COMMUNITY-OWNED LODGE REACHES MAJOR CONSERVATION LANDMARK WITH 50,000 TREES PLANTED

Wilderness Sabyinyo, Rwanda’s first community-owned lodge, successfully planted nearly 17,000 indigenous trees and shrubs. This latest push brings their total reforestation count to a staggering 50,000 trees, marking a major win for both the environment and the local community.

Working hand-in-hand with the Sabyinyo Community Livelihood Association (SACOLA), the project is more than just a numbers game. It’s a calculated effort to restore the ecological heartbeat of the region. By reintroducing native species, the initiative is actively repairing soil health, boosting water retention, and creating a more diverse “neighbourhood” for the local wildlife. As General Manager Eric Dushime puts it, this milestone is a testament to the power of community-led conservation tourism.

What started three-and-a-half years ago as a pillar of the Wilderness Impact Strategy has now become a defining feature of the Sabyinyo experience. Beyond the environmental perks, the project has been a steady source of meaningful employment for people living nearby.

Whether it’s a staff member tending to a sapling or a guest getting their hands dirty to plant a piece of the future, every tree is a step toward returning this iconic landscape to its original, wild state.