In Kirehe’s rolling hills and scenic valleys, travelers often find a place to rest and immerse themselves in the district’s warm hospitality. One such place is Five Paradise Hotel, which has quickly become a favorite for visitors seeking both comfort and a genuine taste of local life.
Whether visiting region for business or leisure, Five Paradise Hotel offers a restful retreat. Located in the heart of Kirehe, the motel provides easy access to the district’s rivers, wetlands, nearby lakes, and the eastern edge of Akagera National Park.
Many guests say that staying at Five Paradise Hotel feels less like checking into an accommodation and more like being welcomed into a local family.
The motel offers furnished standard rooms, family rooms, and private single rooms, alongside a restaurant and bar. Its friendly service and calm setting make it a standout choice in the area. Designed with an eco-friendly approach, Five Paradise Hotel combines modern comfort with personalized service, setting it apart from other accommodations in Kirehe.
Guests enjoy modern amenities including free internet, ample parking, on-site dining, and garden views, all while remaining close to nature and surrounding communities.
Five Paradise Hotel, established by Philemon Bizimungu, a businessman entrepreneur and resident of Kirehe, founded the motel with a vision to create space where guests could experience both comfort and authentic local hospitality.
Born in Kirehe District, Bizimungu began his working life assisting a local clothes shop owner but knowledge of the trade inspired him to start his own becoming self-employed.
His turning point came in 2004, equipped with Rwf 8,000 in savings from his first job, Bizimungu joined other traders on a trip to Kigali to see clothes supply outlets. He purchased his first stock, went back to Kirehe and after reselling the goods, made a goof first profit.
The profit rejuvenated his dreams, “I went home, my family sold the harvests and together with relatives topped up my capital to Rwf 30,000,” he says with a smile.
At the same time, Kirehe District itself was changing. Farmers were increasingly embracing rice and soya production in the wetlands, while goods still flowed in from neighboring Tanzania and Burundi.
Bizimungu says the real shift came during the rice boom. As farmers in Kirehe began harvesting in large quantities, he entered the rice trade, buying directly from growers. At the time, the district had no milling machines and he would transport and sell in Kigali.”
A steady routine followed: transporting rice to Kigali and returning to Kirehe with bales of clothes to sell locally.
As his business grew, Bizimungu familiarized himself with banking services at Bank Populaire, where he secured a loan of Rwf 3 million. He purchased a small truck to transport goods to districts such as Rwamagana and, as operations expanded, upgraded to a larger Fuso truck.
The profits enabled him to buy land in the center of Kirehe. Using the Fuso to transport sand and bricks, he laid the foundations for what would later become Five Paradise Hotel.
The district has transformed dramatically, he observes that through improved infrastructure, a more vibrant business environment, and Kirehe’s strategic position as a border district with Tanzania, offers added economic opportunities.
Bizimungu cites President Paul Kagame as his greatest inspiration, pointing to leadership and security as key factors that enabled entrepreneurs like him to grow. He recalls making two trips to Kigali in a single day, transporting goods back and forth at a time when his home village had no electricity or telephone services.
“Good governance made it possible,” he says. “You could travel safely and do business.”
He also praises district authorities for listening to residents’ needs and creating an environment where enterprise can thrive.
Today, Bizimungu advises young entrepreneurs to start small and grow steadily. At times, he supports vulnerable residents by contributing to their community health insurance, emphasizing that no one should be left behind.
“If we grow together,” he says, “the whole district moves forward.”
