
The dry season comes to an end in September, with the rains increasing towards the end of the month. For the most part you are likely to experience dry conditions, but be prepared for rainy showers and cold nights. September remains a popular time to travel, especially for those combining the gorillas with the wildebeest migration.
The Kwita Izina festival (the official naming ceremony for all baby gorillas born in the past year) takes place ever year, usually in September. It’s a time of celebration for everyone involved in their conservation. The exact date varies. Chat to us if you’d like to plan your trip around this event.
- Conditions typically good but expect some rain.
- Popular time to travel and early booking is advised.
- Great time of year to combine gorillas and the wildebeest migration.
- The Kwita Izina festival, usually in September, names baby gorillas.
Our view
A very good time to visit
Weather in September
Rwanda in October
The short rains have typically started by October with the month’s rainfall averaging around 110mm. This rain normally falls in short, heavy bursts and you’re likely to have plenty of dry spells too. As with the rest of the year, days can be warm, although nights can be cold, and this is especially true around the Volcanoes National Park where lodges set log fires to keep you warm in the evening.
Lots of people choose to visit Rwanda at this time and prices remain high for the top-end lodges. Booking early is recommended, particularly if you plan to stay at one of the smaller, more exclusive lodges around the Volcanoes park.
- Good time of year to travel although with an increased amount of rain.
- Days are warm however nights can get cold.
- October is popular, particularly for the high-end lodges.
- Prices remain high at the top end of the spectrum.
Our view
A good time to visit, with pros & cons
Weather in October
Rwanda in November
The rains typically continue into November and this can be one of the wetter months of the year. This can still be a good time to travel, as there are still likely to be plenty of dry periods and the gorillas can still be trekked. However, expect quite a bit of mud. The high-end lodges drop their prices in November, making it much more affordable for luxury accommodation.
Between November and April there is also a special offer from the parks authorities, providing a discount on your first gorilla permit if you spend at least two nights in one other national park. This special offer combined with lower prices for luxury lodges makes Rwanda great value for money in November.
- One of the wetter months however gorilla trekking is still possible.
- Far less busy, making it easier to secure gorilla permits.
- Reduced prices for high-end accommodation.
- Special offers to encourage travel to multiple national parks.
Our view
A good time to visit, with pros & cons
Weather in November
Rwanda in December
Rwanda has a second short dry season which typically runs from December to January. Conditions at this time can typically be fairly good, although not as ideal as June – August, and you can still expect rain at this time. Many of the forest tracks can be muddy and nights can be cold.
Many people choose to travel to Rwanda over Christmas and New Year and we advise booking early, particularly if you have preferred lodges in mind. The special offer for a your first gorilla permit at a reduced price remains in place for all travellers spending at least two nights in another park, making Rwanda excellent value for money in December.
- Short dry season, however rain is still possible.
- Conditions for gorilla trekking can be good, but expect mud.
- Cold at night, warm clothes are recommended.
- Very popular over Christmas and New Year, early booking advised.
- Special offers make December good value for money.
Our view
A good time to visit, with pros & cons
Weather in December
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