A South African firm, Mantis Collection, has taken over the management of Akagera Game Lodge in Eastern Province.

Akagera Game Lodge, located in Akagera National Park, is owned by Rwanda Social Security Board.

Outsourcing the facility to Mantis is expected to help mainstream the lodge into its African collection of hotels and lodges managed and marketed globally.  

At the moment, this is the only accommodation facility inside the Akagera National Park boundaries, except a couple of tented safari camps.

Belise Kariza, the Chief Tourism Officer of the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), said the new deal bodes well with the country’s tourism development strategy.

"We are glad to work with Mantis Group on the ambitious and strategic plan for Akagera Game Lodge, this is an important step toward realising the Government of Rwanda's expansion plan for the tourism industry and it's potential to grow even further in the near future.

"It is also very substantive that Mantis Group's principles are aligned with Rwanda's development objectives in the industry,” she said.

She said that the development comes in handy as the country seeks to position itself as a top luxury destination.

Mantis Collection’s chairman Adrian Gardiner said that among the benefits the move brings to the country include skills transfer which will, in turn, help the hotel turn into a world-class facility.  

Gardiner said they expect to attract clients to the facility and the park itself as they have done in other facilities elsewhere under their management.

Mantis Collection manages facilities across the continent.

The Akagera game lodge is less of a traditional safari-lodge and  more of a hotel.  

It is located on the shores of Lake Ihema and offers a scenic view.  It is not a seasonal accommodation facility as it opens all-year round. The hotel boasts 64 rooms. 

Rwanda’s tourism sector is projected to fetch about $444 million (about Rwf370 billion) in 2017, up from $404 million last year.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw