Your premium & vibrant one-stop haven for excellent coffee, authentic local food, barbeque, cozy accommodations and a lush garden in Musanze
Where the lush greenery of the Virunga volcanoes meets premium hospitality — by day a workspace, by night a lounge.
Two Worlds, One Venue
Experience the transformation from serene daytime workspace to electrifying evening lounge.
Day — Fresh-Air Workspace
By morning light, the garden at -1.491284, 29.652689 becomes a sanctuary of focus. Single-origin Rwandan pour-overs steam beside open laptops, the Virunga volcanoes frame every sightline, and the only soundtrack is birdsong and the soft murmur of global conversations. This is where ideas travel as far as the view.
- Single-origin Rwandan coffee
- High-speed WiFi
- Open-air garden seating with volcano views
- Business-friendly ambiance
Night — Vibrant Lounge
As dusk pulls the volcanoes into silhouette, the same garden transforms. Amber string lights glow, the fire pit ignites, and the room fills with sound — live kora guitar, Afro-jazz, the crack of a pool break. Mixologists craft cocktails that taste of passion fruit, ginger, and Rwandan honey. By 10 PM, the dance floor hums. By midnight, the stars over Musanze are the ceiling.
- Premium craft cocktails
- Live music & open mic nights
- Pool table, darts & tournaments
- Fire-pit lounge under the stars
Everything You Need in One Place
From your morning brew to an unforgettable evening — and a cozy bed to rest after.
Specialty Coffee
Single-origin Rwandan pour-overs and espresso drinks crafted by expert baristas.
Global Cuisine
Freshly grilled local cuisine and international dishes in an open-air garden setting.
Live Entertainment
Acoustic nights, jazz, and pool tournaments — every week is an event.
Boutique Stays
Cozy rooms with garden views, steps away from gorilla trekking departure points.
Featured Rooms
Rest between adventures in our thoughtfully designed boutique rooms.
25,000 RWF/night
Standard Room
Cozy room with garden access, free WiFi, complimentary breakfast, and hot rain showers. 6 rooms available.
40,000 RWF/night
Twin Bed Room
Two single beds with panoramic garden views — perfect for friends, families, or colleagues traveling together.
Popular on the Menu
Signature dishes and drinks that keep our guests coming back.
BreakfastGorilla Breakfast
Eggs, sausage, Lyonnais potatoes, spinach & mushroom, beans, toast, fresh juice
9,500 RWF
Hot DrinksAfrican Coffee
Coffee, chocolate, ginger, milk — a warm Rwandan specialty
4,000 RWF
SignatureGorilla Nicoco Signature
Grilled whole tilapia, beef chops, goat skewers, chicken wings
from 45,000 RWF
CocktailsPassion Mojito
Fresh passion fruit craft cocktail mixed to perfection
10,000 RWF
Amenities & Facilities
The Story of This Place
Where the Road Bends Toward the Volcanoes
Tucked along the RN8 highway in the Cyuve Sector, at the edge of Bukinanyana and Bubandu, The Gorilla Sip sits at a point where the road bends toward the volcanoes. The coordinates -1.491284, 29.652689 mark a threshold — the last stop for coffee before the gorilla trek and the first welcome back on your return.
It anchors the corner of RN8 and the trailheads to Volcanoes National Park — the meeting point for trekkers, the resting place for safari travelers, and the watering hole for locals.
2.5 km to park gate
Single-origin Rwandan beans · Served daily 6 AM
The Digital Nomad's Sanctuary
By morning light, the garden fills with the aroma of single-origin Rwandan pour-overs. Laptops open on every table — remote workers, writers, and creatives from Kigali, Nairobi, and beyond have made this their northern outpost. Strong WiFi, fresh air, and a view of the volcanoes that makes every video call feel like a postcard.
To the north, the Virunga Massif rises in a jagged silhouette — Bisoke, Karisimbi, Muhabura — their slopes wrapped in bamboo forests where golden monkeys and mountain gorillas roam.
1,850 m
Elevation
Perched in the volcanic highlands of the Northern Province
1.491°S, 29.653°E
Coordinates
Cyuve Sector, Musanze — the heart of Rwanda's gorilla country
2023
Founded
Built as a haven for travelers, trekkers, and the creative class
What Our Guests Say
Don't just take our word for it — hear from travelers, nomads, and locals who have made The Gorilla Sip their home away from home.
“The best coffee in the Northern Province, hands down. I drive up from Kigali just for their pour-overs and the garden atmosphere. A true gem on the RN8.”
Sarah K.
Kigali, Rwanda
“We stayed here before our gorilla trek and it exceeded every expectation. The cocktails are world-class, the staff are warm, and the volcano views are unreal.”
James M.
London, UK
“I came for a weekend and stayed a week. The WiFi is strong, the coffee is endless, and the Friday acoustic nights are the best thing happening in Musanze right now.”
Amina D.
Nairobi, Kenya
“Perfect stop between gorilla trekking days. Incredible food, amazing Gorilla Mule cocktail, and the most relaxing garden setting I've found in Rwanda.”
Pierre L.
Brussels, Belgium
Ready to Experience The Gorilla Sip?
Book a table, reserve a room, or inquire about our catering services.