Mountains & meditation
Imagine waking before dawn, mist curling through volcanic peaks, dreaming of the day ahead.
Before you know it you’re walking into the cloud forest to sit with mountain gorillas in their home. Then returning to your lodge to flow through a yoga practice, a drink in hand, as the sun sets over the Virunga mountains and a fire keeps you warm.
This is a retreat to one of the last wild places on earth, paired with the deep benefits of a guided wellness experience. Singita Kwitonda Lodge shares a border with Volcanoes National Park — the only lodge in such close proximity to the gorillas’ habitat. With only eight suites, your experience will be intimate, unhurried and profoundly personal.
Spaces are extremely limited · permits sell out months ahead
Singita Kwitonda Lodge
At the base of the Virunga range, with views of the Sabyinyo, Gahinga and Muhabura peaks, the lodge was designed to reflect the gentle, strong spirit of Rwanda’s endangered mountain gorillas.
Eight contemporary suites feature private heated plunge pools, indoor and outdoor fireplaces, and handcrafted interiors honouring local artisan traditions. The main lodge offers a fire pit, interactive kitchen, wine cellar and bar-deli, set within a plantation of 15,000 indigenous trees restoring the buffer zone between community and park.
Once you arrive, everything is included — you can simply sink into the experience and make yourself at home.
Massage treatments can be booked separately on arrival.
Four days of wild wellness
Arrival & settling in
We collect you from Kigali and drive through Rwanda’s rolling green hills to Singita Kwitonda Lodge (approx. 2.5 hours). Arrive to a warm welcome, settle into your suite and take in the volcanic panorama. We gather for an afternoon yoga session before sunset, then enjoy a sundowner as the sun dips behind the Virungas. Before dinner, a conservation briefing with the team at Singita.
Into the cloud forest
Wake at 5:30am for a light breakfast and depart for Volcanoes National Park. After a briefing at park headquarters, we learn which family we’ll visit and how long the trek will be, to spend one hour with a mountain gorilla family. Return to the lodge for a restorative yoga practice and spa treatments. Dinner and a wine tasting for those who wish to join — or a light dinner and early night for those who choose solitude.
Deeper still
If you chose a second gorilla trek, the day mirrors the day before — perhaps with a different family. If you booked one trek, spend the day at Akarabo Nursery with local artisan experiences: basket weaving, pottery, or visiting the Rwandan seamstress. Lunch at the lodge or packed up the mountains. We gather again for yoga, sundowners and a farewell dinner together.
Departure
Final morning yoga and breakfast with the volcanoes. Check out by 11am, then transfer back to Kigali.
Gorilla trekking
left on earth
daily
gorilla family
park headquarters
To sit quietly among them in their ancient forest home is one of the most moving wildlife encounters you will ever have. Treks depart early from the park headquarters; the hike through dense bamboo and cloud forest can take one to four hours each way, depending on your allocated family. A moderate level of fitness is recommended.
What’s included
From the moment we collect you in Kigali, everything is taken care of.
Your gorilla trekking permit is included in the retreat price. We secure these on your behalf, which is why early booking and a 50% deposit are essential.
Preparing for your journey
What to pack
- Sturdy waterproof hiking boots (broken in)
- Long-sleeved shirt and trousers for trekking
- Waterproof jacket or poncho
- Garden gloves for gripping vegetation
- Daypack for water and camera
- Warm layers — it can be cool at altitude
- Sunscreen, hat and insect repellent
- Comfortable clothing for yoga sessions
Health & travel
- Valid passport (6+ months validity)
- Rwanda visa — on arrival or via irembo.gov.rw
- Yellow fever certificate required
- Hepatitis A & B, typhoid, tetanus recommended
- Malaria prophylaxis recommended
- Comprehensive travel insurance essential
Good to know
- Altitude: 2,500m / 8,200ft above sea level
- Currency: Rwandan Franc (USD widely accepted)
- Languages: Kinyarwanda, English, French
- Time zone: CAT (UTC+2)
- December: warm days, cool evenings; rain possible
- Keep 7m from gorillas; no flash photography
Practical information
Getting there
We collect you from Kigali on December 6; the drive to Singita Kwitonda Lodge takes around 2.5 hours through stunning scenery. Return transfer to Kigali on December 9 at 2pm.
Arriving early
We strongly recommend arriving in Kigali at least one night before to avoid flight-delay disappointment. A visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial is a moving way to understand Rwanda’s history.
Extending your stay
If you’d like extra nights at Singita before or after the retreat, we can arrange them — just speak to us when booking.
Gratuities
- Lodge staff — USD 30–50 pp/day
- Trackers / porters — USD 10–20 pp/trek
- Driver guide — USD 15–25 pp/day
Investment & booking
All accommodation, meals, drinks, transfers, yoga and wellness included.
Includes 1 gorilla trekking permit, plus all accommodation, meals, drinks, transfers, yoga & wellness.
Includes 2 gorilla trekking permits, plus all accommodation, meals, drinks, transfers, yoga & wellness.
Gorilla permits are limited and sell out — your deposit lets us secure permits immediately. Passport details are required at the time of booking.
There are only a handful of spaces
Book now and pay your deposit to secure your permits. For questions, or to discuss extending your stay, reach out to us directly.