Singita Kwitonda Lodge

Singita Kwitonda Lodge stands on the edge of Volcanoes National Park in northern Rwanda, sharing a 1.2-kilometre boundary with the park and less than 10 minutes from the headquarters where gorilla treks begin. The forests above hold more than a third of the world's remaining mountain gorillas, and golden monkeys live in the bamboo higher up. The lodge is built of volcanic stone that moss is slowly reclaiming, with wide windows turned towards the volcanoes. Each suite has a heated plunge pool, fireplaces inside and out, and space for a massage in the room. A conservation lounge tells the story of the area, from Dian Fossey's work with the gorillas to the geology that raised the peaks, and the Akarabo nursery and kitchen garden supply much of what reaches the table. Between treks, guests can plant trees, sit with local craftspeople, or walk and cycle across the property into town. Buffalo graze the grassland around the buildings, and forest elephants come down from the slopes from time to time. Kataza House, taken by one group at a time, sits beside the lodge on the same boundary.