9 Best Hotels in Rwanda

This Rwandan-owned boutique hotel is conveniently located on the main tarmac road that leads to the starting point for gorilla tracking. Floor-to-ceiling windows in the dining room look over exquisitely designed flower gardens surrounding Kinigi’s most beautiful swimming pool. Lavish meals, friendly young staff and hot water bottles ensure a warm welcome in every way. The three-room Volcano Manor sleeps six and features a private jacuzzi and outdoor living area with sumptuous fireplace. Biking enthusiasts can book tours with the Africa Rising Cycling Team Rwanda a few hundred meters from the hotel. 

Many international brands have burst onto the Kigali hotel scene in recent years, but this independent, Rwandan-owned hotel still holds its own. Its city location, beautiful outdoor swimming pool, tennis court, and Thursday live music nights attract many; others are drawn to learn of the hotel’s role in sheltering refugees during the 1994 genocide. A new spa and gym, and room refurbishments are underway. Book in advance and a pianist will serenade you during dinner in the fourth-floor Panorama Restaurant.

One of the city's only five-star hotels, the Serena draws an elite crowd with its open-air restaurants, heliconia-and-palm-fringed pool, state of the art gym and the exquisite Maisha Mind Body & Spirit Spa. Businesspeople, luxury safari-goers, and diplomats traverse the atrium's marble and carpeted floors. Every artwork has a story at Serena Hotels: the high-end hotel trappings are complemented by Rwandan artwork and traditional patterns. The standard room is small, so consider upgrading if you plan to spend much time there. The hotel's central location means that shops, restaurants, and tourist sites are just minutes away. Stick around on Friday evening to experience African Nights, a buffet of East African cuisine with a poolside band playing regional music.

The bird-filled beachfront gardens and suites of this "tropically inspired" four-star hotel have arguably the best views of Lake Kivu. The Serena Hotels' trademark lavish breakfast and high levels of service make this a marvelous place to simply chill. Active guests may want to make use of the gym, floodlit lawn tennis court, mountain bikes, or nearby mini 8-hole golf course.

Stunning views of mist-veiled mountains, excellent service, and convenient access to Nyungwe Forest National Park, all for US$220, make this hilltop hotel a best-value option. The circular, thatched-roof reception building has a restaurant and bar for tired and thirsty trekkers. Carved masks and Imigongo cow dung paintings mingle with contemporary IKEA-esque furniture in the public areas. The two-room cottages feature a living room with fireplace and private balconies. Thoughtful touches set this stay apart: tea and warm towels on arrival, a complimentary shoe-cleaning service, an evening fire, and an impressive number of bed warmers each night. The staff will cheerily recommend park excursions and phone ahead to ensure availability.

Nearby dining options are scarce, so choose the all-inclusive option for an extra US$50 per person.

You'll forget you're next to a rain forest in this lavish retreat—until you slide back the glass balcony doors to let in forest breezes and birdsong. One&Only Nyungwe House is luxury plopped on a tea plantation with easy access to the national park. The award-winning architecture harmonizes with the surrounding environment, and cottages-on-stilts connect via a boardwalk that leads to a lobby bedecked with chandeliers, lily ponds, sleek sofas, slate floors, and regional curios. High-flying trekkers from the United States and Europe are no doubt attracted to the chocolate-on-the-nightstand turndown service and flawlessly functional amenities. The warmed infinity pool and full-service spa are an added sell. The all-inclusive meal plan has some of the best cuisine in Rwanda.

Akagera visitors flock to this solar-powered, tented lodge on the shores of Lake Ihema to commune with nature without foregoing warm showers, three-course meals, and a fully stocked bar. Monkeys scamper along the raised wooden walkways that connect each tent with the thatched-roof reception area. Guests simply follow this boardwalk to a lakeside breakfast or a grilled dinner under the stars. Each tent has a plush bed, two-person couch, desk, and freestanding bathroom with a rainfall shower. Pull back the flaps for shoreline views and the occasional bathing hippopotamus. If you're looking for something a bit more romantic or roomy, splash out on the luxury tree tent or family tent.

While making a reservation at Ruzizi, inquire about availability at their seasonal, mobile Karenge Bush Camp. Located in the north of the park, Karenge is slightly more rustic, but has unbeatable views of the savanna.

This Rwandan-owned boutique hotel is a top pick for ape trekkers looking for local flavor without scrimping on comfort. From chilled tomato juice and warm towels on arrival to in-room flower arrangements and responsive staff, Villa Gorilla exudes hospitality. The colorful, flower-filled gardens extend the warm welcome. Bedrooms feature straw-mat floors, carved gorilla figurines, and woven baskets. Views of the volcanoes from the garden patio and boma pit serve as a reminder that this isn't your average weekend escape. Try their unique 7-course trip around the world that features slow-cooked local ingredients with imported artisan delicacies.

Perched on a 2,300-meter (7,500-foot) ridge between Lake Ruhondo and Lake Bulera, this majestic lodge defines Rwandese Afro-chic with breathtaking 360-degree views and your very own personal butler. In the inviting common area, characterized by deep-cushioned couches and a roaring central fireplace, gorilla trekkers from all over the globe swap stories about their great ape encounters. The Dian Fossey Map Room doubles as an exhibition space and conference room. Guests retire to tile-roofed bandas with spacious patios tucked out of sight from each other. Expect in-person wake-up calls with your hot beverage of choice and a complimentary massage at the Ikirunga Spa & Sauna.