Are you planning to organise any kind of event in an exceptional ambiance, surprise your loved one to a mouthwatering dinner, yearn to pop the magical marriage question to your partner, or just want to have fun, and catch up with friends in a serene green nature atmosphere? Nature Kigali Boutique Hotel and Restaurant is the right place for all these and more.

The hotel is strategically located in the center of Nyarutarama, allowing visitors to easily access shopping malls, conference venues, restaurants, among other places and services. For easy location, it’s at KG 515, gate number nine.

What captures one’s attention the moment they arrive at Nature Kigali is the warm reception. Once the gateman welcomes you and shows you in, a waiter or waitress greets you with a smile, and asks you where you would comfortably like to sit.

Once you are settled in, he or she hands you the menu to place an order of your choice. Within 15 minutes or less, food is served. The attendant can’t leave without telling you to enjoy your meal. But also, keep checking on you in case you need any help.

Truthfully, good customer service can keep a client returning to the same place.

Christine Mbabazi, is the mastermind of the boutique hotel and restaurant. The entrepreneur and mother of three was inspired to be part of the hospitality industry to share the experience in food, and customer service she acquired from living in different countries over several years, including Thailand.

However, Nature Kigali was also created after Mbabazi returned to Rwanda about two and a half years ago and noticed that her children needed a place to play with their friends.

The place is both family and child-friendly as it accommodates families that have children.

"The playground offers children an amazing experience such as the trampoline, swings, sandbox, climbing bars and free play activities, which support the social and cognitive development of children, helping them to develop key skills such as collaboration and problem solving.

The playground is expanding with new play equipment such as playhouses and reading area for children to enable children to have fun with a variety of activities,” Mbabazi explains.

According to Mbabazi, children are entertained and cared for by a child entertainer, giving a chance to their parents to catch up with friends, hold conversations, dine away without distractions, relax and have a good moment.

"Our main philosophy is to look after every client and to provide good value for money,” she stresses.

Setup/events

The location favors people who love nature, as it contains green nature, mature trees, landscape, and a garden. It is through the green atmosphere that the spacious hotel and restaurant gained its name.

For anyone that relishes a cool breeze on a sunny day under a tree shade, there is no need to worry about how to charge your gadget when the battery is low since all trees have sockets.

The outdoor area is tranquil and perfect to hold meetings or just work while enjoying an amazing view.

For people who love privacy, the place offers a number of separate areas where you can enjoy your alone time with your loved one.

There is both an exterior and interior restaurant, to give one an option to choose according to their preference. The restaurant accommodates 80 to 90 people.

"The place hosts birthday parties, nature themes, entertaining activities for children, office parties, bridal showers, engagement parties, among other events. For weddings, the capacity is 200 people,” Mbabazi states.

Food

Nature Kigali serves guests with both local and international cuisines, which are freshly prepared.

Mbabazi has mastered the art of healthy eating, a thing she has introduced at her restaurant as well. She believes that food shouldn’t lose its value in the process of preparing it.

The chefs prepare organic and fresh food, much of which is straight from her garden in Rwamagana.

"I embarked on the journey of healthy eating when I struggled with losing weight, after giving birth to three children in five years. Healthy eating starts with discipline, minding about what you eat, and how the people around you support you. But it should also be delicious”

On Thursday last, the Nature Kigali founder launched an evening menu after officially opening the restaurant’s new kitchen. This is expected to accommodate walk-in clients for breakfast at the café, as well as for lunch, dinner and other meals and drinks.

Mbabazi notes that it was named the evening menu to notify customers that the restaurant doesn’t only operate during the day, but at night as well.

Customer services

Mbabazi explains that her duty is to ensure that her customers are happy, and comfortable, which is why she has invested in training her staff in customer service.

Mbabazi believes that employees usually offer to the best of their abilities, when heartened by motivation from their bosses.

She notes that in order for her guests to receive first-class services from her team, she treats them well, and invests in their training.

Hotel rooms

The hotel comprises vast, light filled, spotless rooms, adorned with a touch of made-in Rwanda decorations. They have enough space for the guest to walk in the room cozily and also allow fresh air to circulate with ease and several of the rooms have balconies with good views

There are six bedrooms in total, that is, the two extra-large rooms which entail work desks and modern spacious bathrooms, the two medium-sized rooms with modern bathrooms, and two standard-sized rooms, with their own bathrooms.

The rooms range from Rwf50, 000 to Rwf150, 000 per night, inclusive of breakfast. The two delux rooms encompass a large balcony area that enables a guest to watch the sunrise and sunset views. The interior has a fabulous king-size bed, a sofa, work desks, and a contemporary large bathroom. The room has housekeeping services at just a call away, and in case of entertainment or watching news or series, a flat screen TV can be of use.

Additional services

Nature Kigali offers guests advice on places to visit around Kigali and in Rwanda, support in finding a taxi or rented car. The place contains a gift shop, and laundry services as well. The staff speak Kinyarwanda, English, French, and Swahili.

Mbabazi emphasises that so far, the place is gaining positive feedback from clients, and has a five-star rating on Google in just three months of operation with a large number of client reviews.

The reception is partitioned into a side library, to permit both children and adults to read whenever they wish. Soon, she will invent an art space where artists will display and sell their craft.