Serene and quiet environment, friendly staff and good dishes distinguish Centre Diocésain de Pastorale Incuti from other hotels in Rusizi district. The multilingual staff uses French, English and Swahili, a factor that relieved their esteemed clients of language barrier and many foreign guests find the hotel a home away from home.
One of a few hotels with a Chapel in the country and started by the Catholic Diocese of Cyangugu, Centre Diocésain de Pastorale Incuti is located in Cyangugu cell, Kamembe Sector in Rusizi. Its location at the shores of Lake Kivu is of paramount importance to its development since it allows guests to access spectacular views of the lake and the eastern part of neigbouring DRC.
Aside from the waters of Lake Kivu, its location is endowed with a variety of evergreen vegetation ranging from rain tropical forest tree species to swampy vegetation along the lake.
Amenities
This hotel boasts of modern accommodation facilities with standardized beds and beddings. The hotel premises also host a spotless garden where beautiful ornamental trees and flowers are flourishing.
Father Benjamin Bapfakurera, the Managing Director of the hotel, therefore, invites visitors that are in need of relaxation and refreshment to take advantage of the serene climate available.
A visitor receives all services including delicious dishes at affordable prices and guests at this hotel that is famous for going an extra mile in all its services are encouraged by the management to feel free whenever they visit. Whey they sit outside they are greeted by the cool breezes emanating from the lake, and if the coldness is beyond a client’s expectation hot showers are readily available in all rooms.
Sea food lovers should note that no guest will miss fresh tilapia at the hotel. The free fast internet (WI-FI) will make a guest’s stay more comfortable as they will be able to connect to the globe while they at the hotel.
The hotel boasts of a spacious, secure and free parking so clients are free to come with private vehicles.
Apart from the availability of public transport, Centre Diocésain de Pastorale Incuti is located in close proximity to highly demanded facilities by travelers and tourists. For instance, Rusizi Airport is located at about 2km almost 15 minutes away for guests riding in a car while the Bus Park is located 3km away.
Clientele
According to Fr. Bapfakurera, who is also a serving Priest in the Diocese of Cyangugu, the hotel receives tourists from all walks of life including holiday makers from Rwanda and overseas.
In addition, it hosts both local and regional meetings. The Father notes that the location of the hotel makes it more convenient to organisers of meetings by countries in the Great Lakes region like DRC, Rwanda and Burundi. “The well furnished conference rooms with a modern sound speaker and projectors have the capacity of between 120 and 130,” revealed Fr. Bapfakurera.
Esteemed clients can book electronically through email and the hotel website. Equally, they can book by calling the hotel reception.
Historic background
“Since its inception in 2012, the hotel has been expanding from a small guest house for about 10 guests to 80 guests as we speak,” says the Father during an exclusive interview with Rwanda Dispatch Magazine.
The Father noted that the Diocese never had the plan of starting the hotel at the beginning. The idea of upgrading the small centre where mainly clerics would be accommodated to a hotel was a direct response to the huge demand for accommodation and restaurant services in the area.
They did not have sufficient starting capital and hence decided to construct the hotel in phases. He expressed gratification that the hotel was providing jobs to people from different social classes, especially during the expansion projects like construction.
He said that they enjoy a collaborative partnership with the authorities of Rusizi district and the hotel usually gives a priority to the local people whenever there is a recruitment exercise of workers.
Apart from the limited capital that affected the hotel particularly at the beginning, low business seasons also affect the hotel as the number of clients significantly goes down.
Secondly, the perennial insecurity in the DRC has reduced the number of clients from the conflict-ravaged country.
He notably said that they work harder every day to take the hotel from a 3-STAR to the next level.
