Rwanda has a new addition to its ever growing list of luxurious lodges found in different parts of the country.
Wilderness Lodge has opened its doors to high-end tourists eager to directly rub shoulders with the wild just in the middle of Akagera National Park in Eastern province of Rwanda.
Taarifa Business Desk has established that visitors will have to fork out U$3,000 to spend a night at this luxury facility.
According to management, the property, named Wilderness Magashi Peninsula, is now fully furnished and ready to welcome guests.
Wilderness Magashi Peninsula sits on a picturesque peninsula overlooking Lake Rwanyakazinga in the northern part of Akagera National Park.
The area is renowned for its rich wildlife, including leopards, hippos, crocodiles, lions, antelopes, and large herds of buffalo.
It is also an excellent birding destination, home to species such as the shoebill, fishing eagle, and many others.
Designed as an exclusive retreat, the lodge accommodates only eight guests at a time.
It features shared lounge and dining areas, a gym, and a private villa with four beds, in addition to two beautifully appointed guest suites.
This is the second Wilderness property developed in the area, following the launch of Magashi Camp in 2019.
Both facilities aim to promote conservation, support local communities, and offer high-end tourism experiences.
Wilderness Rwanda Managing Director, Manzi Kayihura, described the new lodge as a major addition to one of Rwanda’s most visited conservation areas.
“Akagera is a remarkable place with immense ecological value. Launching this new lodge demonstrates our strong commitment to wildlife conservation, supporting surrounding communities, and providing exceptional service to our guests,” he said.
The villa and the main lodge are set 150–200 meters apart, and each room within Wilderness Magashi Peninsula comes with its own private plunge pool.
The villa includes two en-suite bedrooms connected to a spacious living area, dining space, kitchen, and private swimming pool.
A third en-suite room offers flexible use—it can serve as a children’s bedroom, an office, or a private gym, depending on guest needs.
Guests may also enjoy private in-room dining, personalized guiding services, and outdoor star beds that allow them to sleep under the open sky while listening to the breeze across Lake Rwanyakazinga.
The two individual guest suites are similarly designed with private plunge pools and open outdoor spaces offering uninterrupted views of the lake.
The architectural concept of Magashi Peninsula was created through a partnership between Luxury Frontiers (USA) and Artichoke Interior Design (South Africa).
Beyond tourism, the lodge is expected to support nearby communities through various development programs, including hospitality training, culinary skills, and guiding.
Already, four staff members from Magashi Camp have become the first Rwandans to earn professional certifications from the Field Guides Association of Southern Africa (FGASA).
Surrounded by Lake Rwanyakazinga and the Mutumba hills, the lodge offers exceptional opportunities for wildlife viewing across 10 distinct ecosystems—plains, valleys, swamps, lakes, and hillsides.
Visitors can enjoy bespoke meals, private guides, boat excursions, sundowners, night game drives, fishing, and more.
A night at Wilderness Magashi Peninsula starts at $3,000 for a standard suite, while the villa goes for $12,500 per night.
Wilderness, which has operated in Rwanda since 2016, also owns Bisate Lodge in Musanze.
The company runs several high-end properties across Africa, including Mombo in Botswana, Little Kulala in Namibia, Usawa Serengeti in Tanzania, and Linkwasha in Zimbabwe.
In September 2025, the Tourism Chamber of the Private Sector Federation (PSF) announced that Rwanda’s rapid development is driving an expansion in available hotel rooms nationwide.
The country now has around 25,000 rooms, with a target of adding another 10,000 within the next five years.
This growth is expected to help Rwanda increase its tourism revenue from $647 million in 2024 to U$1.1 billion by 2029.
By Andrew Shyaka
