Icyayi Songa Lodge Nyungwe Forest Rwanda

Icyayi Songa Lodge is located on the edge of Nyungwe National Park, a newly inscribed UNESCO World Heritage Site. Set on 7.5 hectares within the lush Gisakura Tea Estate in Rwanda’s Nyamasheke District, the lodge is proudly indigenous-owned by the Songa Africa Family.

“Icyayi” translates to “tea” in Kinyarwanda, and the property beautifully celebrates the Rwandan culture of sharing a mug of tea alongside the country’s rich heritage.

Combining luxury with profound environmental responsibility, the lodge emphasizes sustainable practices, utilizes local materials, and partners directly with local farmers and artisans, offering guests a deeply authentic and eco-conscious Rwandan experience.

Location & Accessibility

Situated right on the edge of the rainforest, the lodge is only a 20-minute drive to the Nyungwe Park office, offering seamless access to the forest’s rich biodiversity.

By Road

✓ Route: The drive from Kigali takes approximately 5 to 6 hours (225 km) via well-paved roads winding through beautiful rolling hills and rural villages
✓ Scenery: As you approach the Nyamasheke District, the landscape transforms dramatically into the dense, ancient greenery of Nyungwe Forest, bordered by meticulously terraced tea fields

By Air

✓ Transfer: From Kamembe Airport, it is a scenic 1-hour drive to the lodge in Gisakura
✓ Domestic Flights: RwandAir operates 40-minute flights from Kigali International Airport to Kamembe Airport
✓ Helicopter Access: For a faster, highly scenic route, helicopter transfers from Kigali can be arranged, landing near the park in about 30 to 45 minutes

Accommodation

Icyayi Songa Lodge features 20 Luxury Suites, including spacious family villas. Ranging from a massive 166 m² to 100 m², these sprawling suites are meticulously designed with curated Rwandan décor and sustainable local materials to create a true haven of peace.

Suite Features & Amenities

✓ Modern Connectivity: High-speed Wi-Fi and dedicated workspace areas
✓ Luxury Bathrooms: En-suite facilities fitted with high-end, eco-friendly fixtures
✓ Living Areas: Each suite includes a dedicated, comfortably furnished living room
✓ Bespoke Touches: Unique tea-inspired in-room amenities and a fully stocked minibar
✓ Private Verandas: Expansive outdoor spaces providing panoramic views of the surrounding tea plantations and the misty Nyungwe Forest

Dining & Culinary Experience

Icyayi Songa Lodge takes dining to a new level by fully integrating its tea-estate setting into the culinary journey.

Dining Settings & Highlights:

✓ Extras: For guests requiring additional meals, an extra lunch is $70, and dinner is $80 per person
✓ Tea Bar: A specialized bar where guests can enjoy tea-infused cocktails, local blends, and traditional beverages
✓ Farm-to-Table Restaurant: An innovative dining room offering a tea-inspired menu featuring fresh ingredients sourced from local farmers
✓ Meal Inclusions: Stays are booked on a Full Board basis (breakfast, lunch, and dinner), inclusive of selected drinks (house wines, local beers, and soft drinks)

Lounge & Common Areas

✓ Gift Shop: An on-site boutique offering local crafts and artisan teas
✓ Main Reception & Lounge: A welcoming space adorned with authentic Rwandan art
✓ Phase 2 Wellness: A future full-service, tea-infused spa and wellness center is planned for the next phase of development
✓ Panoramic Viewing Deck: The perfect spot to relax and take in the awe-inspiring views of the tea fields and the primary rainforest

Experiences & Activities

The lodge provides an extensive array of activities, perfectly blending the rich tea heritage of Gisakura with the thrilling biodiversity of Nyungwe National Park.

On-Site & Wellness Activities:

✓ Nature & Learning: On-site birdwatching, forest edge excursions, and sustainability workshops
✓ Tea Heritage: Guided tea plantation tours, processing workshops, and expert-led tea blending and tasting masterclasses
✓ Spa & Wellness: Tea-infused spa treatments (facials, herbal baths, detox therapies), alongside yoga and wellness rituals utilizing local teas

Off-Site Safari Adventures (Nyungwe National Park):

✓ Top-Tier Birdwatching: Explore one of Africa’s richest, most diverse avian ecosystems
✓ The Canopy Walk: Experience Rwanda’s famous suspended bridge walk high above the primary rainforest canopy
✓ Nature Expeditions: Waterfall tours, scenic nature hikes, and exhilarating zip-line adventures over the tea fields and rainforest
✓ Primate Encounters: Thrilling Chimpanzee and Colobus monkey treks in Nyungwe, as well as treks in the nearby Gishwati forest

Policies & Important Information

✓ Check-in / Check-out: Check-in at 01:00 PM; Check-out at 11:00 AM (Early/late arrangements subject to availability)
✓ Exclusions: Rates exclude transfers, trekking permits, park entry fees, premium alcoholic spirits/wines, in-room spa treatments, and personal items
✓ Child Policy: Children 12+ are considered adults. Children 12 and under may book a rollaway bed. Children aged 3 and under stay free but must be accompanied by a nanny if left unattended (lodge nanny service available at $100/day)

Highlights of Icyayi Songa Lodge

✓ Exceptional Space: Massive, 166 m² luxury suites with private panoramic verandas
✓ Prime Location: Situated on a 7.5-hectare tea estate just 20 minutes from the Nyungwe Park tracking office
✓ Indigenous Ownership: Proudly part of the Songa Africa Family, ensuring authentic cultural immersion and strong community support
✓ Unique Tea Theme: “Icyayi” (tea) influences everything from the farm-to-table cuisine and spa treatments to the bespoke in-room amenities

Icyayi Songa Lodge Non-Resident Accommodation Rates Include

✔ Accommodation on Full Board Basis(breakfast, lunch, dinner) 
✔ Selected drinks (House Wines, local Beers, and soft drinks)
✔ Complimentary laundry services are inclusive of all current government taxes & levies

Notes;

* Check-in time: 02:00 PM
* Check-out time: 11:00 AM
* Lunch – 70 US Dollars per person
* Dinner – 80 US Dollars per person
* Lodge activities are at a separate cost
* Massage treatments are at an extra cost
* Early check-in or late check-out may be arranged in advance and are subject to availability and an additional fee
* Luxury Suites (6 units) – These elegant standalone units feature either a plush double bed or twin bed, ensuite bathrooms, a private fireplace, and serene tea plantation & forest views
* Family Luxury Villa (1 unit with 2 rooms) – A spacious, shared-roof villa with two private Double bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms, shared dining space, cozy living room, fireplace & private balconies

Icyayi Songa Lodge Non-Resident Accommodation Rates Exclude

✘ Transfers to and from the lodge
✘ Activity permits and park entry fees
✘ Premium alcoholic spirits and wines
✘ In-room spa treatments and items of a personal nature

* Children aged 12 years and above are considered adults
* Children 12 years and below may book our rollaway bed
* Nanny services are available upon request at a rate of 100 US Dollars per day
* Children aged 3 years and under may stay at the lodge free of charge. However, they must be accompanied by a nanny if left unattended

Mobile: + 254-721-242-711
WhatsApp: +254-721-242-711
Reservations: +254 718-179-967
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://africanspicesafaris.com