One&Only Nyungwe House

Exceptional property, superb service, lots of activities, and the spa and food are fantastic.

Our experience at One&Only House, Nyungwe was delightful. The setting is gorgeous, and the kindnesses abundant. Fist rate comfort --we loved the accommodations, hospitality, thoughtful considerations of all possible needs--even outfitting us for trekking with backpacks, gaiters, waterproof coverups. We were offered excellent and creative food selections with special attention to vegetarian requirements, and service beyond compare. The entertainment and activities were culturally interesting and fun, and the pool looking over the forest is magical. And bonus!: Each day we found a lovely local gift in our room. Micheline, Sam, Joseph, and Jack treated us with special care. Our welcome was just like arriving on Fantasy Island, and our departure teary eyed! We are grateful for the time we got to spend at One&Only House, Nyungwe.

Wow, wow and wow. This hotel treats you like a dignitary. This retreat is geared for the upscale traveler where cost is not an obstacle. It ain't cheap by any stretch of the imagination but like they say, you get what you pay for. They have thought of everything at this hotel. The rooms are immaculate, private and very comfortable. The service is impeccable. The food is gourmet and generous. It is like going to a Michelin star restaurant. The staff is EXTREMELY attentive and glow with appreciation that you are their guest. The hotel common areas are spotless and attended to with great detail, attention and care. Most people come here for the chimpanzee trekking. Understand that unlike the gorillas, chimps are far more mobile and like to climb high up trees. If you are lucky they will come to the ground long enough for you to get a good photo but for the most part, you are shooting up into trees. Once you get to the family, be aware that they may move again. As such, a short trek can easily evolve into a very long trek. Some travelers find that a chimp trek is much less rewarding than the gorillas who tend to be on the ground much longer and travel far less allowing for better photo ops. Having said all that, we got lucky and after a very strenuous 2 hour trek finally found a chimp family that was fairly stationary allowing us to get memorable photos. If you book this experience, go into it with an open mind and understand that there is no controlling chimps so you may have an amazing trek (like we had) or you may be disappointed. Unlike the gorillas which pretty much guarantee a 100% chance of a one hour encounter, chimps are a little less predictable. If you have ANY concerns about visiting Rwanda, put those worries aside. The regional airport in Kigali is very small and easy to navigate. The troubles of 30 years ago are in their history and today's Rwanda is warm, welcoming and very safe. We fell in love with the people, the country's spirit, breathtaking scenery and the wildlife. Being with gorillas is exhilarating and lifechanging. The Rwandan people embrace tourists and we always felt welcomed and appreciated. While not the cheapest destination in the world, it is a MUST SEE and we cannot wait to return.