Singita is more than a luxury safari brand. For over two decades, it has been a guardian of Africa’s most pristine wilderness, offering travelers transformative encounters with nature while ensuring the protection of fragile ecosystems. With award-winning lodges and camps across five diverse regions of Africa, Singita pairs exceptional hospitality with an unwavering commitment to conservation and community development.
In partnership with dedicated non-profit funds and trusts, Singita supports strategic conservation projects in every region where it operates. From safeguarding endangered wildlife and reforesting vital habitats to creating long-term economic opportunities for neighboring communities, Singita ensures that every guest stay contributes to the ongoing legacy of Africa.
Travelers choose Singita for the expansive beauty of its reserves, limited guest and vehicle numbers, and extraordinarily consistent game viewing. Yet what lingers most is the profound sense of care, purpose, and connection. Guests leave a Singita safari not only transformed by the experience but also knowing they have played a part in sustaining Africa’s future.
Kwitonda Lodge – Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda
At the edge of Rwanda's legendary Volcanoes National Park, Singita Kwitonda Lodge rests gently on 178 acres of breathtaking land. This is where more than a third of the world’s endangered mountain gorillas find sanctuary. The lodge forms part of a visionary effort to rehabilitate and reforest this fragile ecosystem, expanding gorilla habitat while supporting and uplifting surrounding communities.
Unlike the open savannas of Singita’s southern and East African lodges, Kwitonda is surrounded by lush montane forest. Mists drift across a dramatic skyline of ancient volcanoes, creating an atmosphere both mystical and grounding. The lodge design reflects its setting: contemporary, textured, and seamlessly integrated into the land, with every detail shaped by Rwanda’s culture and craftsmanship.
Kataza House: A Private Haven
Singita Kwitonda Lodge features eight luxurious suites and the exclusive Kataza House, a private four-bedroom villa perfect for families or groups seeking complete privacy. Volcanic rock pathways connect suites to a central lodge, while expansive indoor-outdoor spaces blur the line between wilderness and comfort.
Every element of the design embodies Singita’s ethos of treading lightly on the land. Local craftspeople were central to the build, from stonemasons and ceramicists to weavers and artisans who infused traditional Rwandan artistry into every surface. Walls, ceilings, and finishes were crafted with locally sourced materials, honoring the environment while celebrating cultural heritage. The result is an immersive and authentic space that elevates both sustainability and design excellence.
Gorilla Trekking: A Once-in-a-Lifetime Encounter
For most guests, gorilla trekking is the highlight of their stay. Mornings begin with a 7 am briefing at Volcanoes National Park headquarters, a short drive from Kwitonda Lodge. Guests are matched with guides before setting out into the dense cloud forest, where the distance and difficulty of the trek vary depending on the gorilla family allocated.
Whether the experience takes a couple of hours or a full day, the reward is incomparable: standing just feet away from a gorilla family as they forage, rest, and interact. It is an encounter that feels both intimate and humbling, and one that leaves an imprint for a lifetime.
Singita ensures that guests are fully prepared, providing complimentary trekking gear, comfort kits, and flexible dining options tailored around each excursion. Children under 15, who are unable to trek, are cared for at the lodge through supervised activities and engaging educational opportunities with on-site gorilla conservation specialists.
A Legacy of Conservation
Singita’s presence in Rwanda reflects a long-term vision for conservation. In collaboration with local stakeholders, the lodge contributes to the creation of an ecological buffer zone between Volcanoes National Park and the agricultural land surrounding it. This initiative not only protects the gorillas’ fragile habitat but also fosters coexistence by empowering communities through education, employment, and shared benefit.
By choosing Singita Kwitonda Lodge or Kataza House, guests become part of this story of renewal and stewardship. Their stay directly supports the preservation of endangered species, the protection of vital ecosystems, and the sustainable development of local communities.
Singita continues to define what a luxury safari should be: transformative, deeply responsible, and profoundly moving. A stay here is more than an escape into nature. It is a contribution to the future of Africa’s wilderness and a reminder of the extraordinary beauty that endures when people and place thrive together.