Offering the luxury of unfiltered time and space, the African wilderness is the ultimate setting for complete unwinding, while the continent’s healing energies are encapsulated in rituals that nourish and nurture.

Our enduring purpose to restore the land and its wildlife extends to offering healing experiences to our guests at every touchpoint. The dedicated treatments in our massage spaces tap into the profound benefits of indigenous wisdoms and essential oils that relax, replenish and revive. Each tailor-made therapy can be customised and timed to preference, ensuring a completely personalised experience.

The massage menu has been designed to immerse guests into their beautiful surroundings, and all treatments incorporate that peace and vibrant energy to revitalize and nourish the soul.

Encountering Africa’s magnificent wildlife is a truly life-changing experience, no matter what one’s age, and time spent at our Lodge makes for an unforgettable family holiday. Filled with discovery and shared connections within nature, it’s an ideal opportunity to open children’s eyes to the wonders of an untouched wilderness.

All activities at the lodge are tailored to specifically suit the interests of each family. In the interest of safety, children may participate in game drives and bush walks at the discretion of dedicated Field Guides. The lodge also offers childminding services, as well as an array of activities to keep little ones engaged and entertained.

Our exciting Mini Rangers Course is a customised, fun-filled programme that opens up a whole new world to young explorers. It includes learning how to track animals; astronomy; bush survival techniques; game-, tree- and bird-spotting competitions as well as nature quizzes.

Children aged 10 years and older are welcome at our Lodge.

More children’s activities offered:

• Cooking interactions
• Board games
• Stargazing
• Bush walks (minimum age 16)
• Activity booklets with a variety of games, quizzes and games
• Arts & crafts
• Movies
• Swimming

Spending time tracking and sitting with mountain gorillas is the ultimate wildlife experience and the reason why most people visit Rwanda on holiday. The location of Kwitonda Lodge puts gorilla trekking within easy reach, and daily hikes to observe gorilla groups in their natural habitat in the Volcanoes National Park are led by expert guides. Gorilla trekking permits need to be secured in advance and Singita can assist guests with this. Daily trek groups allow for eight people per gorilla family per day, and the age limit for trekking is 15.

On-the-day Details 

Singita guests take in pre-trek information and media in a dedicated conservation room at the lodge, and enjoy the convenience of an onsite gear-room for gearing up comfortably before their trek. For trekking guests should wear boots with good grip, gators, gloves, thick socks and pants and a long sleeved top. Complimentary comfort kits, containing items such as sun cream, a sweat towel, tissues, a buff (required by Rwandan parks) and brown sanitary/toilet eco bags will be provided. Guests will receive a loaned backpack containing a lunchbox, snacks and a water bottle.

On the day of the trek, guests will be woken early to enjoy breakfast and gear up, after which they’ll be taken to the guide station a few kilometres from the lodge. Here, guests will have a briefing by the guides, and when ready will set off on the scenic trek through thick forest terrain towards a specific gorilla group, guided by trained rangers. The length of the trek varies, depending on which gorilla family group guests are allocated to, and this will be decided upon with regard to the fitness levels and capabilities of the trekkers. Once the gorilla group is located guests will spend up to an hour with them, observing these gentle creatures in their natural habitat.

Post-trek, guests will return to the comfort of the lodge, where they will gear down in a warm mudroom and relax with a refreshing beverage, while reflecting on the day. As the distance of each gorilla trek is varied meals and lodge activities are flexible around each trek.

Golden monkey trekking is a rare and delightful experience, not to be missed. These primates are highly endangered and are only found in this part of the world, living in the Virunga mountain ranges. Encountering golden monkeys in the Volcanoes National Park is a highly immersive experience as trekkers are surrounded by up to one hundred monkeys foraging in the forest and jumping from tree to tree. The monkeys live in bamboo vegetation close to the base of the volcanoes so the hike to find them is on fairly flat terrain and the distance is not far, making this an activity that is easily accessible to most.

On-the-day Details 

Golden monkey trekking takes place daily in the Volcanoes National Park at the same time as the gorilla trekking. Permits need to be secured and there is one departure per day, but there isn’t a limit on numbers or age for monkey trekking groups.

For trekking guests should wear hiking shoes and long pants and carry a water bottle and a rain jacket or poncho – both of which are provided to Singita guests. On the day of the trek, guests will be woken early and taken to the ranger station a few kilometres from the lodge.  After a briefing by rangers, guests and their guide will head set off on an easy hike. The distance of the walk is variable, depending on the location of the monkeys, but can be as short as 30 minutes each way. Once the troop is located guests will spend up to an hour with them, observing these beautiful and busy creatures in their natural habitat.

After the trek, guests will return to the comfort of the lodge, where they will gear down in a warm mud room and relax with a refreshing beverage, while reflecting on the day. Meals and lodge activities are flexible around each trek.

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.

The dedicated Conservation Room at Singita Volcanoes National Park is situated in the main area at Kwitonda Lodge. This interactive educational space is managed by Singita’s specialist conservationists and provides a unique perspective on endangered mountain gorillas and their habitat. The Room features an inspiring conservation wall with valuable information, iMacs, a big-screen television, maps and books – as well as a private collection of Robert Ian Martin (“Bob”) Campbell’s travel and photographic equipment. This renowned wildlife photographer and filmmaker was best known for his footage and photographs of Dian Fossey and mountain gorillas published in National Geographic.

On the evening before a gorilla trek, guests meet in the Conservation Room, where a lodge manager and Singita conservationist will explain various aspects of the trekking experience. This includes more details about the area; a general outline of the day’s itinerary; what is offered at Volcanoes National Park’s Headquarters; the roles of guides, trackers and porters; the trek’s departure time, duration and distance; trekking rules; what technical trekking gear can be borrowed from Singita’s Gear Room; options for packed lunches; weather and hiking conditions; more about the gorillas, golden monkeys and other animals that may be encountered on the trek; and the arrangements for returning to the lodge.

There are several activities available to guests staying at Singita Volcanoes National Park. These range from pursuits within Volcanoes National Park, to spending time around the lodge or discovering the neighbouring communities or town. Guests can experience these activities at their convenience with their Driver Guides and vehicles always being available. 

Gorilla Trekking 

Cost: $1,500 per person 

Duration: Treks vary from 1 to 8 hours, depending on which gorilla family guests are allocated to. 

The age restriction for gorilla trekking and volcano hikes is 15; and 12 for golden monkey treks.

Golden Monkey Trekking 

Cost: $100 per person 

Duration: 1 to 4 hours, depending on where the monkeys are located. 

The age restriction for gorilla trekking and volcano hikes is 15; and 12 for golden monkey treks.

Hike to Dian Fossey’s Gravesite 

Cost: $75 per person 

Duration: 2 to 3 hours each way, depending on fitness levels. 

Mount Bisoke Crater Lake Hike 

Cost: $75 per person 

Duration: 3 to 4 hours each way, depending on fitness levels. 

PLEASE NOTE: Guests are encouraged to take approximately US 50 in cash with them when they go gorilla trekking, golden monkey trekking or hiking in Volcanoes National Park. This is to pay a porter the minimum fee of US 10, as well as tips for trackers and guides at the Park. We strongly recommend making use of porters, as they help guests with everything from navigating slippery terrain and steep inclines to carrying backpacks during longer treks. 

Musanze Caves 

Cost: $50 per person 

Duration: 1 hour 

Community Tours 

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: $90 per person 

Duration: +- 2 hours 

Singita Volcanoes National Park’s farm-to-table vegetable garden is a joy to behold, and filled with the freshest Rwandan flavours. Inspiring the healthy dishes on our mouthwatering menus, the crops provide a visual feast – with everything from bright carrots to crisp green rocket catching the eye and tantalising taste buds.