The Travellers Rest Hotel – Kisoro– Dian Fossey’s Home away from Home
A Hotel where Gorilla Researcher used to flock to-The Travellers Rest Hotel-Kisoro
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. A place where the luminaries of early Mountain Gorilla Research used to congregate. 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 and Hotelier and honorary Gorilla Game Warden, who created what Dian Fossey called her second home was Walter Baumgärtel–The Father of Gorilla Tourism in Uganda. It is he who 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 was able to overcome them somewhat.
The Travellers Rest Hotel was completely renovated in 1999 and today is part of Nature Lodges that 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 both English and German.
Travellers 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 have easy access to 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 of the town of 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.
The lounge still has a large fireplace that provided the perfect setting for Dian Fossey back in the 1960s. That ambiance remains, and it becomes an ideal where to wind down from a day filled with hiking and trekking experiences.
Meals are served in the restaurant that is decorated with a Congolese Touch. Enjoy tasty, sumptuous meals served by friendly and courteous staff.
The Travelers Rest Hotel, the perfect base to explore Mgahinga Gorilla Park, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, and scenic Lake Mutanda
If you like us to include the Travellers Rest Hotel Kisoro in your safari itinerary, let us know, and we will add it…enjoy the Travellers Rest Hotel in Kisoro. You can avoid a long drive from Entebbe to Kisoro. Fly into Kigali and trek Gorillas at a lower price in Uganda.
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 – please contact us.
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