Rutete Eco-Lodge

This project is the fruit of a little girl’s imagination and a beautiful friendship that has lasted over thirty years. It’s the story of two lifelong friends who, in their fifties, chose to embark on an adventure shaped by their values and inspired by their dreams.

Julie was born in the small village of Rwinkwavu, in eastern Rwanda. Olivier grew up in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Both of mixed heritage, passionate about Africa, and deeply convinced of the continent’s untapped potential, they set out to build something rooted in the exchange of knowledge and ideas. Though their life journeys were different, they converged with a shared ambition: to celebrate the magnetic beauty of Africa while working toward a more balanced and just world. Julie’s father came to Rwinkwavu in the 1930s to build and manage a cassiterite mine. At the height of his career, Rwinkwavu was a thriving mining hub, buzzing with activity and opportunity. But after his passing, the mine collapsed, and the village gradually lost its economic vitality.

Years later, Julie returned to Rwinkwavu. Her homecoming was bittersweet. Though it felt comforting to reconnect with a place she held close to her heart, the sight of her childhood home—neglected and crumbling—was heartbreaking. During a long conversation about the world and its chaos, she shared the memory of her abandoned family home with Olivier. It was in that moment that the seed of an idea was planted: to transform the ruin into an eco-lodge—a space for renewal, connection, and purpose.

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