L'Hoest's Monkey Safari: Day-by-day

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.

"Great place for exploring Nyungwe"

Mr & Mrs L.fromLondon

Arrived 4 Nov 2019, 2 nights

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. See our full report on Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel

Set on a steep hill, leading down to the shore of Rwanda’s Lake Kivu, the rustic yet stylish Cormoran Lodge in Kibuye has a small number of wooden cabins, each affording beautiful views over the lake.

"a very lovely place to break our journey."

Mr P.fromStanmore

Arrived 27 Jan 2019, 1 night

Overall, we love the location of Cormoran Lodge, and the view over the lake is stunning. It's quirky style, and rustic interiors offer a cosy atmosphere, reminiscent of an alpine ski lodge! The staff are friendly and the food, although a little hit and miss, is on the whole fairly good. It’s a great place for a few days’ rest and relaxation by the water, and would be ideal for those looking for something that is small in size, personal and relatively economical in this area. See our full report on Cormoran Lodge

Nestled beneath towering volcanoes, and perfectly placed for gorilla trekking, Mountain Gorilla View Lodge is aptly named. Stop Press - Sept 2022: We’ve suspended any visits to Mountain Gorilla View for our travellers whilst we re-evaluate if it is still maintaining the standards that we expect for our travellers.

Combined with the setting, the relaxed, friendly vibe of the hotel and the mid-range price tag make it seriously appealing.

First up are the sizeable grounds on the slopes of the extinct Mount Sabyinyo, the trees alive with birds and monkeys, and views at almost every turn.

Dotted around the site, 40 large, rather rustic cottages constructed of stone and thatch offer plenty of privacy. Comfortable yet simply furnished, if rather old-fashioned, they have plain plastered walls, a sleeping area raised slightly above the lounge, and a colourful bathroom.

To offset the chill of mountain evenings, there’s a fireplace in each room and in the main area, whose burnt-red walls, patterned rugs and zebra-print sofas afford a somewhat eclectic charm.

Its setting aside, the hotel’s entire raison d’être is its proximity to Rwanda’s habituated mountain gorilla families. Just a 15-minute drive brings you to the start of the trek in Volcanoes National Park, while seeking out golden monkeys, hiking or even canoeing are also on the agenda.

"The staff was exceptional. "

Ms fromRedondo Beach

Arrived 20 Aug 2022, 4 nights

Then, come the evening, settle down on the lawn to watch traditional Rwandan Intore,/i> dancing before drinks around the firepit and a homely dinner to round off the day. See our full report on Mountain Gorilla View Lodge