Renowned African conservation brand, Singita is set to open a new conservation lodge in Musanze on August 1. With its origin in South Africa, Singita operates 15 luxury lodges and camps in Zimbabwe, Tanzania, South Africa, and now Rwanda. The Singita Volcanoes National Park in Musanze is part of Singita’s ambitious undertaking to work with the Rwandan government and local, forward-thinking communities to rehabilitate, reforest and maintain the biological integrity of 7000 acres of land. The move is aimed at expanding the range and increasing the populations of Rwanda’s endangered species, as well as uplifting and empowering surrounding communities in a sustainable manner. The park will among other activities used for gorilla trekking – giving people the opportunity to spend time tracking mountain gorillas in a wildlife experience. It will as well as provide an opportunity for guests to see golden monkeys, a highly endangered type of monkeys that are only found in this part of the world, living in the Virunga mountain ranges. “Encountering golden monkeys in the Volcanoes National Park is a highly immersive experience as trekkers are surrounded by up to one a hundred monkeys foraging in the forest and jumping from tree to tree” reads a statement from Singita. “The monkeys live in bamboo vegetation close to the base of the volcanoes so the hike to find them is on fairly flat terrain and the distance is not far, making this an activity that is easily accessible to most.” Singita has also established an on-site nursery that already holds more than 60,000 plants, with exponentially more specimens to be added in the next phase of the project. Guests of the park will have a chance to visit the nursery to enjoy the space and learn more about the significant conservation and biodiversity projects underpinning it. Many of the plants have been purchased from neighbouring communities, including nursery cooperatives run by locals that have been established and are actively supported by Singita in the form of skill and knowledge sharing, as well as through ongoing procurement. Visitors will also enjoy farm-to-table fresh produce as an on-site garden in the park will offer them farm-to-table fresh produce. They will also be able to stroll through the garden that plays a key part in contributing to the sustainable operations of the lodge and guests can interact with Kwitonda staff that will educate them about the seasonal foods, allow them to select a few items and learn about the workings of the garden. Singita was founded in 1993 in South Africa with a single lodge, Singita Ebony Lodge. Today, together with its partner conservation Funds & Trusts, Singita is a guardian of a million acres of land in Africa and responsible for successful community partnership projects, making a tangible difference in the lives of the people living and working in and around its lodges. editor@newtimesrwanda.com
