Icyayi Songa Lodge
Nyungwe National Park, Rwanda · by Songa Africa
Photos of Nyungwe National Park, not the lodge. Lodge photos coming with permission.Icyayi Songa Lodge is a lodge of 20 rooms run by Songa Africa just outside Nyungwe National Park, Rwanda. Rates run $1,000 to $1,200 per person per night sharing over the next 12 months (full board).
Location
Tea-themed lodge by Songa Africa in Nyamasheke District, surrounded by working tea plantations near the western side of Nyungwe National Park; due to open May 2026. Sources disagree on the exact spot: one agent puts it on a 7.5-ha site in the Gisakura tea estate, while another agent's map label reads Ntendezi. Room count also differs between sources (8 rooms vs 20 suites).
Suite verandas look over surrounding tea plantations and the Nyungwe forest.
African Spice Safaris: 'only a 20-minute drive to the Nyungwe Park office' (office not named). coords: not found (Chalo Africa map label 'ICYAYI, SONGA AFRICA, Ntendezi, Rwanda' exposes no lat/lng; operator site has only a placeholder page)
Getting around
7.5-hectare site; no information on paths, steps or walkways found.
Neighbours
Surrounded by working tea plantations; agent map places it at Ntendezi; another agent says Gisakura tea estate (unresolved)
Who it's for
Tags come from verified facts, not opinions. Each one shows why it applies.
What you do here
Activities at Icyayi Songa Lodge
| Activity | Cost | Min. age | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chimpanzee trekking | Extra cost (permit) | — | Permits excluded from rate |
| Cycling / e-bike | Available | — | |
| Cultural / community visit | Available | — | Crop to Cup tea-picking |
How reliably you'll see
Park fees and permits
| What | Adult | Per |
|---|---|---|
| Nyungwe park entry | $100 | per person (1 night) |
| Nyungwe park entry | $200 | per person (3 nights) |
| Nyungwe chimpanzee tracking | $150 | per person |
| Nyungwe chimpanzee habituation experience | $200 | per person |
| Nyungwe canopy walk / guided birding / primate tracking / night treks | $40 | per person per activity |
Foreign non-resident rates from Nyungwe NP (African Parks / RDB).
When to go
The long rains run March to May and the short rains October to November. Treks and drives go ahead in the rain, and lodges often charge less.
Rates
Per person per night, sharing. Full board: meals only. We don't sell trips; these are prices published by an agent, pending the operator's rate sheet.
| Dates | Season | Room | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | |||
| Feb 16 – May 31 | Low | Luxury Suite | $1,000 |
| Jun 1 – Oct 31 | High | Luxury Suite | $1,200 |
| Nov 1 – Dec 14 | Low | Luxury Suite | $1,000 |
| Dec 15 – Jan 5 | High | Luxury Suite | $1,200 |
Also included or excluded: Per-room rate USD 2400; laundry; government taxes & levies. pppn = room rate / 2.
Rooms and amenities
Rooms
- Luxury Suite, 166 sq m · family villas also offered
Amenities
Getting there
Fly into Kigali International Airport (KGL), then go by road or helicopter. Transfers are not included in the rate.
Your lodge or agent arranges the driver; there's no need to find one yourself.
Via Kamembe (KME).
From $2,385 per aircraft, one way. Smallest helicopter seats 3 with a 180 kg limit for people and bags.
Who flies
National carrier; only scheduled domestic route Kigali-Kamembe (for Nyungwe / southern Lake Kivu). Economy allowance 2 × 23 kg checked plus 10 kg carry-on. Excess rates vary by destination; Kamembe domestic additional-baggage rates exist but not published online.
Helicopter charters, lodge/park transfers and scenic tours across Rwanda. Limit is total weight (passengers + luggage) per aircraft per route.
Compare nearby
All 2 in Nyungwe National ParkQuestions
How much does Icyayi Songa Lodge cost?
$1,000 to $1,200 per person per night sharing over the next 12 months, from an agent's published rates (checked 2026-10-21). Rates are full board.
Can children stay at Icyayi Songa Lodge?
Yes, children of all ages are welcome.
How do you get to Icyayi Songa Lodge?
Fly into Kigali International Airport (KGL). Nyungwe National Park is about 5.5 hours by road from Kigali or about 45 minutes by helicopter.
Before you go
Rules change. Check official sources before you travel.
Sources
Every fact on this page is tied to a source. Facts checked 2026-10-21. Spotted something wrong? Tell us.
Photos show Nyungwe National Park, not Icyayi Songa Lodge: Photo: Alex Niragira, CC BY-SA 4.0; Photo: Dpiskho, CC BY-SA 4.0; Photo: AlexMiller12345, CC BY-SA 4.0; Photo: Wood Wildlife Photography, CC BY-SA 4.0; Photo: Charles J. Sharp, CC BY-SA 4.0.