Singita Kwitonda Lodge
Home to breathtaking views of the Sabyinyo, Gahinga and Muhabura volcanoes and enclosed by high-altitude forests, Singita Kwitonda Lodge offers an experience unlike any of Singita’s other destinations. With exceptional natural beauty, eco-friendly luxury and transformative, purpose-driven experiences, the lodge was designed to complement this remarkable location, and the eight contemporary suites (as well as the private four-bedroom villa – Kataza House) are linked by volcanic rock pathways to the central lodge.
The interiors use local design and handcrafted details to adorn the carefully planned spaces. Layered textures and colours only enhance the quality of this tranquil haven and an experiential enclave leads to free-flowing indoor and outdoor areas. A convivial fire pit, interactive kitchen, bar-deli and wine cellar complete the picture in these magnificent rooms.
Singita Kwitonda Lodge, Ruhengeri, Rwanda
Kwitonda Lodge is situated in the very north of Rwanda, in the Volcanoes National Park near the borders of both the Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Singita Volcanoes National Park can is accessible via either a 30-minute helicopter flight or a 3-hour road transfer from the capital of Kigali, where your flight into Rwanda will land. If you choose the wonderfully scenic drive, do note that the route is quite winding and hilly. There is also only one public rest stop on the way.
- In-room massage treatments
- Central fireplaces in suites and the main lodge
- Private outdoor heated plunge pools
- The on-site Akarabo Nursery and garden
- Wine cellar and tastings
- A dedicated Gear Room
- Two Boutique & Gallery cabinets in the main area of Kwitonda Lodge
- Conservation Room
- Complimentary WiFi throughout the lodge
- Electricity/power available: 220V. Converters are also available and hairdryers are supplied in each suite
- Children of all ages are welcome at the lodge, but please note that the minimum age for gorilla trekking is 15
The one bedroom suite is a beautiful and cosy room that is perfect for a couple looking for a romantic African holiday. Featuring luxurious amenities such as a mini bar and an in-room massage area, the privacy and serenity of this suite is unmatched.
Room Specifications:
- Sleeps 2
- Indoor and outdoor showers
- Indoor bath
- Sitting/rest area
- Covered veranda
- Dressing room
- Mini bar
- In-room massage area
- Indoor and outdoor fireplaces
- Heated plunge pool
More suitable for families, this suite seats a maximum of four people features all of the amenities of the standard suite, but with that little bit more space around. The veranda offers guests a perfect place to hang out and sip the drinks they retrieved from the mini bar.
Room Specifications:
- Sleeps 4
- Two identical bedrooms
- Indoor baths
- Indoor and outdoor showers
- In-room massage areas and dressing rooms
- Indoor and outdoor fireplaces
- More spacious sitting/rest area
- Mini bar
- Covered veranda
- Heated plunge pool
Singita Volcanoes National Park also includes an exclusive-use four-bedroom Villa, Kataza House. Ideal for large families or friendship groups, the villa comes with its own unique perks including a cinema room, a fitness centre and a small cellar.
Room Specifications:
- Sleeps 8
- Indoor baths and showers
- Indoor and outdoor fireplaces
- Informal living and dining areas
- An interactive kitchen
- Covered veranda
- Heated plunge pools
- Cinema room
- Massage treatment room
- Fitness centre
- Small cellar
The menu here is made up of both local and international cuisine, delighting your tastebuds as well as your other senses as you dine under the stars of the evening.
Tracking and sitting with mountain gorillas is one of the ultimate wildlife experiences that you can have, and it is the biggest reason why people visit Rwanda on holiday. Kwitonda Lodge’s location puts gorilla trekking within easy reach, and hikes to observe gorilla groups in their natural habitat in the Volcanoes National Park are led by expert guides on a daily basis.
Gorilla trekking permits need to be secured in advance and Singita can assist guests with this. Daily trek groups allow for eight people per gorilla family per day, and the age limit for trekking is 15.
In addition to gorillia trekking, golden monkey trekking is a rarer and equally delightful experience. These beautiful primates are highly endangered and are only found in this part of the world, living exclusively in the Virunga mountain ranges. Encountering golden monkeys here is a highly immersive experience as trekkers are surrounded by up to one hundred monkeys foraging in the forest and jumping between trees. The monkeys live amongst bamboo vegetation, close to the base of the volcanoes, meaning that the hike to find them is on fairly flat terrain and within a good distance, making this an activity that is easily accessible to most.
This tour of the gardens also includes Singita’s farm-to-table journey – a sensory experience full of informative, interactive elements that showcase the sustainable approach that benefits the community and celebrates seasonal produce.
Guests have the option to discover the local cuisine by taking part in cookery classes conducted by experienced chefs. Both adults and children are welcome to participate.
This unique program serves to plug a gap in the community, as well as the Rwandan hospitality industry as a whole.
Offering a rigorous, Singita-crafted professional cookery course that sees young people from local communities graduating as commis chefs of the highest calibre, there are three Singita Community Culinary Schools (SCCSs), one each in South Africa, Tanzania and Rwanda respectively. Entry into the programme is competitive and graduates emerge with highly desirable skills and strong employment prospects.
- 2007: SCCS opens at Singita Kruger National Park
- 2015: SCCS opens at Singita Serengeti
- 2021: SCCS opens at Singita Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda
All three schools offer the same internationally recognised Worldchefs certificate – a curriculum that combines the grounding of theory with intensive practical training. Graduates then proceed to an internship programme and receive job placement support. Exchanges with local and international kitchens are also available.
The Singita Community Culinary Schools contribute significantly towards achieving Singita’s long-term goal of assisting the families that live in and around the reserves – both economically and socially.
The third Singita Community Culinary School was established in Musanze, Rwanda in July 2021. Singita Kwitonda Lodge and Kataza House’s close proximity to a major town opened up the possibility of partnering with a local institution of higher learning, enhancing the sustainability of the programme and deepening their relationship with the communities in which they operate.
Singita aims to preserve and protect large areas of African wilderness for future generations through the development of specialist programmes that support biodiversity conservation as well as community partnerships that make a significant difference to the lives of people living in the area.
The One Planet Sustainability framework supports all of Singita’s operations and was fundamental to the construction of both Singita Kwitonda Lodge and Kataza House at Singita Volcanoes National Park (SVNP). Its set of 10 sustainability principles guide all decision-making on the ground.
Singita’s sustainability partner – Bioregional – strives for better and more sustainable ways to live, work and do business. Founded as a charity and social enterprise, the London-based consultancy reviews and advises Singita on their sustainability practices which has helped to ensure that Singita is recognised as a global leader.
Bioregional’s One Planet Living sustainability framework consists of ten guiding principles and its detailed goals were developed together with WWF. Backed by science and many years of hands-on experience, this flexible framework helps organisations around the world achieve their vision of a brighter, better future.
Singita Serengeti adopted the framework in 2012 and since 2016, every property has been committed to its principles. It is a basis for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, saving water, improving waste management and recycling, having a positive impact on local economies and conserving precious natural resources. These principles are critical to the fulfilment of Singita’s 100-year purpose, to drive them towards their goal of being a completely carbon-neutral.
Open to children of all ages
