Ruzizi Tented Lodge

OVERVIEW

Ruzizi’s 10 luxury safari tents are set back from Ihema’s serene shores and hidden among swaying palms and fruiting fig trees. Their shaded verandas have campaign chairs, a tree-trunk table and a hammock for reading or afternoon snoozing. The thatched main reception lodge and dining area lead to a stunning deck with beautiful views over the lake, where a central firepit is the perfect spot for a morning coffee or post-dinner digestif.

Designed to blend in with its surroundings to ensure guests connect with nature, natural elements have been incorporated into the lodge’s structure, and many of Ruzizi’s decorations and furniture were handcrafted by local artisans and cooperatives. The lodge is powered by solar energy and prides itself on being environmentally conscious.

Now home to lions and rhinos, Akagera has an inspiring conservation story and is the only Big Five park in Rwanda. The diversity of habitats including lakes, marshes, savannah, mountains and woodland makes for spectacular scenery and an exceptional birding experience including the rare and prehistoric shoebill and some Lake Victoria endemics. These are best seen by boat, drifting along Lake Ihema’s forest-fringed body of water, among the hippos and crocodiles. Ruzizi can also arrange guided night drives, offering the best chance to see nocturnal wildlife, from lions to leopards.