Travellers Rest Hotel is one of Uganda’s most historic and iconic safari hotels, located in Kisoro town at the foothills of the Virunga Volcanoes. Deeply intertwined with the story of mountain gorilla conservation, the hotel is famously associated with Dian Fossey, who used it as her base during her pioneering work in the Virunga region.
Today, Travellers Rest blends heritage, refined comfort, and conservation legacy, making it a distinctive base for travelers combining gorilla trekking, volcano hikes, and cultural exploration in southwestern Uganda.
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Explore More About Travellers Rest Hotel Kisoro
Background and Conservation Legacy
Travellers Rest Hotel dates back to the 1950s and became internationally known after Dian Fossey stayed here while conducting her groundbreaking gorilla research. Many of her letters, journals, and early conservation strategies were written within these walls, giving the hotel lasting historical importance.
The hotel continues to honour this legacy through preserved memorabilia, storytelling, and a conservation-minded philosophy that aligns tourism with protection of mountain gorillas and their habitats.
Location and Access to Gorilla Trekking
The hotel is strategically located in Kisoro town, offering excellent road access to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and the southern sectors of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, including Nkuringo and Rushaga.
This central position makes Travellers Rest ideal for travelers who want flexibility. Guests can trek gorillas, track golden monkeys, hike volcanoes, or visit Lake Mutanda without relocating camps.
Accommodation Style and Comfort
Accommodation at Travellers Rest Hotel features elegant rooms and cottages set within beautifully landscaped gardens. The architecture reflects classic safari lodge style, combining stone walls, timber beams, and warm interiors.
Rooms offer comfortable beds with mosquito nets, ensuite bathrooms with hot showers, fireplaces or heaters for cool nights, and private verandas overlooking gardens or volcanic scenery. Comfort levels range from upper mid-range to luxury, with a strong emphasis on atmosphere and space rather than modern minimalism.
Dining Experience
Dining is one of the hotel’s defining experiences. Meals are served in a refined restaurant with views toward the Virunga Volcanoes and surrounding countryside.
The kitchen prepares well-presented international and Ugandan-inspired dishes using fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Breakfasts are generous, lunches relaxed, and dinners candle-lit and unhurried, echoing the hotel’s heritage and calm pace.
Activities at the Hotel
Travellers Rest Hotel offers access to a broad range of activities that extend beyond gorilla trekking, making it suitable for longer stays.
Activities commonly arranged from the hotel include:
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi or Mgahinga
Golden monkey tracking in Mgahinga
Volcano hikes in the Virunga range
Cultural village visits around Kisoro
Lake Mutanda canoeing and excursions
These experiences allow guests to explore both the ecological and cultural richness of the region.
Services Offered
The hotel provides attentive, professional services tailored to adventure and leisure travelers. Staff assist with gorilla permit coordination, trekking logistics, transport arrangements, packed lunches, porter bookings, and guided excursions.
Additional services include laundry, comfortable lounges with fireplaces, landscaped gardens, and knowledgeable staff who share the hotel’s conservation history.
Conservation and Social Impact
Travellers Rest Hotel maintains a strong conservation ethos inspired by its historical role in gorilla protection. The hotel supports local employment, community sourcing, and conservation awareness initiatives that reinforce long-term protection of mountain gorillas.
Staying here contributes to preserving both cultural heritage and conservation values in the Virunga region.
Who Should Stay at Travellers Rest Hotel?
This hotel is ideal for travelers who value history, heritage, and refined comfort alongside wildlife experiences. It appeals to couples, photographers, conservation enthusiasts, and guests who prefer a character-rich base with strong storytelling.
Those seeking forest-edge immersion may prefer park-gate lodges, but travelers wanting accessibility, elegance, and legacy will find Travellers Rest uniquely rewarding.
Planning Your Stay
Advance booking is strongly recommended, particularly during peak gorilla trekking seasons, as the hotel’s heritage status and limited rooms create high demand. Travellers Rest pairs well with Nkuringo, Rushaga, or Mgahinga permits, allowing flexible itinerary design.
For travelers seeking a historic, elegant, and conservation-rooted base in southwestern Uganda, Travellers Rest Hotel Kisoro remains one of the most meaningful and distinguished accommodation choices in the region.