An exciting new MICE – Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Events venue for East Africa

Conferences are big business in Africa right now. Not only is global attention focusing on eradicating African poverty by the year 2015, but also African solutions are increasingly being sought for African problems. Which means that the number of international, regional and national meetings in the region are on the increase, and the demand for world-class MICE facilities has already long outstripped supply. Good news for the meetings sector then; that an exciting new venue has recently rocketed onto the international conference circuit; Rwanda. Ideally placed in the very heart of Africa, easily reachable from all corners of the continent, well served by international airlines and with a sound road network, world-class communications, a burgeoning economy and a warm and hospitable people, Rwanda has it all.

And more. Over a decade after the genocide, this is a nation with a mission, a goal and a determination to succeed on the world’s stage. Enjoying unusually strong and committed governance, with a booming economy and a growing tourism sector, Rwanda has also built on the lessons of the past. There is minimal crime, visitors can walk the streets in safety day and night, corruption is minimal, the government has already moved to eradicate the culture of begging, and there is no litter on the streets; firstly because Rwanda has outlawed the litter-scourge of Africa – the plastic bag (anyone entering the country with a plastic bag is politely asked to exchange it for a free recycled carrier), and secondly because the Rwandan people unite into unpaid volunteer bands to clear the streets and beautify the cities in their own time. For Africa, this is unheard of. And that’s not all: Rwanda, ‘Land of a Thousand Hills’,

also offers unrivalled biodiversity, beautiful mountains, some of the oldest and most precious rain forests on earth (sheltering 200 species of trees and 300 species of orchid, many as yet un-documented), five volcanoes, 23 lakes, numerous waterfalls, and three stunning national parks, all easily reachable on almost traffic-free roads. When it comes to wildlife, Rwanda wins again, offering 13 species of primates (25% of the total number in Africa), including mountain gorillas, chimpanzees and the very rare ‘golden monkey’, as well as a wide range of antelopes, zebras, buffalos, giraffes, aquatic hippos, lions, leopards, spotted hyenas, golden cats and giant forest hogs. An ornithologist’s paradise, the country is host to 670 species of birds, many of which are globally endangered. Sports lovers, meanwhile, can enjoy walking, trekking or mountain biking along thousands of pristine trails, mountaineering, volcano exploration, fishing, boating and a plethora of water sports.

And finally, Rwanda’s rich cultural heritage makes it THE place to go to discover some of the most beautiful traditional dance and music in Africa. It is also an archaeological treasure trove (the country offers numerous early Iron-Age and late Stone-Age sites), and boasts a fascinating selection of historical sites, not least of which are the Royal Palace of the Kings at Nyanza, and the very moving Kigali Genocide Memorial. Shoppers, meanwhile, will revel in the amazing selection of handicrafts; baskets, pottery, metallurgy (objects d’art in Rwandan tin are particularly attractive), indigenous art, ceramics, sculpture, carving and traditionally woven goods. Which means that as far as the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Events) market goes, Rwanda is a prime destination. It also explains why East Africa’s leading hotel group, Serena Hotels, have recently decided to play their part in the Rwandan

tourism boom by taking over two of the country’s finest hotels, the former Hotel InterContinental Kigali, which is now the glittering Kigali Serena Hotel, and the former Kivu Sun Hotel on the shores of Africa’s largest inland lake, which is now the Lake Kivu Serena Hotel. Both built within the last four years by the Rwandan government, the hotels are not only luxurious, spacious and internationally appointed, but they also now benefit from the world-class professionalism of the Serena brand, which is synonymous with style, personalized service and superlative cuisine. What’s more they both offer world-class conference and meeting facilities, professional business support, globally rated banqueting services and state-of-the-art communications.

About the hotels

The 5-star Kigali Serena Hotel (first opened in 2003) offers: 104 luxury rooms and suites (all with AC/mini-bars/satellite TV/in-room safes/direct-dial-phones/Wi-Fi world connectivity and 24-hour room service), indoor and outdoor bars, piano lounge, ‘The Diplomat’ international restaurant, and the café-styled ‘Banana Jam’ poolside bar and restaurant. The hotel also boasts extensive grounds, a swimming pool and the ‘Maisha’ health spa. The Conference Centre offers: an 800-seater ballroom, a 500-seater auditorium (with stage and full AV), 3 spacious meeting rooms, an executive board room/private dining room, an International Press Centre, a selection of indoor and outdoor reception areas, an interactive business centre, Wi-fi connectivity, conference back-up and planning support, translation/interpretation facilities, private entrance and function lobby and extensive private parking.

The Lake Kivu Serena Hotel lies on the shores of glorious Lake Kivu, the sixth largest lake in Africa; 160 kms (2-3 hours) from Kigali, 5 minutes walk from the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo (and Goma), and just 2 hours drive from the Volcanoes National Park (home of the world famous mountain gorillas).

Overlooking its own extensive private beach, the hotel offers; 66 luxury rooms, executive suites and family accommodation, disabled facilities, a panoramic restaurant, indoor and beachside bars, a luxury swimming pool, and the ‘Maisha’ Health Centre (offering an extensive range of health and beauty regimes, boating, swimming, volley ball, tennis, fishing, hiking and trekking).

The Conference Centre offers: a 180-seater ballroom (with full AV support), a series of interconnected meeting rooms (accommodating 20-36 delegates each), indoor and outdoor break-away facilities, an interactive business centre, global connectivity, team-building programmes, and under-canvas conference facilities within its extensive lake-side grounds. A wide range of themed events and beach receptions can also be hosted. Note: helipad and airstrip services are available in nearby Gisenyi where a private helicopter shuttle service is already in operation, and scheduled flights by Rwandair Express are about to commence between Kigali and Lake Kivu.