Travel_LeisureIndiaSouthAsia-January_2017

40 TRAVEL + LEISURE / JANUARY 2017

Clockwise:

Whisky Bar at the

Highlands Suites

Hotel; Swahili

Platter; Milima

Restaurant at the

Kigali Serena Hotel:

the African Giraffe;

Golden Monkey

38 TRAVEL +LEISURE / JANUARY 2017 TRAVEL +LEISURE /JANUARY 2017 39

BUSINESS AND

LEISURE HOTELS

IN RWANDA

KIGALI SERENA HOTEL

The hotel is built around a

polished granite atrium, that

showcases the very best of

Rwandan art. This laid-back

property features a wide sun

deck, a swimming pool, and

the Milima Restaurant with

an all-day buffet. Regarded

as Kigali’s business hub,

the hotel also boasts its own

extensive conference centre,

500-seater auditorium, and

a lavish ballroom.

(serenahotels.com)

RADISSONBLUHOTEL&

CONVENTION CENTRE, KIGALI

Just five kilometres from the

Kigali International Airport

(KGL), the hotel is an office

park with a room capacity for

up to 5,000 delegates. The

292 luxurious rooms come

with a lavish breakfast buffet,

all-day dining, and hi-speed

internet. Guests can relax at

the Lounge Bar with cocktails

and the best in Rwandan

cuisine. (radissonblu.com)

KIGALI MARRIOTT HOTEL

This five-star business hotel

has a prime location,close to

the financial district and

embassies. Modern and chic,

the Lobby Bar offers its

guests clear views of the

surrounding city with an

elaborate cocktail menu.

Completeyour stay with a

day of pampering at the Saray

Spa, the largest spa in the

city, with rejuvenating

treatments and an outdoor

pool. (marriott.com)

C

ALLED the ‘Land of a

Thousand Hills’ or more

popularly the land of

Dian Fossey’s Gorillas in

the Mist, Rwanda will now

be more accessable to Indian

travellers. A new direct fl ight

service between Mumbai and

Kigali debuts this month.

Known for its iconic mountain

gorillas of the Virunga Massif,

safari lovers can celebrate the

new year in style. With the

advent of Wilderness Safaris

(wilderness-safaris.com) at the

much-touted Bisate Lodge the

experience promises to be a

game-changer that will poll-

vault Rwanda to glamorous

safari heights. Bisate means

‘pieces’ in Kinyarwanda and

signature environmental ethos

and reflecting the culture of

surrounding rural Rwanda.

But you wouldn’t think

Rwanda’s rural when at this

super contemporary lodge,

whose terrific green clustered

lights evoke a gleaming jungle

canopy—avery modern

one! Bisate is near the Park

Headquarters, from where

gorillatreks depart. Its vision of

reforestation and rehabilitation

ensure guest contribute to

biodiversity.

More on the Horizon

Conservation and local

community engagement thus

making a far-reaching positive

impact on the endangered

mountain gorilla. Besides

tracking one of the several

habituated gorilla groups,

activities could include visiting

Iby’wacu cultural village, the

Twin Lakes of Buhondo and

Burera, the lava tunnels of the

Musanze Caves, Dian Fossey’s

grave, and even seeing the

endemic golden monkey. Walks

on the extensive property offer

birding and participation in the

reforestation programme.

GearUp

If you’ve planned your Rwanda

trip before Bisate can receive

(really can’t wait to join the

posh parties to Bisate next

the lodge set to launch in June

2017 fi nds itself in the natural

amphitheatre of an eroded

volcanic cone so the lodge’s

name conveys how the integrity

of the cone was naturally

eroded. The surrounds off er

spectacular views of Bisoke

and Karisimbi—volcanoes

rearing up through the

Afro-alpine forests at the

nearby Volcanoes National Park

(volcanoesnationalpark

rwanda.com)

Green-Stay

Twelve bristling slick rooms

equipped with smart amenities

and captivating views are

designed to thrill while

upholding Wilderness Safaris’

RIGHT AND BELOW:

A treatment room

at Lanserhof

Tegernsee,

in the Bavarian

countryside;

a meditation

session at Vana,

in India.

Rwanda on the Rise

Wildlife and nature reserves aside, Rwanda is turning out to be the most favoured

African destination for business and leisure travellers, finds out Devanshi Mody.

But don’t have too much for

at dawn your private butler

will come knocking at your

doorwith coffee and biscuits,

waiting to extract you out

of pyjamas and fit you into

more amenable safari gear.

You’ll need it on a hike into the

National Volcano Park (which

the lodge conveniently borders)

whose plethora of gorilla

families includes the largest

known Silverback in the world.

Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge

is operated by a community

trust that works to further

conservation and protection

initiatives in the park so don’t

count your pennies, splurge,

this is worthy luxury. ▪

Visit Iby’wacu

culturalvillage,

the Twin Lakes

ofBuhondo

and Burera, the

lavatunnels

of Musanze

Caves,and

evenseeing the

endemicgolden

monkey.

summer?) then Sabyinyo

Silverback Lodgeis more than

avacation, it’s avoyage that

indelibly etches your memory

for ever. Set into the foothills

of the Virunga mountain

range, this five-star lodge

features individual cottages

with decks and fireplaces. The

food’s great. So’s the wine.

HOW TO GET THERE

There are direct international

fl ights into Kigali from Brussels

several times a week on Brussels

Airlines. Starting January, Rwanda

Air also starts its direct service

from Mumbai to Kigali.

rwandatourism.com

Traditional African dancers

at Volcanoes National Park;

Below: The Lounge Bar,

Bisate Lodge.

CLOCKWISE: COURTESY OF RWANDA (2); COURTESY OF SERENAHOTELS; JAMI TARRIS/GETTY IMAGES; SHUTTERSTOCKOPPOSITE: RENATO GRANIERI/ALAMY; COURTESY OF RWANDA;

Africa Update

01_HRNW_Rwanda.indd All Pages 27/12/16 9:50 pm