Hotel Muhabura

I would recommend Hotel Muhabura to anyone staying in Ruhengeri, either who is passing through or staying for a few days.

We stayed 3 nights here and didn't want to leave!

The backdrop to the accommodation (a mixture of 16 either single rooms with separate bathrooms or 2 bed apartments set around a beautiful garden in the centre where you can eat or sit and watch the birds) is the Volcanoes NP with clear views from a number of the rooms.

We had a 2 bed apartment which was full of character, wardrobe, table and chair, small table in other bedroom which had a verandah outside which you can sit on.

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The first apartment didn't have hot water but we told reception straight away (Noel is so friendly and understands how to treat customers) and they moved us to another apartment straight away when they realized they couldn’t fix it.

The showers were powerful and steaming hot which is essential after trekking.

The rooms are nice enough to rest in, although there are lots of other places around the grounds to sit and relax too outside. Comfortable beds with big mosquito nets too.

There is no safe etc but we left our valuables and passports etc in the room and they were fine.

The restaurant here is superb - a lovely setting with a terrace outside the restaurant where businessmen / travellers / locals / guides all congregate to socialise - delicious local food, ample portions and EXCELLENT service.

Offer a few attempts at Kinyarwandan and the waiting staff really appreciate it.

Breakfasts start really early for the gorilla trekking and are huge - really set you up for the day (eggs, bread, jam, fruit, coffee / tea).

They will provide packed lunches for you to on request - a Panini, fruit, banana and boiled eggs which are a nice touch.

And the best bit - a huge steaming flask of coffee or tea on return served in your room.

Finally on return from day of the gorilla trekking (7 hours up and down mountains) we returned wearing and absolutely caked in thick mud.

We were not relishing the thought of putting on cold wet and muddy clothes and shoes the next day.

One of the staff literally ran across to us and stripped our dirty clothes off washing them and returning them to us like new for our 5 am start the next morning.

They repeated this next evening too and didn't charge a penny.

There is a nice curio shop in reception too selling local arts and handicraft. About 10 - 15 minutes walk from central Ruhengeri, which is definitely worth exploring, especially the food markets.

The reason I love this place so much is that is is individual, full of character, has excellent customer service and the whole experience was personalized and made us feel like we were the most important guests there.

It is not as snobby or impersonal as big chain hotels meaning people talk to each other and you can have interesting chats with the staff too.

There were a number of lone travellers too. Excellent value especially for the price. I would definitely recommend.