Marveling at the Volcanoes from the Terrace of Eagle View Lodge

This morning, as I prepare to hit the road for Rwamagana on Day 10 of The 30 Districts Expedition, I feel compelled to address a cheeky reader who accused me of exaggerating. Apparently, my claim that Muhabura is visible from Eagle View Lodge in Kigali struck some as too good to be true.

To the doubting Thomases out there: feast your eyes on the image above—snapped, without zoom or trickery, from the very balcony of that lodge. Yes, you read that right. On a clear day, all it takes is the pull of a curtain, or better yet, a step to the balcony.

Muhabura, also known as “The Guide,” is one of the eight majestic peaks that form the Virunga Massif, the legendary volcanic chain that shelters the elusive mountain gorillas. Towering at 4,127 meters (13,540 feet), it's the third-highest of the group—an unmistakable cone piercing the sky like a sentinel.

The Virunga lineup reads like a roll call of raw, ancient power: Gahinga, Sabyinyo, Bisoke, Karisimbi, Mikeno, Nyamuragira, and Nyiragongo join Muhabura in sculpting the region’s skyline. While Muhabura and Gahinga sit astride the Rwanda–Uganda border, Bisoke and Karisimbi hug the line between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Sabyinyo, jagged and mystical, is a rare geographical jewel—shared by all three countries and three national parks. The trio of Mikeno, Nyamuragira, and Nyiragongo reside entirely within DR Congo’s territory.

Back at Eagle View Lodge, there’s more than just one peak to behold. Gahinga, though partially shy behind some foreground hills, reveals her summit too. The lodge itself is tucked in Rebero, Kigali's most scenic viewpoint.

And here’s the best part—you don’t need to spend the night to soak in the view. The doors are open to non-residents seeking a fine-dining experience with a side of awe. So next time you find yourself in Kigali, swing by Eagle View. If the weather plays along, you just might see the Virunga giants wave back.