Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge is situated in the foothills of the mighty Virunga’s, the chain of 15,000ft volcanoes stretching through Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Lodge is some 3 kilometers from the main entrance to the Parc National des Volcans in Northwest Rwanda near the border with Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The lodge is a comfortable 2-hour drive from central Kigali. The site itself is approximately one kilometer from the Park boundary on the gentle foothills of Sabyinyo, one of the most impressive of the five volcanoes visible from the site.
From the Lodge our clients have magnificent views to the verdant slopes of the Virunga Volcanoes to the North and over the agricultural lowlands to the South. Our clients can make the short journey to the Park headquarters each morning for their gorilla trek in only a few minutes, and the Lodge is a perfect base from which to explore this unique and fascinating corner of Africa. The lodge is only minutes away from the headquarters of the Parc National des Volcans from where clients trek on foot to see the magnificent Mountain Gorilla – perhaps one of the most dramatic, thrilling and poignant wildlife experiences possible.
The lodge is owned by a Community Trust, SACOLA, which uses rentals and community fees from the lodge to drive socio-economic and conservation initiatives in the communities adjacent to the National Park.
ACCOMMODATION:
Accommodation at Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge comprises five double cottages, two suites and one family suite - 18 beds in total. All are stone buildings with Rwandese terracotta tile roofs, and feature large sitting areas, fireplaces, stylish en-suite bathrooms finished with Venetian plaster a dressing room and a sheltered veranda. Heat exchangers in the fireplaces provide a plentiful supply of hot water. The family suite has a second bedroom with en-suite bathroom. The bathrooms are En-suite bathrooms with bath, shower, double basins, flush loo, hot and cold running water.
Cottages are linked by telephone to the Reception desk. Room service is available on request. Tea and Coffee is served in the cottages with the morning wake up call.
The main lodge building comprises reception, sitting room with snug area, dining room, library / games room, a responsible tourism / community awareness room, shop and bathrooms. Three large fireplaces provide warmth and all rooms are finished with a polished wooden floor. Two patio areas afford wonderful and dramatic views to the Virunga Volcanoes and the surrounding lowland farmland.
Electricity at the lodge - Y220 – 240 volts. Please note, the lodge is not connected to the Electricity Grid in Rwanda and is designed to have as small a carbon footprint as possible. Therefore, generators which power the lodge only run for an average of 6 hours per day. Inverter systems (banks of powerful batteries) provide power to guest rooms 24 hours a day, but may not run high power appliances such as hair dryers and computers. These should only be used whilst generators are running.
Bar/Restaurant - Contained within the main lodge building, the bar and dining room has fireplaces to warm them during cold weather, and outside decks for al-fresco drinks and meals during warm weather.
Clients wishing to go gorilla trekking must be reasonably fit and able to handle walking for some time in the hilly and forested terrain. To reach the lodge, clients must walk 200 meters or so up hill from the car park.
Open throughout the year. Rates are divided into High, Mid and Green Seasons.
Children are welcome in the lodge and there is a family cottage specially designed to cater for them. Please note that children under the age of 15 are not permitted to visit the gorillas.
Drink only bottled water. A yellow fever vaccination is required for travel to Rwanda.
For all clients traveling to Rwanda, in addition to the above you should make sure you have good sturdy walking boots, a light waterproof jacket and some sweaters or fleeces. The lodge is at 11,000 feet above sea level and can get cold at times.
Bring supplies of any personal prescription medication you require plus anti-malaria pills. It is also recommended that you bring mosquito repellent.
If you plan to bring a digital camera, video camcorder or other rechargable electronics, it is suggested that you confirm that your a/c adapter or battery charger works with 220 volts, and also bring a 3-pin square (UK) electrical adapter plug.
GETTING to Kigali: Kenya Airways and Rwandair both fly daily between Kigali and Nairobi. Flying time is 1 hour and 15 minutes. Rwandair flys twice a week between Kigali and Kilimanjaro (Tanzania). Private charters from Nairobi to Kigali can be organised for clients who wish to travel at times when the international airports are less busy and can process visas and baggage faster.
