LUXURY, STYLE AND PEACE OF MIND IN THE SHADOW OF THE VIRUNGA MOUNTAINS. KINIGI. RWANDA.

By Donnie Rust

Stylishly combining local aesthetics with luxury furnishings in one of the most visually stunning settings in the world, Ingagi Park View Lodge Ltd has been sharing this space with guests since 2017. The Lost Executive spoke with Lodge Manager Patrick Buhuzu about their strategies for engaging guests, keeping local flavours and embracing change.

NATURALLY, THE LOCATION

Resting in the foothills of the Virunga Mountains, where renowned primatologist Dian Fossey conducted her pioneering research into the great apes, Ingagi Park View Lodge tells a story of Rwanda and its mountain gorillas. The impact of the area’s jungle aesthetic cannot be understated, and the lodge offers travellers exactly the kind of African experience that people expect when visiting Rwanda.

Understandably, considering such a beautiful setting, blessed with an abundance of wildlife and local culture, Ingagi Park View Lodge is not the only hospitality destination in the area. From the first day they opened their doors they knew they had to have something special to make them stand out in Rwanda’s busy hospitality scene. The question was and continues to be, how?

Outwork Your Competition

According to Patrick, travellers and guests today are spoilt for choice. With a simple phone search, a guest can find a bountiful supply of hotels, restaurants and leisure activities in any area. They can see reviews, costs and prices. However, the one thing they cannot find on their phone is the human experience. Understanding this and drawing on his years in hospitality Patrick calculated that what guests look for when visiting such adventurous destinations is not esoteric marketing-panache but human-tohuman service delivery.

He elaborates that this encompasses both tangible aspects and intangible interactions, such as staff responsiveness and personalized attention to the clients. He adds, “To achieve this we have invested heavily in employee training, making sure that each department has its own focussed regime to ensure not just high standards but the kind of standards unique to our lodge.”

Furthermore, staff are recruited locally to empower the local community around the lodge and to provide a genuinely authentically

Activities And Tours

The perfect place from which to launch a mountain adventure, Ingagi Park View Lodge attracts a high number of visitors looking to experience the volcanic mountains and see the legendary gorillas for themselves. These reclusive lords of the hills are shy and to find them takes skill and understanding and a great deal of local knowledge which lodge should allow themselves the freedom to take a plunge into an adventure.

Accommodation

With options available for couples, groups and families, the architecture and decoration of the accommodations at Ingagi Park View Lodge has a distinctly Rwandan feel. A mix of local stone, timber and aesthetic design creates a relaxing escape, as one would hope to find guests benefit from.

Additionally, guests can enjoy hikes and walks around the Virunga Volcanoes, village tours or partake in many of the onsite events around the lodge including agrotours, exhibitions of local art and bicycling tours. While tours and treks are controlled by locally selected thirdparty operators, Patrick believes that simply visiting a country like Rwanda is not enough. Every tourist in the mountains.

There are twelve rooms, managed by a staff contingent of between twenty-four and thirty. Two bars, including a kitchen area governed by head chef William Magezi who worked in the most sought-after luxury brands available before settling in at Ingagi and making it his own. Applying his mastery of the culinary arts he services sixty seats proffering a ranged menu including local and expat dishes.

Patrick reveals that a good chef makes all the difference to the guest experience, “Food,” he says, “Can never be underplayed. An average hotel with a good chef will still impress guests. Imagine what a great hotel, with a great chef will do.”

Other Considerations

Another task that falls to Patrick is keeping abreast of modern industry movements, particularly those from overseas as many of their guests fly in from abroad. And, while meagre trends come and go like the winds, big trends can have the power to change and reshape industries. He reveals that recently, in terms of travel habits, they’ve observed a growing interest in sustainable and eco-friendly travel practices.

“Many guests are increasingly conscious of their environmental impact and are choosing accommodations that prioritize sustainability,” he says, “This trend could significantly shape the future of travel, influencing both short and longterm stays.”

What Is Coming

The forthcoming year is going to be a busy one with a range of exciting new developments on the horizon, Patrick reveals they are enhancing their guest experience through technological advancements, such as implementing smart room features and digital concierge services. Also, they are expanding their sustainability initiatives to further reduce their environmental footprint and offer eco-conscious options to their guests.

we are particularly excited about the opportunity to host more wellness retreats and outdoor activities that promote health and relaxation,” he adds, “Creating memorable experiences for our guests that not only rejuvenate the body and mind but also leave a positive impact on the environment.”

Website: https://ingagiparkviewlodge.com/ Contact: 00250 780730696 or 00250 782175174

Email: info@ingagiparkviewlodge.com

Address: Ingagi Park View Lodge, Kinigi, Rwanda.