Visiting the lodge, one can immediately feel its story. Volcanic rocks scattered across the property hint at the land's history long before the hotel was built, while other details showcase the journey of the lodge from its humble beginnings to the present day.
Rugamba is widely recognized as a cornerstone of Rwanda's tourism sector. After years of service in government tourism roles, she decided to venture into private enterprise, creating a business that provides high-quality tourism experiences.
In 2003, she was appointed the head of the Rwanda Development Board's predecessor, ORTPN, tasked with implementing strategies to promote Rwanda's tourism industry in the challenging post-genocide period.
Reflecting on the origins of Amakoro Songa Lodge, Rugamba shared that the idea came from a memorable visit: 'In 2003, a well-known international entrepreneur toured Volcanoes National Park and loved it. On his way out, he said he was exhausted and wanted to stay overnight in Kinigi. I offered him accommodations in Kigali, but he insisted and decided to stay in a tent. That's when I realized we needed a place to host guests like him.'
She recalled moving downwards and sitting on the volcanic rocks that would later become the lodge's grounds, reflecting on the moment and realizing that this experience could inspire something lasting.
'That's how the idea for Amakoro Songa Lodge was born, right there where I sat,' she explained.
Starting with a single room and just a few staff members, the lodge has grown steadily. Today, it employs more than 79 people, 49 of whom are permanent staff, and offers ten rooms, enough to provide top-tier luxury service. Rugamba's vision has always been to deliver high-end tourism experiencesâ€"'luxury tourism'â€"that are rooted in local culture and resources.
From the beginning, she committed to employing local staff, ensuring that at least half of her employees came from the surrounding district. Today, that number has grown to 80%.
'It's deeply rewarding to demonstrate that Rwandans can excel, and that everything we do benefits our own community,' she said. Many of her employees started in basic roles like cleaning and farming, but over time they have developed the skills needed to run a luxury hotel.
Rugamba has long believed that tourism should serve a broader purpose to alleviate poverty and showcase Rwanda positively drawing inspiration from the guidance of President Paul Kagame. She carried this mission into her private enterprise as well.
Local farmers who supply the lodge have transitioned from subsistence farming to professional operations, paying taxes and contributing to the local economy.
She also founded a cooperative, 'Abagore ku Isonga mu Kubungabunga Ibidukikije,' aimed at empowering women to protect the environment and understand that neglecting it could ultimately harm them.
Projects like poultry and sheep farming were introduced to strengthen livelihoods in communities around the lodge.
'Supporting women strengthens households, communities, and the nation as a whole,' she emphasized.
The lodge also invests in local education. Recently, it built toilets for Ninda Primary School, plans to expand to early childhood classrooms and support children who cannot afford regular meals.
Today, Amakoro Songa Lodge directly supports over 140 families while offering visitors an enriching experience that also benefits the local population.
Environmental conservation is another pillar of the lodge. Initially, there were almost no trees around the property, but today over 3,000 trees have been planted with the participation of both staff and guests, each tree marked with the name of the person who planted it.
Tree planting has become a meaningful ritual for visitors, who often follow up on the growth of their trees, prompting Rugamba to assign staff to keep them informed.
Looking ahead, she plans to expand tourism operations to Nyungwe National Park through a new project called Icyayi Songa Lodge, expected to be completed by the end of this year.
'Songa Lodge gave birth to Amakoro Lodge, and now it is giving birth to Icyayi Lodge. At Icyayi Songa Lodge, I want to highlight tea cultivation and support visitors exploring this World Heritage site,' she said.
Amakoro Lodge has traditionally welcomed guests from the United States, but in recent years, it has seen a growing number of visitors from Mexico, Europe, and across Africa.
Karirima Aimable Ngarambe
