Tourists visiting the Volcanoes National Park in Musanze District will soon have more accommodation options as the new high end Singita Kwitonda Lodge is set to open in August this year.

Situated along the Kwitonda trail, Singita will add about 12 hotel rooms and it will employ close to 70 people, according to Luke Bailes, the founder of Singita.

"Singita Kwitonda will offer eight suites and a villa with magnificent views of the Sabyinyo, Gahinga and Muhabura volcanoes,” he explained.

Bailes said they will put gorilla trekking within easy reach and in combination with other destination tours within Rwanda for tourists to take advantage of.

Conservation efforts

Bailes said they are working in close partnership with the Rwanda Development Board and local communities, in taking a measured, long-term approach to conservation on the edge of the Volcanoes National Park, in line with the company’s established 100-year vision to build sustainable revenue streams to fund the preservation of African wilderness for future generations.

"We have been treading lightly on the land during the entire construction process. Sustainability is at the core of the construction project. We will initially establish a nursery and plant over 60,000 tree saplings in and around the new lodge.

"It’s been our dream to become involved in Rwanda tourism,” he said, adding that the move to invest in Rwanda’s high-end market was inspired by the country’s sustainable tourism strategy.

Named in tribute to Kwitonda, a great silverback gorilla that died close to six years ago and whose legend lives on in Rwanda for being known for his humility and gentleness, the Singita Kwitonda Lodge joins the 12 award winning lodges and camps across South Africa, Tanzania and Zimbabwe run by Singita.

editor@newtimesrwanda.com