THE RETREAT BY HEAVEN – KIGALI • Ababa Uganda Safaris

Luxury Kigali • Rwanda

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The Retreat by Heaven Kigali

The Retreat by Heaven Kigali is an intimate luxury hotel in Rwanda's capital, created for travellers who appreciate privacy, thoughtful design, exceptional hospitality and a strong sense of place. Today presented as Hemingways Retreat Kigali, the property remains widely known as The Retreat by Heaven and continues to occupy a distinctive position among Kigali's luxury accommodation options.

Set within Kigali's leafy Kiyovu neighbourhood, The Retreat combines contemporary comfort with Rwandan craftsmanship, wellness-focused facilities and carefully considered culinary experiences. Its character is deliberately different from that of a large city hotel. Instead, the atmosphere is intimate, calm and residential, allowing guests to slow down while remaining close to the energy of Kigali.

The property is especially well suited to travellers beginning or ending a Rwanda safari. After an international flight, guests can settle into a peaceful environment before travelling onward. Following a gorilla trekking adventure or wildlife safari, the same setting offers an elegant place to rest, dine and recover.

For travellers searching for a luxury hotel in Kigali, a boutique hotel in Rwanda, a five-star Kigali stay or a luxury hotel before gorilla trekking, The Retreat offers a combination of accommodation, wellness, dining and personalised experiences within one carefully designed property.

An intimate luxury retreat where elegant accommodation, Rwandan hospitality, farm-to-table dining, private pool villas and thoughtful wellness come together in the heart of Kigali.

Location

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In Kiyovu, close to the heart of Kigali

The Retreat is located in Kiyovu, Kigali, one of the city's central and leafy neighbourhoods. The property is positioned on KN 29 Street and provides convenient access to Kigali's cultural attractions, restaurants, galleries and other city experiences. The current property information places Kigali International Airport approximately 20 minutes away by road, making the hotel practical for both arrivals and departures.

Yet location is only part of the appeal. The Retreat's setting creates a noticeable contrast with the movement of the capital. Within the property, landscaped spaces, gardens, private patios and carefully designed accommodation create an atmosphere of tranquillity.

This makes The Retreat particularly useful for travellers who want to experience Kigali without sacrificing privacy. You can spend the morning exploring the city, return for an afternoon beside the saltwater pool and finish the day with dinner at Fusion Restaurant.

Its position also works naturally within a wider Rwanda itinerary. Travellers can begin their journey in Kigali before continuing towards Volcanoes National Park for gorilla trekking, Akagera National Park for wildlife or other destinations across Rwanda. The property describes itself as both a restful stopover and a base for exploring the country.

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Accommodation

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A lodge experience connected to its environment

Accommodation is one of the defining features of The Retreat. The design emphasises space, natural materials, privacy and indoor-outdoor living, with private patios, elegant bathrooms and carefully considered details.

Deluxe King Rooms

Elegant rooms with private patios, teak details, peaked ceilings and rain showers. Ideal for a comfortable luxury stay in Kigali.

Superior King Suites

Spacious suites with private patios and rain showers. A comfortable choice for couples, honeymooners and longer stays.

Luxury Pool Villas

Private villas with gardens, plunge pools, baths and indoor and outdoor showers. Designed for couples seeking privacy and exclusivity.

Dining at The Retreat

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Farm-to-table dining with a Rwandan identity

Dining is an important part of the property's identity.

Fusion Restaurant provides the principal dining experience at The Retreat, combining international culinary influences with locally sourced Rwandan ingredients. The current menu includes seafood, meat, poultry, vegetarian dishes and handmade pasta, with dishes incorporating ingredients such as Rwandan mushrooms and locally inspired preparations.

The approach is particularly relevant to travellers who want food to become part of their destination experience.

Rather than presenting Rwanda only through scenery and wildlife, dining provides another way to connect with the country. Local ingredients, Rwandan produce and contemporary culinary techniques create an experience that feels international while retaining a connection to place.

The restaurant also benefits from the hotel's tranquil setting. Dining beside the pool gives guests an opportunity to move naturally from a relaxed afternoon into an elegant evening.

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Lodge Fees

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The Retreat by Heaven Kigali Rates and Fees

The Retreat's accommodation rates vary according to room category and season.

For 2026, published rack rates show Deluxe King Rooms at approximately USD 440–600 per room, depending on season and occupancy. Superior King Suites are published at approximately USD 660–870, while Luxury Pool Villas range from approximately USD 1,050 to USD 1,800 depending on the season and occupancy.

The 2026 rate schedule identifies regular, green and premium seasons, with the highest rates applying during premium periods. Child rates also vary according to age, room arrangement and occupancy.

These figures should be treated as published planning rates rather than guaranteed booking prices. Availability, season, occupancy, inclusions and applicable booking conditions can affect the final cost.

Travellers booking through a safari operator should also clarify whether accommodation is being quoted on a room-only, bed-and-breakfast, half-board or other basis.

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Sustainability & Conservation

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Luxury with a lighter footprint

Sustainability is central to The Retreat’s identity. The property combines solar-powered facilities, local sourcing and Rwandan craftsmanship with responsible hospitality. Its wider operation supports local farmers, suppliers, artisans and technicians through ethical sourcing and community partnerships. Guests experience this commitment through locally inspired design, fresh produce and thoughtful use of sustainable practices. By connecting luxury with Rwanda’s culture, people and environment, The Retreat offers a more meaningful stay. Its approach shows that modern luxury can combine comfort, authenticity and environmental responsibility while supporting the communities and local economy that make Kigali unique.

What our travelers say

    
 
 
         
   Robert K 
 
 
 
 Verified Bucket list seeing the Mountain Gorillas in Bwindi
Just an awesome trip . Everything went smoothly from booking to the end . All was as promised never missed anything , always on time , friendly etc. resort that was recommended was perfect , great food , comfortable . Saw the gorillas easily all was perfect . Jonathan the owner even took me in Kampala to buy the right clothes , took me him self . Noel and driver were excellent , never an issue they really cared. I trust this company , will use them again and highly recommend .
  
 
        
   Maltes Traveller 
 
 
 
 Verified Highly recommended
We had a wonderful experience with Jonathan. He welcomed us at the airport and took great care of us from the moment we arrived until the end of our trip. The selection of hotels was impeccable, and the route he designed was perfectly planned. Jonathan is extremely knowledgeable about wildlife and went the extra mile to make sure we saw lions and all of the Big Five during our visit to Queen Elizabeth National Park. He was always attentive, patient, and eager to make our experience unforgettable. We couldn’t have asked for a better guide — highly recommended!
  
 
        
   bharti n 
 
 
 
 Verified Exceptional experience, enriching and truly unforgettable.
From the moment we landed we received a warm welcome. Jonathan was friendly and readily available to answer any queries throughout our trip. He was incredibly accommodating with our requests to visit schools, residences ensuring that we achieved everything we wanted from the trip. We had a great time with Jonathan and driver Isaac. Jonathan was very funny and very knowledgeable he became part of the family and the time just flew whilst we were there, we felt safe at all times. The food at each venue catered for all our needs. Definitely leant a lot on this trip. Just need to be aware that food ordered in restaurants do take a long time as they make it from scratch so if pushed for time might be advisable to pre order. We had unforgettable holiday and this company went above and beyond to make every moment special. I would recommend them to anyone.
  
 
        
   vjpar 
 
 
 
 Verified Great service from this local company
We done a road trip across East Africa from Uganda to Tanzania. Jonathan and his team facilitated our trip across Uganda and Kenya which proved to be a very enjoyable experience. Guided knowledge provided by Jonathan was excellent as was his humor and wit. We always felt safe and informed, he managed the journey very well indeed. We would definitely use Jonathan's services again.
  
 
        
   Adam John Smith 
 
 
 
 Verified Magical Uganda Safari Journey – February 2025!
I had an unforgettable experience with Ababa Uganda Safaris! From the moment I arrived, everything was well-organized, and the team was incredibly friendly and professional. The tour guides were knowledgeable, sharing fascinating insights about the wildlife and culture. Seeing gorillas up close in Bwindi and exploring Queen Elizabeth National Park was a dream come true. The accommodations were comfortable, and every detail was taken care of. I truly felt immersed in Uganda’s beauty without any stress. If you're planning a trip to Uganda, I highly recommend Ababa Uganda Safaris for a seamless and memorable adventure!
  
 
        
   Madhvi 
 
 
 
 Verified .gorilla trek
Our KQ flight was horribly delayed. From 2.30 pm to arriving @ almost 3 am the following day. Jonathan kindly arranged for airport pick at this early hour of day and even rescheduled our departure for bwindi so we could get some rest. That was very accommodating.the drive to bwindi was a long drive -11 hrs- n he informed hotel of our late arrival. The lodge he chose for us was good and comfortable. However the vehicle for transporti g us could be better as it was quite hot without air conditioning. Gorilla trek was good but tough. Overall Ababa safaris were very accommodating. I wouldrecommend them. The hotel in Kampala- Speke hotel leaves a lot to be desired
  
 
        
   mo-marvin 
 
 
 
 Verified Such a wonderful experience!!
My family and I contacted Jonathan to help us plan our first Murchison Falls safari. Jonathan arranged our transport from Kampala, with a stop at Ziwa Rhino sanctuary and guided game drives through Murchison falls. Ronnie, our professional driver and guide, was very knowledgeable and paid close attention to details to make us comfortable. He met with us a day before takeoff to answer any outstanding questions and recommended a time for us to set off to avoid any traffic. His experience made our trip even more enjoyable because we knew what to expect for entry fees into the park, where to stop to use clean washrooms, eat good food, and also what side of the boat cruise to sit on for the best views! We saw lions, elephants, giraffes, job, rhinos, buffaloes and many other animals. We would definitely go with them for our next safari in Uganda! They had great communication, value for money, professionalism, knowledge of the industry and were very reliable.
  
 
        
   Katelyn O 
 
 
 
 Verified A must-hire company! Punctual, professional, great communication.
We used Ababa Safaris for a trip from Kampala to Murchison Falls National Park. I would HIGHLY recommend! Our driver picked us up in a large safari vehicle with a pop up roof. The driver was very punctual and had excellent communication while preparing for the trip and during the trip. Ronnie took us to a nice restaurant for a rest stop that had clean bathrooms and good food. He was friendly with many people we met along the way at the Rhino Sanctuary, on the safari trails, and at our chosen lodging. It felt as though he had good connections with people, which we took as a good sign. Ronnie was very knowledgeable about the best places to see the animals and gave us a great safari experience. As the person in the family who does much of the planning, it was a very enjoyable experience to hand all of that over to Ababa and really get to enjoy myself.
  
 
        
   Hoehlenhonk 
 
 
 
 Verified Animals and beautiful nature in Uganda and Rwanda
From being picked-up from Entebbe airport in the middle of the night until the drop-off eleven days later in Kigali it was a perfect tour. Jonathan, our guide, and the driver Moses was a perfect team - very friendly, knowledgable and always in time. We visited Entebbe for a tour through the botanical gardens and the zoo, did safaris and boat trips in Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth NP and did trekkings to the chimpazees in Kibale and to the mountain gorillas in Rwanda. The primates are a must visit when you travel to this region. It's expensive but worth every dollar. The safari parks are of course not as rich in animals as for example the Masai Mara. But they are much cheaper, there are much lesser tourists and nevertheless it doesn't become boring regarding animal sightings. We saw a lot of different antelopes, beautiful giraffes, lions, many elephants, buffalos, a lot of hippos and crocodiles and much more. The choice of hotels was very good, simple and cheap where there was only a short overnight stay and a bit more expensive where it was worth to spend the money for staying close to the places of interest, e.g. close to the starting point for primate trekkings or in the middle of QENP and Murchison NP for not loosing game-drive-time.
  
 
        
   Dilip P 
 
 
 
 Verified UGANDA SAFARI WITH ABABA
We had a nice holiday with ABABA SAFARI in Uganda it was a nice experience in Uganda and the travel agent as well especially Jonathan was our tour guide very nice person he was always very helpful and kind. we traveled about 1200km but had no problem I am a vegetarian and wherever we go he always arranges something for me i recommend them at and competitive price I give them a 5-star

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Experience The Retreat by Heaven Kigali

From an elegant city stay to the beginning of a Rwanda gorilla trekking or wildlife journey, make The Retreat part of a carefully designed African luxury itinerary.

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