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An aerial view of Virunga Lodge reveals its stone cottages perched high above Lakes Bulera and Ruhondo, surrounded by misty hills and layered volcanic landscapes.
Volcanoes

Virunga Lodge

Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda

Breathtaking vistas

Virunga Lodge is the most recent addition to the Volcanoes Safaris camps and consists of 6 new Bandas with stunning views toward the Virunga volcanoes and the lakes below. Virunga Lodge offers an amazing and unique location and provides a high level of comfort whilst at the same time taking into consideration the surrounding environment of Parc National des Volcans.

In Parc National des Volcans on the Rwandan side, where Dian Fossey worked, there are four habituated gorilla families and thus the main activity at Virunga Lodge is gorilla tracking.

Other activities include climbing volcanoes, tracking the Golden Monkey, visits to the Karisoke Centre setup by Dian Fossey and gentle strolls around picturesque villages surrounding the lakes.

Drive to Park Headquarters and meet with excellent local guides and trackers who will give a talk on the etiquette of gorilla trekking, before commencing the hike into the forest.The trackers go ahead to the point where the gorillas were last seen the night before and start tracking from there with the use of clues such as dung droppings, broken branches and of course foot prints.

The trekking can take from 1 to 6 hours and climb to altitudes in excess of 7,500 feet.The terrain is rough and muddy. Although the hike is physically demanding the beauty of the forest and surrounding scenery make the trekking worthwhile. Once the gorillas are located all fatigue is forgotten, as the experience is often described as being the most profound natural history experience in the world.

You will love

  • The mountain gorillas
  • The jungle eco-system
  • The profound experience
  • Unique fauna & flora

Let us design your perfect itinerary.

Call 1300 130 218 Contact us
A sweeping aerial view places Virunga Lodge on a ridgeline above the Rwandan countryside, with Mount Muhabura dominating the horizon.
Traditional Intore dancers perform on open grassland near Virunga Lodge, their movement and dress celebrating Rwanda’s living cultural heritage.
A spacious cottage interior at Virunga Lodge combines timber floors, handcrafted furnishings and a canopy bed, offering a warm retreat after gorilla trekking.
An elevated view of Virunga Lodge shows its stone cottages set above Lakes Bulera and Ruhondo, surrounded by forested hills and distant volcanoes.
The main lounge at Virunga Lodge centres on a stone fireplace, with woven armchairs, warm lighting and wide windows overlooking the volcanic highlands.
Spectacular views over Lake Bulera from the luxurious Virunga Lodge
A stone cottage at Virunga Lodge sits along a garden-lined path, blending natural materials with sweeping views of Rwanda’s volcanic highlands.
Sun loungers line the stone terrace at Virunga Lodge, overlooking forested slopes and providing a peaceful space to unwind after gorilla trekking.
A golden monkey peers through thick vegetation in Volcanoes National Park, offering a rare and rewarding sighting during time spent near Virunga Lodge.
The final resting place of Dian Fossey lies quietly within the forest, a moving tribute to her legacy and the conservation story linked to Virunga Lodge.
A mountain gorilla pauses among dense green foliage in Volcanoes National Park, one of the unforgettable wildlife encounters near Virunga Lodge.
Guests enjoy a gentle walk through rural farmland near Virunga Lodge, with Mount Muhabura rising in the background and local life unfolding across the hills.
A cosy sitting room at Virunga Lodge features a central fire, deep sofas and panoramic windows framing the green slopes beyond.
Mount Muhabura rises dramatically above the landscape near Virunga Lodge, its volcanic slopes crowned with cloud against the blue Rwandan sky.
A beautifully appointed bedroom at Virunga Lodge features a canopy bed, woven furnishings and garden views that connect the space to its natural surroundings.
The main lounge at Virunga Lodge features a central fireplace, soft armchairs and wide windows framing the lush Rwandan countryside outside.
The view from Virunga Lodge stretches across Lake Bulera at sunset, with islands scattered across the water and distant hills fading into soft evening light.
The terrace at Virunga Lodge looks out across rolling green hills towards the Virunga volcanoes, creating a peaceful setting for relaxed afternoons in Rwanda’s highlands.
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Judith & Roger Williams

Would do it all again and not change a moment. Best holiday ever!

The McGowan Tribe

It certainly was the best trip we have EVER had. The experiences were mind blowing.  We want everyone we know to experience Africa - the animals, the people - magical.

Jo-anne & Dean Mifsud

The Classic Safari Company is the best I have dealt with. Extremely knowledgeable & professional, friendly, patient & understanding of first timers to Africa.

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If you want the most sensational experience in Africa let Julia and the staff at Classic Safari Co plan it for you! Their knowledge, expertise and enthusiasm for their job means your every wish will be fulfilled.

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Their experience and knowledge of Africa is evident and we couldn't have been happier with the total package. This has given us a taste for Africa - now we are ready for more.

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Classic Safari Company has done it again! A unique experience that ticked all the boxes - wildlife, culture and dining experience. A dream come true!

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The trip of a lifetime, couldn't have dreamt of a better adventure if I tried.

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You can't improve on perfection. I had my best birthday and holiday with my family celebrating my 80th birthday in Africa. Everything that Julia organised was perfect and the whole trip was a highlight!

Buckingham Family

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Thank you for making our trip to Africa so spectacular. The attention to detail really made it special. It really was the trip of a lifetime.

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An amazing experience - the best family holiday we have ever had. We were extremely impressed by the meticulous attention to our itinerary. I can't speak highly enough of all the elements of this exciting journey!

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The trip exceeded my expectations and was the best family holiday I have ever had. Our children simply loved it and now I know more about African wildlife than they do about our own farm animals.

Rowntree family

We are so happy we put our trust in CSC, we had an amazing adventure and would recommend them to anyone.

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Julia you did a fantastic job - everything was first class. Well organised, efficient and stress free. We all agreed it was the best holiday we've ever had. Cant wait to travel with CSC again.

Milford family

We wanted the opportunity to see as many wildlife parks as possible and the Classic Safari Company provided an action-packed itinerary that included six, with 11 tiger sightings and nine leopard. This was overlaid with an introduction to Jaisalmer, Jaipur and the 'real' India. Pench and Panna were the hidden gems of a really great trip, very well organised, seamless and enjoyable. As a solo traveller I felt incredibly safe at all times. I want to go back!

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Thank you for putting together the ancestral adventure of a lifetime. I cannot speak highly enough of the trip.

Jenny Kidd
Early evening light settles over Lake Bulera as seen from Virunga Lodge, with calm waters, forested islands and layered hills creating a serene panorama.
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