Singita Kwitonda
Singita Kwitonda Is A Luxurious Lodge Situated On The Edge Of The Volcanoes National Park
Singita Kwitonda is an extremely luxurious and sophisticated hotel situated on the edge of the Volcanoes National Park, facing the imposing Sabyinyo volcano. The Singita brand is known for their quality and Kwitonda arguably offers the highest levels of sophistication available in Rwanda. Despite this obvious quality, the service remains friendly and understated and the accommodation manages to retain a sense of place. The lodge occupies quite an open site and so the views are far-reaching, though an ambitious reforestation project will restore the surrounding area to the more usual forested surroundings in time.
Rooms
Accommodation is provided in 14 luxurious suites which want for nothing in terms of facilities and include underfloor heating, ceiling fans, iPad information system, telephones, television, iPod docking station, indoor and outdoor fireplaces and a massage bed for in-room treatments. In addition to the sleeping area and spacious en suite bathroom (with separate bath tub and indoor and outdoor shower), each suite includes an indoor lounge, plus an outside lounge area leading to a heated plunge pool. Three of the suites are family suites, comprising two en suite rooms linked by an internal lounge area which leads out to a more spacious external lounge and plunge pool.
Central Areas
The main areas of the lodge include a comfortable lounge, all-day ‘deli bar’ stocked with snacks that guests can enjoy throughout the day, restaurant and interactive kitchen, outdoor verandah and firepit. There is a designated boot room with trekking kit that guests can borrow during their stay, (rain jackets, backpacks, gaiters, walking sticks, gloves and even boots if required are available for primate trekking activities). The conservation lounge at Kwitonda introduces guests to the wildlife, people and history of the country
Singita Kataza House
Located beside Singita Kwitonda Lodge is Singita Kataza House, an exclusive-use four bedroom villa. The house caters for up to eight guests and includes a master bedroom suite (complete with study, dressing room and heated plunge pool), junior bedroom suite (with dressing room) and two further en suite bedrooms, all with outdoor sitting areas and fireplaces. There are plenty of central indoor and outdoor dining and lounge spaces, a private wine cellar, interactive kitchen, stocked ‘deli bar’, massage treatment room, small gym, private cinema room, ‘gear room’ for changing into and out of trekking clothes, and heated outdoor pool. Each suite has use of an iPad. The house comes with a house manager, chef and team of staff and guests also have access to all the facilities at Kwitonda Lodge with a golf cart for movements between the two properties.
Facilities
Wi-Fi – Yes
Power for Charging – Yes
Swimming – Yes
Habitat & Wildlife
Volcanoes National Park (Parc National des Volcans) is one of the last remaining strongholds of the endangered Mountain Gorilla and is located in north-western Rwanda on the borders of the DRC and Uganda. It comprises of a group of five volcanoes, the Virungas, which rise to some 15000 ft above sea-level. The steep slopes and valleys provide a variety of rich montane ecosystems – from evergreen and bamboo forest, to mature canopy forest, open grassland, swamp and heath.
The Parc National Des Volcans is the original home of the ‘Gorillas in the Mist’ made famous by Dian Fossey. It is possible to trek to her grave at ‘Karisoke’, the location of her research centre. She named it such due to its location between Karisimbi (the highest of the range) and Bisoke volcanoes.
Aside from the gorillas, the park is also home to the rare Golden monkey, two habituated groups of which can also be visited (must be pre-booked like the gorilla permits). There are also a number of full day treks which can also be undertaken, including the ascent of the Bisoke (3700m and known for its crater lake), Muhabura (4107m) and Gahinga (3400m) peaks. For an ascent of Karisimbi (4705m), you’ll need to overnight on the mountain.
There are currently 12 habituated mountain gorilla families. Some groups are considered easier to locate (less walking), though tough walking up and down slopes through thick vegetation should still be expected, especially if the gorillas are mobile when you find them. A maximum of eight people is taken in each trekking group, and you are led by a local guide. Trekking for gorillas in Rwanda can be slightly easier than in Uganda. However, a good level of fitness is required as the terrain over which tracking takes place is extremely difficult (and remember, you’re already at altitude before you even start trekking). Treks can last anything from an hour (on well-worn tracks which present little difficulty) to well over five hours, traversing steep-sided mountains and ravines, often clambering over nothing but suspended vegetation.
Golden Monkeys occupy the bamboo forests so are much more accessible and treks are usually completed by mid-late morning.
Activities
In addition to the park activities mentioned above (primate viewing and hiking), in-house activities include yoga, massage treatments, mountain biking and guided walks around the property. Guests are able to walk around the ‘farm-to-table’ garden and visit the tree nursery where the restoration of 1,000 acres of land is underway. There are also opportunities to spend time with local artisans at the tree nursery, and try your hand at basket weaving and pottery (artisan and craft activities are at extra cost). It is also possible to visit the small village of Gasura, around 30 minutes from the lodge, where an interactive tour offers insight into the local lifestyle.
Our experienced team will provide full details of what to expect for park activities in Volcanoes National Park, including clothing and gear required (most lodges will provide kit and walking sticks are available from the park headquarters), together with regulations for primate viewing and timings.
Seasons
Singita Kwitonda is open year round and trekking is available year round too. However, the best times are from December to March or from June to September.
There are two superb family suites and there are a number of child-friendly activities which include cooking classes, nature trails and cycling, arts and crafts and a tree nursery visit and plenty of board games available. Whilst children of all ages are welcome at the property, they must be 15 years old to participate in the gorilla trekking, so this is not an obvious destination for a family holiday for young children.
Singita manage close to one million acres across four countries in Africa and they are committed to restoring, protecting and enhancing biodiversity across these areas. In addition to restoring, securing and safeguarding unique wilderness areas and wildlife, Singita strives to build strong community partnerships with communities surrounding the areas in which they operate, and to assist them to thrive economically and socially.
In Rwanda, Singita has worked closely with neighbouring communities to restore previously forested areas that were cleared as former dairy pastures and agricultural lands around Volcanoes National Park. The reforestation and rewilding of this area provide a critical buffer zone between agricultural lands and the unique rainforests of the park, Africa’s oldest protected area, and its wildlife.
Akarabo Nursery is Singita’s on-site nursery which was established to help the reforestation in this aera. Initially, 60,000 indigenous saplings were bought from local growers and earmarked for the 178 acres of land Singita Kwitonda sits on. This number grew to 250,000 saplings even before the lodge opened, and continues to increase as they expand their reforestation efforts in the area. Guests are encouraged to visit the nursery to plant an indigenous tree as part of the ongoing rewilding and reforestation of the property.
Singita has established three Community Culinary Schools across Africa, the third which is in Muanze, Rwanda. These schools offer graduates highly sought after hospitality skills, internationally recognised qualifications and strong employment prospects.
Singita has also set goals to reduce their environment footprint including significant reductions in energy and water consumption and the elimination of single use plastics.
