Travellers Rest Hotel
Unraveling the Charm of Travellers Rest Hotel. Travellers Rest Hotel captivates with its rustic charm and traditional African architecture. Seamlessly blending into the natural landscape that surrounds it. Being one of the oldest hotels in Uganda, with a history steeped in gorilla conservation. Travellers Rest becomes a must for your gorilla trekking in the area. It boasts an impressive list of guests. To name just one: Dian Fossey, who even called this her second home.
Built in 1955 by Walter Baumgartel, the so-called father of gorilla tourism, it quickly became a meeting place for people interested in the mountain gorillas. It was entirely renovated in 1999, but charm of the somewhat colonial style still remains up to today.
Situated just outside Kisoro, the area is of astonishing beauty and the views of the Virunga volcanoes dominating the landscape will remain engraved in your memory.
Travellers Rest Hotel is committed to supporting the local community and promoting conservation efforts in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Through sustainable tourism practices and partnerships with local initiatives, the hotel strives. To minimize its environmental impact and contribute to the well-being of the surrounding communities.
Accommodation
Travellers Rest Hotel consists of 12 en-suite rooms, tastefully decorated with a unique selection of Congo art. The spacious rooms overlook a well groomed courtyard and have the magical Virunga volcanoes as a backdrop.
Whether you choose to stay in one of the cozy cottages or opt for a room in the main building, you’ll find yourself enveloped in an atmosphere of relaxation and rejuvenation. Each room is tastefully furnished and equipped with modern amenities, ensuring a restful stay after a day of exploration in the national park.
Dinning
The lounge with its big fireplace become the perfect spot in the evening, to wind down from a day filled with experiences. If however, you prefer a colder spot, you can enjoy your aperitif in the oasis of our garden from where you can enjoy the views on the magical Virunga volcanoes.
Dinners are served in with The Congolese art decorated restaurant and consist of a delicious four course set menu with lots of produce from this fertile region.
Activities
Batwa Community
The Batwa Trail starts at the base of Mt Muhavura and runs across the lower slopes of the Muhavura. And Gahinga volcanoes in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. With the help of Batwa guides, you’ll see the forest as a larder, pharmacy, builder’s yard, tool kit and, above all a home. Along the trail, you’ll fire a bow and arrow, check hives for wild honey, help repair a Batwa shelter, harvest plants for medicine and food, light a fire without a matches, listen to legends and learn about Batwa traditions.
The highlight of the trail is a descent into the Garama cave, a 200m-long lava tube beneath Mt. Gahinga. The Batwa are famed for their music and dance and their historic, subterranean council chamber in Garama Cave provides the setting for an unforgettable performance.
Birding
The guides are very happy to take you out from 5-6 pm if you book by 10 am that morning. Birds that can be seen: Ibis, Whydah, Speckled Moosebird, Fire Finch, Stonechat, Grey Capped Warbler, Waxbills and Yellow-Vented Bulbul.
Garama Cave
Almost 100 years ago there was a conflict between the Batwa (pygmies) and the Bantu population. The Batwa lived in the forests and the Bantu had their gardens and villages. The Batwa raided the Bantu in their villages and disappeared in the forests. The Bantu had no idea that there was a very large cave in the forest where the Batwa were hiding. Garama cave is 342 meters long and today it is only home to bats. During the visit the guide will tell you more about Garama Cave and the history and the life of the Batwa.
Mount Mgahinga
Around 58% of Mgahinga National Park covered with bamboo forest, a delicacy for the Gorillas and the Golden Monkeys. The walk to the top of the Mgahinga Volcano takes us through a very nice example of pure natural bamboo forest. This walk offers a good chance to see the rare Golden Monkey and Bushbucks. At the top (3474m) you will find a good view and a lush swamp in the crater.
Sabinyo Gorge
This walk takes us through the lush vegetation in the gorge of the Sabinyo. It is moist with a dense vegetation. A small river at the bottom of the gorge is responsible for creating this paradise over time. At the end of the walk is a small but nice waterfall and a very good view of all the peaks. A good place for lunch! The gorge is a good place for seeing birds, especially the Ruwenzori Turacoo. Golden Monkeys and Duikers also spotted.