Singita Kwitonda Lodge
Kinigi, Musanze, Rwanda
Location
On the edge of Volcanoes NP
The lodge sits on the edge of Volcanoes National Park at Kinigi, near Musanze, across 178 acres sharing a 1.2-kilometre park border, under ten minutes from the park HQ, with views of the Sabyinyo, Gahinga and Muhabura volcanoes.
Transfer
A Kigali transfer
Around two and a half hours by road from Kigali, or by helicopter — no bush-plane; treks depart early from the nearby park HQ, under ten minutes away.
Villas
Eight suites + Kataza House
Eight suites — seven one-bedroom and one two-bedroom — plus the four-bedroom Kataza House, all built by local communities from volcanic rock, river stone and clay brick, each suite with a private heated plunge pool and indoor and outdoor fireplaces.
Best For
Who it suits
Couples, honeymooners and families after a Singita gorilla lodge on the park border — community-built volcanic stone, private heated plunge pools and a conservation pedigree — with the four-bedroom Kataza House for groups; trekking from age 15.
Board Basis
All-inclusive
All-inclusive — meals, drinks and activities — around an interactive open kitchen and a wine cellar, with a viewing deck over the volcanoes; gorilla permits are a separate cost.
About the Resort
Volcanic-stone suites on a park border
Singita Kwitonda Lodge sits right on the edge of Volcanoes National Park, sharing a 1.2-kilometre park border, under ten minutes from where the gorilla trek begins. It was built by local communities from volcanic rock, river stone and clay brick, and each of the eight suites has a private heated plunge pool and indoor and outdoor fireplaces, with the four-bedroom Kataza House alongside for families and groups. Singita's conservation pedigree runs through it: a reforestation project is expanding gorilla habitat, with around 7,000 acres protected, and a Conservation Room and on-site Gear Room prepare you for the trek. Beyond the gorillas there is golden monkey trekking, the Dian Fossey hike, the volcano climbs, the Iby'iwacu Cultural Village and the Musanze Caves, with dining around an interactive open kitchen and a wine cellar. All-inclusive, reached in around two and a half hours from Kigali or by helicopter, it suits couples and families; gorilla permits are a significant separate cost, and trekking is from age 15.
Accommodation
Suites
Eight suites — seven one-bedroom and one two-bedroom — plus the four-bedroom Kataza House, all built by local communities from volcanic rock, river stone and clay brick, each suite with a private heated plunge pool and indoor and outdoor fireplaces.
Entry
One-Bedroom Suite
Sleeps two. A volcanic-stone king with a heated plunge pool and twin fireplaces.
Heated plunge poolVolcano outlook
Larger
Two-Bedroom Suite
Sleeps four. A larger volcanic-stone suite with a heated plunge pool.
Plunge poolVolcano outlook
Villa
Kataza House
Sleeps eight. A four-bedroom exclusive-use villa with plunge pools, a cinema, a gym and a kitchen.
Exclusive-useFour-bedroom
Food & Drink
Dining
Dining runs around an interactive open kitchen, a Singita signature, with a daily-changing menu of local produce, a wine cellar of South African wines and gins, and a viewing deck over the volcanoes.
Signature
The interactive kitchen
An interactive open kitchen, a Singita signature, with a daily-changing menu of local produce.
Cellar
The wine cellar
A wine cellar of South African wines and gins.
Deck
The viewing deck
A viewing deck over the volcanoes.
Wellbeing
Spa & pools
There are in-suite spa and massage areas and a private heated plunge pool on every suite, alongside a Singita reforestation project that is expanding gorilla habitat across thousands of protected acres.
In-suite spa
In-suite spa and massage areas.
Heated plunge pools
A private heated plunge pool on every suite.
Reforestation
A Singita reforestation project, expanding gorilla habitat.
Activities & Experiences
Signature Experiences
Gorilla trekking from the park's edge, and Singita's conservation behind it. Track gorillas and golden monkeys, hike to Dian Fossey's camp, visit a cultural village, and walk the reforestation.
Gorilla trekking
Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park — under ten minutes from the start, on a 1.2-kilometre park border — with a Conservation Room briefing and an on-site Gear Room.
Golden monkey trekking
Golden monkey trekking.
The Dian Fossey hike
The Dian Fossey hike, and the Bisoke, Gahinga and Muhabura climbs.
Iby'iwacu Village
The Iby'iwacu Cultural Village, and the Musanze Caves.
Singita reforestation
The Singita reforestation project, with around 7,000 acres protected and gorilla habitat expanding.
Getting There
Location & transfers
By road
From Kigali
Around two and a half hours by road from Kigali.
By helicopter
From Kigali
Or by helicopter from Kigali.
Guest Reviews
What Our Clients Say
★★★★★
“The most extraordinary place I have ever stayed. Nothing prepares you for the depth of the silence, the beauty of the reef, or the sheer generosity of the experience.”
✓ Verified via feefo
★★★★★
“We’ve stayed here three times now. The house reef has no equal. The stargazing was, genuinely, one of the most moving experiences of my adult life.”
✓ Verified via feefo
★★★★★
“I had stayed at Four Seasons, One&Only and Velaa before visiting Singita Kwitonda Lodge. They are all magnificent. But this is different in a way that is hard to articulate.”
✓ Verified via feefo
Good to Know
Good to know
Board basis
- All-inclusive — meals, drinks and activities.
Gorilla permits
- Gorilla permits are a significant separate cost per person, with limited daily numbers, so book well ahead; the minimum age is 15 and reasonable fitness is needed, as treks can be steep, long and muddy at altitude — but sightings are near-certain.
Made for couples
- A romantic base for couples, with the four-bedroom Kataza House for families and groups; trekking from age 15.
Getting there
- Around two and a half hours by road from Kigali, or by helicopter.
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Destination
Dates & party
Date flexibility
Adults
2
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Budget & accommodation
Budget per person (flights + hotel)
£4,500
£500£50,000+
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Flights
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