Rwanda Gorillas, Nyungwe & Magashi Safari

Banana Beer Presentation & Tasting - $25 per person, 30 minute activity:
Guests learn the history and process of banana wine making and enjoy a tasting.

*Note: A 30 minute banana beer presentation with tasting is one of the onsite cultural activities included in The Retreat rate. Guests are welcome to book 1 complimentary onsite cultural activity, valid one time only per booking. Please book in advance of arrival.

Guests are welcome to book more than one cultural activity at additional cost.

Banana Beer Making Workshop - $50 per person, 1.5 hour hands-on workshop
Banana beer, or “urwagwa” in Kinyarwanda, is a traditional beer made from fermentation of mashed bananas. In our hands-on workshop, guests learn the step-by-step art of making traditional banana beer, from mashing bananas to grinding and toasting sorghum, to the fermentation process, which ends with a tasting!

NEIGHBORHOOD WALK - $25 per person, 45-60 minutes

Our neighborhood walk offers guests an authentic fun, informative and uniquely personal insight into Rwandan culture and local life in Kigali. A hotel guide will walk with guests through our residential neighborhood called Kiyovu, pass by the presidential compound, walk up the tree-lined streets to the famous Hotel des Milles Collines (Hotel Rwanda), and continue to Camp Kigali Memorial which offers insight into the genocide history in Rwanda.

*Note: A 45 minute neighborhood walk is one of the onsite cultural activities included in The Retreat rate. Guests are welcome to book 1 complimentary cultural activity, valid one time only per booking. Please book in advance of arrival.

Guests are welcome to book more than one cultural activity at additional cost.

LOCAL COOKING CLASS - $50 per person, 45 minutes

At Heaven and Fusion Restaurants, we work closely with local farmers, use quality ingredients, and cultivate our own onsite organic gardens. Enjoy an interactive cooking class and learn how to make a modern African recipe!

*Note: A 45 minute cooking class is one of the onsite cultural activities included in The Retreat rate. Guests are welcome to book 1 complimentary onsite cultural activity, valid one time only per booking. Please book in advance of arrival.

Guests are welcome to book more than one cultural activity at additional cost.

COCKTAIL MAKING CLASS - $25 per person (30 minutes)

Guests enjoy the variety, freshness and creativity of our cocktail recipes! Engage in an interactive cocktail making class with our expert baristas, and learn how to make one of our signature cocktails in this hands-on class.

*Note: A 30 minute cocktail making class is one of the onsite cultural activities included in The Retreat rate. Guests are welcome to book 1 complimentary onsite cultural activity, valid one time only per booking. Please book in advance of arrival.

Guests are welcome to book more than one cultural activity at additional cost.

Guests enjoy meeting our onsite tailor, being inspired by our visually enticing Look Book, and ordering custom made clothing and accessories! We have two Made in Rwanda Retail Shops onsite, one at The Retreat and another next door at Heaven Restaurant.

Our hotel concierge may arrange for a half day Fashion Experience, whereby guests have the chance to visit the best local Rwandan fashion boutiques and enjoy the unique opportunity to meet with designers and artisans.

Price per person: Request Rates

Our hotel concierge may organize an Art & Culture experience, to explore art galleries and cultural venues around Kigali.

Price per person: Request Rates

The Rwandan government has restored the natural wetlands in the valley of Kigali City! Bird watching, nature walks and hiking are all highlights in Kigali! Our hotel concierge may plan outings to explore the eco parks and Kigali's best preserved nature reserves.

Price per person: Request Rates

This remarkable community visit covers the history and amazing progress achieved in Rwanda. Owners Josh & Alissa Ruxin moved to Rwanda in 2006 to work on poverty reduction projects and started this work in Nyamata, which was an area hardest hit during the genocide and by famine after the war. Visitors meet with survivors of genocide to hear testimony and reflect on the past, and then visit various locations that demonstrate the incredible hope and progress we see in Rwanda today. Through innovative interventions in health, agriculture, education and micro enterprise, this area is now quite prosperous and is the chosen site for the new Kigali International Airport.

Price per person: Request Rates

Work up a sweat in the gymnasium unlike any you’ve seen before – the great outdoors! Allow our motivating guide to lead you on a kinetic workout through the leafy tracks surrounding our tea plantation. The natural landscape is the only equipment you’ll need for this jungle-style Bootcamp in the fresh, mountain air.

An iconic part of Africa’s history, the spear is a symbol of strength, but it’s also a lot of fun! On a hilltop above our tea plantation, enjoy a refreshing cool drink as you learn how to make your own spear take flight and take in the fabulous fresh air views.

We don’t just exist within Nyungwe’s environment, we exist alongside it, which means conservation is part of our daily routine. Come and explore some of the initiatives that operate within the Nyungwe National Park and also around the resort.

What makes the perfect cup of tea? Some will say it’s all in the brew, but our tea expert will show you it starts right at the beginning. You will be invited to go into the tea plantation and learn the art of picking tea leaves and trying it out on your own. Don’t miss the interactive and visual presentation revealing the process of growing and processing African tea leaves. No demonstration would be complete without a taste, so you will have the chance to sample some beautiful black tea grown in the local area of Gisakura.

Saddle up and explore the beautiful surrounds of our property, with the breeze in your hair, at a pace that suits you. There are a few hills around and some dirt track riding, but let your friendly guide know and we can tailor the journey to your comfort levels.

‘Umuganda’ has roots back to Rwanda’s independence, and is now a nationwide program where citizens devote the last Saturday morning of every month to working in the local community. From developing infrastructure to environmental protection, you can elect to take part in this positive initiative, giving back to the communities of Nyungwe and getting to know the local people in a uniquely hands-on way.

There’s fun for all the family as you dabble in the ancient sport of archery. Located on a hilltop in our property’s tea plantation, prepare to breathe in the fabulous views as you enjoy a refreshing cold drink and set your sights on the bullseye – ready, aim, fire!

Is an art form popular in Rwanda traditionally made by women using cow dung. Often in the colors black, white and red, popular themes include spiral and geometric designs that are painted on walls, pottery, and canvas.

Singita Kwitonda Lodge and Kataza House provide a contemplative, nurturing space in which to appreciate the transformative experience of coming face to face with the forest’s gentle giants.

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 is varied, 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.

As children under the age of 15 are unable to participate in gorilla-treks, they will be cared for at the lodge with a variety of supervised activities and educational opportunities on offer.

Rwanda can be visited at any time of the year and gorilla trekking is a year-round activity. The average temperature at Singita Kwitonda Lodge and Kataza House is approximately 15 degrees Celsius, although humidity can be high.

Suggested Clothing and Gear:

- For trekking one should have: boots with good grip, gators, gloves, 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:

We have a variety of technical gear and clothing for our guests to use during their stay at Singita Kwitonda and Kataza House. The items are all designed for outdoor hiking and wet weather, perfectly suited for trekking to see gorillas or other animals in Rwanda. Backpacks including a waterproof rain cover for backpack (camera equip)

- Mens and ladies waterproof jackets with a removable inner fleece lining and hood
- Mens 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

Singita Kwitonda Lodge and Kataza House provides guests, including children, the opportunity to participate in the Golden monkey treks as children under the age of 15 are unable to participate in gorilla-treks.

Named Akarabo – which means ‘little flower’ in Kinyarwanda – our on-site nursery was borne from our commitment to help reforest, rehabilitate and maintain the habitat of Rwanda’s endangered mountain gorillas. Initially, 60,000 saplings were bought from local growers and earmarked for the 178 acres of land Singita Volcanoes National Park sits on. This number quickly grew to 250,000 saplings, even before the lodge opened, and continues to increase as we keep expanding our reforestation efforts in the area.

It’s a privilege to share this lush diversity of plants with our guests. Whether you opt for a gentle stroll along the rows of new trees, past the glorious fragrances of flourishing herbs or through the farm-to-table chef’s garden filled with fresh vegetables, it’s bound to inspire and delight in equal measure.

Providing an authentic taste of Rwanda’s offerings, our garden includes a teahouse serving fresh herbal brews, as well as local artisans such as a basket weaver, seamstress and stick carver showcasing the intricacies of their craft. Echoing our passion for treading lightly on the land, living sustainably and empowering communities, Akarabo is growing – just like the saplings being planted – into a lasting, living legacy.

Guests have the option to explore the local cuisine by participating in cookery classes that are conducted by expert chefs. Both adults and children are welcome to participate in cooking classes.

Singita is recognised as one of Africa’s most influential collectors of wine, with an extensive cellar showcasing a premium selection of wines, including some of the continent’s most sought-after private reserves, including exclusive release, limited single vineyard and rare auction wines. It’s safe to say that wine is a key ingredient of the unique Singita experience.

The Singita wine list has received numerous awards of excellence, the top Diners’ Club Wine List accolade as well as recognition from countless other local and international organisations.

François Rautenbach is responsible for this excellence as the director of Singita Premier Wine, he manages the selection, purchase, storage, and service of all the wines at Singita’s lodges. François also manages Singita Premier Wine Direct which allows guests to order their favourite wines from their safari to enjoy at home. With the Singita Premier Wine Direct service, wines can either be specially packed for guests as checked luggage or shipped directly to a guest’s home.

Personalised wine tastings within the unique ambience of each lodge’s own temperature-controlled cellar are a true guest favourite, for connoisseurs and casual tasters alike. Singita’s experienced sommeliers are able to guide guests through a variety of wine styles, years and cultivars to find the wines most suited to their individual tastes.

As with all that Singita does, community upliftment is central to the Singita wine programme as well. François Rautenbach has created a special training programme for enthusiastic young wine lovers, developing the next generation of sommeliers for Africa. The training provides educational assistance, personal mentoring, formal wine training and access to Africa’s finest wine programme.

The Kigali Genocide Memorial is the final resting place for more than 250,000 victims of the genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda in 1994. Through education and peace-building it honours the memory of the more than one million Rwandans killed. Visitors can take a tour with a guide, or opt for a self-guided audio tour while exploring the memorial and reflecting at their own pace.

Genocide Memorial in Kigali

Nestled along picturesque hilltops, Kigali is a thriving African city immediately notable for its cleanliness, orderliness, and warm hospitality. Kigali, located in the geographic center of the country, is a great place to begin or end any Rwandan adventure. The capital city is vibrant and energetic, and its people are extremely welcoming. Here, travelers can enjoy a number of cultural activities including several award-winning museums, a burgeoning music scene and some of East Africa’s most memorable dining experiences.

Guests at Singita Volcanoes National Park have the unique opportunity to visit the small village of Gasura in the Kinigi sector, which is located 30 minutes from the lodge. The interactive tour takes approximately two hours and includes a range of authentic Rwandese cultural experiences.

Taking guests from house to house in the village, this involves everything from meeting local crafters weaving baskets and carving gorilla-trekking sticks to learning how to process locally produced staples – such as stomping cassava roots and grinding sorghum for flour. It also includes visiting families in their homes to get a glimpse of the local lifestyle.

Cost: $60 per person
Duration: +- 2 hours
Time: Flexible (Suggested - 9am or 2pm)

Guests can visit the Singita Community Culinary School (SCCS) at the MIPC campus in Musanze on special request, and subject to availability, cooking classes with graduates could be arranged for a $100 donation per guest.

*All funds raised are used to support the ongoing work of the Singita Community Culinary School.

This scenic 2.2km (1.4mi) walking/running trail runs behind the lodge. It starts at the main entrance, ascending hilly terrain and meandering through a fragrant eucalyptus forest before finishing at the on-site Akarabo Nursery. The beautiful vistas and sounds of nature are a highlight, and on a clear day, one can see the distant city of Musanze nestled below.

The trail is open and unguided, allowing guests the freedom to explore. However, as the lodge shares its surroundings with buffalo and other wildlife, we advise caution while running or walking. Although buffalo primarily roam during the evenings and move towards the park during the day, we encourage guests to exercise their judgment when utilising the trail, always being mindful of their surroundings and undertaking the experience at their own risk.
This trail offers a sanctuary for keen walkers and runners, where guests can reconnect with nature, find solace, and create lasting memories in the breathtaking "The Land of a Thousand Hills."

*This walking/running trail is seasonal and is best utilized during the drier months - June to September and December to February.

The tranquil and peaceful surroundings of the on-site Akarabo Nursery provide the perfect backdrop for creative expression and pure relaxation. Our nursery is home to a unique pottery wheel-throwing experience, offering our guests a delightful combination of therapy and art.

The pottery studio provides a peaceful space allowing our guests to explore their creativity in addition to an ancient art form as they create beautiful, sculptural and functional pieces with their hands.

In preference, guests will have their pick of bisque items created by skilled local Rwandan potters and can be personalised through glazing and painting.

Accompanied by two well-trained studio staff members committed to ensuring our guests feel welcome and supported, potters can feel at ease as they embark on their pottery-making journey.

Akagera comprises some of the most picturesque savannah in East Africa – open plains, woodlands, lakes, swamp, and grassy low mountains – with Wilderness Magashi being the only private concession area in the park. Home to one of Africa’s highest hippo densities, reintroduced eastern black rhino and lion, as well as the secretive sitatunga. Guests can participate in conservation efforts, including tracking and identifying the lions and leopards of the area through the use of identikits.

After dark game viewing with filtered spotlights allow you to find intriguing nocturnal animals. Typically seen may include spotted hyaena, civet, genet, mongoose, owls and nightjars. Or even the enigmatic leopard. With day and night game drives on offer, exploring at Wilderness Magashi is truly extraordinary.

Boating in swamp cruisers, with 'double decker' seating for higher elevation game viewing, is an excellent way to view the water birds and many other aquatic animals seen around beautiful Lake Rwanyakazinga.

* Possible year round.

Fishing on a catch and release basis only, year round, with the camp providing a small stock of basic rods and reels.

After an early breakfast in camp, gear up for a thrilling bird watching experience. Akagera National Park is renowned as one of the best birding areas in the world with more than 500 species recorded here. A bird count comparable with the larger Kruger National Park. Rarities include the papyrus gonolek (restricted to the papyrus swamps), the localised red-faced barbet, and the swamp flycatcher.

Boasting a light footprint, Wilderness Magashi is 100% solar powered, and completely single-use plastic free. Besides our commitment to conservation and sustainable operations, we are delighted to have set up a Children in the Wilderness (CITW) Eco-Club at Akayange Primary School, near the North Gate of Akagera. Further community empowerment initiatives include hiring locally, with one-third of staff recruited from the surrounding communities, with ongoing training and development offered to ensure staff are able to grow into senior roles. In addition, the camp supports local community cooperatives that make lunch bags for guests, kitenge beeswax wraps, candles for the dining tables, and carved wooden shoebills.

In 2018 Wilderness joined forces with Olympus in an exciting partnership to enhance our wildlife photography experience in camps. The result of this partnership has produced incredible images taken by guests, guides and camp managers alike.

Olympus Photo Hubs, set up at selected camps, allow our guests the opportunity of capturing their images while our Wilderness photographic guides assist with sharing tips on how best to capture those powerful wilderness moments.

* Olympus Photo Hub experience dependent on camera availability.