Kwitonda Lodge
High-design eco-luxury mountain lodge. Earthy, sculptural architecture — stone walls rising from volcanic boulders, woven ceilings, terracotta brickwork, dark timber frames, and rich molten-lava colour palettes. The interiors are warm and tactile rather than minimalist. Conservation is built into every corner, from the dedicated Conservation Room to the on-site Akarabo Nursery and farm-to-table garden.
Book gorilla permits ($1,500 each) well in advance — they're separate from lodge rates and can sell out.
Why It Matters
The only lodge sharing a direct 1.2km border with Volcanoes National Park, putting guests closer to mountain gorillas than anywhere else in Rwanda. It's also Singita's only East African mountain property — a sharp contrast to its savannah lodges. The Akarabo Nursery has produced over 250,000 indigenous saplings for reforestation. Named a Travel + Leisure Best New Hotel in 2020.
Singita's first Rwanda property opened in August 2019 on 178 acres right at the boundary of Volcanoes National Park — sharing a 1.2km border with the park. Named after a legendary silverback gorilla known for his gentleness, it's the closest lodge to the gorillas in Rwanda. Eleven suites built from volcanic rock, river stone, handmade ceramic tiles, and oven-fired clay bricks by local artisans look out across the Sabyinyo, Gahinga, and Muhabura volcanoes at roughly 2,600 metres elevation. This is not a game-drive lodge. It exists entirely for gorilla trekking, mountain immersion, and serious conservation.
Where You'll Stay
3 room types available
Kataza House
Adjacent to but separate from the main lodge, Kataza House is a fully exclusive-use four-bedroom villa sleeping up to eight. It has its own full staff complement including private chef and host, interactive kitchen, informal living and dining areas, cinema room, massage treatment room, fitness centre, wine cellar, covered verandas, and multiple heated plunge pools (a larger one plus a smaller pool off the master). Guests at Kataza have full access to Kwitonda Lodge's facilities including the Conservation Room and Akarabo Nursery.
4 bedroomsOne-Bedroom Suite
Nine of these across the property, each reached via volcanic rock pathways from the main lodge. Every suite has floor-to-ceiling timber-framed windows framing direct volcano views, indoor and outdoor fireplaces, a private heated plunge pool, an in-room massage area, covered veranda, dressing room with double vanity, mini bar, and both indoor and outdoor showers plus an indoor soaking bath. Interiors lean into hand-woven panels, clay feature pots, and handmade tiles. Warm, textured, genuinely private.
DoubleTwo-Bedroom Suite
Two of these suites, each sleeping up to four guests across two identical bedrooms. Both bedrooms have indoor baths, indoor and outdoor showers, in-room massage areas, and dressing rooms. The shared spaces get notably more generous — bigger sitting area, indoor and outdoor fireplaces, covered veranda, mini bar, and a private heated plunge pool. Good for families with older kids or two couples travelling together.
2 Doubles/TwinsThe Property
Eat & Drink
2 venues on property
Restaurant
Spa & Wellness
Treatment Menu
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
Singita's on-site nursery has produced over 250,000 indigenous saplings for reforestation around Volcanoes National Park. Guests walk through the nursery and vegetable garden with staff who explain the conservation and biodiversity work, point out seasonal herbs, vegetables, and teas, and invite guests to select produce for the kitchen.
Visit to the nearby Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund Research Center, offering additional context on gorilla conservation efforts in the region.
Volcanoes National Park is home to numerous species including the rare Rwenzori turaco. Guided birding with the lodge team.
A guided trek to encounter endangered golden monkeys in the bamboo forest — a more accessible and less expensive alternative (or addition) to gorilla trekking. Available to children over 12 years old.
The reason most guests come. A 7am briefing at Volcanoes National Park HQ (10 minutes from the lodge) is followed by a guided hike into the cloud forest to observe one of 10 habituated gorilla groups. Trek duration ranges from a couple of hours to a full day depending on which group you're assigned. Singita provides complimentary comfort kits (sun cream, sweat towel, buff, eco-bags) and a loaned backpack with lunch, snacks, and water. The Gear Room has trekking poles, waterproof jackets, hiking chaps, and backpacks to borrow. Minimum age 15.
Visits to surrounding Rwandan communities, supporting local artisans and conservation partners.
Day trips to Rwanda's capital, combining the scenic drive with cultural and historical sites in Kigali.
Traditional pottery experience as part of the lodge's cultural programming.
An interactive educational space managed by Singita conservationists. Houses iMacs, a large-screen TV, books and maps, and the personal photographic equipment of wildlife filmmaker Bob Campbell, best known for his Dian Fossey work for National Geographic. The evening before every gorilla trek, guests gather here for a briefing from a lodge manager and conservationist.
Cycling through the lodge grounds and surrounding landscape.
Guided nature walks through the Afro-montane forest surrounding the lodge, including a dedicated walking and running trail on the property. Guests can explore local flora, wetlands, and birdlife.
Guided hikes to the peaks of the surrounding Virunga volcanoes. Note: these cannot be booked on the day of departure.
A guided hike to the gravesite of the famous gorilla researcher Dian Fossey within Volcanoes National Park. Cannot be booked on departure day.
Cooking and baking interactions with lodge chefs, celebrating Rwandese cuisine. Open to both adults and children. The lodge also offers wine classes and garden-to-table cooking experiences.
Curated wine tastings led by Singita sommeliers in the lodge's wine cellar. South African varietals are the focus, with rare auction wines and limited single-vineyard releases in the collection.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
A dedicated room stocked with trekking equipment — hiking chaps/gaiters, waterproof jackets, backpacks with rain covers, trekking poles. All available to borrow at no charge.
WiFi available throughout the lodge, though connectivity at high altitude in remote Rwanda may vary.
On-site wine cellar featuring South African private reserves, limited single-vineyard wines, rare auction bottles, and international selections. Singita has won numerous wine awards including the top Diners' Club Wine List award.
Open-plan kitchen in the main lodge hub; guests are actively invited to engage with chefs, observe food preparation, and participate in cooking.
Every suite and villa includes its own private heated outdoor plunge pool.
Every suite has both indoor and outdoor fireplaces. The main lodge area also has central fireplaces and an outdoor fire pit.
Each suite is equipped with a pair of binoculars for guest use during the stay.
Laundry is included in the room rate.
On-site retail boutique with locally made goods and Singita products. Purchases are excluded from the inclusive rate.
Covered golf carts with waterproof roller blinds shuttle guests between suites and the main lodge, particularly useful in rain.
220V electricity throughout; converters and hairdryers supplied in each suite.
Dedicated massage area in every suite. Treatments are booked separately at extra cost.
Available at the adjacent Kataza House. A standalone spa and gym for the main Kwitonda Lodge is reportedly planned for 2026.
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