Bicaca Lakefront, a newly completed hotel in Bicaca Cell, Karenge Sector, provides visitors with accommodation, recreation and scenic views of the lake in a peaceful environment far from the noise of the city.

The hotel is located on the Rwamagana side of Lake Mugesera and is currently the only hotel in the area built directly along the lake.

Visitors travelling from Kigali pass through Rugende and take a 28-kilometre road towards Muyumbu and Nyakariro before reaching Karenge Sector. From there, road signs guide them to the lakefront facility.

A hotel built around nature

The first thing visitors notice when they arrive at Bicaca Lakefront is the natural environment surrounding the property.

Birds can be heard singing around the hotel, while trees, coffee plantations and greenery add to the beauty of the landscape.

The hotel has eight rooms, including a family unit, as well as an outdoor swimming pool overlooking Lake Mugesera.

Guests can also enjoy recreational activities such as billiards and table tennis. A short distance below the main hotel is a tented area where visitors can sit and enjoy views of the lake.

About 50 metres from the hotel, a green garden leads to another structure built over the water. The area provides an additional space for visitors to relax while watching the waters of Lake Mugesera.

The hotel also has facilities for water activities, adding another option for guests who want to explore the lake.

How a retired doctor turned his love for Mugesera into a hotel

The project was developed by Dr. Etienne Karita, a retired medical doctor who decided to venture into hospitality after developing an interest in the area.

Karita told IGIHE that his journey began in late 2018 when he visited someone in Karenge. During the visit, he took time to explore Lake Mugesera and was impressed by its natural beauty.

The experience encouraged him to look for land in the area. He eventually acquired 2.2 hectares and began planning a project that would combine agriculture and tourism.

“We started construction in 2023 and completed the work in 2025. The hotel itself occupies more than one hectare and has a main building with a bar, restaurant and games area, including billiards and table tennis,” Karita said.

The accommodation facilities are divided into four sections, each containing two large rooms. One of the sections was designed specifically for families and includes two bedrooms, a kitchen and a living room.

Karita said the hotel's main advantage is the view.

“All the rooms face Lake Mugesera, meaning guests can lie in bed and look directly at the lake,” he said.

He added that the natural breeze from the lake and the quiet surroundings make the hotel suitable for visitors seeking relaxation.

Powered by the sun and supplied by its own farm

Bicaca Lakefront has also incorporated environmentally friendly practices into its operations.

The hotel relies entirely on solar energy for electricity, including lighting and refrigeration.

Karita said the hotel is also working to produce much of the food served to its guests.

“We use solar energy for 100 percent of our electricity. Another thing that makes us different is that much of the food we serve comes from our own farm,” he said.

The property produces vegetables, bananas and avocados, among other agricultural products.

Karita said the hotel is still in its early stages and is gradually expanding its services while training employees and improving the experience offered to guests.

Despite being newly opened, the hotel has already attracted Rwandan and international visitors.

According to Karita, some guests have returned after their first visit because of the quiet environment.

However, the hotel still faces challenges, particularly the condition of the road leading to the property and unreliable access to water.

Karita said he was surprised that Lake Mugesera has not attracted more investment in hospitality, considering its natural beauty and relatively safe environment.

He hopes the development of Bicaca Lakefront will contribute to putting the area on the tourism map.

The hotel currently employs 10 permanent workers, while efforts are underway to obtain additional permits and expand its services.

Karita said his long-term goal is to establish a facility where every visitor leaves satisfied, relaxed and willing to return.

Rwanda's expanding hospitality industry

The development of Bicaca Lakefront comes at a time when Rwanda's tourism and hospitality sector continues to expand.

The country now has 27,938 hotel rooms, compared with 16,158 five years ago. The rooms are distributed across 1,667 hotels offering accommodation services in different parts of the country.

Rwanda has nine five-star hotels, 22 four-star hotels and 66 three-star hotels.

The growth of the hospitality sector has been supported by rising tourism activity and increasing investment in accommodation facilities.

In 2025, Rwanda generated $685 million in tourism revenue, up from $647 million in 2024, representing a 6 percent increase.

The country received 1.49 million visitors in 2025, an increase of 9 percent compared with the previous year. Volcanoes National Park, known for its mountain gorillas, remains among the country's major tourism attractions alongside other national parks.

Revenue from meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions also increased to $94.7 million in 2025 from $84.8 million in 2024, representing an 11 percent rise.

Rwanda hosted 165 regional, continental and international events during the year, bringing visitors who stayed in hotels across the country.

Under the second phase of the National Strategy for Transformation, Rwanda expects tourism revenues to reach $1.1 billion by 2029.

As the country works towards that target, new destinations such as Bicaca Lakefront are helping diversify Rwanda's hospitality offering by opening up lesser-known areas and bringing visitors closer to the country's natural landscapes.