Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel is idyllically situated on top of one of the hills of Nyungwe forest area; the largest single forest block in East Africa and the biggest water reservoir for Rwanda.

Location, Nyungwe forest national park

Ideal length of stay: We would recommend spending at least two nights at Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel, though three would be better. Then you would have plenty of time to sample a number of the activities on offer here such as trekking to see the Ruwenzori colobus monkeys, chimpanzees, going on the birding walks and sampling the high canopy walk.

Directions: Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel is a five-hour drive from Kigali on relatively good tarmac roads, until the final five minutes up a steep dirt track to the hotel.

Accessible by: Fly-and-Transfer

Hotel features

  • Relaxing evening after exploring the Nyungwe national park, canopy walk and forest walk.
  • A view of sunrise from the eastern wing or sun set from western wing or just stands in the garden and feel the most admiring surroundings of Nyungwe.
  • A camp fire in room or in open after dinner, with cultural dances performed by local artists on special days
  • Chef’s creative meals always with a daily twist – the amazing soups, the best stews and Indian curries the minuscule breakfast basket with the ever-so-fresh fruits.
  • A heartwarming hospitality.

Food & drink

Usual board basis: Full Board

Food quality: When we visited Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel we didn’t have a chance to try the food, but the options were:

Breakfast is served throughout the morning with a variety of options on offer. Guests can order a full English breakfast with eggs cooked to their liking. Cereals, fruit and toast are also available, as are fruit juice, and a selection of teas and coffee.

Lunch and dinner are both ordered off the same à la carte menu. The starters are largely made up of options like Greek salad, or chicken or vegetable soup. Mains included a couple of pasta dishes, steak and a goat or chicken stew, all served with a choice of salad, chips, rice or vegetables.

We thought the menu was quite simple, and might get repetitive after a while, but for a two- to three-night stay it would probably be fine.

Dining style: Individual Tables

Dining locations: Indoor and Outdoor Dining

Cost of meal e.g. lunch: Included

Drinks included: Drinks are not included at Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel. A soft drink or local beer would cost US$3 and a glass of wine US$5.

Further dining info: Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel offers room service, although there are no phones in the rooms so this has to be arranged in advance.

Children

Attitude towards children: Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel is happy to accept children of any age

Property’s age restrictions: The hotel has no ages restrictions, but children must be at least 16 years old to take part in most of the primate focused activities in Nyungwe Forest.

Special activities & services: No

Equipment: Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel can offer a triple room on request, but does not have any additional facilities for children.

Generally recommended for children: Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel would be fine for older children who are able to make the most of the activities that the area offers.

Notes: There are some quite steep sections of hillside in front of the rooms so parents should keep a close eye on their children at all times.

Infrastructure

Power supply: Mains Electricity

Power supply notes: Always on. It is possible to charge batteries via power points in the rooms. These have two European-style round pins, but the hotel can provide adaptors on request.

Communications: Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel does not yet have internet access for guests, but the office computer may be used for short amounts of time if required.

TV & radio: There is no TV or radio at Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel.

Health & safety

Malarial protection recommended: Yes

Medical care: The nearest medical service is at Kibogora Hospital, 10km from the hotel. There is a first-aid box at the hotel and we were told that a team member was also trained in first aid.

Dangerous animals: Low Risk

Security measures: There are security guards dotted around the property day and night, and there are safes in half of the rooms. For rooms that do not have safes guests may leave valuables with the manager who can lock them away.

Fire safety: Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel has fire extinguishers by every room and around the main areas. Some members of the staff are trained to use them.

Extras

Disabled access: Not Possible

Laundry facilities: Laundry at Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel is washed and dried by machine, and costs around US$2 per item.

Money: The hotel will exchange currency in US dollars, euros and British pounds, using the bank’s rate of the day.

Accepted payment on location: Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel will accept cash in Rwandan francs, US dollars, euros and British pounds, but they do not currently accept credit cards.