Accommodation

Hotel des Mille Collines

Hotel des Mille Collines is one of the most popu;ar hotels in Rwanda. Located in Kigali, the capital of Rwanda, this is the hotel premiered in the 2004 movie “Hotel Rwanda” where a hotel manager housed over a thousand Tutsis from getting lynched with machettes, axes and guns from the hutu Militia.

This hotel is today managed by the Kempelsiki, an international hotel chain well known for its good hostpitality sevices since it was founded in Berlin, Germany, in 1897. Today Kempelsiki is Europe’s oldest luxury hotel group. Hotel des Mille Collines features 112 hotel rooms which are decorated to blend into their earthy surroundings.

Hotel des Mille Collines is set in Rwanda’s capital city: Kigali. It is a four-star international hotel set in large gardens in downtown Kigali. The hotel gained much of its notoriety from its role within the feature film, Hotel Rwanda. As within the film, the hotel attracts a distinctly business clientele, however its base in the city centre means it is a good base from which tourists can explore. Today it is among the best hotels used by travelers who visit rwanda primarily for gorilla tours in the northern part of Rwanda where mountain gorillas can be viewed from the wild.

Enjoy a selection of rooms for guests looking to stay. Each of the Mille Collines’ rooms have private bathrooms, satellite televisions, PC hook-ups and with most of the standard hotel amenities. The rooms are spacious while not being luxurious, they offer a great base to explore the city or for a comfortable overnight stop.

The Hotel provides its leisure and business guests with most convenient services and facilities to ensure a most comfortable stay in Rwanda. It has a large swimming pool and a fitness suite, but these added luxuries will only be a minor distraction from the markets and interesting sights of the city. There is also a restaurant offering French and international cuisine and two bars offering local products as well as international drinks in the cocktail lounge.

Kigali, the capital of Rwanda, is a tranquil, cosmopolitan city offering visitors and travelers a wide range of cultural diversions and entertainment. With Kigali being in the centre of Rwanda, with most main roads leading to and from it, it is quite likely that an extended visit to the country could see you spend a night there. If a one night stop-over is necessary, then a visit to Kigali’s new and insightful Genocide Museum is highly recommended. Not only does it detail the history of Rwanda’s genocide, but also documents the history of genocide around the world, creating a very moving experience.

The unique attributes which make The Hotel des Mille Collines one of very best hotels is largely due to its endless views combined top notch food and service ensuring your holiday is a memorable one. In many countries, we probably wouldn’t even mention a hotel like this for our travelers. However, here it’s an attractive option, worth considering, because it offers standards of comfort that are relatively uncommon in hotels elsewhere in Rwanda.

The leisure traveler has the opportunity to visit Rwanda’s many attractions such as Genocide Memorials, the Genocide Museum, Volcanoes national park, Nyungwe and Akagera national park. Come and experience Rwanda……..!

Kingfisher Diaries 2: Spectacular Lake Kivu

Lake Kivu lies on the border between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda. It is one of Great Lakes in the Albertine Rift, the western branch of the East African Rift. There are about 200 small rivers that flow into it from a relatively small catchment whilst the outflow is to the Ruzizi River, which flows southwards into Lake Tanganyika and ultimately into the mighty Congo.

Lying at 1463 m above sea level, its surface area is 2,370 km2, the average depth is 240m whilst the maximum depth is 485m and its total volume is an impressive 560 km3. Lake Kivu has a very irregular shape with a large island, Île Idjwi, the tenth largest in the world, in the southern DRC part of the lake. The maximum distance from one end of the lake to the other is 103km whilst it’s about 48km across.

Lake Kivu is unique with many features setting it apart from all others in the world.

For example, it used to flow to the north and drain into the Nile. However, around 12,000 years ago, lavas flows from the Virunga volcanoes dammed this outflow, reversing the direction of its waters and also causing the depth to increase. Then around 5,000 years ago when local volcanism and hydrothermal activities began to affect the lake and it became very stratified with different layers that hardly interact with each other.

This stable stratification is the secret to the lake’s huge resource; more than any other lake in the world, it has vast quantities of trapped methane at depths of over 200m. So there are projects near to Gisenyi and Kibuye that are beginning to extract this reserve.

The surface water temperature is 24°C. At depth, almost every other (non-frozen) lake in the world is cooler than at the surface with the usual bottom temperature being about 4 °C. However, in Lake Kivu, geothermal activity keeps the temperature in the lower layers at 26 °C – higher than at the surface.

With very steep sides, river run offs (and most pollutants from the towns around the lake) descend quickly to the depths. The surface layer therefore comprises very clean, fresh water, in which some 31 species of fish live, many of which are caught by local fishing cooperatives using their unique fishing boats. However, there are no large animals such as hippopotamus or crocodiles.

If an industrial extraction process does not remove it, the dissolved methane and carbon dioxide in the deep layers, will eventually – and very catastrophically – erupt. However, this event is still many decades away, so for now it is totally safe to enjoy the beauty and tranquillity of Lake Kivu.

In Rwanda, there are several large towns on the shores of Lake Kivu: Rubavu also known as Gisenyi) is in the north, in the shadow of the Nyiragongo Volcano (with the world’s largest lava lake in its crater) just over the border in DRC. Karongi (or Kibuye) is set in a beautiful location near numerous uninhabited islands and long peninsulas that extend deep into the lake. At the far southern end is Kamembe – where nearby protected forests still reach the lakeshore. In many of the numerous smaller communities that dot the coast, there are fascinating coffee washing stations and many colourful markets that are worth lingering for a visit.

With many lodges to be found on Lake Kivu, it’s easy to find accommodation with some of the best views in Rwanda. However, did you know that you could also stay on a Houseboat called Iliza that cruises around the lake? Or for something a little more active, try the Number 1 on Trip Advisor: Go kayaking with Kingfisher Journeys. With short trips from Gisenyi and Kibuye or up to or a 4-day adventure – With professional guides and modern equipment, this is the best way to experience Lake Kivu, see its wildlife and birds and meet the communities that make Lake Kivu their home.

You can learn much more information about Lake Kivu itself from the Lake Kivu Monitoring Programme. Or for kayaking trips contact Kingfisher Journeys or ask your tour operator to include one of their trips in your itinerary.

A Rwanda Lodge’s 5-Star Recipe For Success

Mr. Jerry O. Were is the General Manager of Nyungwe Forest Lodge. Located in the South Western Province of Rwanda, within Nyungwe Forest National Park, it is the only 5-star lodge in Rwanda.

Jerry was hosting some guests at the lodge when he received amazing news: Nyungwe Forest lodge had just been nominated “Best new safari property” in CNN’s prestigious 2015 Safari Awards. Dubbed ‘The Oscars of the travel Industry’, the awards are the highest honor for any hotel.

We sat down for a chat with Jerry and he shared with us the secrets that make Nyungwe Forest Lodge tick.

TEM: Let me start by congratulating you on Nyungwe Forest Lodge’s nomination for the CNN Safari award…

Jerry: Thank you so much. We give the glory to God!

TEM: It seems to be award after the award for Nyungwe Forest Lodge. How do you do it? What is the secret recipe for your success?

Jerry: Actually, ours is simple. We take care of the basics. At the foundation of our structure is a 4-pronged approach, which a lot of people may not be willing to accept as an official strategy, but it has worked for us: First, the investor did a great job in making sure the property is top-notch. Next are the structures: you must have the right structures in place to enable you to get excellence. The third is your staff- treat your staff like Kings and queens, and they will treat your clients like royalty. Finally, put God first in everything.

TEM: After taking care of the basics, how can one stand out enough to be recognized as extraordinary?

Jerry: Pay attention to the small details. It is the smallest things that make the biggest impression. In the area of service, a good way to do this is to anticipate the guest’s needs even before they ask. For instance, say it’s at the restaurant: if someone orders fries, they don’t have to ask for salt, ketchup, mayonnaise, etc.  These are things that should be thought of and provided with the food. Other ways you can make the experience memorable for the guest is to be courteous all the time- smile, and remember their names, their order preferences, and so on. The best part is that these are habits that you can make a part of the procedure as you train your staff until they perfect the routine.

TEM: Tell us about the facility itself. Is there anything about Nyungwe Forest Lodge- the physical property itself- that makes it a must-see destination?

Jerry: A number of things. Actually, Nyungwe forest lodge should be at a disadvantage because we are located in one of the remotest parts of the country, in the middle of nowhere; I mean we are in a mountain-forest!- but we have people lining up to visit the lodge all year round because the lodge itself is an experience!

One unique thing about us is, we are an eco-lodge; and with the current emphasis on environmental conservation and being green, this aspect of Nyungwe attracts many people. Everything in Nyungwe Forest Lodge, from construction to management is eco-friendly. In fact, we are the only lodge in East Africa that is Greenleaf certified. Secondly, the way the project was conceived allows for some memorable experiences. For instance, we’ve created the rooms in such a way that from your balcony, from your bathtub, you can enjoy a view of the forest. Something else you may find attractive: you come to our tea lounge, and the chandeliers themselves have been made from tea sieves! The attention to detail is simply amazing. No wonder guests have nicknamed Nyugwe Forest Lodge “Rwanda’s Garden of Eden!”

TEM: What is the most memorable experience guests to Nyungwe Forest Lodge will carry away? What will they rave about to their friends and relatives back home?

Jerry: The unmatched encounter with nature. 100% natural experience, no filters. You will see birds here that are nowhere else in the world. From your balcony, the monkeys will come so close that you can observe and try to identify over 14 different types of monkeys.

But most memorable of all is our Tea-ceremony: Nyungwe Forest Lodge owns a tea plantation that is run by the locals as part of our Corporate Social Responsibility. They look after it, harvest it when it’s ready and take it to a nearby tea factory, and get paid; all the money from the tea goes direct to the local residents’ pockets.

Now, at some point during your stay at the lodge, you will be given the opportunity to take part in a unique ceremony. First, you will be given a kit and taught how to handpick the tea; after that, you will take it to the factory and then in the evening we have a tea ceremony where you can sample the tea you picked. Understanding how it all came about from start to finish makes it such a powerful experience. For most of our guests, this is the highlight of their stay.

TEM: OK, say you’ve won us over. We want to visit the lodge. What is the best way for a guest to “arrive in style” at Nyungwe Forest Lodge?

Jerry: (laughs) Arrive by helicopter. We have two helipads, and a chopper, so the most stylish way you can arrive in Nyungwe is to be choppered in.

Sky Lounge Now Open at Urban by CityBlue Hotel, Kigali

There is a new, exciting option now available in Kigali’s ever-growing night scene: Sky lounge, at Urban by CityBlue Hotel in Kiyovu.

The rooftop lounge offers an amazing view of the Kigali city skyline and is just above one of Kigali’s top restaurants, The Bistro. Sky Lounge is a perfect spot for cocktails, special moments, and is ideal for champagne toasts and themed nights.

Space is a blend of chic and attention to detail reflected in the design and the menu. It is the perfect place to start your night by enjoying great food, drinks, and music.

The official launch was on the 10th February 2015 with an “intimate” cocktail party graced by a number of dignitaries and some of the key business people in Rwanda.

For a taste of a unique CityBlue Experience, Sky Lounge is definitely is worth a visit.

Chobe Safari Lodge

This Five Star lodge is undoubtedly the gem in Uganda’s crown of tourism destinations.
With breathtaking panoramic views, the sights and sounds of the Nile, it sets the scene for an adventure of a lifetime.this one of the most luxury hotels in Uganda you couldn’t wish to miss sleeping there.

It has all kinds of rooms depending on the number of people you are traveling with most of the rooms are for luxury accommodation.it has all double, family room, and single rooms

Mweya Safari Lodge

Located on a peninsula within the heart of the Queen Elizabeth National Park, Mweya Safari Lodge is surrounded by the
the magical Rwenzori Mountains are aptly described as the ‘Mountains of the Moon’.

Paraa Safari Lodge

Situated in the northwest of Uganda overlooking one of nature’s best-kept secrets, the River Nile, on its journey from
its source at Lake Victoria to join Lake Albert.

Paraa Safari Lodge offers a unique blend of comfort, relaxation, and adventure.

Silverback Lodge

Located in the Buhoma sector of Bwindi Forest National Park in western Uganda, Silverback Lodge is only a 5-minute walk to the national park and has sweeping views of the valley and forests that surround it.

Bora Bora Guest House

Bora Bora is a relatively new Guesthouse that was opened in 2012. It is situated in the middle of a very relaxing wooded plot, along the road leading to the International Airport of Bujumbura town and approximately 300m from Chanic roundabout. The guestrooms are neat and well equipped, with a bathroom (with hot water), a television, and safe. A room ranges from
70 to 99 dollars. The guesthouse also has a restaurant that can accommodate 30 people and a bar.

One of the most unforgettable experiences at Bora Bora is the large green space that comprises a charming garden and trees from which one can hear the birds chirping in the morning and singing in the evening. All this is around a large swimming pool. “Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are provided for our guests following the menu day or according to their orders,” says Mr. Rudy Ghirini, the CEO of Bora Invest Group that owns the guesthouse.

Among other services offered by the guesthouse, include space for hosting cocktails or parties in the gardens or at the restaurant. The drinks are also affordable. For bigger events, arrangements can be made on request for them to be held at Bora Bora Beach, with music played by the great Deejays of Burundi.

Come to Bora Bora Guesthouse, and see why so many people from all over the world keep flocking to it for the
a most memorable experience of Burundi.

Nyungwe Forest Lodge

We had often heard of Nyungwe Forest Lodge is a 5-star establishment. A 5-star establishment in Nyungwe National Park. How exciting. My wife and I decided we must go and try it out. And so we made reservations through Primate Safaris and drove to Nyungwe Forest.

The drive is not long from Kigali, it took us approx. 3 hours and most of the road is really good. We left in the morning and our plan was to be there for lunch. The lodge is just a few kilometers from the main road and the access road leading up to the lodge from the main road is also good. Definitely saloon car accessible if anyone does not have access to a four-wheel drive. Arriving at the lodge we were impressed by its beautiful surroundings. The lodge is built just on the edge of a tea plantation overlooking the extremely dense and beautiful Nyungwe forest. The area is so tranquil we almost felt like we were a million miles from civilization.

The lodge boasts 24 luxury rooms, of which 15 are King size bedded luxury rooms, 7 are twin bedded luxury rooms, and 2 are King bedded suites. All the rooms and suites are facing the forest and each has its own balcony. We opted for the King size bedded luxury room. The cost of one night at Nyungwe Forest Lodge for my wife and me was US$ 400 per night. We did inquire about the suite but at a price of US$ 600, we felt it was too high. Prices include lunch, dinner, breakfast, and selected beverages. We felt this price was extremely high and was definitely of what a 5-star establishment would normally charge but would Nyungwe live up to its star rating. Would it be worth it?

Upon arrival, we were given hot towels to clean our hands. Check-in was a breeze and we were immediately shown to our room. Our room was spacious and well equipped with more than sufficient amenities you would need at a forest lodge. We had a small balcony overlooking the Nyungwe forest but since the forest is so dense there is not much to see. The bathroom, I have to say was one of the most beautiful bathrooms I have seen in any hotel room. The bathtub was in front of a window overlooking the bedroom, a separate shower unit with a large shower head, a separate toilet enclosure, and his and her hand washbasins with a huge mirror. Overall the layout of the bathroom was superb and we were very impressed by the bedroom as well.

Once we were settled in we made our way to the main lodge where the dining area is. We had lunch on the verandah overlooking the lodge rooms, the tea plantations, Nyungwe Forest, and the mountains in the far distance. Lunch was mediocre. We were expecting much better for the amount we had paid and for the 5-star rating. I have eaten much better meals visiting quite a few safari lodges in Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania. After lunch, my wife had booked a spa treatment for herself. I opted for a swim and a nice cold drink by the poolside and my wife was going to join me after Health Review her spa, however, our excitement was short-lived. The solar heating for the pool was not working and the temperature was a bit too chilly for me to dive into the cold water. Due to the high altitude of Nyungwe Forest, the temperatures are generally low (1600m to 3000m above sea level). We were extremely disappointed the pool heating was not working and this was our first major setback at Nyungwe Forest Lodge. We did express our disappointment to the staff but there was not much they could do except apologize. This left me to take a small walk around the lodge to explore a bit more of what this lodge had to offer after which I retreated to the balcony in my room to relax and listen to the sounds of the forest while my wife went for her spa.

There are activities for people with more energy than us. The lodge offers trekking for Chimpanzee, Black and White Colobus Monkey, Grey Cheeked Mangabey, Blue Monkey, and Golden Monkey. There are also swamp walks, waterfall walks, bird-watching walks, cultural area walks, and various guided walking trails which can take anywhere from 1 hour to 7 hours. As I am not such a fan of the above options I opted out of the activities, however, I have heard from various sources that the bird watching walks are worth it. Apparently, there are over 275 bird species in the Nyungwe forest. This is bird watchers paradise. By late afternoon my wife was back from her spa which I am glad to say she would thoroughly recommend to anyone. The lady giving her the spa treatment had extensive experience in various treatments unlike many lodges/resorts/hotels which advertise spa treatments and you end up getting just an oily massage. The spa room itself is beautifully positioned overlooking the Nyungwe Forest.

In the evening we headed up to the main lodge dining area and as the weather was not permitting we could not eat on the verandah as we did for lunch. We opted for the main indoor dining hall. Before we went into the dining hall we sat in the lounge area and had a few drinks and went through the wonderful selection of Africa safari books they had. We ordered for dinner from the lounge and when our meals were ready we were politely ushered to the dining hall. Dinner again was mediocre. I was starting to get disappointed with the food as I am a food lover and I enjoy eating but I didn’t enjoy the lunch and dinner I had so far. Again the question of the 5-star rating comes into play and you wonder whether the food was actually representative of a 5-star establishment.

We had asked for the fireplace in our room to be turned on during the evening but we were told that if it is raining the smoke from the fireplace would not be able to exit the chimney properly and the smoke might end up back in our room. This again showed either a design fault or the staff member we spoke to not bothered to go to our room and turn on our fireplace in the pouring rain? I was hoping it was not the latter as the staff so far were very helpful. After dinner, we had a hot bath and the feeling of relaxation, once you are inside of a bathtub, was great. We rarely have a bath, much prefer a shower but having a bath in this modern-designed bathroom reminds you of why you go to a lodge. To relax and unwind. And this bathroom allows you to do just that.

The next day we were woken by the wonderful sounds of monkeys and birds near our room. Once again we felt a million miles from civilization and it was a great feeling. We had a wonderful, relaxing, lazy breakfast on the verandah after which my wife opted for another spa treatment and I sat about admiring the beautiful view from the main lodge. Again my wife enjoyed the spa treatment.

We then set off back to Kigali having had a very relaxing one night. Would I go there again? Not for this price. I felt there were not many activities if you are not a bird or chimpanzee fan and the solar heating for the pool not working is a major disappointment. Would I go back at half the price? Possibly would then consider. There are however quite a few lodges opening in Rwanda and I hear at much more reasonable prices so Nyungwe Forest Lodge might have its work cut out to attract clients. Nevertheless, it is a beautiful lodge in a superb location with great facilities, a great spa, and great staff. It just needs a few more activities and a solar heated pool and a more
reasonable room rate.