JUNGLE LUXURY

3. RWANDA Why go now: The opening of Wilderness Safaris’ intimate Bisate Lodge next to Volcanoes National Park in June 2017 (the start of the dry season) marks a new phase in gorilla tourism, an important source of income for the country whose painful history of genocide still resonates. Wilderness’ focus on local culture, conservation and community building benefits primates and people alike, while Kigali provides a safe environment to explore urban Rwanda. Signature experience: Encountering mountain gorillas on one of the strictly limited permitted treks in the misty forest is unforgettable — but make time for a trek to see the endangered golden monkey, too. The 64-acre Bisate Lodge also will invite its guests to plant trees in an effort to expand the animals’ habitat and, ultimately, the park’s boundaries. Local flavor: After visiting the powerful Kigali Genocide Memorial, take the Nyamirambo Women’s Center walking tour through its lively neighborhood or drop into a milk cafe. At Bisate, meet vegetable growers, shop the local market with the chef or partake in Rwandan coffee and tea tastings on the deck. How to get there: Fly nonstop to Kigali from Brussels and other European cities or Johannesburg; Volcanoes National Park is about a two-hour drive from Kigali. It’s best to book through an experienced safari agency. Where to stay: Hotel de Mille Collines, of “Hotel Rwanda” fame, provides hilltop views in a garden setting (from $119, hotels.com). Bisate Lodge’s six sumptuous, eco-friendly villas can accommodate just 12 guests (from $1,100 per person), including gourmet meals and most activities; wilderness-safaris.com/ camps/bisate-lodge.