The One&Only Nyungwe House resort, on the edge of the Nyungwe rainforest in the mountainous landscape of Rwanda’s southwest, will start welcoming guests on October 1, and is the first new property in the One&Only Nature Resorts’ portfolio.
“It is an absolute privilege and an honour to confirm the opening of One&Only Nyungwe House, the second addition to our Nature Resorts portfolio, and to provide our guests with the rare opportunity to explore this remote and authentically wild location,” says Philippe Zuber, President and Chief Operating Officer of One&Only Resorts. “We have created an ultra-luxury oasis which celebrates every possible moment of this remote jungle environment from sunrise breakfasts, or treehouse yoga, enjoying soothing indigenous spa therapies in the warm tropical air, through to evening cocktails by a crackling fire pit.”
Set within the green expanse of a working tea plantation, alongside one of the largest and best-preserved mountain rainforests in Africa, One&Only Nyungwe House comprises 23 guest rooms and suites.
All rooms and suites have been designed to fit within the natural surroundings, utilising local African craftsmanship inspired by Rwanda. Guests have the option of either a two-bedroom suite, which sleeps four, or a one-bedroom which sleeps two. Rooms feature en-suite bathrooms with indoor shower, vanities, a wilderness-view shower and a stand-alone bath, as well as log burners, burning fragrant eucalyptus, whilst expansive private decks offer panoramic views over the African terrain.
Surrounded by jungle views, the resort has been carefully planned, with farm-to-table dining offering African-inspired cuisine within the surroundings of a traditional boma, a viewing gallery of the rainforests and wildlife, a spa and wellness offerings that embrace nature and local traditions, and curated, authentic experiences to discover.
Seasonal dishes are served in the dining room and its plantation-view terrace. Floor-to-ceiling windows allow for natural light and green vistas, whilst daily changes to the menus showcase the natural ingredients of Rwanda. The dining room is open from 07h00 to 10h30 for breakfast, 12h00 to 15h00 for lunch, and 19h00 to 21h00 for dinner. In addition, there is a tea room and a tea lounge bar, which is open daily between 12h00 in the afternoon until 22h00.
The One&Only Spa was inspired by nature with a range of exclusive beauty and wellness treatments using organic natural skincare products from the South African brand Africology. Each treatment combines traditional African holistic therapies with natural ingredients. Signature treatments include Intoga Amasatchi, a 75-minute, deep-tissue, full-body treatment using hands and wooden sticks, which traditionally represent the wisdom and direction of the healer to stretch tight muscles and relieve toxic overload.
Guests at One&Only Nyungwe House will have the opportunity to select from an array of curated experiences, including chimpanzee trekking; bird watching; a canopy treetop walk at the top of the rainforest; stargazing and nocturnal field walks; helicopter rides; jungle boot camp workouts; spear throwing and archery lessons; an introduction to the African kitchen garden; and insight into the secrets of African tea.
In addition, hiking trails lead from the resort deep into the jungle, such as the Karamba Trail, which begins in the open-air site of a former gold mine, and Mount Bigugu Trail, which covers the highest peak in the park with views of Lake Kivu, hills and colourful flora and fauna.
Furthermore, guests can make use of the resort’s gym and infinity pool, as well as the business centre located on-site.
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Experiences include the opportunity for guests to participate in Umuganda – a nationwide initiative in Rwanda in which locals spend the last Saturday morning of every month working in the local community, giving back in some way, from developing infrastructure to environmental protection.
One&Only Nyungwe House is the first new property to open within the One&Only Nature Resorts’ portfolio, joining Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley in Australia. The expansion of One&Only’s Nature Resorts will continue in 2019 with the opening of One&Only Gorilla’s Nest in Northern Rwanda. Located at the foothills of the Virunga Volcano range, the resort will offer immersive gorilla trekking in the magical habitat of the Volcanoes National Park and complement One&Only Nyungwe House to provide the ultimate luxury twin-centre experience for guests travelling to Rwanda.
