Botswana Safari & Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Experience

The Vumbura area compromises two separate satellite camps, Vumbura Plains and Little Vumbura, with Vumbura Plains being our preference. Each of Vumbura’s spacious “rooms” is raised off the ground, with indoor and outdoor showers and ensuite bathrooms. Other features include a private, small plunge pool and “sala” (a place to watch the passing of wildlife of the Okavango). Don’t be surprised to see elephants walking behind the tents and feeding on the trees. Each camp has its own raised lounge, dining bar, an area with truly amazing views of the Okavango Delta. This nicely designed common area is where you will mix with fellow guests and exchange your fun game drive tales! We particularly enjoy the comfortable cushions and seating of the camp deck; a perfect setting for star-gazing or the nightly campfires. Wildlife here is plentiful, including Impala, hippos, zebras, wildebeest, and crocodiles (+ amazing bird watching!). Vumbura includes morning and night game drives, using 4×4 Land Rovers. If truly adventuresome, you may also request a nature walk (accompanied by an armed guide.) Being a “wet camp” gives you ample opportunity to explore the delta via the fun mokoro (dug-out canoes). Be sure to check with camp representatives about the best fishing times and locations for bream and silver catfish!

The Vumbura area compromises two separate satellite camps, Vumbura Plains and Little Vumbura, with Vumbura Plains being our preference. Each of Vumbura’s spacious “rooms” is raised off the ground, with indoor and outdoor showers and ensuite bathrooms. Other features include a private, small plunge pool and “sala” (a place to watch the passing of wildlife of the Okavango). Don’t be surprised to see elephants walking behind the tents and feeding on the trees. Each camp has its own raised lounge, dining bar, and an area with truly amazing views of the Okavango Delta. This nicely designed common area is where you will mix with fellow guests and exchange your fun game drive tales! We particularly enjoy the comfortable cushions and seating of the camp deck; a perfect setting for star-gazing or the nightly campfires. Wildlife here is plentiful, including Impala, hippos, zebras, wildebeest, and crocodiles (+ amazing bird watching!). Vumbura includes morning and night game drives, using 4×4 Land Rovers. If truly adventuresome, you may also request a nature walk (accompanied by an armed guide.) Being a “wet camp” gives you ample opportunity to explore the delta via the fun mokoro (dug-out canoes). Be sure to check with camp representatives about the best fishing times and locations for bream and silver catfish!

Chief’s Camp is yet another example of the many luxury safari camps to choose from in the predator-rich Okavango Delta. Set in the Moremi Game Reserve, Chief’s Camp is made up of 101,500 sq. feet of luxury bush pavilions and one suite, all with private decks with plunge pools, as well as indoor and outdoor showers (using the outdoor showers in this remote, pristine environment is truly exhilarating!) We particularly like the pavilion’s polished teakwood floors, insect-proof netted windows and colorful batik fabrics. Other amenities include a new spa treatment room, a small pool, and picturesque dining area/observation deck. Based on the Chief’s location overlooking a large lagoon on the northwest tip of Chief’s Island, many mokoro (canoe/boat) game excursions are a continuing fun activity in the summer! Chief’s extraordinary location and wildlife-rich Moremi Island allows for game-viewing to include all of the “Big 5” (African lions, elephants, Cape buffalo, and rhino) hence, our choice as a prime family safari site. Chief’s renovation includes 10 luxury bush pavilions (in effect like small cottages), all with private terrace plunge pools, 462 sq. feet!

Chief’s Camp is yet another example of the many luxury safari camps to choose from in the predator-rich Okavango Delta. Set in the Moremi Game Reserve, Chief’s Camp is made up of 101,500 sq. feet of luxury bush pavilions and one suite, all with private decks with plunge pools, as well as indoor and outdoor showers (using the outdoor showers in this remote, pristine environment is truly exhilarating!) We particularly like the pavilion’s polished teakwood floors, insect-proof netted windows, and colorful batik fabrics. Other amenities include a new spa treatment room, a small pool, and a picturesque dining area/observation deck. Based on the Chief’s location overlooking a large lagoon on the northwest tip of Chief’s Island, many mokoro (canoe/boat) game excursions are a continuing fun activity in the summer! Chief’s extraordinary location and wildlife-rich Moremi Island allow for game-viewing to include all of the “Big 5” (African lions, elephants, Cape buffalo, and rhino) hence, our choice as a prime family safari site. Chief’s renovation includes 10 luxury bush pavilions (like small cottages), all with private terrace plunge pools, 462 sq. feet!

Situated close to park headquarters, convenient for your morning gorilla trek rendezvous, the Bistate property covers 103 acres. Due to its location within the amphitheater of an eroded volcanic cone, the main areas and villas are perched atop the raised elevation of the slopes of Mount Bisoke (12,175 feet), though often shrouded. Based on Bisate’s restorative conservation projects and real local engagement, the lodge has become woven into the local community. During the lodge’s building phase, an amazing 15,000 trees were planted, with more being planted each week to promote reforestation. As part of your stay here, you are encouraged to plant a tree in the lodge’s nursery before your departure. With only six suites (each one being 980 square feet), Bistate is one of Africa’s most exclusive luxury eco-lodges. Each suite includes an indoor shower, bath, and fireplace (nice on chilly nights!). The main lounge dining area and bar is the perfect place to meet and reflect on your day’s gorilla experience. The in-villa massage treatments are a great way to relax after a day of trekking!

Situated close to park headquarters, convenient for your morning gorilla trek rendezvous, the Bistate property covers 103 acres. Due to its location within the amphitheater of an eroded volcanic cone, the main areas and villas are perched atop the raised elevation of the slopes of Mount Bisoke (12,175 feet), though often shrouded. Based on Bisate’s restorative conservation projects and real local engagement, the lodge has become woven into the local community. During the lodge’s building phase, an amazing 15,000 trees were planted, with more being planted each week to promote reforestation. As part of your stay here, you are encouraged to plant a tree in the lodge’s nursery before your departure. With only six suites (each one being 980 square feet), Bistate is one of Africa’s most exclusive luxury eco-lodges. Each suite includes an indoor shower, bath, and fireplace (nice on chilly nights!). The main lounge dining area and bar are the perfect places to meet and reflect on your day’s gorilla experience. The in-villa massage treatments are a great way to relax after a day of trekking!

Though we love the six-suite Bisate Lodge in Rwanda, we are excited about the August 2019 opening of the luxury Singita Kwitonda Lodge. Based on the high demand for high-touch, luxury Rwanda lodges, it is a welcome addition! Singita Kwitonda is set on 178 acres of picturesque land, right on the edge of Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park. More than half of the world’s endangered mountain gorillas live in the high-altitude dense cloud forests. Using local materials, the Singita Kwitonda is built with volcanic rocks, river stones, handmade ceramic tiles, and oven-red clay bricks all connecting the structure to landscape and culture. The lodge is set up with a central hub, that includes both indoor and outdoor living spaces, featuring lounges, dining areas, an outdoor fire pit, an interactive kitchen, a bar, a deli, and a wine cellar. The Lodge’s eight suites (seven one-bedroom and one two-bedroom) and a four-bedroom villa, Kataza House which sleeps eight, are off the main lodge via a network of volcanic rock pathways. The accommodations offer indoor/outdoor baths and showers, fireplaces, plunge pools, and verandas. Carefully designed interiors are curated with a focus on handcrafted pieces like woven panels, handmade tiles, and clad feature pots.

Though we love the six-suite Bisate Lodge in Rwanda, we are excited about the August 2019 opening of the luxury Singita Kwitonda Lodge. Based on the high demand for high-touch, luxury Rwanda lodges, it is a welcome addition! Singita Kwitonda is set on 178 acres of picturesque land, right on the edge of Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park. More than half of the world’s endangered mountain gorillas live in the high-altitude dense cloud forests. Using local materials, the Singita Kwitonda is built with volcanic rocks, river stones, handmade ceramic tiles, and oven-red clay bricks all connecting the structure to landscape and culture. The lodge is set up with a central hub, that includes both indoor and outdoor living spaces, featuring lounges, dining areas, an outdoor fire pit, an interactive kitchen, a bar, a deli, and a wine cellar. The Lodge’s eight suites (seven one-bedroom and one two-bedroom) and a four-bedroom villa, Kataza House which sleeps eight, are off the main lodge via a network of volcanic rock pathways. The accommodations offer indoor/outdoor baths and showers, fireplaces, plunge pools, and verandas. Carefully designed interiors are curated with a focus on handcrafted pieces like woven panels, handmade tiles, and clad feature pots.

Beyond a 5-star luxury category, we consider the new One&only Gorilla’s Nest Rwanda to be among the top luxury adventure properties we have experienced anywhere! Somewhat similar to our experience at the 12-suite Deplar Farm in Iceland, Gorilla’s Nest combines unique adventure travel activities (gorilla trekking!!) with Aman standards of understated luxury. We were grateful and lucky to be among the paying guests experiencing the lodge’s soft opening in February. Kudos to Craig Storkey and his staff for their personal, heartfelt service in this very special luxury lodge.

Beyond a 5-star luxury category, we consider the new One&only Gorilla’s Nest Rwanda to be among the top luxury adventure properties we have experienced anywhere! Somewhat similar to our experience at the 12-suite Deplar Farm in Iceland, Gorilla’s Nest combines unique adventure travel activities (gorilla trekking!!) with Aman standards of understated luxury. We were grateful and lucky to be among the paying guests experiencing the lodge’s soft opening in February 2020. Kudos to Craig Storkey and his staff for their personal, heartfelt service in this very special luxury lodge.

Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge is Rwanda’s first-ever community-owned lodge. The lodge is located close to the headquarters of Volcanoes National Park, the starting point for the trek on foot to see the gorillas. Situated in the foothills of the mighty Virungas, the chain of 15,000 ft. volcanoes stretching through Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sabyinyo offers wonderful views of the volcanoes and the surrounding countryside. Guest cottages and the main lodge building have been beautifully constructed, the perfect base from which to explore this unique and fascinating corner of Africa.

Accommodation at Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge comprises six cottages, two suites, and one family cottage. All are stone buildings with Rwandese terracotta tile roofs and feature large sitting areas, fireplaces, stylish ensuite bathrooms, and a sheltered veranda. Three large fireplaces provide warmth while two patio areas afford wonderful, dramatic views of the Virunga Volcanoes and the surrounding countryside. After a long gorilla trek, you may choose to enjoy one of the many spa treatments at the lodge which can be arranged within the comfort and privacy of your room.

Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge is Rwanda’s first-ever community-owned lodge. The lodge is located close to the headquarters of Volcanoes National Park, the starting point for the trek on foot to see the gorillas. Situated in the foothills of the mighty Virungas, the chain of 15,000 ft. volcanoes stretching through Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sabyinyo offers wonderful views of the volcanoes and the surrounding countryside. Guest cottages and the main lodge building have been beautifully constructed, the perfect base from which to explore this unique and fascinating corner of Africa.

Accommodation at Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge comprises six cottages, two suites, and one family cottage. All are stone buildings with Rwandese terracotta tile roofs and feature large sitting areas, fireplaces, stylish ensuite bathrooms, and a sheltered veranda. Three large fireplaces provide warmth while two patio areas afford wonderful, dramatic views of the Virunga Volcanoes and the surrounding countryside. After a long gorilla trek, you may choose to enjoy one of the many spa treatments at the lodge which can be arranged within the comfort and privacy of your room.

This is a four-star cottage-style accommodation option that we wholly recommend for gorilla trekking. Located in Kinigi, Amakoro Songa Lodge is just ten minutes from Volcanoes National Park (!), making it the closest of all Rwanda lodges to the trekking headquarters. Three imposing volcanoes surround the lodge, which is situated on seven lush green acres, making for a completely picturesque view/experience (perfect for a private wine-tasting picnic!). The lodge comprises eight individual cottages, a main dining lodge (with a private volcano-viewing balcony!), and a large outdoor fireplace. Though relatively minimal, the spacious interiors have a high-end rustic-yet-cozy design, emphasizing wood tones, high ceilings, and large windows. In addition to gorilla trekking, Amakoro amenities/experiences include in-room massages, a fireplace in each individual cottage, evening drinks and traditional Intore Dance Troupe performances at the outdoor firepit, and mountain cycling, climbing, and bird-watching excursions.

This is a four-star cottage-style accommodation option that we wholly recommend for gorilla trekking. Located in Kinigi, Amakoro Songa Lodge is just ten minutes from Volcanoes National Park (!), making it the closest of all Rwanda lodges to the trekking headquarters. Three imposing volcanoes surround the lodge, which is situated on seven lush green acres, making for a completely picturesque view/experience (perfect for a private wine-tasting picnic!). The lodge comprises eight individual cottages, a main dining lodge (with a private volcano-viewing balcony!), and a large outdoor fireplace. Though relatively minimal, the spacious interiors have a high-end rustic-yet-cozy design, emphasizing wood tones, high ceilings, and large windows. In addition to gorilla trekking, Amakoro amenities/experiences include in-room massages, a fireplace in each individual cottage, evening drinks and traditional Intore Dance Troupe performances at the outdoor firepit, and mountain cycling, climbing, and bird-watching excursions.

Beyond a 5-star luxury category, we consider the new One&only Gorilla’s Nest Rwanda to be among the top luxury adventure properties we have experienced anywhere! Somewhat similar to our experience at the 12-suite Deplar Farm in Iceland, Gorilla’s Nest combines unique adventure travel activities (gorilla trekking!!) with Aman standards of understated luxury. We were grateful and lucky to be among the paying guests experiencing the lodge’s soft opening in February 2020. Kudos to Craig Storkey and his staff for their personal, heartfelt service in this very special luxury lodge.