A Weekend at UMVA Muhazi
Just an hour and a half from Kigali, UMVA Muhazi is a great way to spend the weekend. The lodge is located on Lake Muhazi and is a peaceful getaway for locals and tourists alike.
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Getting to UMVA Muhazi
The drive to UMVA is quite easy. Only the last 5 minutes are on a dirt road. Just beware that there are several speed traffic cameras along the way. I saw six cameras, but there are probably more hidden away…
A reminder (mostly for myself…): In Rwanda, going above the speed limit automatically qualifies you for a speeding ticket—unlike in other countries, where you can kind of go 5 kilometers over the limit. If you’re not sure what the speed limit is, just go 60 kilometers.
Hi from me, Wilhelm, and my mother-in-law, Lena, who was visiting for a week.
Arrival at UMVA Muhazi
Our reception at UMVA Lodge was great. When we arrived, we took our bags to reception, where they were stored until our rooms were ready by check-in time at 4 p.m.—though we got into the room a little bit earlier.
We were greeted with a delicious welcome drink of hibiscus, lime, and ginger. (PS: it’s also available as a cocktail!)
Room Options
We hung out on the balcony until the rooms were ready and then were shown to ours. Wilhelm and I got the Birdhouse, which is a two-story room. The bathroom and sitting area are on the ground floor, and then you walk upstairs to the bed on the second floor. There are mosquito nets.
If you’d like to splurge a little more, plan to book a traditional room, the pod. Families can book the Bungalow.
Booking can be done directly or can be booked here on Booking.com (for some deals).
Food at the Lodge
If you book over the weekend, you are required to do the full board package. This means you’ll get dinner on Friday, plus breakfast, lunch, and dinner on Saturday, and breakfast on Sunday. If you book during the week, you’ll have the option for full board, half board, or just breakfast.
There is one cafe which is about a 10-minute drive from UMVA Muhazi you could eat at: Imigongo Art Center. But to take advantage of the peaceful environment at UMVA, you should just eat all your meals at the lodge.
Breakfast
Breakfast includes a fruit bowl and pastry buffet, with several à la carte options like pancakes, eggs, omelets, shakshuka, or French toast. I loved the shakshuka with mushrooms—it was amazing. I highly recommend you order it for both breakfasts if you go to UMVA Muhazi for the weekend.
There is free coffee and tea throughout your stay in the dining room.
Lunch
Lunch was a selection of different dishes that you’ll order in advance. I chose the pasta!
Communal Dinner
For dinner, you order your main course in advance. However, it’s a five-course meal: an appetizer, soup, salad, main course, and then a surprise dessert. The chefs rotate every other night, so if you spend two days or more, you’ll definitely get variety in your meals.
Dinner Day 1
I thought some of the dishes were innovative, and I was surprised at how flavorful the soups were each evening. If you have any dietary requirements, just let the lodge know in advance.
Dinner Day 2
I felt that wine and cocktail drinks were a little expensive (at $12, and priced in dollars…), but local beers are just $2.
The lodge can accommodate up to 18 guests, and everyone is encouraged to share a communal table for dinner. I thought this might be a little awkward at first, but once we sat down, it was easy to see why it works. Within the first 10 minutes of saying hello, we fell into conversation.
As we’re new in Kigali, it was nice to meet people. Wilhelm even recognized someone from the gym he goes to, and we met a couple who lived down the street from us— so that was fun.
Typically, the lodge is child-free, but one weekend a month, children are allowed. It happened to be that weekend when we visited. One evening, the kids sat at the communal table, but the next night, there were more families, so each had their own table while the “adults” sat at the communal table.
What to Do at UMVA Muhazi
There’s plenty to do at the lodge during your stay.
Spa Time
You can get a massage—30 minutes for $20 or an hour for $40. The masseuses are nice, and my mother-in-law and I enjoyed the experience.
Pool and Yoga
There’s a plunge pool with a great view over the greenery and lake. Although it’s not heated, it doesn’t matter—the sun is strong enough that you’ll want a cool dip.
There are hammocks and yoga mats available in that space too. It’s very peaceful, with wind chimes ringing and sunbirds fluttering around.
Water Sports
You can also go kayaking, paddle boarding, or canoeing on the lake. We went kayaking and had a fun time exploring. Next time, I want to try paddle boarding—I’ve never done it before.
Technically, it’s possible to swim in the lake at your own risk. However, it’s not recommended because of bilharzia, which can cause headaches and diarrhea, especially near the edges of the lake. If you want to swim, you’re advised to kayak to the middle of the lake and swim from there. But I wouldn’t risk swimming here.
Go Birding
If you’re into birding, bring your camera and just pop a squat—there are so many birds. I won’t even try to name them, but it’s a beautiful experience.
Tennis Time
There’s also a nice tennis court on site. You can borrow balls and rackets from the lodge or bring your own. We played for about 30 minutes, and then some kids joined us as well.
Community Room
There’s a community room with a couple of books and board games, plus good internet if you need to get any work done.
Day Pass
You can get a day pass for UMVA Muhazi if you want to spend the day here without splurging on the night stay. The day pass is only available Monday-Friday and includes lunch for $50.
Overview of My Stay
I really enjoyed my time and will definitely be returning while we live in Kigali. The staff was so kind, and I had a peaceful experience—doing a bit of yoga in the morning, exploring, playing tennis, and just hanging out.
It actually rained for almost a full day during our stay, but it was relaxing. I was tired from moving to Kigali, so I napped, listened to the sound of the rain, and read.
Evening views at the lodge