Key Takeaways — One&Only Gorilla's Nest
- Location: Eucalyptus forest buffer zone, 10 minutes from Volcanoes National Park gate
- Accommodation: 21 freestanding suites with floor-to-ceiling rainforest windows + personal butlers
- Service: One&Only's first African lodge — signature barefoot luxury meets Rwanda
- Spa: Volcanic-stone treatments using heated Virunga rocks + indigenous botanicals
- Gorilla Trekking: Dedicated concierge secures permits, arranges porters, post-trek celebrations
- Price: From $1,800 per person per night full-board (gorilla permits $1,500 extra)
Why One&Only Chose Rwanda for Its Africa Debut
When One&Only entered Africa, they bypassed the Serengeti, Okavango, and Kruger — the continent's established luxury circuit — and opened at the base of Rwanda's Virunga volcanoes. The decision was deliberate: mountain gorillas are the ultimate wildlife encounter, and Rwanda's conservation model aligned with One&Only's ethos. Gorilla's Nest opened in 2019 with 21 suites designed by London's Tristan Auer, signaling that One&Only saw gorilla trekking not as a niche add-on but as a flagship experience.
The result is a lodge that feels simultaneously Rwandan and unmistakably One&Only. Eucalyptus-pole ceilings, woven Agaseke baskets, and imigongo cow-dung art ground the design in local craft. But the floor-to-ceiling windows, freestanding bathtubs facing the forest, and personal butler service are pure One&Only signature.
The 21 Rainforest Suites
Each suite is a standalone structure elevated on wooden platforms to minimize forest disturbance. Floor-to-ceiling glass panels dissolve the barrier between interior and exterior — you wake to colobus monkeys swinging through the canopy, sunbirds hovering at the terrace feeder, and the distant rumble of Bisoke volcano. Interiors blend contemporary minimalism with Rwandan textures: linen upholstery, hand-carved wooden headboards, volcanic-stone sinks. Heated floors and fireplaces counter the highland chill.
Bathrooms feature dual vanities, rain showers, and freestanding tubs positioned to frame the forest. Private terraces extend the living space with daybeds, fire pits, and outdoor showers enclosed by bamboo screening. Eight suites add a second bedroom for families. One&Only touches include Bvlgari toiletries, espresso machines, and personal butlers who unpack luggage, draw evening baths, and arrange in-suite champagne breakfasts.
Gorilla Trekking — The Concierge Advantage
Gorilla permits ($1,500) are limited to 80 per day across Volcanoes National Park. One&Only's trek concierge handles permit applications (often 6–12 months ahead), porter arrangements, walking-stick provision, and packed lunches. On trek morning, the concierge briefs you on your assigned family's personality and ensures you have rain gear, gaiters, and gloves.
Treks begin at 8 AM from Kinigi headquarters with traditional dance, then into the forest at 2,500–3,200 meters altitude. Trackers locate your family via radio. When you reach them, you have one hour to observe, photograph (no flash), and absorb the encounter. Silverbacks weigh up to 220 kilograms. Juveniles somersault and chest-beat. It's the wildlife encounter that redefines every subsequent safari.
Back at the lodge by 1 PM, champagne and certificates await. Many guests book a second permit for the next day — each family has distinct dynamics.
Volcanic-Stone Spa & Dining
The spa uses volcanic stones heated to 65°C in signature massages, plus indigenous botanicals (eucalyptus oil, tea tree, aloe) in facials and body wraps. Three treatment rooms open to the forest. Post-trek deep-tissue massages are the most popular treatment.
Meals blend French technique with Rwandan produce: grilled tilapia with isombe (cassava leaves), Musanze potato gnocchi, passionfruit tart. The wine cellar favors South African estates but includes French and Italian selections. Breakfast is flexible — order the full spread or request a packed hamper for early treks.
Golden Monkeys, Culture & Conservation
Beyond gorillas, the lodge offers golden-monkey trekking ($100 permits — these endangered primates live in the bamboo zone and are highly acrobatic), cultural visits to Iby'Iwacu village (former poachers now running a cooperative), and guided reforestation walks. The Volcanoes Partnerships project has planted 3 million+ trees in degraded buffer zones; guests can sponsor seedlings.
| Included | Extra Cost |
|---|---|
| Accommodation, all meals, beverages (wines/spirits), laundry, WiFi, Kigali transfers | Gorilla permits $1,500, golden-monkey permits $100, spa treatments $120–180 |
Plan your One&Only Gorilla's Nest experience
Beyond Africa Safaris arranges complete Rwanda gorilla itineraries with One&Only Gorilla's Nest, all permits, and safari extensions. Contact our team or explore luxury safari packages. WhatsApp +27 74 315 5782.
