Ingagi Lodge

Highlights

• Walking distance from the Volcanoes National Park headquarters for gorilla and golden monkey trekking
• Panoramic views of the five peaks of the Virunga Volcanoes
• Choice of forest cottages, private cabins and a family villa, each with its own fireplace
• On-site gym, sauna, massage, panoramic bar and restaurant serving garden-fresh cuisine
• 10 percent off room rates when gorilla permits are booked through the lodge

You Should Know

• Gorilla permits must be booked well in advance and are subject to Rwanda Development Board availability
• Minimum age for gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park is 15 years
• Rwanda has two rainy seasons (March to May and October to November) and two drier seasons; trails can be muddy year-round
• Altitude in Kinigi sits above 7,000 feet, which can affect guests sensitive to elevation
• The family villa is best suited to small family groups travelling together

The Details

Ingagi Lodge sits in Kinigi, the village that serves as the gateway to Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park. The setting is dramatic, with the foothills of the Virunga range rising directly behind the property and the twin lakes of Burera and Ruhondo within easy reach.

The lodge is designed as a quiet retreat between treks. Cosy fireplaces, locally sourced meals, traditional Rwandan welcome rituals and personalised service give the property a homely rather than corporate feel. It is a practical base for gorilla trekking that does not sacrifice comfort or character.

Accommodation

There are 12 units in total: nine Deluxe Forest Cottages (around 600 sq ft), two private Individual Cabins (around 880 sq ft) and one Ingagi Villa family suite (around 1,040 sq ft). The Muhoza Cottage is a slightly larger forest cottage of around 625 sq ft. Every room is built to make the most of the surrounding forest, with serene views, natural materials and fireplaces for the cool highland evenings.

Dining

Meals are served in a stylish restaurant supported by a panoramic bar and a coffee shop. The kitchen draws heavily on the lodge's own organic garden, where more than 28 vegetables and herbs are grown, supplemented by produce from neighbouring smallholder farms. Guests can join an Agro Tour to pick vegetables for their own meal before returning to the kitchen.

Wildlife and Activities

Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park is the headline activity, with guided treks tracking habituated mountain gorilla families through the forest. Golden monkey trekking is offered as a gentler alternative or a complementary second day in the park.

Beyond the park, the lodge runs a scenic three to four hour walk along the foothills of the Virungas, the Kampanga Village tour with weaving and cooking demonstrations, an Agro Tour through local farms and the lodge's organic garden, a visit to women-run art and handicraft cooperatives in Kinigi, and guided cycling around the twin lakes of Burera and Ruhondo with bikes hired through the Musanze Cycling Club. The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund and local art markets are also within easy reach.

Price Includes

• Accommodation in a Forest Cottage
• Daily breakfast and locally sourced meals at the lodge restaurant
• Use of the gym, sauna and garden facilities
• Traditional Rwandan welcome
• Gorilla permits, park fees, transfers, drinks, massages and guided excursions are charged separately