Nyungwe Forest Lodge Rwanda

Nyungwe Forest lodge is part of the "Mantis collection".

I don't know what that is but any hotel that is part of a "collection" must be something special and Nyungwe forest hotel is indeed.

It is a stunning lodge that values simplicity, good taste and beauty over opulence.

The setting amongst the acres of tea fields makes for a surprisingly beautiful backdrop.

With the rainforest in the background and the rolling property providing some great panoramic views of the campus, this is an idyllic place.

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The room I got (room #15) faces the forest, so it's not a beautiful view but we did get to see a troupe of colobus monkeys pass on by right in front of us as we relaxed on the balcony.

The service is excellent. There is a high degree of training involved here but the staff is genuinely friendly and service-oriented as well. However, they failed to follow up on a non-working safe I brought to their attention.


The rooms themselves are well equipped with everything you would need including a torch to use when moving between the main building and your room at night, the paths are lit but a torch is also handy.

Each room has a good selection of TV channels plus wireless internet. There is a wood burner in the room but I thought some other form of heating may also be an advantage. It can get chilly.

The lodge itself is set in a tea plantation right on the edge of the forest. The guest rooms and not situated within the main building but are lined around the edge of the plantation where it meets the forest.

As a result every room has a private verandah overlooking the forest.

It is possible to see the odd monkey or two from the verandah. The rooms are a couple of minutes walk from the main building along developed paths. In case of rain, each room is equipped with a couple of umberellas

One thing though, the lodge is isolated. There are only 1 or 2 activities you can do that does not require a car, otherwise you need one.

The front desk said there usually is a lodge car you can hire but that it was in town for repairs so I cannot verify the validity of that claim.

If you love good food, great service and the idea of lazing around in an infinity pool surrounded by the oldest rainforest in Africa, then Nyungwe Forest Lodge has to go to the top of your travelling bucket list.