BusinessTravel Guide
RWANDA
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A landlocked scenic gem
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RWANDA Landlocked Rwanda showcases some of the most stunning scenery on the African continent, from endless mountains in the northwest to the shores of Lake Kivu that borders the DRC Writer: Tom Wadlow | Project Manager: Joe Palliser
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LYING JUST SOUTH of the equator in east-Central Africa, Rwanda is commonly referred to as le pays des mille collines – the land of a thousand hills. Once colonised by France, the European settlers were enamoured by the country’s breath-taking scenic wonders, characterised by an enormous stretch of mountains to the northwest that contain some of the world’s last remaining mountain gorillas in and among the bamboo forests.
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Volcanoes, lakes, forests – Rwanda’s natural beauty is a huge draw for visitors who are able to explore some of the country’s marvels through a series of national parks and reserves. Most will stay or at least pass through Kigali, the Rwandan capital. Located in the centre of the landlocked territory on the banks of the Ruganwa River, the city is known for its cleanliness, safety, orderliness and hospitality. From award-winning museums to a bustling music scene and boasting some of the continent’s finest dining experiences, Kigali is the perfect place from which to set up basecamp for a trip to Rwanda.
The nation is also highly-regarded in terms of its commercial environment, ranked the second easiest place to do business in Africa by the World Bank. This is helped by a growing MICE industry, helping to pull in businesses from around the world. In 2017, for example, Rwanda hosted 169 international meetings, drawing in tens of thousands of visitors.
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The Business End RWANDA’S ECONOMY IS reliant on agricultural activities, with much of the country’s workforce employed in this area. Major crops grown include dry beans, sorghum, corn, potatoes and bananas, grown predominantly to produce the highly popular beverage banana wine. In terms of resources, the nation’s most abundant minerals are tin and tungsten, while methane gas from Lake Kivu is used as a nitrogen fertiliser and converted into compressed fuel for trucks. Rwanda is reliant on neighbouring DRC for much of its energy needs, although a major source of domestic power comes
from the Mukungwa hydroelectric plant. The tourism industry is another important source of revenue and has benefited from a recent partnership with England’s Arsenal FC, which has led to a 20 percent rise in the number of British tourists visiting through the course of 2017 and 2018. Currently the sector contributes around 12.7 percent of GDP and supports more than 130,000 jobs. By 2028 Rwanda wants to see 1.7 million international visitors arrive on an annual basis, a target that should be within reach given that tourist numbers have doubled since 2008.
Long shot of downtown Kigali, Rwanda
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FACTS & FIGURES
Capital: Kigali Languages: Rwanda, French, English Area: 26,379 km2 Population (2017): 11,922,000 GDP (2017): $9.137 billion Currency: Rwandan franc (RF) Time zone: Central Africa Dialling code: +250 Internet TLD: .rw Climate: Temperate tropical highland
An Oasis In The
SERVICES • 82 Self contained rooms • A local bar and barbecue area • Restaurant with international dishes • Meeting and conference room • Airport pick up and drop offs • Frangi Executive Apartments • FREE WiFi www.frangikigali.com
@HotelChezLando
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Out & About RWANDA IS FAMED for its mountain gorillas and many primate species that dwell in its rainforests. National parks are a must-do activity for tourists, whether it be Akagera to see the Big Five or Volcanoes National Park to explore one of the last remaining rare monkey havens on earth. The latter is a site which people travel from all over the world to see, paying a handsome sum of around $1,500 for a permit and guide to track down one of the around 480 mountain gorillas thought be roaming in Rwanda. As well as taking in the abundant natural sights, Kigali has emerged as a welcoming city from which to base
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a trip to the country. Despite suffering unthinkable horrors during the genocide of 1994, Kigali best represents the efforts that have been made to move on and rebuild. International companies and hotel brands are investing in the city which, being based right in the centre of the country, is an ideal springboard into the rest of Rwanda. Palaces, memorials and art galleries form some of the attractions that draw in visitor numbers to Kigali itself, while it is also home to a lively food and drink scene.
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VENUE PROFILES | CAPACITY: 5 000+
www.theevent.co.za
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CONFIGURATION ROOM NAME
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Radisson Blu Hotel & Convention Centre, Kigali |
Located 5 kilometres from the bustling city
centre and Kigali International Airport, Radisson Blu Hotel Kigali offers exclusive hospitality facilities with 291 modern rooms and suites with private balconies, as well as free high-speed Wi-Fi, Restaurants and Bars. The hotel also offers a fully equipped Fitness Centre and outdoor swimming pool, an on-site Spa by Amani, and the iconic Kigali Convention Centre (KCC). A high-end event venue in Rwanda since opening in 2016, and a popular MICE destination in the East Africa region. This landmark can accommodate more than 5 000 delegates at a time, and includes business, leisure and event facilities. Kigali Convention Centre has received a number of international awards since opening in July 2016 by World Travel Awards (WTA), three awards in 2017 and another three awards in 2018. Kigali Convention Centre was also awarded by Haute Grandeur Global Hotel Awards in 2018, World Luxury Hotel Awards, Business Destination Awards and Africa Property Investments Awards. Kimihurura Roundabout, P.O. Box 6629, Kigali, Rwanda Reservations: t: +(250) 252 252 252
t: +(250) 252 252 252
e: reservations.kigali@radissonblu.com
Meetings & Events: t: +(250) 252 253 253 e: sales.kigali@radissonblu.com
e: info.kigali@radissonblu.com
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Rwanda Development Board REPORTING DIRECTLY TO the President and key ministers, the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) brings together key stakeholders in order to make the country an attractive place to do business. The organisation is modelled on best practice examples from Singapore and Costa Rica, and we asked Belise Kariza, Chief Tourism Officer, about what Rwanda has to offer the business and leisure traveller. Africa Outlook (AfO): How has the Rwanda Development Board developed and progressed in terms of its key objectives and the messages it tries to get across? Belise Kariza (BK): RDB’s mission is to increase investments, increase exports and create more jobs in Rwanda. This is done through strengthening the private sector, to make it the principal player in the country’s economy. RDB has always been guiding investors to help with the ease of doing business. Today, Rwanda is the second easiest place to do business in Africa and 29th globally according to the World Bank 2019 Doing Business Index. Registered investments in the country have grown from $800 million a little over a decade ago to $2.006 billion last year alone. AfO: How would you say Rwanda has developed in recent years as a business travel hub and what are the key reasons behind its growing appeal? BK: Rwanda is carving out its niche as a regional and international conference hub, thanks to its worldclass Kigali Convention Centre, improved conference and hotel facilities, the new open visa regime with visa upon arrival for all world citizens, an excellent and expanding transport network and diverse
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entertainment options. Last year, Rwanda and its capital city, Kigali, were ranked the third most popular destinations in Africa for accommodating international meetings and events by ICCA (International Congress and Convention Association). ICCA represents the world’s leading suppliers in handling, transporting and accommodating international meetings and events. The rankings are based on the number of association meetings taking place regularly, rotating between at least three different countries and with at least 50 participants. These rankings are proof that our MICE (Meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) strategy is creating value. Rwanda recorded an estimated 35,000 delegates in 2018, up from 28,308 in 2017. Tourism is the country’s largest foreign exchange earner and MICE is playing an important role in its growth, bringing in 15 percent of all tourism revenue. MICE tourism contributed $52 million in 2017 and we aim to increase it to $74 million this year. AfO: Why, in your opinion, should someone visit Rwanda? BK: Rwanda is a country with a diverse culture and rich heritage. Mountain gorilla trekking, birdwatching, classic game drives, nature walks, cultural experiences, hiking, and lakeside relaxation are just some of the ways to spend your vacation in Rwanda. The country also offers magnificent hiking and trekking through dense rainforests to the summits of volcanic peaks, and even high above the tree canopy. In Rwanda you are always near amazing wildlife both large and small, and while other countries can have
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the same attractions that Rwanda has, safety, cleanliness and greenness make Rwanda more competitive on the market. AfO: What trends are transforming the tourism industry in Rwanda at present? How are you responding to these trends? BK: Since 2007, tourism revenues have been Rwanda’s number one foreign exchange earner, growing at an average rate of 25 percent annually. The sector has also attracted investments with major high-end international hotel brands such as Marriot, Radisson Blu, Park Inn by Radisson, One & Only, Singita and Wilderness Africa’s Bisate Lodge setting up in Rwanda. The goal of tourism and conservation in Rwanda is not only to increase visitor and revenue numbers, but to ensure that the benefits are both sustainable and shared by all our people. Through a sustainable tourism strategy, we want to conserve the rich biodiversity of the protected areas in collaboration with all stakeholders for the benefit of all Rwandan People. In the end, the country aims to double its tourism revenues from $438 million that was earned in 2018 to $800 million by 2024. AfO: How do you see Rwanda developing as a business travel hub over the next year to two years? BK: Embarking on a journey to promote MICE has been fruitful and yielded different lessons. One of the lessons learnt is that it is important to work closely with stakeholders and involve all players in the private sector – this is key to developing the MICE sector. Furthermore, MICE continues to create positive impacts on
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“Mountain gorilla trekking, birdwatching, classic game drives, nature walks, cultural experiences, hiking, and lakeside relaxation are just some of the ways to spend your vacation in Rwanda” other sectors of the economy like agriculture, tourism and infrastructure. We are optimistic that MICE will continue to be one of the pillars to grow the economy. Despite the great journey Rwanda has taken as far as developing the
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MICE sector, especially in high end conference venues like Kigali Convention Centre, Intare Conference Arena and others, there is also need to grow the hospitality sector both in terms of infrastructure and service. AfO: Are there any plans or projects in the pipeline that you wish to highlight? BK: We want to continue positioning Rwanda as the most preferred destination for MICE by participating on different platforms where the country’s flag can be raised, and hence attract interest to the country. By ensuring that the events and meetings taking place in the country are efficiently planned and implemented, we can make sure every delegate leaves with a memorable experience and become our ambassadors. We will continue to work closely with the private sector to involve them in activities like trade fairs to showcase their potential to host events in
Rwanda. We will also work with local government and private institutions as well as our embassies abroad to identify meetings, events and exhibitions to attract to the country. Further, we will organise visits of different destination associations or meetings associations to come and explore the facilities and incentives in the country – we believe this is going to be one of the tools to raise awareness and confidence for Rwanda to be a preferred MICE destination. AfO: Are you optimistic about the future of the tourism industry in Rwanda? BK: Yes, we are definitely optimistic. Thanks to our sustainable tourism strategy we are currently seeing the rapid growth of RwandAir and other international airlines connecting tourists to Rwanda every year. Also, our straightforward immigration procedures are opening up Rwanda to the rest of the world.
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Outlook Recommends “Rwanda is known as Le Pays des Mille Collines (Land of a Thousand Hills) thanks to the endless mountains in this scenically stunning little country” – Lonely Planet
HOSPITALITY
FOOD & DRINK IN KIGALI
TRAVEL & TOUR OPERATORS
Hotel Chez Lando Situated in Kigali, Hotel Chez Lando has a style that happily marries history and memory in a special tribute to its founders: Lando Ndasingwa and Helen Pinsky. The hotel today has 82 rooms and prides itself on its welcoming atmosphere for both visitors and locals.
Poivre Noir
Radisson Blu Hotel and Convention Centre, Kigali Located five kilometres from Kigali city centre, Raddison offers a contemporary option across 291 rooms. A major draw is its conferencing facilities, a feature which can support up to 5,000 delegates that is located just two kilometres from several government embassies.
Rickshaw Travels Rwanda
Brachetto Restaurant
Palm Beach Resort
Show Me Around Rwanda
Onomo Hotel Kigali Altis Apartments
Explore Rwanda Tours
Pili Pili Khana Khazana 10
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Amahoro Tours
rwandair.com
Take advantage of our growing network London Brussels
New York
Tel Aviv Dubai
Guangzhou Mumbai
Dakar
Bamako
Cotonou Abuja
Abidjan AccraLagos
Addis Ababa Juba
Douala
Entebbe Nairobi Kamembe Kigali Libreville Mombasa Brazzaville Kilimanjaro Kinshasa Bujumbura Dar es Salaam Lusaka Harare
Johannesburg Cape Town
Current routes Planned routes
+250 788 177 000 reservations@rwandair.com
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NATURE
Akagera National Park TRANSPORT COMPANIES
Nyungwe Forest
AC Group RwandAir
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RwandAir began operations in 2002 as the new national carrier of Rwanda. Operating from Kigali, a hub based in the heart of Africa, RwandAir is one of the fastest growing airlines and operates one of the youngest fleets on the African continent, including four Boeing 737-800NG, two Boeing 737-700NG, two CRJ900NG, two Bombardier Q-400NG and two new triple class Airbus A330. The airline serves 26 cities across Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Europe.
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Trinity Express
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AFRICA
WHAT MAKE US UNIQUE Our Garden... “Our Pride & Joy”! is breath taking and soul stirring with exotic flowers, green lawns, impressive palm trees and luxurious vegetation. Our private beach is peaceful and relaxing giving you an opportunity to safely swim in the lake or sunbathe in an ambience of tranquility. Our boat is available for you to cruise around the lake or to visit a hot spring. OUR BUNGALOWS Modern Bungalows Situated in the higher part of the resort - bungalows are surrounded by flowers with wonderful perfume and exotic plants. The bungalows are made of one room (single or double), a bathroom with private toilets and a terrace with beautiful views of the lake.
T +250 785 695 577 palmbeachrubavu@gmail.com www.palmbeachrubavu.com
African Bungalows Located in the lower part of the domain, on the shores of Lake Kivu, the bungalows, in typical African style, are built with volcanic stones and decorated with local craft. They are surrounded by a large garden lined with palm trees and exotic flowers. RESTAURANT The restaurant offers you to taste the local specialties such as fish (tilapia and isambaza) or goat skewers and grilled beef on a bed of makala. Enjoy our top-rated African dish or choose from continental or Indian dishes. There is opportunity to dine in the restaurant or on the shores of Lake Kivu and enjoy the beautiful sunset.
KN 1 Avenue, Rugenge, Nyarugenge District, Kigali, Rwanda | T: +250 (0)252 554700 reservations.kigali@onomohotel.com | www.onomohotel.com
FACILITIES • 97 twin rooms • 10 suites • 2 Universally friendly rooms available • 3 Conference and Banquet venues • Business hub
• Shuttle service • Concierge service • Luggage storage • Restaurant/Bar • Terrace with a view • Fitness Room • Outdoor swimming pool
WELCOME TO KIGALI’S FINEST! SERVICES • Unlimited Wi-Fi • Work desk • Laptop safe • International plug points • Double glazed windows • Fresh air ventilation
• Individually controlled air conditioning • Flat screen TV with satellite channels • Non-smoking rooms • Laundry & dry cleaning
SENEGAL l IVORY COAST l GABON l MALI l TOGO l GUINEA l SOUTH AFRICA l RWANDA l MOROCCO
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ART GALLERIES
SHOPPING MALLS IN KIGALI
Inema Art Center
Kigali Heights Niyo Art Gallery
M-Peace Plaza 14
Kigali City Mall
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Kigali Center for Photography
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Altis Apartments belongs to SORAS VIE LTD. Soras is now member of Sanlam. Relying on a long experience in hospitality, SORAS opened Altis Apartments in 2008, with 30 self contained apartments of one and two bed rooms, to bring its contribution in developing and modernizing the accommodation sector in Kigali. Altis Apartments is an eightstorey building overhanging the tops of trees and opening on a panoramic view of Kigali Mountain, historically giving name to the city of Kigali.
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• Satellite TV Channels, DSTV and Canal+ • Permanent internet connection (WIFI & cable), • Cleaning service, • Laundry service, • Secured outdoor car parking, • Electricity back up, • Permanent security guards, • 24 hour security cameras • 24 hour customer care services
KN 80ST, P.O BOX 2616, Kigali, Rwanda. Tel: +250788552182 Tel: +250782332491 infoaltissoras@gmail.com www.altisapartments.rw
Outlook Creative Services
Outlook Publishing’s award-winning in-house team is now utilising its extensive production skills to offer a full and bespoke range of editorial, design and marketing services via its new Outlook Creative Services division.
F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N V I S I T: www.outlookpublishing.com/creative-services
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NO MACHINE-READABLE SOURCE PROVIDED. OWN WORK ASSUMED (BASED ON COPYRIGHT CL AIMS)., CC BY-SA 3.0,
PHOTO BY STEVERWANDA - STEVERWANDA, CC BY-SA 3.0
A SKETCH MAP OF THE RWANDAN ROAD NETWORK DRAWN BY STEVERWANDA. SEE TRANSPORT IN RWANDA., CC BY-SA 3.0
Transport Links
Rwanda has a reliable and extensive bus network covering the entire country
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country once there is by car or bus. Given there is no train network, Rwanda needs and does have a reliable and extensive bus network covering the entire country. The routes are operated by a private company and are scheduled, meaning you won’t be left waiting for a bus to fill up before departing. Ferries on Lake Kivu connect the ports of Cyangugu, Kibuye and Gisenyi on a twice-weekly basis and can be a
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PHOTO: PASCAL KOBEH
KIGALI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, located 10 kilometres east of the city centre, is Rwanda’s international transit hub, connected to major African cities and a few European capital cities such as Brussels and Amsterdam. RwandAir operates domestic flights between Kigali and Cyangugu, the only domestic air route in the country, meaning the best way to navigate the
scenic way of moving up and down the west side of Rwanda. For those seeking a physical challenge, the country is exceptionally hilly and has one of the continent’s better road networks, making cycling a viable option. This is how many of the locals choose to travel around, often hanging on the back of trucks to reach the summit of some of the more demanding ascents.
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www.pilipili.r w
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Landmark Attractions Rubona Peninsula
“Roughly six kilometres south of town (about RFr1000 by mototaxi), along a lovely lakeshore road, the Rubona Peninsula is Lake Kivu at its finest. Hills rise steeply from the lake foreshore and are a patchwork of garden plots” – Lonely Planet
Kigali Genocide Memorial
“This memorial honours the estimated 250,000 people buried here in mass graves and also has an excellent exhibition that tries to explain how it was that the world watched as the 1994 genocide unfolded. This is an intensely powerful and moving memorial for which you should dedicate at least half a day” – Lonely Planet
Rusumo Falls
PHOTO BY STEVERWANDA - STEVERWANDA, CC BY-SA 3.0
“Situated on the Kagera River, Rusumo Falls represent part of the most distant headwaters of the Nile River. Known for the view of the valley from the Rusumo Bridge, the falls also hold historical importance” – Inspirock
Musanze Caves
“With an enormous opening (and an equally huge number of bats resident inside), the greenery outside spilling over into the twilight within makes for a fantastic photo op. Though today they’re a tourist attraction, the caves were used as a shelter during wartime for many centuries” – Visit Rwanda
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AFRICA • Mountain Gorilla Safaris • Wildlife Safaris • Car hire services • Honeymoon Packages • Airport transfers & assistance • Hotels/Lodges bookings • Family holiday packages • Tours planning • Visa advisory • Hiking & Birding experiences • Tours consultancy • Translation services • Photography & Filming
For reservations: bookings@fivevolcanoesrwanda.com +250 789 924 969 | +250 739 373 971 www.fivevolcanoesrwanda.com
WELCOME TO HAPPY TOURS The best agency for you www.happytourz.com
+250 788502055; +250 788548810 info@africanmountainexplorer.com joe@africanmountainexplorer.com www.africanmountainexplorer.com
ECOTOURISM, PARKS, HISTORY AND CULTURE TOURS by KINUNU WONDERS
OUR SERVICES: CAR HIRE-WITH DRIVER or SELF DRIVE TOUR PACKAGES / WILD LIFE SAFARIS
Activities in Kinunu Congo Nile trail hiking • coffee experience • farm visit • camping • fishing • boat tour to nearby islands/Rubavu/ Karongi • swimming • beach volleyball • bird watching
GORILLA AND CHIMP TREKKING BIRDING-BIRD WATCHING HOTEL RESERVATION CULTURAL TOURISM
info@happytourz.com francis.kabucye2016@gmail.com Cell phone:+250788531442
-- Other tourism packages available upon request -Contact Us: T +250 (0)784 763 805 | +250 (0)788 728 630 | +250 (0)788 305 492 E info@kinunuwonders.rw | www.kinunuwonders.rw
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PHOTOР: GUSWEN - CC BY 3.0
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King’s Palace Museum – Rukari
“In olden times, Nyanza was the heart of Rwanda and seat of its monarchy, background to the oral tradition of battles and conquests, power struggles and royal intrigues. It is where the German colonisers came, at the end of the 19th century, to visit the Mwami – and contemporary reports tell of the great pomp and ceremony these visits occasioned, as well as the impressive size of the Mwami’s court” – Bradt Travel Guides
Pfunda Tea Estate
“Rwanda produces some of the world’s best teas, like those from Pfuna Tea Estate and factory. The tea estate lies below the Virunga volcano and the rich volcanic soil helps to contribute to a higher tea quality” – Afro Tourism
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Rohi is a 3 Star Apart Hotel Located conveniently near the Kigali Convention Center with close proximity to the newly opened shopping Malls, the Kigali Heights and Kigali Business Center. All her balconies overlook the Convention Center, Kigali Heights and widely the famous vision 2030. This guarantees our guests the very best view any one can long for. All Apartments are fully serviced and include 4G Wi-Fi connectivity and DSTV.
Home away from home
good stay good people good price stress-free experiences, great food and upbeat environments. feel good KG 566 KG STREET, KIGALI, RWANDA. CEL: +250 788 306040” www.rohiaparthotel.co.rw
parkinn.com/hotel-kigali
HILLTOP HOTEL
Where your Journey into Nature begins… We are an indigenous Tour Operator offering quality travel with professional staff ready to provide clients with customer-friendly services, wildlife related experience in its natural environment.
T: +250 788 838109 | +250 728 838109 (office) info@astepintonature.com | janvier647@gmail.com www.astepintonature.com
• Wide selection of rooms and suites: all with AC, satellite TV, Wi-Fi and voice-mail • The Zebra Restaurant • The Mango Shade and Bar • The Executive Lounge and Bar • Swimming pool, pool deck and gardens • The GYM • Dedicated conference and social events centre • Business Centre, travel desk, taxi • The Saloon
www.hilltophotelkigali.com
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BusinessTravel Guide joe.palliser@outlookpublishing.com
+44 (0)1603 959 676
jordan.levey@outlookpublishing.com
+44 (0)1603 959 668
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