Scenic like the Rwandan mountain its named after, with pristine catering services
Mountain Karisimbi is the tallest and biggest in Rwanda and to most, it is a symbol of extensive growth and gracious vividness.
So when Alex Vuningoma walked out from his JOB
after 22 years of experience in Rwanda’s hospitality industry, the choice of the name was not the usual challenging process of deciding something relevant; it was easy and once decided, the name became even more appealing for the vision he had in his mind.
This is the story that led to the birth of the Karisimbi hospitality brand in Rwanda, back in the year 2000, which became physically manifest in March 2001 as Karisimbi Restaurant and Bar.
Vuningoma explains that mostly, Karisimbi was born of the belief he had in the new Rwanda; a country that offered all reasons to be hopeful and gave ground for ambition.
“Considering the political changes that were happening in the country at that time, I was convinced that Rwanda had a future, and I wanted to take the OPPORTUNITY and offer something splendid to the Rwandan people and guests; especially spectacular and distinct services; distinction that is synonymous of Mountain Karisimbi and Rwanda.”
So the journey of the Karisimbi hospitality brand began in rented space in Kiyovu, one of the most tranquil neighborhoods in central Kigali. And this tranquility has of sorts become another feature of the brand.
After the first Karisimbi Restaurant opened doors in 2001, many other branches were opened to reach more people with the distinguished services, and in later years; the once rented place was bought, and development to bring forth the first Hotel of the Karisimbi brand was hatched.
This was fulfilled in 2014 giving rise to the beautiful and elegant facility, Karisimbi Hotel in Kigali City.
Unequalled outside catering services
On the mention of Karisimbi in Rwanda’s hospitality industry, many will quickly ASSOCIATE it with outside catering as one of the pioneer providers of such services.
Today, Karisimbi Hotels has the capacity to take on outside catering JOBS serving about two thousand people a day, has been tested on some of the biggest gatherings in Rwanda and proven to be competent.
“Our pride is not the profile of the events we serve in but the satisfaction of the guests. Big or small, the target is always the same; offer unequalled catering services,” Vuningoma shared.
More ahead
With the new Karisimbi hotel now standing like a giant mimic of Mountain Karismbi, Vuningoma says the achievement is just a beginning of a longer journey to provide more hospitality facilities.
Currently he and his team have their heads wrapped around a leisure and recreation facility in Burera district on the shores of Lake Burera.
The facility as conceived will be a place to offer to everyone; children, women and men alike, a place to spend a weekend but not be able to taste every facility on offer.
Also, the Karisimbi team is looking to create a sand beach at the envisioned facility in this scenic part of Rwanda, with mountains constituting the skyline from every direction.
Clearly the Karisimbi story is still in writing with more chapters ahead. But the foundation is already built; the destination and a clear action plan to get there are also well known.
