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Surrounded by the imposing Virunga mountains, Kataza House offers a journey of discovery that ultimately provides inner restoration and a much-needed sense of calm.

Described as a nurturing sanctuary on the edge of Volcanoes National Park (NP), Kwitonda Lodge and its private and separate Kataza House is most extraordinary in style, comfort, and location.

The Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda (or Parc de Volcans) is home to the endangered mountain gorilla, and the acclaimed Singita ecotourism and conservation brand who owns Kataza House and Kwitonda is committed to preserving the mountain gorilla, whilst at the same time working with the local Rwandese in operating Kwitonda and Kataza in a sustainable manner.  Singita owns and operates extremely high-end properties in wildlife areas across parts of Africa, with excellent guiding and environmentally conscious hospitality. 

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The Explorations Company, where no two journeys have ever been the same

How do you get to Kataza House?

The main international airport in the country lies in the capital city of Kigali and is serviced by airlines flying from Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, and with good connecting flights onwards.  After an overnight in Kigali to see the main city highlights, one can travel to Volcanoes NP by road – approximately 3 hours’ drive through rolling hills or take a direct helicopter flight to the lodge.  There are other routes if visiting other Rwanda highlights first, such a via a link road alongside Lake Kivu when travelling from the gorgeous Nyungwe Forest in the southwest of the country, and from Huye where the Ethnographic Museum lies.

When is the best time to visit Kataza House?

Visiting Kataza House is possible year-round, though the Peak Season lies between 01 June - 31 October and 15 December - 5 January. The off-peak season is therefore 6 January - 31 May, and 1 November - 14 December.  The temperatures across the country throughout the year do not vary much, Volcanoes NP averages 15-18’ throughout the year. Every month sees some rain, but July and August are the driest months. The average temperature at Kataza House is approximately 15 degrees Celsius, although humidity can be high.

Between December and end of February, the days are dry and the trekking to see the gorillas is easier through the forest. Because this is peak season one should book your permits many, many months in advance – a year ahead is preferable.  From March the rains can start to arrive, and these continue through mid-May.  One can still trek to see the gorillas in the rainforest, and it is also a very good time to trek chimpanzees in Nyungwe Forest as the new fruit starts to appear and the chimps are drawn in, the guides leading visitors to the best fruiting trees. 

May sees the rains easing off and June through to mid-September is the dry season again (though there is always a chance of a light shower at any time). This is a good time to visit Akagera National Park as well.  September is also a time when Kwita Izina Ceremony is held, which is when the baby gorillas born in the past year, are named. This is a huge ceremony held in the foothills of the volcanoes and attended by the president and well-known environmentalists and conservationists from around the world.

October and November can see some rain which is welcomed after the drier times, and the skies are washed and colours and skies are brighter.

Why do we love Kwitonda Lodge and Kataza House?

As Luke Bailes, the founder, and Executive Chairman of Singita says: “There’s an authenticity of place at each of our lodges and camps (and private houses) that’s not only a rarity, but touches guests on every level – spiritual, emotional and physical.”

Whilst there are some lovely Lodges and properties in the Volcanoes area, Kataza House is the only private ultra-luxury villa for a small family/ group of friends. The standards are very high, the rooms incredibly sumptuous and comfortable, and service second to none. However luxurious the house is, it is still a warm and earthy space designed for reflection and restoration. Your family has all the privacy you require, and you are connected to the Rwandan forest landscape and to its peoples.  The villa has its own private chef and host who attend your family and look after you whilst you encounter one of Africa’s most majestic animals – the mountain gorilla.

The villa is serviced with a private chef and host, and amenities include exquisite open living spaces, indoor and outdoor replaces, pools, a gym, and media room. Guests are also able to access all facilities of the nearby Singita Kwitonda Lodge, including its impressive onsite garden and nursery.

Singita Kataza House gives guests the unique opportunity to encounter one of Africa’s most majestic creatures in the wild, while immersed in the beauty of their pristine natural habitat. It provides a comfortable, reflective, and nurturing space in which to appreciate the transformative experience of coming face to face with the forest’s gentle gorillas.

What sort of accommodation is available at Kataza House?

Singita Kataza House has one master suite which can be made into a twin or double bed, and then one junior suite and two further double/twin rooms, therefore it is ideal to accommodate 5-8 persons maximum. There is also a 2 bedroomed staff residence for a family’s nanny/ PA/Bodyguard etc.

There is a minimum stay of two nights year-round if guests are doing one activity in Volcanoes National Park during their stay. And a minimum of three night if guests are planning to do two activities in Volcanoes National Park during their stay.

The land that Kataza House is based on (with its big sister lodge Kwitonda) covers 178 acres and shares a 1.2km border with Volcanoes National Park – the only lodge within such proximity of the park.  All the bedrooms have uninterrupted views of the mountainous, forested national park.

All rooms have a lovely cosy sitting area with fireplace, which is lovely on cooler days and in the evenings, and to relax by after the trekking.  Each room also has a well-stocked pantry and minibar and spacious bathroom with bath, toilet, indoor shower, and glass enclosed outdoor shower.  The master suite has a private dinning space and dressing room as well as a private terrace with a fireplace and a heated plunge pool.

Room facilities on site include Air Conditioning, Bath and shower, Complimentary Wi-Fi, Cooking Facilities, Dressing Gowns, Fan, Fridge, Hair Dryer, Heater, Internet Access (Complimentary), Laundry Service (Complimentary), Mini Bar (Complimentary), Safe, Tea / Coffee.

Kataza House has open living spaces, indoor and outdoor replaces, plunge pools, a gym, and a media room too.

What Activities are available at Kataza?

There is so much to do in this area you need to stay a week!

  • First and foremost, you are here because of the mountain gorillas and this transformative experience. We would encourage you to do at least two treks to see them. The actual trek to find the gorillas can be anything from one to four hours, depending which family you have been assigned to trek to and where the family as moved to during the night. The actual viewing time is a strict one hour and no longer. Therefore, we recommend 2 treks and more if you have the time.  Only one trek is allowed per day, and these are always carried out in the early morning. Because trekking times are varied every day, meals and lodge activities are flexible around each trek. Children under 15 years are not allowed to trek and see the gorillas
  • Another trek offered in Volcanoes is to see the golden monkeys. These lovely monkeys are also endangered and only found in Volcanoes NP and Nyungwe Forest. There is also a minimum age limit here
  • Onsite in the lodge there are several activities that can be arranged for your family including child friendly activities and cooking courses
  • Hiking to see Dian Fossey and Digits graves on Kisoke Volcano
  • Visit Musanze caves
  • Go canoeing in local rivers
  • Take a drive to twin crater lakes
  • Guided Wildlife walks – into the forest, looking for birds, butterflies, and shy antelope. Very rarely you may encounter or see and hear buffalo and elephant, forest hog and bushpig as well as several antelope species. It is imperative that you listen and act as the guide says in these circumstances
  • There is a gym at Kwitonda and Kataza, and massages, and some beauty treatments are offered
  • Mount Bisoke Crater Lake hike which takes about 6 to 8 hours, depending on fitness levels
  • One tour which is very worthwhile visiting is to the Kwitonda garden called Akarabo Nursery as this features the farm-to-table journey. Part of its sustainability approach, the former dairy pastures and agricultural land is being restored. This reforestation and rewilding project provides a critical buffer zone between agricultural lands and the unique rainforests and wildlife of the Park - clearing invasive alien species and replanting  indigenous trees and shrubs (over 250,000) that are native to this region. Some herbs and vegetables are also grown on-site to supply the lodge kitchens, while the rest is sourced locally
  • Exploring the local markets is always a fun activity and led by your guide you will be able to chat to local people and learn about their lives too
  • Cooking classes and private wine tasting - sample and participate in cookery classes sampling local foods and dishes and then paring wines with international and local foods
  • If you flew straight into Volcanoes via Helicopter and did not manage to stay in Kigali overnight and would like to visit, then take the helicopter back to the city and visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial Museum, which is something that all Rwandese would like to show the world. The Museum is incredibly moving and not only features Rwanda’s struggle but also genocide events that have happened across the world
  • Visit some of the local artisans in the small village of Gasura in the Kinigi sector, which is located 30 minutes from the lodge. Visit the Rwandan seamstress to learn more about local styles and order your own tailor-made item. Or visit the Stick carvers, they provide the sticks that you use when trekking to see the mountain gorillas. You may like to order your own to take home! And lastly Rwanda is also known for its colourful baskets and their beautiful patterns, you can spend time with one of the weavers and see them at work, purchase a basket of your own

Are families welcome at Kataza House?

Yes, children are welcome, however as children under the age of 15 are not able to participate in gorilla-treks or golden monkey treks, they will be looked after either by the family's own staff or by the lodge's dedicated childminder who will plan some activities for them dependent on their age and interests. 

Visits and activities could include visiting the Akarabo Nursery and picking vegetables and planting new plants. There are gardening tools, gloves, and nursery baskets for this activity. They can also then have their very own cooking class and they will have their own kids’ aprons and little chefs’ hats, and then can cook up a storm with one of the expertly trained chefs. There are cycling and nature walks, or if children prefer to stay inside, then Kataza House has some board-games and puzzles for them or arts and crafts projects to get involved in.

What is included in your stay?

Accommodation at Singita Kwitonda Lodge includes all accommodation, meals, and beverages (including premium wines, spirits, and liqueurs, but excluding French Champagne), Wi-Fi access and laundry.

Tours, trekking permits, and other activities are charged extra.

Take part in conservation activities

By doing and participating in a mountain gorilla or golden monkey trek you are contributing to conservation through the costs of the permits.  The rangers paid by the parks department and have been instrumental in looking after the gorillas and forest habitat and indeed the number of mountain gorillas has expanded over the years which is tremendous news.

Kataza House works in partnership with the Rwandan Development Board (RDB) and helps to work with communities in preserving the land and regenerating forests areas. Reforestation of land heavily impacted by farming is vital, and they are working to replant over 200,000 tree saplings in and around the new lodge.  Guests can get involved with this project and see the work they are doing, contributing should they wish.   Guests can also make a contribution to the Kwitonda Lodge Orchid Project and leave a legacy to the preservation of the unique floral legacy of the region. Donations raised through the Singita Volcanoes National Park Conservation Fund will support the ongoing research and training of the project team. The fund also supports a five-year student grant (which has an annual cost, including subsistence and accommodation, travel, supplies and materials, of USD 9 500).

A very special conservation activity is to visit the MGVP - Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project (Gorilla Doctors) at their offices in Ruhengeri for an informal but very insightful talk on their work taking care of the Gorillas. You will learn about their everyday experiences and challenges. This is a morning or afternoon activity.

Also, on the subject of gorgeous gorillas – is donating to the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund by visiting their offices in Musanze, and everyone is welcome to visit which is free. However, a donation is highly recommended and appreciated, and a private talk would be charged for. On this tour you could also visit their labs.

Lastly, we also recommend a talk with Anaclet Budahera who is the parks warden and conservation specialist. He would visit Kataza House for an hour in eh afternoon or evening and give guests a talk.

 

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- Totally unique every time you travel with us

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- Established over 30 years ago we have been around longer than most

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As a guide, the cost of our extraordinary and utterly bespoke journeys tends to start from $1200 per person per day excluding international flights.

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