Marking the 10th Anniversary of its Rwandan Virunga Lodge, Volcanoes Safaris opens two deluxe bandas for families and honeymooners.

• Bandas Ibiyaga (lake) and Ibirunga (volcano) overlook the Virunga volcanoes and Lake Bulera for some of the most spectacular views in Rwanda.
• Perfect for honeymooners and families, the new bandas each offer over 700 square-foot of accommodation.
• The story and work of Volcanoes at Virunga Lodge over the last ten years will be released as a book this summer – previewed in a new lodge video.

Volcanoes Safaris, pioneers in sustainable tourism and rare mountain gorilla and chimpanzee safaris, celebrates 10 years of Rwandan eco-luxury Virunga Lodge with the opening of two new Deluxe Bandas. Offering an unparalleled experience for honeymooners and families, the spacious new bandas are the latest addition to a lodge, which first opened in 2004 and has helped to kick-start gorilla tourism in post-conflict Rwanda.

The ideal location for unforgettably romantic honeymoons, Virunga Lodge is home to atmospheric African vistas and magical wildlife experiences. Each banda is complete with stone fireplace, living room and private terrace, where guests can watch the sun set over the surrounding panoramas in the comfort of total seclusion. Couples will also enjoy a welcome complimentary gift hamper including Volcanoes’ renowned kitenge kimonos and other locally sourced gifts.

Perched high on a ridge, offering breath-taking views of the Virunga Volcanoes and twin lakes, Virunga Lodge is the ultimate eco-luxury property for tracking the endangered mountain gorillas. The addition of the two new bandas – the Kinyarwanda named Ibiyaga (for lake) and Ibirunga (for volcano) brings the lodge’s total number of bandas to 10.

Praveen Moman, Founder of Volcanoes Safaris, commented on the anniversary:

“Celebrating the tenth anniversary of the opening of Virunga Lodge is a very special milestone in the history of Volcanoes Safaris. When I first started looking for land to build a lodge here the country was very different, it was just coming out of conflict so slowly we built this very simple lodge in very difficult circumstances. And today, thanks to the staff who come from Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo – many of them displaced from regional conflict – we have a world class lodge. It’s humbling to see how the support we have had over the last ten years has produced this very unique property that offers not only the ultimate eco-luxury gorilla experience but also connects the guests to the conservation of the gorillas and the lives of the local communities.”

The organic design of the new Deluxe Bandas, including ecological commitments in the form of solar hot water and energy, reflects the local building style, while neutral colours reflect the natural surrounding environment. The juxtaposition of delicately hand woven natural fabrics such as cotton and silk, blended with traditional vibrant kitenge materials combines contemporary design with a twist of Africa. Hand crafted teak furniture and statement wicker lampshades, made by Volcanoes craftsmen and other local craftsmen, make for stunning and contemporary interiors, while traditional crafts mixed with the influence of local artists are used to finish the overall design, to reflect the rich history of the area.

Virunga Lodge will officially celebrate its 10 year anniversary, and unveil the new Deluxe Bandas on 20th June, 2014. A photo-essay of the story of the Virunga Lodge and the work of Volcanoes in the region over the last ten years by Volcanoes Safaris’ Founder, Praveen Moman, will be released this summer.