One&Only Gorilla's Nest

One Week in Rwanda: A Stay with One&Only Resorts Rwanda is a stunning country—mountainous, green, and pristine, with no litter in sight. Its beauty is matched by the warmth and friendliness of its people. In just one week, we experienced: One&Only Nyungwe House Nestled within a tea plantation, this resort offers breathtaking mountain views often cloaked in mist. Highlights of our stay included: - Wildlife encounters: Mountain monkeys peeking through our windows, baboons, Colobus monkeys, and deer. - Activities: Guided bird walks, a successful and short chimpanzee trek, and an exhilarating rope bridge hike. - Amenities: Beautifully designed accommodations with a peaceful ambiance, an infinity pool with panoramic mountain views, and locally crafted gifts delivered daily. - Cuisine and service: Delicious, abundant food, and unmatched service—our laundry was washed within hours. One&Only Gorilla's Nest Our next stop was lush and equally luxurious, with service elevated by the presence of an in-residence doctor. This resort is designed to support the daily gorilla and golden monkey treks. Highlights included: - Gorilla treks: These are meticulously organized with experienced guides, porters, and trackers. While the treks can be physically demanding, the center accommodates different fitness levels. It’s important to communicate your preferences, as the gorillas are always on the move, which can extend the duration of the trek. - Preparation and gear: The resort provides gaiters, rain gear, and backpacks, ensuring you’re fully equipped. - Unforgettable encounters: The gorillas come within a foot of you, offering an intimate experience like no other. Despite their proximity, the guides ensure a safe and respectful interaction. - Cuisine and amenities: Outstanding food and luxurious accommodations catered to our every need. One evening we joined other guests for a holiday dinner at the charming Jack Hannah cottage located within the resort. Tips for Trekking: Bring cash for tipping trackers, porters, and guides. Their expertise and effort make the experience seamless. The Secret to a Seamless Week: Olivier Olivier, the driver provided by One&Only, was the key to our smooth and enjoyable trip. From airport pickup to navigating between resorts, he handled everything effortlessly: - Transportation: Driving a new Toyota Land Cruiser stocked with water and snacks, he expertly managed mountain roads, mud, and even flooded routes. - Knowledge: Olivier answered all our questions about Rwandan culture, economy, and daily life in perfect English. - Coordination: He arranged everything, including securing ideal treks and scheduling our last-day visit to the Genocide Museum in Kigali before our flight. The 5-hour drive between the resorts took us through beautiful landscapes, including Lake Kivu. Travel Notes We flew Kenya Airways from New York to Nairobi, and the flights were on time and smooth. Final Thoughts Our one-week Rwandan adventure was nothing short of fantastic. From the luxury of the One&Only resorts to the extraordinary gorilla encounters and the flawless logistics managed by Olivier, it was an unforgettable experience. Rwanda’s beauty, wildlife, and hospitality will stay with us forever.

Expensive but fabulous, loved the attention to detail the rooms were amazing as well as the decor and service, we could have easily stayed 3 nights, the food was great as well, so organised

I strongly recommend the One & Only Gorilla’s Nest in Rwanda. My family and I (6 adults between 28 and 65 years old) traveled to Rwanda to visit the gorilla and decided to stay at the One & Only for our stay. Our experience there was outstanding. We all gave an “A+” to the accommodations, grounds, meals and staff. We were only there for 2 nights and wished we could have stayed longer, but our trip schedule required moving on quickly to the safari portion of our trip. This was our first stay at a Only & Only property. If this property is indicative of teh brand’s quality, we will be trying others in the future. Kudos to the resort and staff!

Excellent location (close to all activities). Amazing food (special call out to the chef). The grounds are incredibly well-maintained. Rooms are well appointed. Service was spotty for a place that charges so much - missed orders, long waits for golf carts, unanswered requests etc. They should assign butlers for each room to ensure a more consistent service.

I have stayed in many, many hotels all over the world, but I have never stayed anywhere quite like this. I don't have enough adjectives to describe this place. Quality, kindness, thoughtfulness..... the list goes on. It truly is unique. From arrival to our (very sad to be leaving) departure, we were treated like royalty. Every aspect of our stay was a treasure, from the accommodation to the meals (at any time, on request), the spa, gym, pool, restaurant, bar, reception..... packed fridge with all nibbles, chocolates, nuts completely free... none of those silly mini bar prices.... our own bottle of pink gin to make cocktails with..... In a fabulous location to go gorilla trekking. Just perfect in so many ways. I have never stayed in a One and Only hotel before, but suffice to say, I'll be back.