“This marks a significant milestone in Sabyinyo’s ongoing reforestation efforts, underscoring our commitment to community-led conservation tourism”, noted Eric Dushime, Wilderness Sabyinyo General Manager. The reforestation initiative involves carefully selecting indigenous species that will help restore ecological balance across the area’s ecosystem; playing a critical role in enriching soil health, improving water retention, and increasing habitat diversity for local wildlife.
Launched three-and-a-half years ago, the project aligns with Wilderness’ Impact Strategy, and has become a cornerstone of the lodge’s identity; also creating meaningful employment opportunities for surrounding community members. Each new tree planted, whether by guests, staff, or community partners, represents a tangible step towards returning the area to its natural state – one where indigenous flora thrives once again, alongside the remarkable wildlife that depends on it.
Recent observations across the Wilderness Sabyinyo property point to a steady increase in the presence of indigenous wildlife. Security teams have recorded Cape buffalos grazing on-site at night, and guests have reported signs of their activity along lodge pathways. Sightings of bushbucks (Impongo) and jackals are more frequent, when compared to earlier months, while the movements of playful golden monkeys continue in the forest canopy above the lodge.
Fidel Niyonzima, Wilderness Sabyinyo Head Farmer and Reforestation Lead, notes that duiker and bushbucks occasionally nibble on newly-planted trees. Though this might seem like a setback, he emphasises that such behaviour is typical of a recovering ecosystem – evidence that wildlife is flourishing and that the landscape is naturally adjusting as it regenerates.
Sabyinyo is operated by Wilderness, but owned by the SACOLA community trust – after the land was purchased and the lodge constructed with funds jointly donated by the African Wildlife Foundation, the International Gorilla Conservation Programme, and the Rwandan Development Board. The lodge pays lease fees and guest community development levies to the trust. In turn, the income is used to facilitate community development and conservation initiatives in the Kinigi area, adjacent to Volcanoes National Park in north-western Rwanda.
This unique revenue-sharing model ensures the community directly benefits from conservation tourism, a mutually-beneficial approach that, in January 2026, earned the Wilderness Sabyinyo and SACOLA collaboration the honour of being named as a Finalist in the OutThere Experientialist Awards 2026, under the category ‘Most OutThere initiative in community, conservation and sustainability’.
Looking ahead, SACOLA’s vision is to build on this success through several new sustainability projects. These include establishing greenhouses to strengthen local food security, expanding solar-power and clean-water systems, and launching a community culinary project to showcase Rwandan culture and cuisine to visitors. Additional upcoming initiatives include donating 2,000 iron sheets to vulnerable families, distributing hens to more than 500 families to enhance household nutrition, developing a fruit-tree nursery, and creating a community tourist parking area to generate extra revenue.
“We are proud of our collective efforts to date which stand as a testament to the impact that can be achieved when community and conservation grow together. Wilderness and SACOLA are committed to ensure that every aspect of tourism at Sabyinyo continues to protect the environment, empower people, and secure a sustainable legacy for generations to come”, Eric concluded.
For images of Wilderness Sabyinyo, please click here.
