Boasting breathtaking views of the Sabyinyo, Gahinga and Muhabura volcanoes and surrounded by high-altitude forests, you will fund the stunning Singita Kwitonda Lodge. This wonderful Singita signature property offers an experience unlike no other. The Lodge focuses on environmentally conscious luxury and transformative accommodation as well as purpose-driven experiences. Kwitonda Lodge was designed in response to the remarkable location, and the eight contemporary suites as well as Kataza House, an 8-sleeper exclusive-use villa, are linked by volcanic rock pathways to the central lodge.
All of the suites feature uninterrupted views of the mountainous, forested national park. Each individual suite has been designed as a luxurious refuge for post-trek relaxation with a cosy sitting area warmed by a fireplace. Thoughtful in-room amenities include a well-stocked pantry and minibar and private dining space. The bedrooms have a rest area, dressing room with double vanity, and a spacious bathroom with a bath, separate toilet, indoor shower and glass-enclosed outdoor shower. A private terrace with a fireplace and heated plunge pool encourages closer engagement with the surrounding landscape.
Kataza House features indoor baths and showers, indoor and outdoor fireplaces, informal living and dining areas, an interactive kitchen, covered veranda, heated plunge pools, cinema room, massage treatment room, fitness centre and a small cellar.
Gorilla Trekking
For most guests, a gorilla trek is at the top of their list when they visit Rwanda and a stay at Singita Kwitonda Lodge or Kataza House allows them the privilege to encounter one of Africa’s most majestic and gentle creatures in the wild, while immersed in the beauty of their pristine natural habitat.
The distance of each gorilla trek varies, so depending on which family group guests are allocated, the duration is anywhere from a couple of hours to a full day. Meals and lodge activities are flexible around each trek. Trekking is only available for children 15 and older, those under 15 will be catered for at the lodge with an array of activities to keep them busy.
Suggested Clothing and Gear for Gorilla Trekking:
- For trekking one should have: boots with good grip, gators, gloves, a waterproof jacket, thick socks, thick pants to protect against stinging nettles, long-sleeved tops.
- For the lodge one should have: pants, long sleeve tops, t-shirts, a warm layer for the evenings, closed shoes, a swimming costume.
- Comfortable walking shoes/track shoes/hiking boots for walks.
Clothing and Gear Available for Use from the Lodge:
- Men's and ladies waterproof jackets with a removable inner fleece lining and hood
- Men's and ladies water-resistant hiking pants
- Hiking chaps in two sizes (gators)
- Hiking poles with extendable options and grips
- Gloves for use during hiking to protect hands from thorns and mud
- Trekking lunch boxes which will hold freshly made lunches chosen by the guests – all eco-friendly packaging
- Singita water bottle
About the Volcanoes National Park
Situated in northwestern Rwanda, Volcanoes National Park is one of the country’s most popular tourist destinations. Since reopening in 1999, it has experienced a growing number of visitors each day, thanks in large part to its role as the world’s most popular mountain gorilla sanctuary. With fewer than 700 of these species left, tourists can catch a rare glimpse of the gorillas as they can nowhere else in the world. Beyond gorilla trekking in Rwanda, the park is also able to offer some of the country’s most spectacular scenery and diverse vegetation. It is part of the Virunga Conservation Area and covers more than 125km2, including five extinct volcanoes: Muhabura, Sabyinyo, Gahinga, Karisimbi and Bisoke. The latter two can be climbed during one or two-day treks.
Against this backdrop, tourists can hike through the lush bamboo and Hygenia rainforest, open grassland and swamp of Volcanoes National Park to discover golden monkeys, bush duiker, buffalo and spotted hyenas. You will not have to listen too hard before you hear one of the 178 recorded bird species in the park. Look through the gaps in the dense forest canopy and you will also see the breathtaking peaks of the volcanoes standing tall at over 4,500m.
