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Virunga and Bwindi in the 10 Best Africa Safari Lodges in Travel + Leisure 2026 Awards

28 August 2026

Volcanoes Safaris is delighted to announce that Virunga Lodge in Rwanda and Bwindi Lodge in Uganda have been voted among Travel + Leisure’s 10 Best Africa Safari Lodges in the 2026 World’s Best Awards!

Virunga Lodge ranked sixth, while Bwindi Lodge ranked tenth among Africa’s Best Safari Lodges.

Thank you to all our partners, staff, guests and friends for your support!

These awards are a testament to our long journey since we pitched a single tent in 1997 at Mgahinga which became the beginning of Volcanoes Safaris and the revival of gorilla ecotourism in the region.

Today the simple camps have evolved into five handmade luxury award-winning lodges led by an in-house design and build team led by Praveen, Cyprien and Nsabimana. The team draw inspiration from the cultures and aesthetics of the Great Lakes region.

Emmanuel Ahishakiye, born in the valley below Virunga Lodge, after working as a teacher joined as head of community projects, before becoming the manager in 2019.

“We are incredibly proud of this recognition. It is a testament to the dedication and hard work of Virunga Lodge team, who excel in gushimisha, the art of delighting guests.”

We look forward to welcoming you on our Virunga Safari, tracking gorillas and golden monkeys and hiking to Dian Fossey’s grave and finally visiting the newly built Karisoke Center.