Call for Expressions of Interest and Pre-qualification Information:

Development of 5-star, net zero carbon eco-tourism lodge in Nyungwe

National Park, Rwanda

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Nyungwe National Park is East Africa's best kept Albertine Rift rainforest secret - offering a unique and diverse tourism experience within more than 1000 km2 area. Nyungwe has a plethora of beautiful walking trails under the rainforest canopy with snapshot viewpoints giving a sense of place and nature. Nyungwe is the largest rain forest park in Rwanda and an ideal complement to Rwanda's international tourism circuit, including Volcanoes and Akagera National Parks and various cultural heritage and historical sites. In October 2020, Nyungwe Management Company (NMC) was formed by African Parks (a conservation led NGO) to undertake the rehabilitation and management of Nyungwe National Park for 20 years under the mandate of Rwanda Development Board (RDB) the entity responsible for conservation areas in Rwanda. NMC's objective is the ecological, social and financial sustainability of the park, underpinned by carefully managed eco-tourism. With NMC's effective management and RDB's support, there has been rapid growth in tourism numbers by over 20% from 2021 to date. Nyungwe with its 13 different primates' species, in excess of 322 bird species of which 29 being Albertine Rift endemics, its pristine ecosystem with cathedral trees and picturesque waterfalls, is very different yet complimentary to the typical savannah. It is one of the newest and most exciting high-end conservation tourism destinations in East Africa.

NMC is undertaking a tender process for the development and operation of a 5-star net zero carbon level eco-tourism lodge in Nyungwe National Park within the designated concession areas (areas to be shared upon formal request by interested party).

Key Project Terms: (to be finalized after the Site Visit with Short-listed bidders)

1. Build, Finance, Operate, maintain, manage and transfer an off-grid net zero carbon eco-lodge for a contractual period.

2. Concession agreement for 15-20 years. Non-transferable without prior agreement with the management authority of the park be it NMC or RDB

3. High-end, 5-star, off-grid, net zero carbon eco-tourism lodge that blends with the environment and adopts environmentally friendly systems in operation whilst retaining the sense of place

4. Indicative lodge size: 16-24 beds.

5. Concession Fee and Park Entrance Fees (Premium/per calendar day) payable to NMC.

6. One of two different possible lodge locations/sites to choose from (location to be shared upon formal request) 7. Exclusive Use Area for lodge site and environs within radius of 250 metres

Information required from Interested Party: (max 10 pages)

Interested parties are requested to provide summary information on the bidding concessionaire (incl. any JV partners); management company (if different); relevant tourism brand/s; existing operations; marketing capabilities or partnerships; corporate structure; key individuals. The bidding concessionaire should meet the following pre- qualification criteria by providing proof of:

1. Size of existing tourism business located in or around conservation areas: minimum of 100 existing beds; an annual turnover of greater than US$10m; a capital base of greater than US$5m

2. Having operated at least Five high-end eco lodges for minimum 5 years, minimum two lodges in East Africa, in or adjacent to protected areas and ideally with experience in rainforest eco-systems

3. Experience in development and management of a greenfield tourism lodge in a conservation area, and successful marketing of an emerging high-end conservation tourism destination

4. Experience in managing value-added, high-end conservation tourism activities (e.g. walking and guiding, bird- watching, hides and viewing platforms etc.)

5. International marketing capabilities or relationships to deliver high occupancies in East Africa.

6. Commitment to the upliftment of local communities and environmentally sensitive best practice

7. Corporate Social Responsibility, managing staff and capacity building experience to empower the local community,

8. Minimum of one business membership with recognized tour operators or tourism association

9. Experience in managing water, sewage and other utilities with an ecofriendly approach

Please submit Expressions of Interest and Pre-Qualification Information by email: protaisn@africanparks.org by 10:00 am, 6th October 2023. The email subject must be: "EOI HIGH END LODGE - NYUNGWE".

Outline and Time-line of Tender process:

• Call for Expressions of Interest and Pre-qualification Information, closure 10:00am, 29th September 2023 Formal location sites visit 18th-22nd September 2023 (Please contact park manager two weeks in advance to confirm visit via protaisn@africanparks.org)
• Interested parties are welcome to visit Nyungwe National Park as normal tourists at any stage

Short-listed bidders selected 30th November, 2023

Request for Proposals (RFP) issued by NMC and proposals submitted by bidders 10:00am, 2nd March 2024 Selection of Preferred and Back-up bidders by 1st April, 2024

•  Final negotiation and signing of concession agreement Construction to start by 31st June 2024

Lodge opening (ideally) by May 2025 ready for high season

General Information:

1. There is an unmet and growing demand for a high-end, naturally immersed rain forest experience in Rwanda as a compliment to gorilla-trekking, the savannah safari and the cultural circuit.

2. Rwanda High-end tourism displays moderate seasonality with Jun-Aug + Dec peaks, however increased park visitation year on year has shown that demand is solid throughout the year.

3. Year-round access to the National Park key tourism areas.

4. Concession Agreement to be signed with NMC, in accordance with RDB's Concession Guidelines for Protected Areas in Rwanda.

5. Concession fees will be used to fund park rehabilitation and management, and support local communities, underpinning the 'responsible tourism' premium offered.

6. The potential lodge sites are 2 hours' drive from Kemembe Airport (Rusizi District)

7. Kigali Airport, a growing international business and development organisation hub with good airline connectivity (Amsterdam, Brussels, London, Dubai, Doha, Johannesburg, Nairobi, Addis Ababa, Kilimanjaro)

is approximately 6 hours' drive, however is the hub for helicopter transfers allowing for potential improved travel efficiencies.

8. Lodge site land title to be owned by the park; handover of lodge immovable assets to park at end of period; terminal value mechanism to be determined

9. Operator should be committed to the development of Brand Rwanda as a premier wildlife and leisure tourism destination, and supporting the Rwandan tourism industry through skills development, using Rwandan partners and suppliers, and local community upliftment.

For any queries, please contact:

Jes Gruner, Regional Operations Manager (Rwanda & Malawi); jesg@africanparks.org; +250785832588

Protais Niyigaba

Park Manager, Nyungwe National Park, +250788823116, protaisn@africanparks.org

Disclaimer: This Call for Expressions of Interest does not obligate NMC to short-list any party, nor to explain any decisions in this regard. The terms and time-lines above are indicative and may be changed by NMC. All expenses incurred in the preparation, of this submission, as well as any associated site visits to Nyungwe National Park and the country shall be for the interested party's own account. NMC agree not to disclose any confidential information continued in the submission to third parties unless expressly agreed by the interested party. The decision by the NMC Adjudication Committee is final.