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Africa Rwanda Virunga Singita Kataza Singita Kataza House Firepit
Africa Rwanda Virunga Singita Kataza Singita Kataza House Firepit
Virunga Volcanoes, Rwanda

Singita Kataza House

Stunning, private, spacious, inspirational and exceptionally comfortable, Singita Kataza House is a fantastic option for groups and families who want luxury in a location where they can trek to see gorillas in the mists of the volcanoes above. Stunning, private, spacious, inspirational and exceptionally comfortable, Singita Kataza House is a fantastic option for groups and families who want luxury in a location where they can trek to see gorillas in the mists of the volcanoes above.
Stunning, private, spacious, inspirational and exceptionally comfortable, Singita Kataza House is a fantastic option for groups and families who want luxury in a location where they can trek to see gorillas in the mists of the volcanoes above. Stunning, private, spacious, inspirational and exceptionally comfortable, Singita Kataza House is a fantastic option for groups and families who want luxury in a location where they can trek to see gorillas in the mists of the volcanoes above.
Africa Rwanda Virunga Singita Kataza Singita Kataza House Exterior 2 Resize

Location

With 72 hectares of grounds that stretch for more than a kilometre along the edge of Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, Singita’s Kataza House is adjacent to Singita’s Kwitonda Lodge. These are the closest places to stay to the realm of more than one-third of the remaining mountain gorillas in the world.

The towering cones of the Virunga volcanoes spread into neighbouring Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo and are covered in lush afro-montane forests. Based on fertile soils from products of eruptions, warm and moist all year round, the ecosystem here is diverse and flourishing.

The house and lodge are three hours away by road, or 30 minutes by helicopter, from Kigali. The headquarters of the Volcanoes National park is just 10 minute from the house.
Africa Rwanda Virunga Singita Kataza House Bedroom

Accommodation

Constructed from dark basalt volcanic rocks, direct from the lava flows of the neighbouring volcanoes, Singita Kataza House is architecturally and visually inspirational. This is a haven of sophisticated tranquillity where earthy-toned fabrics and stunning modern art mix with open fires and enormous wood-framed windows looking out over the lush landscape.

The house is designed around a concept of pavilions grouped around a central open-plan living space. There’s a huge lounge, a wine cellar, an interactive kitchen, heated pool, massage treatment room, fitness centre, fire pit, outdoor dining area and lounge, and even a private cinema.
Despite its size and array of features, Kataza House is designed for exclusive use. Even so, it may be worth knowing that the facilities at neighbouring Kwitonda Lodge are available for guests, should they need them.

As for the sleeping arrangements, there’s a master suite (with its own pool), a junior master suite, two standard suites, and a two-bedroomed staff residence for the in-house expert team. The suites are, naturally, equipped with magnificent ensuite bathrooms complete with deep standalone baths with wonderful views.

With options for dining indoors or outdoors, you will enjoy the benefits of having an in-house chef who can cater to your tastes at times that suit you. Fresh ingredients come direct from the lodge’s own organic allotment garden.
Africa Rwanda Virunga Singita Kataza Dsc000751
Africa Rwanda Virunga Singita Kataza Dsc007891
Africa Rwanda Virunga Singita Kataza Dsc001231
Africa Rwanda Virunga Singita Kataza House Bathroom

Experiences

Right on the doorstep of the Virunga volcanoes, Kataza House is a base to explore the lush and diverse forests that rise above it.

  • The highlight of a stay here is to spend time finding groups of gorillas. Having had a briefing at the National Park headquarters, you will spend from a couple of hours to a whole day on the gorilla trek, depending on which family of gorillas is timetabled for the day.
  • Smaller in stature but endangered and fascinating, golden monkeys are also a theme for hikes of between one and four hours.
  • You can also hike to Diane Fossey’s gravesite and consider the groundbreaking work that she carried out into primate behaviour.
  • Visit the small local village of Gasura to enjoy an authentic taste of Rwandan life and culture.
  • The farm-to-table allotment garden, known as Akarabo Nursery, is an inspirational place to visit. Not only is food grown, but also tree saplings that you can plant in the reforestation area.
  • Local artisans visit to give guests lessons in crafts such as basketry, pottery and stick carving.
Africa Rwanda Gorilla Istock 6074979282
Africa Rwanda Virunga Singita Kataza Dsc08459 11
Africa Rwanda Virunga Golden Monkey Istock 1046179108 Credit Narvikk
Positive Impact

We prioritise working with properties that collaborate with local communities and address location-specific needs from education to anti-poaching. We assess our partners to ensure the people we work with share our values of ensuring our trips continue to act as a force for good. Here we share some of the positive impacts your stay here contributes to.We prioritise working with properties that collaborate with local communities and address location-specific needs from education to anti-poaching. We assess our partners to ensure the people we work with share our values of ensuring our trips continue to act as a force for good. Here we share some of the positive impacts your stay here contributes to.

Conservation
Conservation
The on-site Akarabo nursery is very active not only in growing food for consumption by guests but also in growing tree seedlings for restoration of the landscape. Slowly but surely, forests are returning to the 78 hectares of grounds, playing their part in a wider ecosystem rehabilitation and forming a vital buffer zone around the gorilla habitat.
Community
Community
Singita has developed initiatives around all their lodges, including onsite environmental education for school groups, academic bursaries and scholarships, digital learning opportunities for remote villages, English classes and adult bridging courses – as well as gender empowerment for women and girls. They support small and medium enterprise development, such as smallholder agricultural cooperatives that supply their lodges.
Environment
Environment
The construction of Singita Kataza House involved consideration of its environmental impact at every stage. Each element of the build was carefully researched and considered, from the local bricks and volcanic rock used to build the walls to the mechanical ventilation system. Skylights, double-glazed windows, and wall and roof insulation are some of the other features that reduce energy consumption.
Africa Rwanda Virunga Volcanoes Istock 2190716464 Credit Lukas Bischoff
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We are a boutique travel specialist. For over 30 years we have been creating luxury tailor-made safaris to the timeless savannahs of Africa. Your time is precious and with a world to see, we understand the importance of getting it absolutely right for you, every time.We are a boutique travel specialist. For over 30 years we have been creating luxury tailor-made safaris to the timeless savannahs of Africa. Your time is precious and with a world to see, we understand the importance of getting it absolutely right for you, every time.

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