Rwanda is a landlocked country in the Great Rift Valley, where the African Great Lakes region and East Africa converge.

Located a few degrees south of the Equator, it is bordered by Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

One&Only Nyungwe House

The 5* One&Only Nyungwe House, which is located on the edge of Nyungwe National Park, offers a stay in one of Africa's oldest rainforests.

The concerted efforts of the Rwandan government, local communities and NGOs, Rwanda's has seen the endangered mountain gorilla population, that live close to the property, continues to increase.

Gorilla treks are permitted to a limited number of people each year, and catching a glimpse of one of Rwanda's beloved animals is a genuine experience.

In addition to trekking through the ancient forest, guests can enjoy a wide range of remote outdoor pursuits from birdwatching to a canopy treetop walk at the very top of the rainforest.

The One&Only spa, offers a range of beauty and wellness treatments using organic natural skincare products from luxury South African brand Africology.

Other signature activities include stargazing and nocturnal field walks, jungle boot camp workouts, spear throwing and archery lessons, and forest yoga classes.

www.oneandonlyresorts.com/nyungwe-house

Sextantio Rwanda

The Sextantio Rwanda offers beehive-like thatched huts on the banks of Lake Kivu.

This new accommodation option will support the local community through its Capanne Project whereby guests will be encouraged to make donations rather than pay traditional set room rates, which are then directed to help fund health insurance for the needy.

The dwellings are inspired by the King of the Tutsis' Hut in the Ethnographic Museum in Butare and built without electric tools.

Guests can enjoy a refreshing swim, paddling in dugout canoes or night fishing on the lake, along with trips to the Nyungwe Forest National Park for sightings of a dozen primate species.

Sextantio's philanthropic founder, Daniele Kihlgren, hopes that guests will also embrace village life by visiting schools and health centres and learning about the sustainable farming practices here.

www.sextantiorwanda.com

Gorilla Conservation

The Ellen DeGeneres Campus, which has officially opened, is a 'gateway for gorilla conservation', with exhibits, classrooms and state-of-the-art research labs.

The initiative means the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund is able to expand its mission of saving gorillas and helping people, 54 years after Dian Fossey began her groundbreaking work.

The campus was built using sustainable methods and locally sourced materials - from green roofs and rainwater harvesting to the reforestation of former agricultural land and a constructed wetland to treat wastewater and promote biodiversity.

www.gorillafund.org/ellencampus/

Useful links

​ www.visitrwanda.com