I’ve always been thrilled by what communities can do when they come together. In Rwanda, I discovered a community of women who help sustain themselves and their families through art, culture, and social development at the Urugo Eco Lodge. A resort run by the Urugo Women’s Opportunity Center.
African culture is all about togetherness, and most things, including farming, harvesting, ceremonies, child care, and education, are communal. In Urugo Eco Lodge in Rwanda, vulnerable women from the community converge at the Opportunity Center to find support, access resources, and learn life-changing skills.
This is the second time in my career as a digital nomad in Africa that I’ve experienced such professionalism, determination, and resourcefulness in supporting women in the community. The first time I saw such a community development organization was in Maungu Village, Kasigau, Kenya, where women in the community initiated a social development program to help support their families through basket weaving.
Urugo Ecolodge In Rwanda Is Not Your Typical Touristy Resort
Well, the Urugo Women’s Opportunity Center is an amped-up version of what I saw at Maungu Village in Kasigau, Kenya. The center is a well-oiled machine spearheaded by Executive Director Evelyn K. Karamagi and her team.
For those who have not visited Rwanda, Urugo Ecolodge Urugo Women’s Opportunity Center is located in the Kayonza region, a rural district in Eastern Rwanda that is 70 kilometers (1 hour and 40 minutes drive) from Rwanda’s capital city, Kigali. Urugo Ecolodge is located on the main road (Road 2B) to Akagera National Park.
If you have some experience traveling in Africa, you understand what a lodge or a resort is. Lodges and resorts are fancy touristy hotels targeting foreign visitors that showcase a country’s domestic hospitality.
Well, Urugo Ecolodge isn’t your typical African lodge. It’s a Women’s opportunity center. While it welcomes visitors (the staff gives a very warm welcome), it also doubles as a training and empowerment center for local Rwandese women.
Urugo Women’s Opportunity Center Empowers Women in Kayonza District
At the center, the women learn and develop skills that will help them make a living in the modern world. Resident women at the Ecolodge learn advocacy, social confidence, entrepreneurship, handcrafts (sewing, basketry, and carpeting), and other socio-economic programs.
Last year, the Urugo Women’s Opportunity Center celebrated 10 years since its inception. So far, it has empowered 93 women from the Kayonza district with special skills that will help improve their lives, families, and communities in the world.
The center, located on the main road offers its visitors a chance to experience life in rural eastern Rwanda, giving them an opportunity to indulge in ther culture through hiking, dining, community life, and even engaging with the residents in their programs such as the basket-weaving classes.
Urugo Ecolodge Accommodation Prices
It’s also the perfect location to enjoy Rwanda’s serene landscape thanks to its neatly manicured gardens, tranquil environment, and neatly furnished accommodation suites. Think of Urugo Ecolodge as a resort that offers a beautiful immersion in Rwandan culture and community life.
There are several accommodation types for visitors to Urugo Ecolodge, and the best thing is that it’s quite affordable even for local tourists within Rwanda and Africa.
- Bed and Breakfast – Rwf 35,000 (Rwandan Francs) or $28.
- Camping – Rwf 15,000 (Rwandan Francs) or $12.
PS: Prices are subject to change based on global currency fluctuations.
The environment at Urugo Ecolodge is quite unique and reminiscent of rural Rwanda. While there’s a touch of fancy resort-like finishes, you’ll notice the architectural influence on the buildings and landscaping. For instance, I loved how the restaurant was designed in small red bricks, with a rounded structural design resembling a hut. Half of the restaurant structure is also grass-thatched, with a fusion of modern iron sheets.
The rooms are quite impressive. They are simple and classy—perfect for a good night’s sleep but not too much to make sure you get out during the day to enjoy the scenery and lushness of their compound.
Urugo Ecolodge Serene Landscape is Worth Experiencing
Each room has a comfortable bed, night lamp, small shelf, a study desk, and a sizable toilet/shower room (hot shower). If you ask me, Urugo Ecolodge is quite a bargain for what they are offering – a hustle-free environment where you can drown in natural enrichment and rejuvenation.
The camping tents are quite unique for Rwanda. Since it gets very wet in Kayonza, the camping grounds have a stone foundation raised above the ground to prevent the havoc that comes with camping on wet surfaces. As a bonus, the raised platform also gives you the perfect vantage point overlooking the hills of the surrounding region.
If you are looking to unwind from the cities and enjoy nature’s enrichment, Urugo Ecolodge has a resort-style bar and restaurant with enough parking for visitors with cars. Don’t worry about the rural setting, the establishment is connected to the grid with a 24-hour electricity supply.
I’d definitely encourage anyone visiting Rwanda to spare some time away from Kigali and enjoy the richness of Urugo Ecolodge. You’ll not only enjoy your stay at the lodge but also benefit the local community by supporting their programs.
Go the extra mile and buy a bracelet from the resident local women students. Their baskets and mats make awesome souvenirs for friends and family back home.