Nyungwe House
Earthy eco-luxury meets Rwandan highland. Dark timber, slate, terracotta tiles, Imigongo art (cow-dung patterns that look striking on walls), hand-woven textiles. Feels more like a soulful forest retreat than a flashy resort — the architecture blends deliberately into the hillside.
Arrive via helicopter if you can — it overflies Lake Kivu and makes the remoteness part of the experience rather than an ordeal
Why It Matters
The only luxury property inside the Gisakura tea plantation, with direct walking access to Nyungwe National Park's 13 primate species including chimpanzees. The plantation is still actively harvested by the local cooperative. Fully no-plastic property, strong community involvement via the Umuganda program, and all-inclusive rates covering meals, drinks, two activities per day, and laundry.
A working tea plantation turned ultra-luxury lodge on the edge of Nyungwe National Park — one of Africa's oldest and largest mountain rainforests. The plantation still operates: local Gisakura cooperative pickers work the rows of tea daily while guests watch from their private decks. Opened October 2018, the property sits at high altitude in Rwanda's mountainous southwest, roughly 230 km from Kigali, and is fully all-inclusive.
Where You'll Stay
4 room types available
Canopy Treehouse
Reviewed first-hand by OutThere as a 44 sqm / 473 sqft treetop room. The bathtub sits behind wooden shutters that open directly onto the bedroom and a small balcony beyond. A fireplace, four-poster canopy bed, and Imigongo-art-influenced wallpaper and graphic rugs make it feel like a culturally specific, intimate hideaway rather than a generic jungle lodge.
44 sqmNyungwe Room
The entry-level room, which in most hotels would feel ordinary but here sits in a wooden villa cluster with a tree-grazing private balcony. Rwandan Imigongo art on the walls, a working fireplace burning fragrant eucalyptus, a four-poster bed, and a deep soaking bathtub with Africology products. Chic African design with locally sourced timber and textiles.
Presidential Suite
Two presidential suites exist, each occupying a private villa with a private Jacuzzi. Limited details available publicly, but they represent the most secluded and exclusive accommodation on the property.
Two-Bedroom Forest Suite
The largest category, ideal for families or two couples traveling together. Set between the rainforest and the tea plantation. Features a four-poster king bed in the master bedroom, a second twin/queen bedroom, large living and dining spaces, expansive private outdoor decks, and his-and-hers bathrooms with nature-view showers and a standalone bath. Two full separate bathrooms.
The Property
Eat & Drink
4 venues on property
Restaurant
Spa & Wellness
Treatment Menu
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
Guided birdwatching with a specialist guide. The park has 322 recorded bird species including the large blue turaco, red-winged francolin, and purple-breasted sunbird. 130 km of trails available.
Guided treks deep into Nyungwe National Park with expert trackers to find and observe wild chimpanzees. Minimum age 15 for park treks.
Guided trek through Nyungwe's forest trails to observe black-and-white colobus monkeys and other primates including L'Hoest's monkeys and gray-cheeked mangabeys.
The Igishigishigi Trail includes access to the canopy walkway — the highest of its kind in East Africa at roughly 60 meters above the forest floor. Views over one of Africa's most pristine rainforests.
Walk the kitchen's dedicated herb and vegetable garden with the head chef, learning about the resort's farm-to-table sourcing.
Mountain biking around the plantation and on accessible trails. Complimentary and suitable for all levels including younger guests excluded from park treks.
Evening stargazing sessions around the fire pit and guided nocturnal walks on the estate.
A 60-minute helicopter ride over the Nyungwe forest canopy, mahogany and ebony trees, waterfalls, and surrounding highlands from the property's private helipad. Bookable through Akagera Aviation.
Archery sessions on a hilltop overlooking the forest — included in the two daily complimentary activities.
Learn the traditional Rwandan art form of Imigongo — geometric patterns historically made using cow dung and natural pigments. Available as a tailored activity, often included in romance or cultural packages.
A guided trail introducing guests to Rwanda's diverse flora and fauna, culminating at a waterfall deep in the jungle.
An accessible five-hour trail beginning at the site of a former gold mine with a pebbly quartz path. Suitable for moderate hikers.
A challenging ten-hour trail circumnavigating the highest peak in Nyungwe National Park, with views of Lake Kivu, dramatic hills, and diverse flora.
A moderate-to-challenging outdoor jungle trail workout led by a fitness guide in fresh mountain air. Part of the complimentary daily activity program.
Lunches are regularly served as picnics inside Nyungwe Forest rather than in the dining room. Gastronomic picnic experiences can also be arranged at bespoke locations on the estate.
Two complimentary daily activities include this: guests join the local Gisakura cooperative pickers in the tea fields, learn about fermentation, drying, and the points of taste, then try the estate's Gisakura black tea with African biscuits.
Traditional Rwandan spear throwing lesson on the property grounds.
On the last Saturday of every month, guests can join Rwandans in the nationwide Umuganda program — community work covering environmental protection, infrastructure, and more. A genuinely rare cultural participation experience.
Private yoga sessions on two floating decks overlooking Nyungwe National Park, guided by the wellness team. Also offered as sunrise yoga at the pool.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
16-seat boardroom equipped with projector and conference call equipment for intimate meetings.
National-park-facing heated infinity pool with spectacular views of the forested valley. Framed by umbrella thorn trees. Open daily 6am–7pm.
Equipped with latest Technogym equipment. Customised training programs available for cardio, movement, and stretching. Personal trainers and fitness classes offered.
Complimentary daily laundry service included in the all-inclusive rate. Staff also clean trekking boots after every trek.
Sells artifacts from over 50 local designers. 60% are women-owned businesses, 30% use recycled or sustainable materials.
Lounge/bar in the main building with a curated library, board games, comfortable seating around a fireplace, and views over the tea plantation.
Open-air fire pit area just beyond the main building — the gathering point for evening drinks, barbecue nights, and traditional dance performances.
Zero plastic on-site. Turndown gifts created by local artisans. All produce from the chef's garden or local farmers.
On-property helipad for direct helicopter transfers to/from Kigali and scenic flights.
Two floating decks overlooking Nyungwe National Park for yoga, meditation, or private dining.
Massage chairs in the main building's communal area available for complimentary 15-minute treatments.
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Rooms, dining, spa, and resort experiences — organized into one trip plan.
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