Umutuzo Lodge Kivu Lake

Hotels
9.2 (95 reviews)
Rutsiro district, Boneza sector, Remera cell, Bigabiro , Buhoro , rw

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Facilities

Offsite parking discounted rates available
Guest education on local ecosystems and culture
Parking
Non-smoking rooms
Restaurant
Room service
Terrace
Family rooms
Pets allowed
Express check-in/check-out
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Beautiful location
Great service
Cons:
High meal prices
Limited dining options

Categories

Cleanliness
9.2
Reviews indicate lodges are spotlessly clean and well-maintained.
Service
9.7
Staff are friendly, welcoming, and attentive to guests' needs.
Location
9.2
Idyllic location by the lake, providing a peaceful atmosphere.
Room Quality
9.2
Lodges are comfortable, spacious, and stylishly decorated.
Amenities
9.2
Several activities available, with a well-maintained swimming pool.
Value for Money
8.7
Food and lodging are deemed high-quality, though some prices are considered high.
Food and Beverage
9.2
Food is described as delicious with high praise for the chef.
Overall Experience
9.2
Overall stays were wonderful, with guests wanting to return.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2025-12-09 01:03

Property Description

Garden Oasis and Culinary Delights

Escape to Umutuzo Lodge Kivu Lake, a tranquil retreat nestled in Buhoro. Explore our lush garden, unwind in the shared lounge, or sip a cocktail on the terrace overlooking the lake.

Luxurious Comfort and Exquisite Dining

Indulge in modern amenities in every room, from the well-stocked minibar to the plush bed linens. Pamper yourself in the private bathroom before savoring a diverse breakfast spread, including continental and specialty dishes at our on-site restaurant.

Adventure Awaits

Embark on thrilling adventures with our bike and car hire services to explore the scenic surroundings or opt for a leisurely cycling tour. Let Umutuzo Lodge Kivu Lake be your gateway to a memorable getaway.

Book now to experience serenity and luxury at Umutuzo Lodge Kivu Lake.

Check-in and check-out hours:
Check-out: 11:00 AM

Location

Guest Reviews

9.2
Based on 95 reviews
Cleanliness: 9.2
Service: 9.7
Location: 9.2
Room Quality: 9.2
Amenities: 9.2
Value for Money: 8.7
Food and Beverage: 9.2
Overall Experience: 9.2
R
Richard • extended_group • gb
10
The total experience was of calm and serenity
Pros:

The feeling of being a returning guest on your first visit.

Cons:

I’d like to be able to make tea in my lodge so some small container of fresh milk would be welcome

2026-05-16 • via Nuitee
V
Verdon • couple • cg
8
Pure natural wonder
Pros:

The place is really a remote place, pure nature, absolute natural wonder. The breakfast was particularly great, and the staff was very obliging. My wife and I kayaked on Lake Kivu. It was a remarkable experience. We will definitely go back there, and we honestly recommend the place 100%.

Cons:

Internet cable got burned, so we did not have access to internet during our stay. We would have loved to be informed of this before we arrived so we could prepare an alternative mean to connect with friends and family while there. However, this did not stop us from having a wonderful stay. We will definitely go back there, and we honestly recommend the place 100%.

2026-05-14 • via Nuitee
A
Alexander • extended_group • gb
10
A beautiful, warm and deeply memorable stay on Lake Kivu.
Pros:

Umutuzo Lodge is a very special place. My friends and I only stayed for two nights, but I am already planning my return. The views over Lake Kivu are spectacular, the food was delicious, and the whole atmosphere felt much more like being welcomed into a family than simply staying at a hotel.

Every member of staff was warm, kind and genuinely helpful. Chef Vadaste cooked beautifully, and Philippe, the owner, was very involved in the day-to-day running of the lodge. He had supper with us each evening, which made the stay feel very personal. Eric, the team manager, was also fantastic: fun, helpful and generous with his time. He accompanied us to Monkey Island, where we saw vervet monkeys, and on the hike up Napoleon Island, both of which were real highlights.

Bogisi, Philippe’s dog and Head of Security, also deserves a special mention. He is brilliant.

Cons:

Only that we could not stay longer.

2026-05-07 • via Nuitee
R
Rambaud • couple • fr
10
2026-05-06 • via Nuitee
M
Michaela • family_with_children • de
10
Traumhaft!!
Pros:

Sehr nettes Team, sehr leckeres Essen und tolle Ausflugmöglichkeiten, die vom Team der Umutuzo Loge kurzfristig und individuell organisiert werden. Die Unterkünfte sind sehr schön mit traumhaftem Blick über den Kivu See.

2026-04-14 • via Nuitee
A
Amelle • solo_traveller • ug
9
2026-04-10 • via Nuitee
E
Eberhard • family_with_children • de
8
2026-04-10 • via Nuitee
B
Bayigane • couple • rw
10
A hidden treasure with breathtaking views…
Pros:

The views, the host

2026-03-30 • via Nuitee
A
Audrey • solo_traveller • rw
10
Haven of peace
Pros:

Umutuzo Lodge is the perfect place for a nice gateway in nature, away from the stress of the city. The rooms are nice and clean with an amazing view, the food is very good, the personnel very friendly and Philippe an amazing host. I will for sure come back again in this haven of peace.

2026-03-22 • via Nuitee
C
Claudia • solo_traveller • de
10
2026-03-17 • via Nuitee
E
Ele • extended_group • it
10
2026-03-16 • via Nuitee
A
Ariane • family_with_children • ca
10
Un cadre et des gens exceptionnels!!!
Pros:

Quoi ne pas dire sur Umutuzo Lodge...d'abord et avant tout un endroit rempli de sérénité et de calme comme son nom l'indique "Gutuza" en Kiyanrwanda. Au delà du cadre enchanteur, l'équipe (des humains exceptionnels) nous ont accueilli comme chez nous...Nous nous sentions chez nous!!! Merci pour les petits déjeuners copieux, les dîners (imizuzu, le très bon poisson) etc...

En quelques mots, faut y aller et vivre ce moment sur place. Difficile à décrire...faut plutôt le ressentir.

Un grand merci à toute l'équipe Umutuzo Lodge. Nakagaruka.

Cons:

De devoir repartir après 3 petits jours:(
On reviendra très vite!

2026-03-11 • via Nuitee
J
Jackie • couple • gb
9
Loved it and would highly recommend
Pros:

What a truly beautiful place to stay.

The views were incredible and so much wildlife to watch from your room. So many different birds in all colours.

The staff were really friendly and so helpful. The food was lovely and so tasty. So much food!

We took a boat trip to Monkey Island and Napoleon Island - really enjoyed this and our Guide Isaac was great (great promotion Isaac 😂) Thank you for getting us and up and down Napoleon safely and our wonderful photos.

We enjoyed sitting on the deck and watching the world go by. Truly relaxing which is what we needed.

Thank you to Erik and everyone at the lodge - we enjoyed getting to know you all.

Memories we will never forget.

Thank you
Jackie & Paul

Cons:

The roads on the lead up to the lodge are not great and with the rain - was a worry. However we had a driver and he managed the roads fine.

2026-02-26 • via Nuitee
P
Pierre-Philippe • family_with_children • be
9
2026-02-25 • via Nuitee
D
David • solo_traveller • be
9
2026-02-23 • via Nuitee
V
vanbesien • couple • be
7
Déception et ressenti très « business »
Pros:

La literie était confortable, la chambre spacieuse.
Le calme
La vue (surtout si on a une chambre tout en bas près du lac, sinon la vue c’est toit+boiler de la chambre devant)
Le kayak + paddle

Cons:

- wifi non fonctionnel dans les chambres et aucune action du staff (nos voisins avaient le même problème).
- pas d’eau chaude pendant notre séjour. Vu le prix de la chambre, prendre une douche aurait été sympa. Le gérant a été notifié du problème par un autre couple le matin mais la remarque a été balayée (« on n’a jamais de problèmes d’eau chaude ici »)…
- petit déjeuner très moyen: pain sec, muesli dans lequel il y avait des insectes, pas de fruits le premier matin…
- repas du midi/du soir: on vous sert par défaut soupe + repas + dessert. C’est en fait la formule la plus chère. Le repas en lui même est très basique et répétitif (même sauce, même dessert). Tout baigne dans la sauce. 25 dollars par personne (prohibitif pour le pays et pour la qualité).
- pas de serviette à la piscine
- personnel sympa sans plus. Absolument rien à voir avec la gentillesse rencontrée ailleurs dans le pays.
- baignoire peu invitante (traces jaunes, insectes)
- frigo qui coule dans la chambre (pas trois gouttes, mais de longs filets d’eau)
- eau de bouteille payante
- tout était très coûteux pour des prestations finalement décevantes

2026-02-22 • via Nuitee
F
François • extended_group • fr
10
Pros:

Calme, décors enchanteurs, personnel adorable…

2026-01-23 • via Nuitee
S
Susanne • family_with_children • be
9
Pros:

Het is een prachtige plek met veel oog voor detail. Zowel de naamgeving van de huisjes in de lokale taal als de shampoo en zeep wat zowel zeer lekker ruikt als een community based project ondersteunt. De buitendouche is geweldig met zicht op Lake Kivu, de huisjes zijn ruim en gezellig ingericht met goede sfeerverlichting.
De kok bereid de lekkerste gerechten en vindt het extra leuk om je lokale, zelfbereide producten te laten proeven. We voelden ons heel welkom en in de watten gelegd, super bedankt om zo goed voor ons te zorgen.

2026-01-19 • via Nuitee
C
Claire • extended_group • fr
10
À ne pas
Pros:

Le lieu, le confort, la propreté, le cadre magique…

2026-01-12 • via Nuitee
Y
Yared Dejene • couple • rw
10
Pros:

Our stay was very good. We were warmly welcomed and served with great care. Philip, Eric, and the rest of the staff were very friendly and helpful. It was a pleasant experience overall.

We had a wonderful trip to Bugarura Island and enjoyed seeing daily life on such an isolated island. The coffee experience tour was also excellent. Our tour guide, Eric, did an amazing job organizing the activities and giving clear explanations.

The place was clean, with a beautiful view and an amazing sunset.

Cons:

NA

2026-01-11 • via Nuitee