The flash of a great blue turaco, the swish of a black-and-white colobus monkey’s tail, the deep green of dense mountain rainforest… Nyungwe House promises exciting sightings for nature lovers who also want to be expertly pampered. Cocooned in a working tea plantation on the edge of Nyungwe National Park, you have access to 13 species of primates, estimated to make up 20 percent of Africa’s ape population. There is astonishing biodiversity here.

The accommodation effortlessly picks up where nature left off, incorporating sustainable timbers and subtle nods to the monotone patterns of traditional imigongo design. Activities include trekking, mountain biking and even flips over nearby Lake Kivu. The intimate and tasteful accommodation is ideal for honeymooners and small groups.