Virunga Lodge
Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda · by Volcanoes Safaris · also known as Volcanoes Virunga Lodge
Photos of Volcanoes National Park, not the lodge. Lodge photos coming with permission.Virunga Lodge is a lodge of 10 bandas run by Volcanoes Safaris in the hills outside Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda. Rates run $1,220 to $2,905 per person per night sharing over the next 12 months (fully inclusive). Gorilla permits are bought separately: $1,500 per person per trek.
Location
Sits high on a ridge well away from the park, above Lakes Burera and Ruhondo, with terraced gardens. Volcanoes fill the northern horizon and farming communities live on the surrounding hills.
Bandas face either the Virunga volcanoes (north) or the twin lakes Burera and Ruhondo (east); Musanze valley to the west; individual peaks not named.
About 50 minutes (Expert Africa) to about an hour (Yellow Zebra); final access is a very steep, bumpy road.
Getting around
Very steep, bumpy access road; a pathway links the lodge to the road; no detail on steps to bandas found.
Neighbours
Sunzu and Bugeyo communities nearby; Lake Burera village walk.
Location from a mapping source. Pins show the lowest published rate per person per night.
Who it's for
Tags come from verified facts, not opinions. Each one shows why it applies.
Gorilla trekking and activities
Treks are run by the Rwanda Development Board, not the lodge. Every visitor meets at park headquarters in Kinigi at 7am and is assigned to a gorilla family. Your lodge books the permit and drives you there.
*With at least 2 nights in Akagera or Nyungwe on the same trip. Fees from the Rwanda Development Board, 2026.
Activities at Virunga Lodge
| Activity | Cost | Min. age | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gorilla trekking | Extra cost (permit) | 15 | Permit extra (national rule: min age 15); permit price USD 1,500 per Wilderness/Singita |
How reliably you'll see
Park fees and permits
| What | Adult | Per |
|---|---|---|
| Golden monkey tracking | $100 | per person |
| Mount Bisoke climb | $75 | per person |
| Dian Fossey tomb hike | $75 | per person |
| Exclusive gorilla trek (whole group, max 8) | $15,000 | per group |
Foreign non-resident rates from Rwanda Development Board (RDB).
When to go
Volcanoes National Park is at its best Jun – Aug, in the long dry season. 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. Fully inclusive: meals, activities, most drinks; check park fees and laundry separately. We don't sell trips; these are the operator's own published prices.
| Dates | Season | Room | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | |||
| Jan 1 – Feb 28 | High | Deluxe Banda | $2,640 |
| Jan 1 – Feb 28 | High | Standard Banda | $2,205 |
| Mar 1 – May 31 | Low | Deluxe Banda | $1,455 |
| Mar 1 – May 31 | Low | Standard Banda | $1,220 |
| Jun 1 – Sep 30 | High | Deluxe Banda | $2,640 |
| Jun 1 – Sep 30 | High | Standard Banda | $2,205 |
| Oct 1 – Dec 14 | Low | Deluxe Banda | $1,455 |
| Oct 1 – Dec 14 | Low | Standard Banda | $1,220 |
| Dec 15 – Dec 31 | High | Deluxe Banda | $2,640 |
| Dec 15 – Dec 31 | High | Standard Banda | $2,205 |
| 2027 | |||
| Jan 1 – Feb 28 | High | Deluxe Banda | $2,905 |
| Jan 1 – Feb 28 | High | Standard Banda | $2,425 |
| Mar 1 – May 31 | Low | Deluxe Banda | $1,600 |
| Mar 1 – May 31 | Low | Standard Banda | $1,340 |
| Jun 1 – Sep 30 | High | Deluxe Banda | $2,905 |
| Jun 1 – Sep 30 | High | Standard Banda | $2,425 |
| Oct 1 – Dec 14 | Low | Deluxe Banda | $1,600 |
| Oct 1 – Dec 14 | Low | Standard Banda | $1,340 |
| Dec 15 – Dec 31 | High | Deluxe Banda | $2,905 |
| Dec 15 – Dec 31 | High | Standard Banda | $2,425 |
Also included or excluded: Per person sharing; + USD 50 pppn community fee (extra); laundry, lodge activities, massages incl. Season windows published without years - split by calendar year. 2026 rates apply to new bookings made from 20 March 2025.
Rooms and amenities
Rooms
- Standard Banda
- Deluxe Banda
Amenities
Wine: cellar collection wines & single malts included (excl. French champagne)
Getting there
Fly into Kigali International Airport (KGL), then go by road or helicopter.
From $395 per vehicle, one way. Your lodge or agent arranges the driver; there's no need to find one yourself.
From $1,771 per aircraft, one way. Smallest helicopter seats 3 with a 180 kg limit for people and bags.
Who flies
Helicopter charters, lodge/park transfers and scenic tours across Rwanda. Limit is total weight (passengers + luggage) per aircraft per route.
Compare nearby
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FlagshipQuestions
How much does Virunga Lodge cost?
$1,220 to $2,905 per person per night sharing over the next 12 months, from the operator's published rates (checked 2026-10-21). Rates are fully inclusive.
When is the best time to visit Virunga Lodge?
June, July and August are the driest, best months in Volcanoes National Park. The long rains run March to May; lodges stay open and prices are lower.
Can children stay at Virunga Lodge?
Yes, children of age 12 and up are welcome. Gorilla trekking is only for ages 15 and up, so younger children stay at the lodge during treks.
How do you get to Virunga Lodge?
Fly into Kigali International Airport (KGL). Volcanoes National Park is about 3 hours by road from Kigali or about 30 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 Volcanoes National Park, not Virunga Lodge: Photo: Bill Hallier / Channel City Camera Club, CC BY 2.0; Photo: Carine06 from UK, CC BY-SA 2.0; Photo: Adygrafix250, CC BY 4.0; Photo: Carine06 from UK, CC BY-SA 2.0; Photo: Wood Wildlife Photography, CC BY-SA 4.0.