Wilderness Sabyinyo newsletter – March 2026

This month we were delighted to welcome a wonderful mix of guests from around the world, each bringing their own anticipation about experiencing the magic of Sabyinyo and gorilla trekking.

March’s treks were truly ‘gorillas in the mist’ experiences. Bamboo shoots grow quickly, making the paths shorter and easier to navigate, but the mud kept things adventurous. Guests seemed to relish the challenges, knowing that every muddy step brought them closer to their appointed gorilla group, with the misty forest, damp earth, and trilling bird calls creating an atmosphere straight out of a nature documentary.

In the afternoons, instead of retreating to their cottages, many guests ventured into the grounds to appreciate the calm beauty of birdwatching. Sabyinyo’s surroundings are alive with birdcalls and colour, and an afternoon with your binoculars offers a serene counterpoint to a morning’s trekking adrenaline. Later over drinks, guests love to swop stories of their treks and the birds they’ve spotted – sunbirds, turacos, and other feathered wonders. 

Our team got stuck into a number of back-of-house operations, and in the spirit of Umuganda – Rwanda’s monthly community service initiative – staff joined forces across departments – Housekeeping with Kitchen, Service with Gardeners, Managers with Maintenance. This is an opportunity to strengthen our teamwork and fine tune the systems that keep Sabyinyo running so well, and we appreciated the fuller understanding of every role at the lodge that this exercise fosters. 

March was marked by the celebration of International Women’s Day, this year observed worldwide under the theme A Woman is Valuable. Being a community-owned lodge, we were delighted to celebrate this occasion together with local residents.

The day provided an opportunity not only to recognise the vital role women play in society, but also to take practical steps toward their empowerment. In the spirit of solidarity and sustainable development, we supported the women through the donation of cows and financial assistance, helping to strengthen livelihoods and promote income-generating opportunities.

But beyond the material support, the celebration was about dignity, inclusion, and recognition. The women shared stories of resilience, sang songs of hope, and inspired us all with their vision for the future. We remain proud to stand with our community, not just in moments of celebration, but in the ongoing journey toward sustainable growth and equality.  

Thank you for your extraordinary experience from the service to the kindness and thoughtfulness. You made our trip perfection! – L & M, USA 

Thank for the experience of a lifetime. This was the best place where we celebrated our anniversary and my husband 50th birthday. We are taking back beautiful memories. Thank you again. – S & A, India

Thank you to the team for making our honeymoon stay so memorable and incredible. A trip we won’t forget! Hope to be back soon. S & A, New Zealand

Thank you for an amazing time! It was incredible experience! The staff was the best! – G & D, USA 

Thank you, all were fabulous! Ordering us sunshine and gorillas. Thank you! Thank you! – T & R, USA