No need to stay at the expensive 'gorilla' lodges. and other Rwanda Hotel/Accommodation Reviews

A catholic run guesthouse in Ruhengeri, the room and bathrooms are great value, clean, spacious with hot water ensuite tiled showers.
It is only a five minute walk to town and on clear days all the Volcanoes can be seen from the terrace balcony & your room windows!
The gorilla ORTPN at Kinigi is One hour away ( but only 13km on poor roads but picturesquely adventurous) by private transport which you can arrange from kigali or the day before in ruhengeri.
The staff are great and food at the restaurant is affordable and scrumptuous..

Unique Qualities: Volcano views, great price

Leave a Comment

Theme: Pension/Guesthouse
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: US$20-40  » Currency Converter
Phone: 250 546 780
Address: po box 45 Ruhengeri
Directions: Opposite local Stade (stadium)

Well located on the northern shores of Lkae Kivu and close the Congo frontier, hotel Regina is run by a local Rwandaise Known as Madame.
The room are large and clean with en-suite or shared facilities both at affordable rates.
The lounge downstairs has fast internet access and a high ceiling restaurant. The terrace and garden tables however are ambiently colonial and serene for diesting all the great tasty food....try the fillet fish dishes...yummy. The Parc du Lac across the road is well manicured and offers vistas acroos the lake to Goma,Congo and provides a safe cove for swimming on the rocky shores. Great Sunsets. The town is just 10 minutes walk uphill. The frontier is alos only 15 mins up the road.

Unique Qualities: Food, Frontier feel and Fantastic sunset views

Leave a Comment

Theme: Hotel
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: US$20-40  » Currency Converter
Phone: 250 540 942
Address: BR 213 Gisenyi
Directions: On the lake FRw200 on motor bike from toen centre 5mins or 15mins downhill walk
Other Contact: african jacana

Located near Kibuye, only 10minutes by the owners boat transfer from kibuye town or Gisenyi, these iles are wondefully placed just off the mainland in the isle studded bay of Kibuye.
They are two tear drop shaped isles ,nord and sur joined by a stone causeway. Nord is where the manger/staff reside with the pier, restaurant and volleyball facilities. sur isle is all yours with a spacious camp, bedding pillow, tables and chairs and nightly campfire at dinner time. Towels,toilet paper and water are provided and a proper clean modern flush-sitdown commode is provide in stalls. Electricty is personally provided by a car battery and hung lite...really cool
No need for showers as the clean health hazrd free warm waters of lake Kive are lapping at your camping site.
I am not an outdoorsy type and being my first at 'camping' this was a real luxury tent experience.
Off the beaten track and definitely worth it....

Unique Qualities: Service, sunset and sunrise, views and location, location, location

Leave a Comment

Theme: Campground
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$40-80  » Currency Converter
Phone: 08482315
Address: Peace Island near Kibuye
Directions: 10 minutes from Kiuye Guest House pier by manager boat transfer
Website: ajtt31@yahoo.com
Other Contact: e.rugijean@yahoo.fr

Located on the main street in Butare's centre this hotel is quite luxurious for tis location. belgian owned since colonial times standards are high.
the rooms are double bed apartments very homely rather than hotel style. Large double beds, bathrooms with showers (hot water!) and a seperate sitting day bed area back to a private enclosed patio makes this place good value for money. Its all in african colonial style with heavy wood and color motifs

Unique Qualities: Location ,location and the terrace restaurant open to main street provides a fantastic theatre of the street. However it initially is restricting as street kids approach the edges and beg but are not allowed to enter the compound so you are safe, but they are not intimidating or pushy. Then once that passes you become the theatre for them! the ambience is nice and locals as well as expats fill the terrrace for dinner and lunch....get there early if you want a table outside

Leave a Comment

Theme: Hotel
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$40-80  » Currency Converter
Phone: 250 530335
Address: Main Street Butare
Website: campionibis@hotmail.com

On the bank of calm Lake Muhazi in eastern rwanda this lodging is a welcome stop if you have made a northern circuit of Akagera Park and are headed back to Kigali. Here you can safely reach before dusk if the latter was your route earlier in the day.
The location and views are stunning. Lots of water activities including boating, swimming and birdwatching are on offer. The lake is disease and croc free. Just across the water is the Presidents Holiday Home so the company is grand.
The place along with the Gahini guest House is run by the episcopal church.
Accomodation is by camping or in 2-bedroom well equipped rondavels....definitely worth a stop after ANP

Unique Qualities: view and location

Leave a Comment

Theme: Pension/Guesthouse
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$40-80  » Currency Converter
Phone: 250 67422
Directions: on lake muhazi north of Kayonza (junction town)
Website: gahini@rwanda1.com