One&Only Nyungwe House, which opened to travellers on Oct. 1, is situated in Gisakura, a working tea plantation.
The hospitality brand One&Only is known not just for its top-notch service and luxury resorts, but for the unique settings where it chooses to open new hotels. So as the company expands into nature resorts, it should come as no surprise that the locations are equally dramatic. One&Only Nyungwe House, which opened to travellers on Oct. 1, is situated in the southwest of Rwanda in Gisakura, a working tea plantation. The property sits on the edge of Nyungwe National Park, a mountainous rainforest that is home to 75 different species of mammal including 13 species of primate that make up 20 per cent of all the apes in Africa.
Despite its vast setting, the hotel itself is intimate with only 22 rooms spread over six villas. Each room has its own fireplace and private viewing deck for prime wildlife spotting, and decor and art are all influenced by Rwandan design. Facilities include a gym and spa focusing on holistic therapies that incorporate local treatments and traditions.
A jungle boot camp, primate trekking, spear throwing, hilltop archery and helicopter tours are just some of the activities that guests can participate in. Conservation of both the land and the local culture are a priority for One&Only, so guests are also encouraged to spend time working on the plantation, caring for local animals or participating in small infrastructure projects, such as building fences.
"Rwanda is such an incredible destination with truly once-in-a-lifetime experiences," says Philippe Zuber, One&Only Resorts' president and chief operating officer. "We look forward to immersing our guests in the country and culture and providing that ultimate connection with nature in the ultimate locations."
Room rates at $1,679 per night. For more information, visit www.oneandonlyresorts.com.