About Us

Sabyinyo Community Livelihood Association (SACOLA), is a community based non-profit located in Kinigi, Musanze District, Rwanda. We are determined to conserve the local environment, strengthen the community, protect cultural traditions, and develop sustainable infrastructure, for the improved livelihood of the local people.

SACOLA was formed in 2004 by communities living in the Volcanoes National Park area of Northern Rwanda. The association is primarily geared for the conservation and support of the Volcanoes National Park and surrounding population. We aim to initiate development activities for improving their livelihoods, while limiting the threats to the Volcanoes National Park, our special Mountain Gorilla population in particular.

SACOLA Association, through its community projects and partnerships, has been able to help improve the day-to-day livelihood for the communities neighbouring the Volcanoes National Park, especially through revenue collection from its projects.

Vision

Improve the community living standards and sustainable natural resources management within the Virunga zone. To also help transform the livelihoods from a poor class to a progressive sustainable income earning community. 

Community Benefits and Products Accruing from SACOLA:

  1. Higher end Eco-lodge (Wilderness Sabyinyo) that has at least 16 beds to accommodate tourists.

  2. The Sacola community walk, nature walk, and cultural centre; an initiative which offers a wide range of things for sustainable development of tourism, including ecology, heritage, culture and ways of life of the community members in Kinigi, and Nyange sectors.

  3. Increase community tourism and infrastructure in the sectors of Nyange and Kinigi.

 

Partners

WILDERNESS-SABYINYO

Wilderness-Sabyinyo is Rwanda’s first ever community owned lodge. The lodge was built by Governors’ Camp and is now operated by Wilderness, but the ownership rests with a Community Trust, SACOLA, which uses rentals and community fees from the lodge to drive socio-economic and conservation initiatives in the communities adjacent to the National Park.

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African Wildlife Foundation

African Wildlife Foundation's mission is to ensure wildlife and wild lands thrive in modern Africa. African Wildlife Foundation is devoted entirely to, and ever-present in, African wildlife conservation and sustainable development—recognising and responding to critical threats in a multifaceted way.

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United Nations Development Programme

The UNDP work for world development. Are you passionate about world development and want to make a difference? UNDP works in more than 170 countries and territories, helping to achieve the eradication of poverty and the reduction of inequalities and exclusion.

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I.G.C.P.

The International Gorilla Conservation Programme is a unique coalition of international conservation organisations joining forces with national and local partners to ensure the long-term survival of the now critically-endangered mountain gorillas.

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Rwanda Development Board

The Rwanda Development Board was set up by bringing together all the government agencies responsible for the entire investor experience under one roof. This includes key agencies responsible for business registration, investment promotion, environmental clearances, privatisation and specialist agencies which support the priority sectors of ICT and tourism as well as SMEs and human capacity development in the private sector.

 
 

In partnership with Wilderness, Sacola is dedicated to improving residents' quality of life and will continue collaborating with Musanze District to elevate living standards from poverty to prosperity. Through good governance, we've provided and will continue to provide essential resources such as water and livestock while building crucial public infrastructure, including schools, bridges and houses , in various villages and sectors. We extend our gratitude to President Kagame for his unwavering support, and to the Musanze District for their invaluable partnership.