Under the direction of Cape-town based chef Liam Tomlin, and Executive Chef, Andrew Nicholson, Singita reconceptualized their approach to food—uniting all 15 properties thematically by kitchen. Part of the genesis of that decision was rooted in creating the Singita Community Culinary School– a mentorship and training program based at Singita Lebombo Lodge for members of the community with the long-term goal of ushering in a new generation of head chefs. Do you envision this project expanding into Rwanda?

Luke: We also have a community culinary school in Singita Grumeti. Another school in Rwanda is a possibility in the future, and we are already thinking about this.

The volcanic soil around Volcanoes National Park is exceptionally rich and fertile, so the quality of fruit and vegetables available has exceeded our expectations. There is a huge emphasis on food at Singita Kwitonda Lodge and Kataza House, as with other Singita lodges. The design of the kitchen overlooks the restaurant and guests can see in and interact with chefs and kitchen staff. Liam and our entire team have been excited to present Rwandan-inspired food to our guests in our farm-to-table approach.

Featuring largely vegetable-based dishes and local Rwandan favourites, the on-site herb and fruit garden supplies the lodge kitchens with an array of fresh ingredients. Other highlights of the food journey include tailor-made trekking lunchboxes, flexible mealtimes and a signature “bar-deli” which offers fresh fruit and small snacks, enabling guests to help themselves throughout the day.

Many large-scale conservation efforts can be at odds with local communities and ultimately lead to their displacement. How do you respond to that and/or try to mitigate it?

Luke: Conservation efforts are not at odds with communities.

At Singita, our 100-year purpose is to preserve and protect large areas of African wilderness for future generations. It follows that conserving the continent’s precious biodiversity is our primary reason for being and is an area in which we invest significant resources. However, we recognize that wilderness and wildlife will not exist for long unless the people living near them derive benefits from their existence. We therefore support the wellbeing of our neighbouring communities directly through local employment, and indirectly through our Community Partnerships Programme, where we invest enterprise development. At the same time, we use our tourism business to support our conservation mission, we strive to minimize negative impact on these landscapes, as well as the broader environment. Our conservation model therefore incorporates the three pillars of Biodiversity, Community and Sustainability.

Sustainability – operating in an environmentally conscious way at every level of the business – is a key component of Singita’s conservation success, alongside maintaining the integrity of its reserves and their ecosystems and working with local communities to ensure that they thrive because of the lodges.

The Singita model is based on an interrelated relationship between sustainability, conservation and community. We have identified three areas of focus in Rwanda

1. Early Childhood Development (ECD) where there is a great need
2. Small and medium enterprise development
3. Environmental Education / Reforestation of the park. We plan to expand our land to 230 acres and continue reforestation, which will ultimately lead to a larger habitat for the endangered mountain gorilla and other wildlife.

Are there any other sustainable, viable businesses – or grass-roots projects for that matter – that really interest you in Africa?

Luke: See above for our focus areas of grass-root projects.

Singita has been on a steep learning curve for the past 26 years and we’ve narrowed our focus on the above three areas for communities. This is mostly due to Africa’s rapidly growing population – from 1.3 billion to 4.4 billion by the end of the century – which puts untold pressure on pristine wild areas. This is of grave concern to me.

Also, I believe it is crucial for people to adopt more sustainable living practices. This is another principle that runs deep within the Singita brand, and all lodges and offices follow the One Planet Living sustainability framework (a set of 10 principles that guide our decision making).

Because we are a travel company chasing a love of new things and knowledge we must ask: Where was the last place you visited that really tossed your hair back and reminded you of the power and importance of travel?

Luke: Seychelles has always intrigued me. Due to the importance of tourism on the economy, they’ve been careful to stick to the responsible tourism model, limiting tourist numbers. The ecology and environment take precedence. Their management of the outer islands is a great example of this.

And, finally, when can we get you and your family on a biking trip with Butterfield & Robinson?

Luke: This is high on my list to do. Ever since I spoke to a past client of yours, who could not stop raving about it. I would love to do this in Italy/France/Scandinavia.