About Rwanda

Category: News

  • Best Rwanda National Parks

    Here are the best national parks to visit in Rwanda.

  • More Conservation Efforts Required for Eastern Lowland Gorillas

    More Conservation Efforts Required for Eastern Lowland Gorillas

    There are several groups of gorillas in the whole world, which include the western lowland gorillas, the cross-river gorillas, Eastern lowland gorillas and the eastern mountain gorillas; the total of these gorilla groups is approximately 100,000 in the whole world. The mountain gorillas are approximately 880 where as the cross-river gorillas are between 250-300 located in the borders of Nigeria and Cameroon. World wide, gorillas are endangered species and share 95% of human being making them the most close relatives to humans among all other mammals.

    It is believed that there was rapid decrease of gorillas in Democratic Republic of Congo both mountain gorillas in the Virunga National Park and the eastern lowland gorillas in the Kahuzi Biega National Park according to the state of apes report in 2014.

    The rapid decline of the Eastern lowland gorillas in Kahuzi Biega national park was mainly due to civil wars that struck the area out of the Rwanda genocide in 1994 reducing the population of gorillas in the national park from 17,000 to only 2000, most gorillas were shot accidentally, others died in their trying to look for safer areas among others which led to a greater decline.

    More still, even though civil wars came to an end, Democratic Republic of Congo is still not very safe, the armed groups still occupy large parts of the Kahuzi Biega national park and other ape habitats in the country. These armed groups feed on these endangered species, killing them for daily food sources which has led to continued decline of the eastern lowland gorillas in the country.

    In addition, the devastating loss of Eastern lowland gorillas is due to lack of infrastructure (poor roads) connecting to Kahuzi Biega national park, the national park is in the remote areas of democratic republic of Congo which make its accessibility very difficult. Many people have resisted visiting the national park for example there is no gorilla tourism in the park, which would have saved these rare species. Therefore, the lack of accessibility to the national park by the responsible people (tourists) has contributed to the great decline of gorillas in the national park.

    To add on, the illegal mining in the Kahuzi Biega national park has led to the decline of gorillas in the national park, the small scale mining known as the Aka artisanal mining is done in the ecologically sensitive areas of the national park extracting minerals such as gold, tantalum AKA Colton used in electronics, tungsten also used in components for electronics, and tin. This form of mining is unsafe and high destructive to the eastern lowland gorillas since it is un regulated, it is done by a small group of people who move into ecologically sensitive areas to extract minerals. The mining in the national park is seen as one of the few viable options of generating income for these small groups of people in order to support their families and improve their standards of living but in turn, has led to the decline of the rare gorillas.
    Also, the on going pet trade in the Democratic republic of Congo has reduced the number of Eastern low land gorillas in the Kahuzi Biega national park, according to the great ape survival program, the collection and selling of infant apes (gorillas) by the local people and the armed groups in the park is of great loss, these infants are sold to the private buyers and zoo owners in the middle east and Asia after the massacre of family groups. The adults within the gorilla group are first killed for food and meat for selling where as the infants are sold as pets and others to those people with zoos, this trade is illegal and has greatly reduced the population of gorillas in the national park since there is regeneration, adults are killed and infants sold out. Is so unfortunate.

    In conclusion therefore, despite of the devastating decline of the eastern lowland gorillas in the democratic republic of Congo, there is great hope for the increased gorillas in the future, the war came to un end and Congo is now politically stable making is a tourism destination (gorilla tourism) in the national park which is of great importance. Today tourists cross from Rwanda to Congo for lowland gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega national park, this is a great income source for lowland gorilla conservation efforts in D.R.Congo. Other support programs both by the government and private organizations are also believed to save these rare endangered species, effective projects, programs and strategies have been put in place and are moving forward to save the rare endangered Eastern lowland gorillas in the Kahuzi Biega national park in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

  • 22 Baby Gorillas Named at 2016 Kwita Izina

    22 Baby Gorillas Named at 2016 Kwita Izina

    Twenty Two baby mountain gorillas were given names at the 12th Kwita Izina held at Musanze on the foothills of the Virunga. The annual ceremony involved dignitaries, locals, tourists and conservationists giving the baby gorillas names of their choice.

    From September 2015 to September 2016, a total of 23 baby gorillas were born. Unfortunately one baby died leading to the total number of baby gorillas to 22.

    The 6 hour colorful ceremony was the climax of a series of events that marked the whole week. A total of 22 mountain gorilla babies received their official names from a range of dignitaries such as Sir David Attenborough, who were invited to be esteemed ‘Namers’ for their valuable contribution to Rwanda’s conservation successes.

    Kwita Izina is inspired by the ancient Rwandan tradition of naming babies soon after they are born.

    “Today is not only about Kwita Izina, it is about remembering that development must be founded on protecting our environment. When we protect our environment, we are also taking care of ourselves. There is no trade-off between economic growths and protecting our environment, they complement each other,” said President Paul Kagame

    Below are the names of the gorillas named during the ceremony;

    • Ntamupaka = No Borders
    • Ireme = Of High Quality
    • Ntibisanzwe = Remarkable
    • Ifatizo = The foundation
    • Kwigira = self-reliance
    • Umuhuza = Mediator
    • Kura= Grow
    • Ishimwe = Gratitude
    • Tunganirwa = Prosper
    • Ingemwe = Seeds
    • Umwiza = The Beautiful one
    • Ndizihiwe = I’m Happy
    • Ndi Umunyarwanda = I’m Rwandan
    • Mashami= owing to the fact the baby was born on Palm Sunday
    • Igikombe = Award
    • Ukwiyunga = Reconciliation
    • Hobe=Hugging
    • Inshungu = Replacement or Blessing
    • Umuhate= Bravery
    • Icyemezo: Decision
    • Mafubo=Disciplined

  • Rwanda Travel and Adventure Show Attract 1000s in Los Angeles

    Thousands of Los Angles people set all their eyes on Rwanda stand during the Rwanda Los Angeles-based travel and Adventure show. Rwanda built its reputation more in the U.S.A as a first choice destination in East Africa with variety to explore and discover.Los Angeles people showed love to Rwanda by visiting the country with 41% of Rwanda guests coming from USA a good reason for Rwanda development board to exhibit and market the destination even more to USA citizens.

    Ms. Belise Kariza, Chief Tourism Officer, also in charge of wildlife conservation at RDB, commented on the Rwandan participation when she said, “The USA is Rwanda’s number one source market with 41% of American visitors coming for leisure activities. The USA which ranks 2nd in terms of international spending on tourism according to UNWTO, represents an important pool of potential tourists to tap into as Rwanda grows its tourism offerings, mainly eco-adventure, Meetings and Conventions and cultural tourism.”. Indeed Rwanda is a magical tourism destination in Africa full of amazing landscape, forests, mountains, lakes, primates, birds and the friendly people.

    With four national parks, besides the scenic shores of Lake Kivu along which the Congo Nile Trail extends for over 220 kilometers, Rwanda is offering adventure seekers a wide range of options, from gorilla trekking and golden monkey tracking to cycling, hiking the Nyungwe Forest National Park, bird watching, and exploring the classic savannah safari in Akagera National Park. Culture is also on offer after several of the former Royal palaces and sites were restored, as is caving, a more recent addition to the menu of options for visitors.

    During the exhibition show all Los Angeles people seemed to look up for this year a great reason for many Rwanda increased tourist arrivals from USA. However for over 10years tourism has been Rwanda’s top foreign-exchange earner, generating million in 2014 and currently the world famous for the best Africa gorilla tracking tours. Every year the number of tourists to volcanoes national park to see primates goes high despite the pricy Rwanda gorilla permit at $750.East Africa has a region has three gorilla tracking parks sited in different countries including Rwanda but still Rwanda gorilla tracking is outstanding in several ways.

    Time factor is one of them, followed by manageable hikes plus easy connectivity to other region popular attractions like wildlife in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda as well as other gorilla tracking parks. The Rwanda tourism board looks at the event as the base for showing the world what Rwanda has to offer in terms of travel and tourism. Rwanda noticed a growing travel trend through different travel exhibitions and more exhibitions are yet to be held in different countries across the globe.

    After a good turn up of people in a particular trade show, Rwanda can proudly say that it has successfully reached out to the targeted audience in the travel industry. With the Los Angeles show now concluded, the Rwandan team is heading to Berlin next to attend ITB 2016 where the country is aiming to recapture the best African Stand award once again. Rwanda is connected by air from the United States through Brussels Airlines, KLM, Qatar Airways, and by Kenya Airways and a number of other airlines including, of course, national airline, Rwanda Air, from across Africa. The trade show will be attended by millions of travelers an indication for the successful travel industry in East Africa for Rwanda as a unique travel destination.

  • Rwanda Taps Asian Tourism Market

    Rwanda’s foreign tourism growth shows that Rwanda is one of the most visited African countries by Asian tourists and fourteen thousand tourists visited Rwanda in 2015 a high population increase in just one year compared to four hundred tourists in 2014 according to Hindustan Times newspaper of India. The newspaper indicated that Rwanda was listed among the new countries that Indians are exploring each day for gorilla tracking tours and honeymoon holidays. Having an excellent travel conducive climate, favorable government travel policies and affordable tours contribute a lot to the momentous growth experience in Rwanda travel and tourism industry.

    Besides the Rwanda Visa legislation is too flexible to most foreign nationals worldwide with an option of obtaining a tourist visa upon arrival at only $30. Also the launch of a single tourist visa for visitors to Uganda and Kenya which started in January 2014 attracts many tourists looking at a great wonderful Africa tour experience across the region. For those tourists who apply online, it’s easy because confirmation is received within 72 hours.

    The conservation of mountain gorillas and other Rwanda attractions still draw many travelers to the country that comes to see and track gorillas in the wild. Famously known as the home for mountain gorillas, Rwanda offers exclusive gorilla tracking tours to travelers as its main tourist attraction in the region. Well planned annual gorilla naming events celebrated every year increase the conservation effort as well as boosting the tourism industry   of the country. Kwita Izina gorilla naming ceremony presents the new generation of baby gorillas to the world and also ensures safety and contact monitoring of the gorillas being new members in the family of habituated gorilla families for tourists viewing daily. The habituated apes contribute a lot to the countries revenue thanks to Dian Fossey an American primatologist who worked tiresomely to conserve the endangered mountain gorillas which are now the main reason for 90% of both business and leisure travels to Rwanda. The rewarding mountain hikes and unique recorded bird species in different country corners make Rwanda settle for the best travel destination in Africa.

    Kigali city the eye for all Rwanda international hotel chains offers fantastic hospitality services to all Rwanda travelers on short and long tours making them love Rwanda even more. The country capital has not only hotels but also part of the countries attractions, the genocide memorials, the main shopping centers and markets, bars& clubs, spas, art centers and gallery, cultural performance centers etc. Tourists like staying in sister hotels or chain hotels in every corner of the world because wish to have excellent same services of standard during tour holidays.

    Examples of chain hotels in Kigali include Hilton, Sheraton, Marriot, Kempinski, Serena and many others are expected to emerge in other corners of the country soon. All travelers to Rwanda sleep comfortably at different hotels of their choice and budget leaving them to only discover the beautiful country up to the final day. Rwanda has other well facilitated lodges located next to different attractions especially the national parks which also cater for all travelers like Virunga lodge, Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, Nyungwe Forest Lodge, Nyungwe hotel, Muhabura Guest House, Kinigi Guest House, etc. However, there is much more to do and explore in Rwanda which one can’t miss out while in Africa.

  • 18 Baby Mountain Gorillas Named at 2015 Kwita Izina

    18 Baby Mountain Gorillas Named at 2015 Kwita Izina

    Rwanda celebrated the birth of 18 baby gorillas at the 10th anniversary of Kwita Izina. The annual naming ceremony of the rare mountain gorillas took place on July 3rd 2015 at the slopes of Volcanoes National Park at Kinigi in the north western part of Rwanda. More than 40,000 residents from Rwanda and visitors from the entire world attended the ceremony.

    Every year Rwanda organize this event as a way of naming new born mountain gorillas. The country also uses the annual event to promote tourism and this year’s Kwita Izina was held under the theme: “A Decade: Conserving-Empowering-Growing.”

    As he was speaking during the event, Ambassador Valentine Rugwabiza Rwanda Development Board (RDB)’ CEO said: “this is the 10th time as we celebrate, the growth of the gorilla family by naming 18 baby gorillas born over the last year. This is a very big number as compared to previous years, bringing the total population of these rare species to over 600 individuals in the Virunga Mountains.” He added by thanking the good collaboration by the government of Rwanda, the local community neighboring the park and conservation partners that are the key people in the increase of these endangered mountain gorillas.

    In a special way Rugwabiza thanked the local communities in the sustained conservation of the Volcanoes National Park especially the protection of the gorillas and their habitat without their effort to stop poaching activities gorillas would be no more in the volcanoes tropical forest.

    Various activities were organized to mark the 10th Kwita Izina ceremony including conservation, business, cultural and entertainment that led up to the big day. There was also the launch of Basumba Primary School in Bigogwe, Nyabihu District in the northern part of Rwanda. The school was constructed by the local community surrounding the park from the shared revenue scheme which gives 5% of tourism profits from the national park to the local community and the school contains six classrooms.

    Craig Sholley the Vice president of philanthropy and marketing for the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) was invited on behalf of (AWF) to vote on the gorilla names, during his speech he said “You cannot succeed in conserving these critically endangered species without the collaboration and support of the people who live closest to them, without their effort the life of these mountain gorillas is in danger. “The Kwita Izina ceremony shows that, from the government to the local communities, protection of mountain gorillas stems from a sense of duty and a source of pride,” he said.

    About 120 local and international tour operators was part of the ceremony and they came to experience Rwanda and took park in business-to-business meetings organized with Rwanda Air. Also the Kwita Izina guests joined in Global Umuganda (community work) in Nyamata. They also partook in the Igitaramo, a community celebration with residents in Kinigi, Musanze district at which local artist Jay Polly performed. In the past nine years since the event was established, 161 gorillas have been named in a celebration of nature and the communities who protect the majestic mountain gorilla.