Rwanda – The Land of a Thousand Hills!

The people of Rwanda have an old saying that goes ‘ God roams in the world but comes to rest in Rwanda.’ when you first arrive in the country you will be compelled to agree with this saying. Rwanda is one of the smallest countries in Africa. It borders Uganda to the north, Tanzania to the east, Burundi to the west and DRC to the south.

Rwanda is a luscious mix of high rising mountains, savannas, plains, swamps and lakes. Mountains dominate the centre and west of the country while the east is covered in savanna, plains and swamps, lakes both big and small are distributed all over the land. Its luscious mix of stretches of endless green landscape, misty mountains and the friendly populace will without a doubt win you over. Rwanda is a place of renewal.

Kigali is the commercial and political capital of Rwanda. This city is known for its cleanliness and also as one of the safest cities in Africa. Kigali has a range of hotels catering to all tastes and budgets; a fine assortment of fine restaurants the embrace international and Africa fusion cuisines. The nightlife is booming in this otherwise sedate city. The city is also conveniently central to most tourist activities with most attraction being about three hour drive from the capital. Its temperate mild, high altitude climate provides for a mild tropical weather thus earning it the name ‘jewel in the mist’

Although Rwanda is associated with the 1994 genocide that resulted in the murder of almost 20% of its population, the country has taken giant strides towards cultural recovery and investment into the future. The general feeling in Rwanda is one of hope and togetherness.

Rwanda paradise Treasurers would include:

  • Mountain Gorilla paradise among the volcanos
  • South West rain -Forest Safari destination
  • Birds heaven on the Easte within the Akagera national Park
  • Picturesque islands west of Lake Kivu

Kigali Memorial centre

In the Kigali Memorial centre you will find three permanent exhibitions on display, the largest of which document the genocide of 1994.

Here you will find a children’s memorial and history of genocides in other parts of the world. The centre is built on the ground where 259,000 genocide victims are buried. In Camp Kigali you will find displays of one stone pillar for each soldier with their age marked in lines.

A great souvenir take away Rwanda would be the traditional Agaseke basket. This basket is given to someone as a sign of love and respect. A reconciling aspect of the basket is that Hutu, Tutsi and Twa women sit side by side to weave these baskets without regard for their cultural differences.

The Intore dancers

The Intore dancers are also a splendid sight to see.

Traditional dancers beautifully adorned in traditional regalia with spears in hand dance to the rhythmic sound of drums in celebration. These dancers can be seen at the National Museum in Huye.

GORILLA NAMING CEREMONIES

There is long running Rwandese tradition known as Kwita Izina (to give a name) and it is part of the celebration when a child is born.

The same ceremony has been performed for decades for Rwanda’s newly born mountain gorillas by the rangers, researchers and those responsible for the safe keeping of these animals. This ceremony has become a exciting part of tourism in Rwanda happening June of every year. This event is a celebration of the conservation efforts made to protect these endangered animals

COMMUNITY TOURISM

This refers to the opportunity to experience the life and work of Rwandese community.

These tours are organized in conjunction with the local people and facilitates the established tourism cooperatives, steering developments committees with sustainable projects, minimize negative tourism impacts, ensure benefits of sharing and supports product development plus designing educational and experiential packages that contribute to the conservation of sustainable development.

THE RECONCILIATION VILLAGE

This tour will introduce you to the development challenges of the country with a mix of traditional history, genocide era, and current developments in the model village.

Here you will find the perpetrators, survivors and returnees living together in exceptional harmony. This visit will give you an opportunity to listen to the testimonies of the perpetrators and the survivors and the steps they have taken towards reconciliation in this model cluster village. Guests get to interact with the people, learn about their living situation, get cooking and weaving lessons and wind up in an exciting event called Ubusabane which means ‘get together party’ with all the community members in the reconciliation village. Over 200 people benefit from this important tour that helps strengthen unity.
Other community tours destinations include; Kinigi Cultural Village, Imigongo tour, Pastoralist Heritage and the Bwiza village.

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