volcanoes safaris, rwanda & uganda
Volcanoes Safaris is one of the world’s leading luxury lodge companies and is recognised as the leader in ‘great ape’ tourism, with four luxury lodges, in the most stunning locations across Uganda & Rwanda. Each lodge has its own distinctive style, constructed using locally-sourced materials and relevant to local vernacular and resources.
In 2017 the Volcanoes Safaris board launched a strategic programme to re-imagine all aspects of the lodges: design, style of the lodge, guest experience, food and service, safari activities and guest participation in community and conservation projects.
In 2018, Stuart Forbes Associates (SFA) was appointed as consultant architects and designers to undertake this comprehensive project, with a specific brief to maintain the understated, timeless, distinctive style of Volcanoes lodges in a subtle way without losing its essential character.
In close consultation with the company owner, the practice has sought to develop the lodges in a style, which is sensitive to local culture and aesthetics, connect to the local community and conservation projects and seek to use resources responsibly. The environmental impact of the lodges has been deliberately minimised by using solar power whenever possible, plus harvesting rainwater and recycling water and wastewater.
The interiors of the lodges and guest accommodation reflect the vibrant colours and textures of local fabrics and local artifacts reflect the warmth and exuberance of the cultures at the heart of Africa.
“‘I have thoroughly enjoyed working with Stuart and the team at SFA, over the past year.
Stuart’s experience and exceptional design flair coupled with his inherent construction knowledge and problem-solving capabilities has been of enormous value.
His enthusiastic and hands on approach to tackling the specific nature of the design issues we face at our beautiful collection of lodges has been fantastic and I hope to work again with him in the future.’”