Gorilla Solution Lodge | At the Foothills of Volcanoes National Park

Located at the foothills of Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, you find the tranquil Gorilla Solution lodge. The lodge is a mid-range accommodation facility committed to offering guests comfortable lodging while visiting Volcanoes National Park for gorilla trekking, golden monkey trekking and other park activities. Gorilla Solution lodge is situated in a calm environment with lush green gardens that can be viewed from your room’s balcony. The lodge gardens are also perfect to have breakfast or lunch while taking in the beauty of the lodge surroundings. The staff at Gorilla Solution lodge are exceptional going as far as paying attention to detail, cleaning visitor’s hiking shoes after the gorilla trek and setting up nicely in different lodge spots for meals.

Accommodation at Gorilla Solution Lodge

Gorilla Solution Lodge has a total of 10 rooms which are all beautifully decorated with African inspired décor, the rooms are also spacious with all amenities that one would expect from a mid-range accommodation facility. The type of rooms available include single rooms, double rooms and two family cottages that cater to families traveling together. The rooms are situated on both ends of the property with a garden in the middle to separate one side from the other.

Each room at Gorilla Solution lodge consists of;

Large comfortable bed/s with clean linen bed sheets.

Bathroom fully stocked with a flushing toilet, mirror, sink, shower gel, bathroom slippers, clean towels and bathing soap.

Hot and cold showers.

Bed side table and bedside sockets for charging devices.

Hair driers.

A mosquito net.

Wooden sitting desk and chair.

A Chiminea with hot coal to keep the room warm during cold nights.

Facilities and Services

Restaurant – The lodge features a restaurant that serves fresh and delicious meals. The meals are partly prepared with ingredients that are sourced from the local farmers in Musanze district and the neighboring areas, this makes the meals fresh and tasty. The kitchen at the lodge has professional chefs that cater to all diet preferences including vegan, vegetarian and to lactose intolerant guests. Be sure to let the lodge staff know before hand or write to your tour ground handler about your dietary requirements so that the information is relayed to the lodge.

Bar – The lodge has a bar that is situated at the lodge’s main area serving an assortment of drinks from beers to wine to spirits to soft drinks. Guests are free to order drinks of their choice while at the lodge.

Lounge Area – Gorilla Solution Lodge has a comfortable lounge area with a fireplace, comfortable sofas and a large area where one can relax aside from their room. The lounge is in the same area as the reception and is the first place you see on arrival at the lodge.

Conference Hall – The conference hall is available for business guests and career visitors who would like to have meetings or workshops while visiting Musanze. The conference hall is fully stocked with all necessary equipment to facilitate meetings and workshops.

Wi-Fi – The lodge has Wi-Fi available in the lobby for guests. This offers an opportunity to browse the internet and social media.

Room service – Gorilla Solution lodge also offers room service on request. You just have to let the staff known in advance that you would like room service.

Other Services at the lodge include ample parking space and maximum security.

Attractions and Activities

Gorilla Trekking – This is the most popular tourism activity in the park. Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda is a worthwhile memorable adventure that brings you closer to the mountain gorillas spending up to one hour watching them and taking photos. If you travelled with a tour operator company your driver guide picks you up straight from the lodge and transfers you to Kinigi for your trek. If you are doing self-drive you can use google maps to locate the area from the hotel or even ask the staff at the hotel for directions.

A mountain gorilla seen while on a gorilla trek in Rwanda

Golden Monkey trekking – Golden monkeys are primate species with golden fur on their backs and interesting facial features, these primates exist in groups of up to 30 individuals and are rather active compared to gorillas. The trek which starts at Kinigi headquarters is less strenuous than gorilla trekking and requires average physical fitness. The monkeys are usually found in less than one hour of trekking with the guidance of park ranger guides.

Diana Fossey Tomb Hike – The Diana Fossey hike is one of the activities around park and the 4 hour hike takes you to where she was buried. Gorilla Solution lodge is so close to the Diana Fossey campus so you can just take a walk there. Diana Fossey was a researcher who spent a great deal of her life time researching the mountain gorillas and pushing for the conservation and protection of the gorillas. The current population of gorillas is highly attributed to her conservation work and commitment to preserving mountain gorillas.

Volcano Hiking – For travellers looking for adventure, Volcanoes national park offers hiking opportunities with beautiful views. Visitors can choose among 4 main peaks out of the 5 Virunga mountain ranges to hike. The most popular is the Mt. Bisoke hike which can be done in one day; the hike offers breath-taking views of the Crater Lake at the top of Mt.Bisoke. The other volcanoes to hike include Mt.Karisimbi which is a 2 day hike, Mt.Muhavura and Mt.Gahinga.

Visit Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village – The Iby’Iwacu cultural visit is a great way to experience the way of the life of the Rwandans as you get a look in to their culture, traditions and norms. The cultural visit can be done after your gorilla trek depending on what time you return. While at the cultural village you will visit the traditional medicine man, a craft centre and even be treated to the unique Rwanda traditional dances which you are free to join in.

Twin Lakes Visit – The visit to Rwanda’s twin lakes is a short yet rewarding trip that takes one to Lake Ruhonda and Lake Burera. The twin lakes offer you breath-taking views from the top and a glimpse in to the beautiful landscape of Rwanda. While here you can capture some great photos! This is a great attraction to visit in the afternoon.

Getting to Gorilla Solution Lodge

By Road

The lodge can be accessed from Kigali by road and the distance from Kigali to Musanze district in Rwanda is 96km. The journey is along a paved road and is just two and a half hours away from Kigali when using a private car. The route is Kigali – Rubavu – Musanze – Gorilla Solution lodge. The drive is scenic and offers stunning views of the panoramic landscape of Rwanda and the small busy towns along the way that are usually filled with locals busy with the day’s activities.

From Uganda

Gorilla Solution lodge can also be accessed via Uganda. The connection is along a paved road from Kisoro in Uganda crossing at the Cyanika border post into Rwanda and then to Musanze town at the foothills of Volcanoes national park. The distance between Kisoro and Musanze is 40km.

By Flight

The lodge can also be accessed by taking a flight from Kigali International Airport to Volcanoes national park with Akagera Aviation which arranges charter helicopters to the park. The lodge can arrange pick up or your driver guide can pick you up at the airstrip and drop you off at Gorilla Solution lodge.