Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge

Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge boasts six elegant cottages. The cottages are stone buildings with Rwandese terracotta tile roofs, all presenting sitting areas, fireplaces, and stylish en-suite bathrooms. Space heaters supplement the log fire to create a haven of warmth. The cottages feature a veranda, inviting guests to relax and delight in the lush bird-filled gardens.

Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge proudly offers a Family Cottage. The family Cottage is a stone building with a Rwandese terracotta tiled roof. The double room comprises an opulent sitting area, fireplace, stylish en-suite bathroom with bath and shower, plus a dressing room. The twin room also enjoys an en-suite bathroom with shower. The rooms are connected via an expansive deck that invites you to unwind, cherish time with your family and revel in the wonderful views.

Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge hosts two suites. These extra spacious and charming cottages enjoy an expansive sitting area, two verandas, plus an en-suite bathroom with shower and bath. Log fireplaces are set every night – prompting the perfect way to end the day under Africa’s starry nights sky. Space heaters beside the beds additionally create a haven of warmth in the cool mountain air.

Breakfast offers both a continental fare plus a full English buffet option. Lunch and dinner present a set menu, usually consisting of a 3-course affair, served in the main dining room. The dining room with its outside terrace showcases views of the magnificent volcanoes. Upon request guests can choose to dine in the privacy and serenity of their own cottage verandas. The charming staff and chefs will make sure to cater for special dietary requirements.

The cookery at the lodge is both delicious and exquisite, with high attention paid to both detail and taste. Here guests will experience a feast for their eyes as well as pleasing their tastebuds. A selection of drinks will equally not disappoint, alcoholic beverages are included in the rates.

For those interested in seeing the gorillas in their natural habitat, Rwanda offers one of the best locations for Gorilla trekking. In the Volcanoes National Park there are eight families of Mountain Gorilla living on the slopes of the Virunga Volcanoes. For many, seeing gorillas in the wild offers a wildlife experience of a lifetime.

Gorilla treks take place in the morning and depart from the Park Headquarters at around 07:30am. Prior to departure guests are given a briefing by park staff, assigned a gorilla family to visit and rangers to guide you. The trek normally lasts between 2 and 5 hours depending on the location of the gorilla family. The treks take place on the slopes of the Virunga, normally starting in the cultivated land at the base of the volcanoes. Guests will be guided up into the beautiful dense misty forests, once you reach the gorillas you can stay for one hour to view them. The minimum age for gorilla trekking in Rwanda is 15 years.

Between Musanze and the Ugandan border is where you’ll find two mesmerising scenic lakes usually referred to as the twin lakes; Lake Bulera and Lake Ruhondo. The lakes are fed by various rivers and a lake in Uganda. The area is very picturesque, with steep and intensively farmed hills surrounding the pristine dark blue waters, offering magnificent views over the whole of the Virunga Volcanoes. Walking and birdwatching are possible in both the hills and at some points around the lakes, however due to the very steep character of the landscape most visitors prefer to drive up the small track leading to a lodge situated on the top of the hill. Here visitors can overlook both lakes soaking up the beautiful, undisturbed scenery whilst enjoying a refreshing drink.

The twin lakes are located about 45 minutes by car from Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge. They can be reached by driving on either conventional tarmac roads or alternatively along a charming small dirt track that follows the contour of the Volcanoes Range.

Discover the Iby’iwacu cultural village, located a 15-minute drive from Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, offering an interesting cultural excursion. The village convinced ex poachers to turn their back on poaching and instead perform for visitors. On visiting the village, you can discover the traditional house of a local king, watch an authentic medicine man prepare herbal mixtures, try your hand at bow and arrow shooting as well as enjoy cultural dances and drumming performed by people from the local area.

The guided walk of the village takes around an hour, you can freely take photographs as you encounter the surrounding attractions. It is also possible to walk to the village from Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge. The walk is downhill all the way, taking around an hour.

Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge boats a range of spa treatments which can be done from the comfort and privacy of your room. After a long gorilla trek, flight or drive, immerse yourself into the tranquil world of your cosy cottage, while the professional and friendly therapists pamper you. The treatments involve the finest products by Terre D’A­ique, Wild Earth Botanics, and Cinnabar Green, ensuring you emerge feeling completely relaxed and recharged. With a plethora of therapies available, guests can indulge in facials, massages including Sabyinyo’s Swedish Classic, Deep Tissue or Aromatherapy, to body scrubs and masks.

Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge is Rwanda’s first ever community owned lodge. The lodge is an exciting combination of a world-class lodge and a financial source driving socio-economic development and conservation initiatives in the areas adjacent to the Parc National des Volcans.

“Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge was conceived and is operated by The Governors’ Camp Collection. The idea was to develop a lodge whose revenue streams would improve the lives of local community members and directly support gorilla conservation. In partnership with The African Wildlife Foundation (“AWF”) and The International Gorilla Conservation Program (“IGCP”), it was decided that the ownership of the lodge would rest with a Community Trust, “SACOLA”. Lease rentals and a community development levy paid by every guest staying at the lodge are received by SACOLA. These income streams, now totalling over $3.1Million, are the driving force behind the socio-economic development projects undertaken by SACOLA and have directly benefited some 5,800 households and had a very positive impact on the lives of local people and gorilla conservation.”