The Travellers Rest Hotel – Kisoro– Dian Fossey’s Home Away from Home
A Hotel where Gorilla Researchers used to flock to The Travellers Rest Hotel-Kisoro
Travelers Rest Hotel is a historic hotel in Kisoro, a town in southwestern Uganda.
The hotel was established in 1955 and has a rich history as a popular destination for travelers, including famous guests such as Dian Fossey, the renowned primatologist.
The hotel offers a range of accommodation options to suit different needs and budgets. Some well-appointed rooms and suites have modern amenities, including en-suite bathrooms, hot water, and Wi-Fi.
The hotel has a restaurant that serves delicious meals made from fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Guests can enjoy a variety of dishes, including Ugandan cuisine and international dishes. A bar also serves a selection of drinks, including local beers, wines, and cocktails.
Travelers Rest Hotel offers a range of activities for guests to enjoy, including gorilla trekking, hiking, and birdwatching. The hotel can arrange guided hikes to nearby attractions such as Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, where visitors can go on a gorilla trekking adventure to see these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat. Guests can also take a boat ride on Lake Mutanda or visit nearby cultural sites to learn about the local customs and traditions of the Batwa and Bakiga people.
The hotel has a beautiful garden and a cozy lounge area where guests can relax and unwind. The atmosphere is peaceful and tranquil, making it an ideal place to escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Overall, Travellers Rest Hotel is a fantastic destination for those seeking a comfortable and relaxing place to stay while exploring southwestern Uganda’s natural beauty and cultural heritage.
Travelers Rest Hotel-Kisoro Where Primatologists gathered:
Walter Baumgärtel, The father of Uganda Gorilla Tourism, used ow own this hotel:
The Travellers Rest Hotel in Kisoro is one of the older hotels in Uganda. It is a restive place steeped in Gorilla Conservation and Tourism—where the luminaries of early Mountain Gorilla Research used to assemble. The Hotel became a base frequented by George Schaller, Bernhard Grzimek, Raymond Dart, and now the famous Dian Fossey, among many others. Dian Fossey called it her second Home, a home away from Home.
The Travellers Rest Hotel Proprietor, Hotelier, and honorary Gorilla Game Warden created what Dian Fossey called her second Home, Walter Baumgärtel–The Father of Gorilla Tourism in Uganda. He put the Traveler Rest Hotel in Kisoro on the map as a Gorilla Conservation and Tourism gathering spot.
Walter Baumgärtel became the sole proprietor of the Travellers Rest Hotel in 1955 after buying out his then-partner. He faced some challenges making it into a welcome place, but he overcame them somewhat.
The Travellers Rest Hotel was completely renovated in 1999 and is part of Nature Lodges, which offers quality, affordable lodging throughout Uganda.
Today, there are 12 en-suite rooms available for a comfortable night’s Stay in one of Uganda’s most scenic areas.
The place has been dramatically improved from its early days, but the Dian Fossey fireplace spot of comfort is still found today.
Suggested Reading Material: It would be most appropriate to read Walter Baumgärtel’s “Up with the Mountain Gorillas,” published in 1997 and available on Amazon in English and German.
Stay at the Travellers Rest Hotel-Kisoro
Travelers Rest Hotel in Kisoro – A hotel with a rich history
This one-of-a-kind historic accommodation is located in Kisoro in the corner of Southwest Uganda. From the hotel, you can easily access both Mgahinga Gorilla Park and the southern area of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, where you find many things to do and see, from Gorilla Tracking to Volcano Climbing.
The Travellers Rest offers twelve comfortable en-suite rooms. It is outside Kisoro, making it a quieter place to stay than hotels in the city. From the courtyard, you have a beautiful view of the scenic surrounding area, which includes the Virunga Volcanoes.
Things to do and see at Mgahinga Gorilla Park – Uganda
Things to do and see in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Things to do and see on Lake Mutanda
If you like to stay the Travellers, Rest during your safari with us – don’t hesitate to contact us.
