endlesstravelwishes
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This is a very special community owned lodge with a gorgeous panorama view and super staff! We had a very impressive luxurious suite (S1) —lots more steps, though as it was furthest away from the main lodge! The suite has a cosy seating area around a fireplace which is always lit for you (thank you Ernest!), a comfy 4-poster bed (hot water bottles at turndown!), a bathtub with bath salts as well as body wash, shampoo, conditioner, etc. Other special touches included Q-tips, make-up remover rounds, a hairdryer, cookies, tea, coffee, a bar fridge stocked with pop, a bottle of wine, drinking water and milk, umbrellas, dressing gowns, slippers, a safe, beautiful coffee table books, an I-pad—you name it! ||For your trekking days, the Lodge supplies gaiters, raincoats, backpacks, trekking snacks and water, etc. The staff will put the gaiters on and take them off for you after the trek—you feel like royalty! Our treks were very muddy (end of May—nearing the end of rainy season) and our muddy clothes and boots were whisked away, cleaned to pristine and returned by the same evening, ready for trekking or departing the next day. In between trekking days, my husband got a generous, excellent in-room massage from Priscilla (thank you!).||One night we were delighted and amazed by the staff sharing their dance, Igitaramo, during a sundowner around the fit pit. Such talent and joy! Wow!!||A favourite line from the staff is ‘I am here for you!’ If you need something, just ask, they will bend over backwards to make sure you are happy and they will do it with the biggest, genuine smile on their face!! I am reluctant to mention staff names, for fear of leaving someone out, however, just to name a few of the special people who looked after us face to face (in no particular order): Eunice, Peiter, Ernest, Priscilla, Sandrine, Fidele, Mary, Donat, Bryan, Vanessa, Nadine, the chefs (giving us recipes and trying to adhere to our request for smaller portions), the security and cart drivers and then thanks to all those behind the scenes like laundry staff! Eric, you have an incredible crew! Bridge was our kind, informative and safe driver guide who took care of us for 8 days from our 1am arrival at the Kigali Airport, touring us for several days around Kigali to communicating on our behalf (easy trek, please) with the Rangers at Volcanoes National Park and taking us on the scenic drive 5-hour drive to Akagera National Park. Thank you to each and everyone of you for a most memorable stay!||For the Gorillas: This camp is very close to the Park Headquarters where everyone checks in for the treks (BTW nice washrooms!). I would strongly encourage you to do 2 gorilla treks if you can afford the time and $$$$. Our 2 breathtaking treks were totally different experiences seeing 2 different families in very distinct settings. (At the time we booked, if you stayed 7 nights in Rwanda at Wilderness properties you would get a complimentary gorilla trek! We took advantage of this by staying 4 nights at Sabyinyo Lodge and 3 nights at Magashi Camp in Akagera National Park.) We did a Golden Monkey Trek in between the 2 gorilla trekking days which kept the muscles moving and was enjoyable. Make sure to hire porters—they are extremely helpful and it is good to support the local community! We did not eat our Lodge prepared snack bags, so along with a nice tip, we gave the porters the food / drink package at the end of the treks and they seemed very pleased.