• Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid recently visited One&Only Gorilla's Nest in Rwanda. Courtesy One&Only
    Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid recently visited One&Only Gorilla's Nest in Rwanda. Courtesy One&Only
  • The resort is set among wild Rwandan gardens and has an infinity pool with views facing the flora.
    The resort is set among wild Rwandan gardens and has an infinity pool with views facing the flora.
  • It's the closest resort to Volcanoes National Park, home to the world's largest group of mountain gorillas.
    It's the closest resort to Volcanoes National Park, home to the world's largest group of mountain gorillas.
  • One&Only Gorilla's Nest offers guests the chance to see gorillas in their natural habitat.
    One&Only Gorilla's Nest offers guests the chance to see gorillas in their natural habitat.
  • The ultimate Virunga experience is spotting baby mountain gorillas in the wild.
    The ultimate Virunga experience is spotting baby mountain gorillas in the wild.
  • The resort's main bar and restaurant Nest serves seasonal, organic cuisine.
    The resort's main bar and restaurant Nest serves seasonal, organic cuisine.
  • Guest can expect year-round greenery at One&Only Gorilla's Nest
    Guest can expect year-round greenery at One&Only Gorilla's Nest
  • Secluded, private lodges come with open-air viewing decks and al fresco showers.
    Secluded, private lodges come with open-air viewing decks and al fresco showers.
  • Private viewing decks surrounded by a eucalyptus forest are an ideal place to relax and soak in the beauty of nature in this Rwandan hideaway.
    Private viewing decks surrounded by a eucalyptus forest are an ideal place to relax and soak in the beauty of nature in this Rwandan hideaway.
  • The spa offers views of the surrounding rainforest.
    The spa offers views of the surrounding rainforest.

Inside the luxury Rwandan resort that Sheikh Mohammed visited

The Vice President and Ruler of Dubai toured the newly opened One&Only Gorilla's Nest in Rwanda

Hayley Skirka
Hayley Skirka

March 05, 2020

  • English
  • Arabic

The One&Only Gorilla's Nest in Rwanda officially opened its doors last week and one of its first guests was Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, the Vice President and Ruler of Dubai.

Sheikh Mohammed appears to have been one of the very first visitors at the resort. An Instagram post shows the ruler of Dubai touring Rwanda. In the video, Sheikh Mohammed can be seen flying over the African nation in a helicopter before touring One&Only Gorilla's Nest in the rain.

Another picture on Instagram depicts the ruler of Dubai taking in the country's naturally green surroundings.

The Emirati visitors also took part in a gorilla trekking experience, the signature offering at One&Only Gorilla's Nest.

The official opening ceremony at One&Only Gorilla's Nest came after four months in soft launch. It was hosted by Mohammed Al Shaibani, chairman of Kerzner International.

Rwandan President Paul Kagame and the First Lady were in attendance for the event which began with a display of traditional Rwandan drumming.

Rwandan President Paul Kagame and the First Lady are welcomed to One&Only Gorilla's Nest by Mohammed Al Shaibani, Chairman of Kerzner International.
Rwandan President Paul Kagame and the First Lady are welcomed to One&Only Gorilla's Nest by Mohammed Al Shaibani, Chairman of Kerzner International.

Offering a front-row seat to one of the world's most populated mountain gorilla sanctuaries, One&Only Gorilla's Nest offers travellers the change to get close to nature in luxury seclusion.

Located in Virunga, it is less than five minutes away from Africa's oldest national park. Here, the highest number of mountain gorillas in the world roam free. The park is also home to five dormant volcanoes.

One&Only Gorilla's Nest is the second resort from the luxury hotel group to open in Rwanda, after One&Only Nyungwe House in the country's southwest.

Rates start from Dh12,798, www.oneandonlyresorts.com

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