5 Popular Places to Visit in Rwanda

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August 15, 2016

The first worry of thousand Travelers to different parts of the world is Food but Rwanda has nice delicious food designed to suite all tastes of visitors from different corners of the world accompanied by the rich culture, incredible view, beautiful beaches, natural forests, islands, hills, wildlife, chimpanzees, and the mountain Gorillas which make Rwanda possibly the world’s most bucket-listed destination in Africa. Besides the country’s conducive political environment make guests to feel at home and even stay much longer than expected. Is Rwanda your next travel Destination in Africa. Are you still wondering on what to do during your Rwanda Safari ? .Just Visit a few cities with the best countries tourist attractions bellow and you will never regret why you made it to Africa and particularly in Rwanda.

Ruhengeri

Many Travelers to Rwanda make stops in Ruhengeri city a capital of Musanze district containing the largest part of the Volcanoes National Park, and its head office at Kinigi. Five of the eight volcanoes of the Virunga chain Karisimbi, Bisoke, Sabyinyo, Gahinga and Muhabura. Lately people call it Musanze a new name got from the main district.

No visitor can miss out this city if heading to the outstanding Volcanoes National Park one of the best travel destinations in East Africa to track the mountain gorilla. Many Dine and spend nights here since its located close to the Gorilla park headquarters in Kinigi.

However, it’s also more convenient for Gorilla tracking Visitors to be at the park gorilla start point in time compared to those who spend the previous night in Kigali. Not only a start point for Gorilla tracking, golden monkey trek, Dian Fossey visit but the city has other tourist attractions which keep guest busy as they explore the misname district. The huge cave, Lake Burera and Ruhundo, cultural village are one of them.

The Huge Musanze Cave

The cave is a result of two different lava flows which joined to create the Albertine Rift valley and its sited two kilometers from Ruhengeri on the road to Gisenyi though you can also visit it when you coming from Kinigi.

Besides a great place to Visit after gorilla tracking but requires to book a ticket in advance since its hard for a guest to drive all the way past Kinigi to RDB to buy a ticket and park to the cave. The cave price is another problem for many especially those traveling on a tight budget leaving the cave undiscovered though changes in price are expected soon from the management.

Lakes Ruhondo & Burera

These two lakes are always next on the visitor’s itineraries who visit Ruhengeri area for gorilla trekking. Fishing & birding are one of the main activities done by the people living near and around the lakes so visitors benefit from rides on the lake by visiting islands for picnic lunch as well as discovering nature in traditional canoes, breathtaking landscape, wetlands, and birds.etc.

The visit to the lakes are open so you can easily do it yourself adventure here, especially if you have your own transport and are able to arrange fishing trip with the locals to the lake.

Nkotsi Cultural village

This organized village is sited 7km southwest of Musanze full of amazing cultural activities for every one like Bee keeping, village walks, and basket weaving, local beer making & if you a fan of traditional herbs it’s a place to be among others.

Some activities are free of charge and some range between $10-$30.Never mind about where to sleep because it’s a base for the Red Rocks camping and hostel which is through charity organization for local farmers,children,water resources etc.

Gisenyi City

Best spot for honeymoons & beach holidays in Rwanda and also a next adventure destination for many after Gorilla tracking in Volcanoes national park. Gisenyi has several resorts, hotels, sandy beaches on the shores of Lake Kivu plus Rwanda’s largest lake which makes it more famous for water sports.

Drinks in this city never run out of options since no bar, restaurant or hotel can dry up when the supplier is just within the locality. Drinks include Beers (Primus, Mützig, Amstel and Guinness), & Coca-Cola the most branded soft drink in the area.

The city develops every day compared to its neighbors like Goma with a lot to offer to its guests. Be part of the leisure beach activities on Lake Kivu sun bathing, boat ride, fishing, and swimming and never forget to join others for a fantastic local meal at the Napoleon Island.

You can also visit the local community hot spring at Rubona, which cures variety of diseases, boils potatoes like the sempaya hot spring in Uganda which boils eggs. Get details from the locals or your travel expert if you wish to add it on the things you got to do around Gisenyi.

Kigali City Rwanda’s Capital

This is the entrance to Rwanda & the biggest business centre of the country indeed the capital not only by location but also by its appearance in the level of development. Many Rwanda tours and trips start and end in Kigali city since its where the international airport is found. Still the Kigali City Tour offers one a deep view of Kigali’s past and present assuring that one feels the real Africa city adventures at first hand.

The trip starts with a visit to first modern building from which the capital city was first founded (Natural History Museum in honor of Dr. Kant’s work) , through the older commercial business quarters, residential areas, the genocide museum (Kigali genocide memorial centre), the growing markets to explore the Art and crafts of the people of Rwanda ending with the coffee shops, bars and restaurants ranging from Chinese, Italian, North African, East African, Thai and Greek cuisine for a bite or drink. Kigali the friendliest, cleanest and safest city in East Africa has superb night life & attracts many as tourists, volunteers and investors if this is what you have always wanted the door is open for you to join others.

Nyanza the place of Traditional treasures

If you love culture and the people of Rwanda this is the best place for your adventure. Its only here where you can find the great Rwanda kings palace & museum. A lot can be seen and felt about the countries royalty as you view the Royal palace plus all the kingship details of the Rwanda people including the long horned cows of Invambo.

Come to Rwanda and see for yourself than just being told. You can also chose to visit other cities in the country like Kibuye, Changugu, Gitarama, kibeho, Byumba, Kibungo among others. If you are traveling to Rwanda on a small budget for food & adventure, then stay in Rwanda budget lodges/hotels and also eat fair priced food through your stay.

Rwandan Travel and Touring Agencies in Itinerary Galore

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December 12, 2015

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The world over, travel and touring companies are a by-word for reception, guide and information, in the touring industry, needless to say Rwandan touring and travel agencies are not an exception in this mad dash to welcome tourists and arrange the sight seeing desires of the varying tourist.

While neighboring countries have taken to advertising on international televisions, the tourism sector here has taken to investing the meager resources available in the hospitality industry and in the event wooing the throngs of tourists heading to this country.

Rwanda, being the bridge between the eco-systems of the Congo basin and the Great Rift Valley, is home to 324 of the world’s 700 mountain gorillas, those gentle giants with whom we share 97% our DNA, then home to Nyungwe Forest, the largest and most ancient Afro-montane forest remaining in East and Central Africa dating back to the last ice age coupled with the fact that it harbors the world’s largest ever recorded arboreal troop of black and white colobus monkeys, is drawing lots of tourist and in the end augmenting the service sector and those involved in the destination business.

Owing to all the above attractions and much more, the growing service sector in the country especially the touring and travel agencies, are going on to improve their services, tailor making their itineraries along the lines of the above tourist attractions and much more.

A random sampling of packages offered by the numerous tourist agencies revealed varying and interesting itineraries.

These range from eight day packages which include among so many stop overs, visiting the Akagera game park, with full day game drives in the park, visits to the National Museum in Butare, with a stop over in Ibis hotel, then over to Nyungwe National park a trip which includes primates trekking and then a drive to lake Kivu.

There after, the trip continues on to a 2 day gorilla trekking trip in the Parc National Des Volcans, which is also climaxed with a night in five star intercontinental hotel in Kigali.

To a four day itinerary package which includes tours around the city, including the genocide memorial site in Gisozi, over nights in the five star intercontinental Kigali, then a two day gorilla trekking trip to the Parc National Des Volcans in Ruhengeri and then departure, all as offered by Primate Safaris Rwanda, a privately owned tour and travel agency in Kigali.

Another randomly picked touring agency, Go Gorilla Trekking, offers an itinerary that is designed along virtually the same attractions as the ones offered above however spiced up with visits to cultural ceremonies, visits to Goma where visits are paid to the lava flows of Nyiragongo volcanoes at a paltry entrance fee in Congo of $50.

Visits to the National University in Butare, the National Museum and the kings Palace in Nyanza, complete the eight day package offered by this agency however there is also the added possibility of redesigning the itinerary to suit individual needs.

The above itineraries have not only been upped, facilities and improved services have been put in place to enable the best service delivery. A case in point is Kiboko Safaris a member of IATA that not only offers its similar but varying packages, boast of well trained tour guides with four wheel safari vehicles and a speed boat. As a matter of fact, it has included a new service on their itinerary which they have called Kiboko marine safaris with a boat, on Lake Kivu with a carrying capacity of 8 people to allow its clients more exposure to the secret hideaway islands, ideal for a getaway or a cozy picnic and more so the boat is an alternative to the bumpy winding roads and provides a faster access to and from Cyangungu/ Kibuye/ Gisenyi.

Encouragingly the Kiboko Safari agency is not alone in giving a tourist a highly enlightening and enjoyable eco-tourism experience. Primate Safari is also on this one, boasting 14 fulltime employees who include a sizeable number of professional driver-guides, experienced gorilla trackers and all backed by a sizeable fleet of specially converted four wheel drive jeeps.

A majority of the surveyed touring agencies also provided other miscellaneous services, for foreign tourists and local tourist, such as domestic and international air ticketing, assistance in immigration formalities such as visa application and hotel reservation, upon request.

All the above highlighted services offered along with the varying itinerary packages and more, if continuously improved, the targeted goals of this nation, in building a robust economy whose weight would greatly hinge on its tourist industry, is very attainable.

24 Baby Gorillas Named at Kwita Izina

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September 5, 2015

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On 5^th September 2015, at Kinigi, 24 baby gorillas named were born in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda, in 2014 and 2015. Below is a list of the named gorillas, names, date of birth and their names:

Family Name Mother’s Date of Birth Baby’s Name

Hirwa Ikirezi 17th Aug 2014 Imbaraga

Igisha Impuhwe 22nd Aug 2014 Twongere

Isimbi Isura 8th July 2014 Indongozi

Musilikare Mahane 10th March 2015 Ubwira

Pablo Gutangara 24th Feb 2015 Gasizi

Agashya Inyenyeri 19th June 2014 Ububashya

Amahoro Kubaha 2nd May 2015 Ingingo

Amahoro Mbere 17th June 2014 Zirakamwa

Isabukuru Bukima 16th Jan 2015 Umugwaneza

Pablo Ishyaka 4th April 2015 Akariza

Hirwa Kabatwa 7th Oct 2014 Umuteguro

Kwitonda Mbilimbili 6th April 2015 Gahuza

Amahoro Muhabura 7th July 2014 Inkunga

Susa Turibamwe 8th Oct 2014 Ikifuzo

Igisha Ubuntu 31st Jan 2015 Indashyikirwa

Kuryama Umutekano 1st Aug 2014 Kanyamahanga

Isimbi Rwandarushya 24th May 2015 Hangumurimo

Isimbi Tuyishime 29th May 2015 Umuhora Corridor

Umubano Umurimo 28th March 2015 Indangamirwa

Sabinyo Umurinzi 1st Aug 2014 Ubusabane

Susa Ruvumu 15th April 2015 Urakoze

Musilikare Ufubatanye 18th Sept 2014 Tabaro

Susa Umuco 28th July 2014 Icyogere

Isimbi Afurika 3rd Sept 2014 Ubunkungu

Rwanda’s Ntarama and Gisozi Genocide on TripAdvisor Africa’s Landmark 2015

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August 23, 2015

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The Trip Advisor recently identified “the Top 25 Land Marks of Africa”, in which it named The Kigali Genocide Memorial Site and The Ntarama Church Genocide Memorial Site, all in the Busegera district of Rwanda. These memorial sites do explain the happenings of The 1994 Rwanda Genocide between the Tutsi and Hutu that claimed thousands of lives of women, men and children of Rwanda. This Genocide is recorded as one of the worst massacres in the African history.

These two of the 25 identified landmarks of Africa, are some of the places most frequented by travellers as acknowledged by The Trip Advisor.These sites clearly bring out Rwanda’s progress economically, socially and politically for the past 21 years since the occurrence of the 1994 Genocide for they display her previous political unrest and the current condition.Apart from these two Genocide Memorial Sites, Rwanda, a country covered in beautiful hills provides its travellers with various attractions and activities which include among others; waterfall tours, chimpanzee and golden monkeys treks, volcano hikes, the country’s famed gorilla treks, cave tours, birding, game safaris, art exhibits, and community and cultural nature walks & experiences.

“It is such an honor to have two of our historic / memorial sites included on the list of Trip Advisor’s landmarks,” says Ambassador YaminaKaritanyi, The Chief Tourism Officer at the Rwanda Development Board. And for this, We encourage our visitors to experience all of Rwanda’s Scenic Beauty, be it art, history, dining as well as her rich nature and wildlife viewing.”The Kigali Genocide Memorial Site takes up the tenth position (10) on The Trip Advisor’s list. It is known as an education center and was opened in April 2004 on the 10th anniversary of the Genocide against the Tutsi.

A $15 audio guide tour takes visitors through the museum where they hear survivor accounts of the events of the Genocide. Entrance without an audio guide is free. In addition to the history of the Genocide, the exhibit educates patrons on the global history of mass atrocity. Visitors are encouraged to make a donation in exchange for a rose, which can be left in honor of the victims of the Genocide. Honore Gatera, Manager remarked that “The Kigali Genocide Memorial Site is an important place of remembrance and learning. As the final resting place for more than 259,000 victims of the Genocide against the Tutsi, the site provides a place for families and friends to remember their loved ones. We welcome visitors from around the world to learn about the Genocide so that it never happens again, in Rwanda or elsewhere.”

The Ntarama Church Genocide Memorial Site occupies the twelfth position on Trip Advisor’s list. It is a former church sometimes referred to as “The Ntarama Church Massacre”. At this place, about 5000 people died with majority being women. You find the remains lined up along the walls of the former church with several remains piled up in the shelves and bringing out what happened exactly. All these were a result of an ethnic conflict between the Tutsi and Hutu. The victims at this church too had reached the church for safety but instead were slaughtered by the angry Hutu mob.A tour guide is usually present to take visitors through the church and Sunday school building while explaining more about this horrific experience of the 1994 Rwanda Genocide.

NOTE

There is no fee to visit the museum or take part in the tour, but a donation is encouraged.Dr. Jean Pierre Dusingizemungu, President of Ibuka (The umbrella association for Genocide survivor organizations in Rwanda), quoted that “Twenty-one years after the 1994 Rwanda Genocide against the Tutsi, survivors continue to rebuild their lives in a country at peace. Memorials across Rwanda help us to preserve the memory of those killed and ensure the world never forgets what happened here,”

The Trip Advisor only identifies two of the various tourist attractions and activities offered by Rwanda. Anyone taking a safari in Rwanda can be able to enjoy her natural beautiful scenic view, historical / memorial sites, volcanoe hiking and cycling, wildlife and primates safaris, mountain gorilla / golden monkeys/ colobus monkeys treks, waterfall tours, forest visits and camps, birding and so many other exciting tour activities and services. All these make the country, Rwanda a top destination for world travelers.

Museum of Rwanda Ancient History in Nyanza-Rukari

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March 7, 2014

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Under the reign of King Yuhi V Musinga in 1899, Nyanza became the Royal Capital of the country. The court became the home of artistic and intellectual activities and was also a place for economic exchange.

At the site, visitors can enjoy Rwandan Traditional Royal home and the INYAMBO/ Royal traditional cows, and then proceed to residence of King Mutara III Rudahigwa build in 1932.

On the neighboring hill of Mwima, one can visit the burial site of King Mutara III and his wife Queen Rosalie Gicanda.

Souvenirs: Buying Crafts in Rwanda

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January 19, 2013

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Are you in search for Rwanda crafts (Art)? Or wanting to learn about Rwanda culture? There is only one centre for Rwanda crafts and culture in the land of a thousand hills; Rwanda.

This is non other than CAPLAKI CAPLAKI is acronym for COOPERATIVE DES ARTISTES PLASTICIEN DES KIGALI since 1995, the cooperative aims at promoting Rwandan culture that the Genocide almost extorted. Henceforth,CAPLAKI aims at recollecting Rwandan history, traditions, and experiences from darkness. Therefore if you are a visitor looking for souvenirs after your Rwanda safari, CAPLAKI is the answer to your problem.

The richness of Rwandan culture is apparent in the wide range of fine crafts such as pottery, basketry, painting, jewelry, woodcarving, and metalwork. Traditional crafts such as basketry, ceramics, and ironworks also provide another distinctive element of continuity with the past.
As part of its promotional packages, the cooperative develops art skills among Rwandan youth especially dropouts to becoming the best artists. While the youth strive to become best artists making different types of art pieces and postal cards, the cooperative in turn seeks for ready market; both national and international market.
This will improve the youth’s and CAPLAKI‘s economic welfare.

In it marketing efforts, the cooperative is to construct a permanent structure in NYABUGOGO for its art crafts and works . It also plans to establish branches in RWANDA and in the outside WORLD . The Cooperative also seeks make Rwandan culture known globally not for its pitiable background, but as a culture, that accommodates all human nature.
In the region and the world afar, Rwandan culture is compared to non ,for it has unique features such as the dances that are given pride in the country’s cultural repertoire , the hug the smile…………

Apart from being known for their epic songs and dynastic poetry, build Rwandans cherish oral traditions of proverbs, songs and chants.
Be part of Rwanda’s history in making and erecting future opulence; Build Rwanda, LiveRwandan and buy Rwandan, Share the Rwandan experience
Together we can make a Better future,

BACKGROUND
Cooperative started with 11 members but now has 58 members. Five (5) of its members make up committee Board.

Board of Directors
President and Founder
Mr. Munyaneza Innocent
Mob:+250 08568596

Vice President
Mr. Muhizi Gerald
Mob:+250 08568596

Office +250 504227

Secretary
Karangwa Epimaque
Mob:+250 03021742

Dance of the Intore

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January 24, 2011

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The traditional Ballet of Rwanda is one of Africas longest established and least exposed musical traditions. The use of the word Ballet is a product of Belgian colonial rule. In fact, the art form was refined over centuries in the courts of the Rwandan Mwami (kings).

There are three main components to Rwandan Ballet, and a standard performance by a group will contain all three. These are the songs/dances that are the essence of the art form (and are referred to here as ‘the Ballet’), Intore (dance of heroes) and Ingoma (‘drums’).

The ‘Dance of Heroes’ is performed by men wearing grass wigs and carrying spears. The background is a dance performed by returning warriors, celebrating victory in battle. The dancers move from side to side combining grace and complex choreography with a raw aggression. At certain stages the dancers stop, with arms outstretched and make blood-curdling battle crys.

These calls are individual to each dancer and represent warriors declaiming the details of how many he had slain in battle. Battles traditionally involved Hutu, Tutsi and Twa fighting alongside each-other against a common enemy. The performance of Intore therefore has always consisted of warriors of all groups dancing together.
A visit to Rwanda is not complete without seeing a dance by the Intore Dancers, the dance form took shape in the courts of Rwandan Mwami(The King), it is generally a story telling dance, in which stories of love, war and time of hard ship are put into a dance form. It is more like an opera than a ballet as some Belgian’s termed it. It can not be termed as a battle dance alone because, it is performed in different scenarios, it was also performed after winning a battle.

The actual meaning of the term Intore is “the chosen ones”, so basically it was the dance of the chosen ones.

Intore dancers have gained a worldwide status of fame and have become an indispensable part of the Rwandan culture and tradition. The Intore dancers gained popularity in the year 1958 during the World Expo which was held in Brussels. This form of traditional Rwanda ballet is one of the ancient forms of dancing in Africa. The Intore dancing is also known as “warrior dancing”.

The Intore people, who were once regarded as part of the traditional Rwanda army, were not only given military training but also taught the technique of high jumps and dancing. They were known for their outstanding method of jumping with the help of which they could rise up to 2,40 meters from the ground.

There are three main parts of the Rwandan ballet which comprise of Ingoma, Intore dancers and the songs. During the performance, Intore dancers, especially men wear grass wigs and have spears in their hands. They wear little bells on each foot which gives a rhythm to the entire background music. The theme of the performance is the celebration of victory in a battle which is depicted through the medium of dancing. The Intore dancers move sideways combining difficult choreography and grace with a raw aggressiveness in their expressions. At one point, the dancers stop, with stretched arms and give out blood-curdling battle cries. Throughout the ballet, physical quarrel between the dancers turns into a form of artistic rivalry and at the end of the performance they hug each other as a symbol of friendship.

The most common traditional battles include Tutsi, Hutu and Twa fights against a familiar opponent. The performance of Intore dancers is always associated with the idea of power, raw masculinity, aggressiveness and yet as a tradition of the cultural heritage of Rwanda.

Akagera Game Lodge: The Favoured Spot

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February 28, 2006

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Mid the month of february, almost the whole Government of Rwanda was holed up in a lodge in the far off bushes of Kayonza district set in the Eastern Province, attending the third annual government retreat, a time when the government retreats to re-examine and re-strategise as regards the matters of running a state, in the atmost tranquility only the wild can provide.

This game lodge set off in the southern part of the Akagera game park, two hours drive away from the capital Kigali has grown to prominence ever since its re-opening and now it attracts government retreats and throngs of tourist like it had never before but why is that?

Before the 1994 war ravages that left this hotel stripped bare, it provided accommodation and catering for tourists participating in a safari in the savannah-park and it was also the scene for various national conferences and seminars. This was at the time in the late 80’s when Rwandan tourism was at its peak and Akagera National Park was the most visited of the national parks in the country.

Principle among the attractions of this hotel, was the park that is next to it. The Akagera National Park, Dominated scenically by the labyrinth of swamps and lakes that follow the meandering course of the Akagera River, and believed to be the remotest source of the river.

Amidst the meandering swamps is home to herds of elephant and buffalo that one might chance on emerging for a drink at the lake, Giraffes and zebras milling in the savannah, and more than a dozen species of antelope which include the chestnut-coated impala, the diminutive oribi, the ungainly tsessebe, the secretive bushbuck as well as the world’s largest antelope, the statuesque Cape eland all inhabitants of the game park.

That is not all as camping around the lake guarantees a sight to withhold, Grunting and snorting pods of hippos basking in the sun in the park’s eight lakes, while outsized crocodiles soak up the sun with their vast jaws menacingly agape.

Not to be missed also are the unforgettable high dueting of fish eagles, asserting their status as the avian monarchs of Africa’s waterways. Lining the lakes are also some of the continent’s densest concentrations of water birds, which include Storks, Egyptian geese and dazzling white egrets poking through the shore waters for food while the connecting marshes are the haunt of the endangered and exquisite papyrus gonolek, and the bizarre shoebill stork perhaps the most eagerly sought after of all African birds.

Given all the above exquisite beauty, it was imperative that the hotel be renovated and as it were, a group of Rwandan businessmen bought the Hotel Akagera, renamed it Akagera Game Lodge and approached South African-based GDB Hospitality and Leisure Management Services Ltd. to run it.

Between last July and December 2003, the new management got rid of the unwelcome guests-the baboons and black-faced vervet monkeys, who stubbornly refused to vacate the 60 rooms, bar, stairway and wherever else they had made themselves at home-and spent $2 million replacing the roofing, reinstalling electrical and other fittings that had been looted and hanging banana leaf collages in the rooms in time for the grand opening of the lodge on December 19.

Now as it stands, Akagera Game lodge is more of a hotel than a traditional safari lodge, it has fantastic views, with a pool perched on the edge of the savanna, with 60 en-suite rooms the hotel offering adorable views over lake Ihema.

The wild excavations aside, the hotel offers to its clients digital satelite television, restaurant-bar and banquet hall, a large circular swimming pool and a small swimming pool for children, plus tennis facilities.

The hotels also has electric power generators in case of power outages, and water reservoirs so the guests rest in the utmost comfort of guaranteed water and power in the deepest of an African savannah bush.

Whats more, the hotel also gives back to society. The majority of workers originate from the nearby villages and most of the short-term employment opportunities are availed to the villagers around. More to that the hotel also gives away its old furniture to needy people in the neighborhood alongside the various ways in which the hotel interacts and helps out the neighboring villages.

With such a gem in the midst of the savannah, touring and travel agents have not hesitated to include it on top of the-must-see-sights in the country and it has thus been included on the varing itineraries there are to offer. This way the tourist and other guest get to see baboons in the vicinity or the premises of the hotel, totally non-chalant of human activity. After all the hotel is in their territory and they have been the un official guests at the venue for as long as the hotel has existed.

However it is sadly noted that the authorities after the war, had to hive off about two-thirds of the park’s 1,000 square miles to resettle the returnees from Congo, Tanzania and Uganda who now graze their cattle near — and often inside — the unfenced park and the park is also faced with further encroachments on the park given Rwanda’s population set to increase.

Cultural and Heritage Tourism Vie for Top Slot in Rwanda

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January 27, 2006

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To India it is a visit to the Taj Mahal, to Egypt it is a visit to the ancient and towering pyramids. This is a developing and crucial segment of the tourism industry and it is non other than cultural and heritage tourism.

Perhaps to explain it better, one would define this concept as tours done to experience the places, artifacts and activities that authentically represent the stories and people of the past and present of the given area. It includes cultural, historic and natural resources.

A little search on the internet will reveal that tourism is one of the world’s leading industries, and the concept of cultural and heritage tourism is its fastest-growing segment.

According to www.virginia.gov today’s national and international travelers look for fulfilling travel destinations that provide authentic historical, cultural, and natural experiences of an area or region.

To be able to provide exciting and competitive packages, travel-related organizations can maximize their strengths by forming public and private partnerships within communities and regions. Such partnerships leverage resources to develop and promote programs that meet travelers’ needs for enriching, integrated experiences

Rwanda, famous for its mountain gorillas in the tourism industry, is leaving nothing to chance. Thanks to the varying tour and travels agency in the country. A random survey of different itineraries in Rwanda will show that despite all tours packages provided are geared to ending with a visit to the the Volcanoes National park, home to almost 300 of the worlds 700 mountain gorilla, those packages are not entirely all about visiting these gorillas only.

If one took a closer look at these itineraries, randomly, you will discover that principle among the tour destinations here in Rwanda, is the king’s palace in Nyabisindu town.

Formerly known as Nyanza town, Nyabisindu holds a lot of cultural significance to the Rwandan people since it is home to the traditional seat of Rwanda’s feudal monarchy. Housed in an enormous domed construction made entirely with traditional materials, the 19th century impressive Royal Palace is now maintained as a museum and is attracting hundreds of tourist coming to Rwanda and those from within.

Provided by the various tour agencies is another of the numerous cultural attractions in Rwanda, The National Museum. Located in the southern region of the country, a two hours drive out of the capital Kigali, in Butare town, this museum provides an engrossing display of traditional artifacts set on a fascinating selection of state-of-the art monochrome photo graphs.

Providing an insight into the pre-colonial life styles and the subsequent development of Rwanda as a modern state with its varied archeological and ethnological artifacts, the museum would easily rank the best in East Africa.

Staying with museums, is the new entrant on tour and travel itineraries. The genocide memorial site in Kigali, which provides a grime check on the reality that is the history of Rwanda, Gisozi genocide memorial site, located in the capital Kigali, the site chronicles with vivid images and horrifying video clips, the history of the Rwanda genocide in macabre details.

Leaving the sites, perhaps the finest exponent of Rwanda’s claim to cultural tourism, would be the varied and dynamic traditional musical and dance styles, also a must see item on the various packages provided by the numerous tour and travel agencies.

However when speaking of traditional dance and music, mention should be made of the Intore Dance Troupe. Founded several centuries ago, the Intore – literally means ‘The Chosen Ones’ – once performed exclusively for the Royal Court, but today their exciting act can be arranged at short notice through the National Museum in Butare and sites else where around the country.

Hot on the heels of the afore mentioned attractions are the all too famous traditional handicrafts. Locally produced, these artifacts range from ceramics curios to wooden carvings and colorful tradition baskets like the famous Agaseke basket. All these are not to be missed.

Working at full capacity, these sectors of the Rwanda tourism industry, are soon to be giving the gorilla trekking sector a run for their money. They are looking to tap on the throngs of tourists who come from the world over to visit and trek gorilla families in the Volcanoes National park and this is a strategy that is geared to diversify the tourism industry in Rwanda and in the end Rwandans reaping big.

Finally one would say that the above is probable because studies have consistently shown that cultural heritage travelers stay longer and spend more money than other kinds of travelers. Good cultural heritage tourism improves the quality of life for residents as well as serving visitors. As of now, Banda a small village in Nyungwe forest has started reaping big owing to the frequent visits by the tourists. On their way to visit the captivating Flora and Fauna of Nyungwe Forest, the residents of this village have been able to tap directly from the tourists owing to their crafts that they sale to them.

ORTPN in Eco-tourism Drive

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December 21, 2005

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Born in its current form in the late 1980s, Eco-tourism came of age in 2002, when the United Nations celebrated the “International Year of Ecotourism”. It essentially means ecological tourism; where ecological has both environmental and social connotations. Though it may vary with different countries, it is both a concept and movement in the tourism sector.

A little search on the internet, will reveal that eco-tourism is a combination of tourism and the environment such as planning before development; sustainability of resources; economic viability of a tourism product; no negative impact on either the environment or local communities; responsibility for the environment from developers, the tourism industry and tourists; environmentally-friendly practices by all parties concerned and economic benefits flowing to local communities.

Ever since its inception in the late 1980s, the countries the world over, whose tourism sector is worth writing home about, have embarked on a vigorous campaign to advocate for the kind of tourism that is less extractive but rather sustainable. A case in point is a recent economic assessment of the rain forest land use in Brazil, where Conservationists determined that logging the forest provided an initial high return, followed by little income. Conversion of the forest into pastureland was even less profitable and required substantial initial investment and the study concluded that eco-tourism provided the most income over the long term

The same high end practice in tourism is resounded in Kenya where Local communities, understanding the economic benefits of eco-tourism and are often motivated to protect resources and adopt conservationist attitudes and this has thus translated into serious revenue, for example in Amboseli national Park in Kenya, it is estimated that each lion is worth $27,000 and each elephant herd is worth $610,000 in tourist revenue per year, thus their new Motto: wildlife pays wild life stays.

Needless to say, Rwandan tourism sector under its governing body ORTPN, (Office Rwandais Du Tourisme Et Des Parcs Nationaux) are not left out in the advocacy the eco-tourism in the touring industry. Rwanda with its eco-tourism activities in Rwanda’s protected areas that include chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe forest, gorilla tracking of the five families in the Volcanoes National Park, the over 300 bird species to watch which include the Rwenzori Turaco, giant lobelias, and over 200 different types of trees and flowers which also include the famous wilds orchids, has embarked on necessary measures that are geared at driving Rwanda’s tourism sector to an eco-tourist based one.

The policy at the ORTPN is one geared at a high end kind of tourism, as opposed to mass tourism. In the high end tourism system, you target a few tourists, but then get a lot of revenue out of it. This is geared at the protection and management of the environmentally sensitive areas.

The focus according to ORTPN, has seen such measure being put in place, like the five gorilla families in Volcanoes national park, have to be visited by not more than eight people a day, and they get to spend with the family not more than an hour per visit. All this will be at a cost of $375 per day for foreign tourists, $250 for the local tourist, who are non nationals, and frw10 000 for nationals.

As regards Nyungwe forest, that is famous for its attractive nature walks to the Kamiranzovu giant swamps and the beautiful cascading water falls, tourist are obliged to follow gazetted trails and when deep in the forest, are supposed to be guided by the forest guides, to watch the hundreds of the bird species, hundred of colobus monkeys and the varying plant specie there in. however here again the policy is that no one gets of the forest with anything, be it the wild orchid. With a controlled number of tourist and activity, the tourism office has managed to attain its objective in eco-tourism of a sustainable tourism.

The activities of ORTPN that are geared toward eco-tourism have impacted on the various tourist sites, in a manner that has in turn, favoured responsible tourism. A case in point is Banda, a small village in Nyungwe forest that is frequently visited by the tourists. The residents of this village have been able to tap directly from the tourists owing to their crafts that they sale to the tourist.

The office it’s self, has managed to contribute to communities living around these tourist attractions, in revenue sharing schemes all around the country, an annual amount that has got to frw 42 million, for their various self development projects that have no bearing at all on tourism and which is a growing trend.

Just like tourism elsewhere, the trends in Rwanda are changing and embracing eco-tourism since it targets long term profits in a sustainable tourist environment.