The Bishop’s House

Set in the heart of Musanze, just half an hour from the headquarters of Volcanoes National Park, Bishops House is a tranquil private retreat set amongst beautiful gardens, with just nine elegant rooms. The nearby mountains and dense jungles of northern Rwanda are the home of the endangered mountain gorillas, making Bishops House the perfect base from which to discover these incredible great apes.  The house is set amongst beautifully tended gardens, with colonial-style architecture offering a sense of grandeur and luxury to this busy mountain town. Interiors are opulent and grand, with plush fabrics, hand-carved furniture and colorful works of art that add a touch of local Rwandan flair. Roaring fires are little on the cooler evening and through the winter months, while sunny days can be spent enjoying al-fresco breakfasts on the sunny patio. The nine rooms are spacious and elegant, harking back to days gone by with their hand-carved furniture, polished wooden floors and curated works of local art and sculpture. Some of the larger suites have private balconies that open out onto the tropical walled garden.   Fine dining is a highlight of a stay at Bishops House, with sumptuous menus drawing influence from Asian, American and local Rwandan cuisine. Hearty breakfasts are served from dawn, before any early adventures into the national park, while lunches are a more formal affair, offering a five-course table d'hôte menu. Come evening, a six-course dinner is served in the elegant dining room, paired with house wines, with local beers and soft drinks included throughout.