Karongi, Rwanda — Hotel Château Le Marara has been allowed to reopen after the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) granted it a temporary operating license. The announcement was made on December 26, 2025, after inspections showed the hotel now meets all required standards. Hotel Château Le Marara in Karongi district. The hotel is located in Bwishyura Sector, Karongi District, along the shores of Lake Kivu. It is known for hosting leisure guests and events. With the new license, the hotel can officially receive customers again after being closed for nearly five months. RDB said the decision fol

Karongi, Rwanda — Hotel Château Le Marara has been allowed to reopen after the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) granted it a temporary operating license. The announcement was made on December 26, 2025, after inspections showed the hotel now meets all required standards.

Hotel Château Le Marara in Karongi district.

The hotel is located in Bwishyura Sector, Karongi District, along the shores of Lake Kivu. It is known for hosting leisure guests and events. With the new license, the hotel can officially receive customers again after being closed for nearly five months. RDB said the decision followed a thorough inspection carried out by different government authorities. The inspection confirmed that the hotel has corrected previous problems and is now operating according to Rwanda’s tourism laws and regulations. Hotel Château Le Marara was closed in July 2025 after it was found operating without a valid tourism license. The closure came after public complaints linked to a high-profile wedding event held at the hotel, which raised concerns about service quality and preparedness.

Since the closure, the hotel management has taken steps to improve operations. These include better management systems, improved safety measures, and upgraded facilities such as power backup and customer service systems. RDB said these improvements played a key role in granting the temporary license. The provisional license is valid until March 31, 2026. During this period, the hotel is expected to continue meeting all requirements as it prepares to apply for a full operating license. Local leaders and tourism stakeholders have welcomed the reopening, saying the hotel is important for tourism development in Karongi District. The hotel’s return is expected to support local businesses, create jobs, and attract more visitors to the Lake Kivu region.

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