Travel_LeisureIndiaSouthAsia-January_2017

TRAVEL + LEISURE / JANUARY 2017 41

Clockwise:

Whisky Bar at the

Highlands Suites

Hotel; Swahili

Platter; Milima

Restaurant at the

Kigali Serena Hotel:

the African Giraffe;

Golden Monkey

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)

RADISSON BLU HOTEL &

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.

Complete your 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)

signature environmental ethos

and refl ecting the culture of

surrounding rural Rwanda.

But you wouldn’t think

Rwanda’s rural when at this

super contemporary lodge,

whose terrifi c green clustered

lights evoke a gleaming jungle

canopy—a very modern

one! Bisate is near the Park

Headquarters, from where

gorilla treks 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 off er

birding and participation in the

reforestation programme.

Gear Up

If you’ve planned your Rwanda

trip before Bisate can receive

(really can’t wait to join the

posh parties to Bisate next

RIGHT AND BELOW:

A treatment room

at Lanserhof

Tegernsee,

in the Bavarian

countryside;

a meditation

session at Vana,

in India.

But don’t have too much for

at dawn your private butler

will come knocking at your

door with coff ee and biscuits,

waiting to extract you out

of pyjamas and fi t 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

cultural village,

the Twin Lakes

of Buhondo

and Burera, the

lava tunnels

of Musanze

Caves, and

even seeing the

endemic golden

monkey.

summer?) then Sabyinyo
Silverback Lodge is more than
a vacation, it’s a voyage that
indelibly etches your memory
for ever. Set into the foothills
of the Virunga mountain
range, this fi ve-star lodge
features individual cottages
with decks and fi replaces. The
CLOCKWISE: COURTESY OF RWANDA (2); COURTESY OF SERENAHOTELS; JAMI TARRIS/GETTY IMAGES; SHUTTERSTOCKOPPOSITE: RENATO GRANIERI/ALAMY; COURTESY OF RWANDA; food’s great. So’s the wine.