Sabyinyo Lodge
Sitting high on the edge of Volcanoes National Park, Sabyinyo boasts wide views across the valleys and up towards the Virunga volcanoes. With private cottages, fireplaces and quiet gardens, it’s a calm and elegant base for gorilla trekking in Rwanda.
Life in Camp
Wilderness Sabyinyo has a sense of grounding about it. Maybe it’s the thick stone walls, or the way the early morning mist moves through the trees, but from the moment you arrive, it feels peaceful. The lodge is small and personal, just a handful of cottages and suites, each with private verandas, deep bathtubs, and fireplaces you’ll be glad for in the cooler evenings. It’s one of the few places where comfort and community sit so closely side by side. Sabyinyo is owned by a community trust that supports health, education, and conservation in the villages nearby - something guests are invited to learn about during their stay. From here, gorilla trekking begins just a short drive away. But there’s much more to explore, too; golden monkey hikes, forest walks, and afternoons spent watching clouds form over the volcanoes with a drink in hand. Will suggests at least three nights here. Longer, if you want to make the most of the stillness between the treks - he once spent two weeks here and enjoyed the afternoons by the fire almost as much as his time trekking.
Timing Your Trip
You can trek for gorillas year-round in Volcanoes National Park. But the experience shifts slightly with the seasons.
From June to September, and again from December to February, the trails are generally drier and easier to navigate. These are the most popular months to visit, especially for first-time trekkers.
Outside of those months, the landscape softens. From March to May and October to November, the rains return, the forest deepens in colour, and the mist lingers a little longer. Sightings remain just as reliable, but the treks can take a little longer and the hills feel a little steeper.
Will often prefers the shoulder seasons for their softness, the light, the quiet, the slower pace. If you’re open to a bit of weather and want the forest to yourself, it might just be the time to go.
Jan
Excellent
Feb
Excellent
Mar
Good
Apr
Mixed
May
Mixed
Jun
Excellent
Jul
Excellent
Aug
Excellent
Sep
Excellent
Oct
Good
Nov
Good
Dec
Excellent
Famous For
Sabyinyo is known for its classic charm and deeply personal service. The stone cottages with tiled roofs, generous sitting rooms, and wood-burning fireplaces feel lived in, not staged. Verandas open onto sweeping gardens where the Virunga volcanoes rise beyond. It’s one of the few lodges where walking to breakfast means passing through a working vegetable garden, and where every detail - from muddy boots to late-night drinks - is handled quietly, intuitively, and without fuss. There’s also a golf buggy to navigate the steeper hills after a day of trekking, one of Will’s favourite touches.
Gallery
Will's Ideal Pairing
“Those wanting to do something a little different could consider a trip in to Akagera National Park, or move on in to Tanzania and enjoy some time in the Serengeti, more easily reached from Rwanda than any other safari destination. Depending on the time of year Will can happily provide an excellent recommendation - but would recommend Namiri Plains to almost anyone.”
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