Bakunzi: In Love With Zimbabwe, Greece and Thai food
Traveling can be fun, but at the same time, it’s also fraught with scary experiences. Greg Bakunzi, the managing director of Amahoro Tours, has so far visited four continents and 53 countries. He talks to Eye Rwanda about his travels…
Do you sometimes travel with your pets?
I have two dogs but I have never traveled with them. I have a feeling that traveling with pets can be cumbersome, particularly when you are on a business trip. And most of my travels are always for business and networking.
But if someone is to travel with pets, which particular country would you recommend?
Western countries. I can’t put a finger on which particular one, but most Western countries I have visited have soft spot for pets and you also find several pet-friendly accommodations.
Any worst experience at an airport?
Fortunately I have never had any horrible experience at an airport that split my hair. Of course there are normal ones like take-off delay but those are things you learn to live with as a traveller.
And the best?
At Amsterdam Airport. We were there at the airport chilling and waiting for our flight and suddenly this group of happy, excited and jubilant people dressed in Scottish traditional attire appeared. They engaged us in their traditional culture, and even shared Scottish wine with us. It was spontaneous and amazing!
Which country would you wish to visit again?
Greece. This is a place with endless, wonderful experiences. There’s always more to discover, explore, feel and taste. It’s a place you expand your five senses with elements of nature that provide countless possibilities.
Apart from Rwandan food, where else have you enjoyed a truly delicious meal?
I really enjoyed Thai food when I traveled to Thailand. It is oil-free, hence good for health. Thai food is largely traditional and thus it’s home-made and hand-made and the recipes are handed down over generations. It serves your palette with a variety of tastes.
If you were to choose a family vacation, which country would you choose first?
Greece, of course. The attractions there are excellent for adults and children alike and the country’s history is also amazing. I know kids would love to learn many things there while having a memorable time exploring its breathtaking attractions.
Which African country would you recommend to anybody?
I would advise Zimbabwe to be on any traveller’s bucket-list. The country just has amazing features that are quite unique to it.
Which continent have you never visited?
Australia. But it is in my plans. I want to explore all the continents.
Read MoreKingfisher Diaries 2: Spectacular Lake Kivu
Lake Kivu lies on the border between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda. It is one of Great Lakes in the Albertine Rift, the western branch of the East African Rift. There are about 200 small rivers that flow into it from a relatively small catchment whilst the outflow is to the Ruzizi River, which flows southwards into Lake Tanganyika and ultimately into the mighty Congo.
Lying at 1463 m above sea level, its surface area is 2,370 km2, the average depth is 240m whilst the maximum depth is 485m and its total volume is an impressive 560 km3. Lake Kivu has a very irregular shape with a large island, Île Idjwi, the tenth largest in the world, in the southern DRC part of the lake. The maximum distance from one end of the lake to the other is 103km whilst it’s about 48km across.
Lake Kivu is unique with many features setting it apart from all others in the world.
For example, it used to flow to the north and drain into the Nile. However, around 12,000 years ago, lavas flows from the Virunga volcanoes dammed this outflow, reversing the direction of its waters and also causing the depth to increase. Then around 5,000 years ago when local volcanism and hydrothermal activities began to affect the lake and it became very stratified with different layers that hardly interact with each other.
This stable stratification is the secret to the lake’s huge resource; more than any other lake in the world, it has vast quantities of trapped methane at depths of over 200m. So there are projects near to Gisenyi and Kibuye that are beginning to extract this reserve.
The surface water temperature is 24°C. At depth, almost every other (non-frozen) lake in the world is cooler than at the surface with the usual bottom temperature being about 4 °C. However, in Lake Kivu, geothermal activity keeps the temperature in the lower layers at 26 °C – higher than at the surface.
With very steep sides, river run offs (and most pollutants from the towns around the lake) descend quickly to the depths. The surface layer therefore comprises very clean, fresh water, in which some 31 species of fish live, many of which are caught by local fishing cooperatives using their unique fishing boats. However, there are no large animals such as hippopotamus or crocodiles.
If an industrial extraction process does not remove it, the dissolved methane and carbon dioxide in the deep layers, will eventually – and very catastrophically – erupt. However, this event is still many decades away, so for now it is totally safe to enjoy the beauty and tranquillity of Lake Kivu.
In Rwanda, there are several large towns on the shores of Lake Kivu: Rubavu also known as Gisenyi) is in the north, in the shadow of the Nyiragongo Volcano (with the world’s largest lava lake in its crater) just over the border in DRC. Karongi (or Kibuye) is set in a beautiful location near numerous uninhabited islands and long peninsulas that extend deep into the lake. At the far southern end is Kamembe – where nearby protected forests still reach the lakeshore. In many of the numerous smaller communities that dot the coast, there are fascinating coffee washing stations and many colourful markets that are worth lingering for a visit.
With many lodges to be found on Lake Kivu, it’s easy to find accommodation with some of the best views in Rwanda. However, did you know that you could also stay on a Houseboat called Iliza that cruises around the lake? Or for something a little more active, try the Number 1 on Trip Advisor: Go kayaking with Kingfisher Journeys. With short trips from Gisenyi and Kibuye or up to or a 4-day adventure – With professional guides and modern equipment, this is the best way to experience Lake Kivu, see its wildlife and birds and meet the communities that make Lake Kivu their home.
You can learn much more information about Lake Kivu itself from the Lake Kivu Monitoring Programme. Or for kayaking trips contact Kingfisher Journeys or ask your tour operator to include one of their trips in your itinerary.
Read MoreAzizi Life Experiences
Azizi Life Experiences is a social enterprise that offers visitors to Rwanda the unique opportunity to really connect and gain insight into the life of rural Rwandans and their families. Through a range of different cultural experience days, you get to not only see something of the beauty and rigor of daily life, but also experience it. It’s a truly interactive way to learn about Rwandan culture! Azizi Life Experiences currently offers six distinctive Experience Days.
Azizi Life’s office is located in Muhanga town, about one hour by car or bus from Kigali on the main Kigali-Huye road. Azizi Life celebrates the beauty of connections that bring a fair wage to hard-working Rwandan artisans and give you a glimpse into someone else’s world. Would you like to do something different on your Rwanda tour? You should consider going on an ecotour and get to learn more about the real life of the Rwandan people!
Weaving Experience:
The Azizi Life Experience morning begins with a drive to a nearby village, where you and your Azizi Life interpreter are welcomed by the ladies of the weaving cooperative. After introductions , a morning of family chores begins. You might help out in the kitchen, collect water from the valley spring, cut grass for the farm animals and get out in the fields for a seasonal agricultural activity.
At noontime, you share a simple local meal with your host family, with plenty of time to chat and learn about each other’s lives. After lunch, you join with the artisan cooperative for an afternoon of weaving. You get to learn how to harvest and prepare the natural fibers, and then the artisans teach you how to create your own piece of sisal jewelry. It is great sitting with the ladies as you weave and laugh together.
The day finishes back at the Azizi Life office, with a cold Fanta and a chance to think back over the highlights of the day. There you can browse through some of the beautiful crafts made by the Azizi Life artisans and do a little fair trade shopping.
Traditional Construction:
You may have seen the high rise buildings in Kigali, but this Azizi Life Experience is your chance to learn something about the traditional building techniques, some of them used since the times of the King. In the morning you start with collecting water and soil then you are taught how to make mud bricks. After making your own bricks, you dig the foundations and learn how to lay the bricks in a certain way that ensures the building’s strength.
At this point, you will have built up a bit of an appetite and so everyone stops work and shares a simple home cooked lunch with the host family. In the afternoon, you go and collect banana leaves, then you are taught how to make them into a strong rope that can then be used to lash wood together to make a roof. You finish the day back at the Azizi Life office with a cold Fanta and all the knowledge you need to build your very own mud brick house.
Banana Juice making:
Traditionally shared during weddings and other celebrations, banana juice (and beer!) has long been a central part of Rwandan parties. Although nowadays banana juice can be easily bought from the local store, the traditional technique for making your own brew is a much greater labor of love.
In the morning, of your Azizi Life Experience, you work with your rural host to collect the green bananas and the leaves needed to begin the process. Next you dig a hole and bury the bananas to ripen over time.
After enjoying a simple meal with your host family, you head into the valley to collect water. The ripening process takes four days, but don’t worry, you won’t need to wait. Your hosts will have some already buried bananas for you to dig up. You then peel, mash, and strain the bananas using traditional techniques, and voila- you’ve made authentic banana juice. The day finishes back at the Azizi Life office where the juice is boiled so it is ready for you to taste and take away.
Select from a simple variety of seasonal dishes for your custom traditional cooking experience with a rural mama! Your day begins not in the kitchen but in the fields as you learn seasonal planting or harvesting of fresh ingredients for your traditional meal. Once the ingredients and water have been collected, food preparation begins with washing, peeling, pounding, and grinding the ingredients using traditional methods and tools and this is done in the outdoor kitchen.
Throughout the process, your hostess and the ladies of the local cooperative teach and guide you, always allowing you to experience the day at your own pace. When your meal is ready, it is time to enjoy fruits of your labour with either a fork or with your finger. Sitting in the home of host family, there is plenty of time to chat and learn about each other’s lives.
Traditional Drumming:
Whether you have natural rhythm or not, with our expert instructors everyone can enjoy learning traditional drumming and dancing. Your Azizi Life Musical Experience begins with a mini performance from a small troupe of traditional performers. Next, it’s your turn to put on a traditional costume and give it a try. You’ll have fun as the dancers teach you some basic dance steps and share a bit of the history of Rwandan dance. After some practice time, the expert dance instructors help you put everything together in a performance of your very own. Don’t worry; an Azizi Life team member will be on hand to catch the whole thing on film!
After a break to catch your breath, the drummers will teach you some traditional beats, or you can even do a bit of free styling of your own on the traditional drums. No experience or expertise is necessary; it is simply fun for anyone brave enough to give it a go.
Azizi life Pathways:
Thanks to Rwanda’s lush green hills, beautiful valleys and welcoming people, it may be one of the easiest and most exciting places in East Africa to explore by foot. All around the rural communities, there is already a vast network of paths ready and waiting for you to explore. Local
Guides Enjoy local knowledge and good company as you explore! The guides, who speak English or French, enrich your walk with information on the communities you pass and points of interest.
You can enjoy scenic rural excursion or choose an in town exploration, visiting the local markets and experiencing other aspects of urban life. You can choose the mapped routes or create your own adventure.
Read MoreKayaking on the Shores of Lake Kivu
Lake Kivu is shared between Congo and Rwanda on the Rwandan side it’s in Gisenyi and on the Congolese side it’s found in Goma.
On the Rwandan side is where you will find Kingfisher Journeys for an experience like no other, right from the warm and chatty reception from Steve Venton the Director himself to the kayaking guide who are both very friendly and ready to answer any questions you may have.
We got to paradise hotel where the kayaks park I should say, we (I, Joanna and Madyie) were taken to the shores of lake Kivu where we met with our kayaks blue yellow and orange that look bigger than they seem on television and in pictures, instructions are given to us on how to get in and set our feet and legs in the right angles and I’m there thinking what if my leg slips while on the lake but because I was with ladies I brave it out n keep my cool. So we are tutored on how to row forward, backwards, turning right, and left which seemed easy till it was time to get onto the lake.
Suddenly I felt so small the little waves on lake kivu kept bouncing me around as I rowed away from the shores, the really friendly guide was right there with us which gave gave me confidence that in case of anything there’s an expert with us who will get us out incase of anything, he then points to a little island that looked really far away. With the first couple of rows u feel like u aren’t moving then the pace starts to pick up after six to eight rows adrenaline kicks in as the momentum of the kayak explodes, with enough power in your arms and consistency you create a wash behind you, which is similar to raising dust while driving at high speeds on a dusty road.
Soon as I was blasting feeling like a pro at kayaking on my first day reality checked in as my unfitness checked in and I had to rest my arms, this however allowed me to enjoy the scene with the waves rocking the kayak the little island had eventually grown without me realising, looking back the shore had been left a great distance behind with my friends not far off as well, just as they were catching up with me, fishermen joined us on three conjoined canoes with their main guy in the middle leading them in songs of encouragement while the rest whistle and sing as they row into the night for they will be fishing all night long and return in the morning with the fish from the nights catch,as they set out to work something else is happening in the background, different species of birds are heading back to their nests from their daily activities as well, being part of this felt incredible like something straight out of a movie or one of those shows from national geographic television.
After that incredible exhilarating experience we were ready to get back to land n put our feet down for it was even getting dark. That day’s activities were done and there was still more in store for us by kingfisher journeys so we planned for the next morning. At about 9am we were on the shores of lake kivu once more it looked so calm, collected and so serene.
We then are told about journey for the day and we are in awe even before we set off. We get into our kayaks and this time round it’s a smooth breeze with no instructions needed but the excitement was still high for out there on the water u can easily forget about the rest of the world and what reality emphasises to keep reminding you of, for the moment all you can think about is rowing the kayak enjoying the winds on the lake and having a good time.
We managed to catch the last group of the fishermen return from their night fishing, one could hear the fatigue in their voices as they tried to encourage and motivate each other to keep going through whistling and singing in the local language which is kinyarwanda. Since we had set off early we had time to rest a bit on an island that’s associated to kingfishers journeys where we caught our breath enjoyed the beach sand, if only we had planned a picnic we could have stayed longer “oh well maybe next time” we told ourselves.
Our guide then points towards our next destination which were the hot springs what were brought about be nature(it’s a beautiful thing) on reaching the hot springs I realise it’s not what I would have expected in a million years, water from beneath the earth was overflowing to the surface while boiling hot, this made it safe to drink but of course I didn’t try that though I saw local collect it carefully and wait for it to cool a bit before they indulged.
What was amazing was what the locals had done with this gift from Mother Earth, try created baths on the shallow waters of lake kivu making sand banks where they would trap the hot spring water and let it mix with the cold water from the lake, this kept the water warm enough for people to sit on the sand banks and deep their feet in the warm soothing water just as we were enjoying that the locals surprised us more with natural massages where they would use the sand from the banks to scrub your desired body parts, we didn’t go for the full body massage which is also an option if you are up for it but we had our hands and legs massaged, it helped ease the stress on the muscles from the rowing but just before we left I was treated to a local sauna, water was collected into a basin.
I was told to squat and tilt my head right above the basin, I was then covered with towels and cloth to keep the steam and said nutrients in and for me to keep inhaling them without losing out too much for about 10-15 minutes. This is said to heal colds, hangovers for those that take part in the consumption of alcoholic drinks and it’s also said to excrete toxins from the body leaving you feeling fresh and energised.
After all this 5 star treatment at the local spa we expected a fee but to our surprise there was none( I know right, you probably thinking does this kind of hospitality still exist? Well yes it does) out of appreciation we decided to give thanks for the care and experience we had gone through. Time to go back and none of us want to row back we had found a little bit of the garden of Eden on lake kivu for it really took you away from the noise of an urban setting fresh cool air, no noise pollution, no congestion, just looking at this world we live in in its truest and natural form.
The world there seemed to be a century back to the least. Leaving for the shores and to the end of our experience on lake kivu was a bitter sweet moment filled with mixed emotions in the air as we appreciated a wonderful time but were saddened by the reality check that we had come to the end of this short but unique and wonderful journey.
Read MoreCombining Cultural and Wildlife Experiences in Akagera
In 2014 Akagera initiated the Community Freelance Guides programme to recruit and train members of the local community to become tourism guides in Akagera. Almost two years later, the guides have accumulated extensive experience in the park, had training, both internal and external, in conservation in Akagera and field guiding techniques, some have completed first aid certificates and others have passed their driving tests. All are on their way to becoming skilled professionals and respected guides.
In addition to their work guiding tourists inside the park, the Community Freelance Guides Cooperative have been working on developing authentic cultural experiences to share with park visitors outside of the park. Their knowledge of the communities in which they live and participate in, as well as their experience guiding tourists and identifying their interests, make them well-placed to connect the two. The guides have put together some options for tourist looking for engagement with the local community and a greater understanding of Rwandan culture and tradition.
HERITAGE takes you to a cattle farm to try your hand at milking a cow and learn about the rituals around milk. You will visit the farmers home and see how milk was traditionally kept, preserved or treated, turning it into ghee. Special vessels are still sometimes used to store and drink milk from, and herbs smoked to flavour the amata. If you are interested in LOCAL PRODUCTION, another activity takes you to a honey cooperative to learn both traditional and modern methods of bee-keeping. In the same tour you visit a family producing urwagwa, or banana beer, and can sample the wares at a bar across the road.
The ARTS AND CRAFTS activity will show you how local artisans create their products; Imigongo is an iconic Rwandan art and native to the Eastern province, a family of blacksmiths demonstrate their creative talents and traditional dancers express Rwanda culture through music and movement.
In addition to these cultural activities, the guides have developed a 7-km moderate to difficult walk along a section of the boundary fence line. The entire fence line is walked daily by a team of fence attendants, walk in their shoes for a small section of the 120km boundary fence which plays an essential role in the conservation of Akagera; allowing for the recent re-introduction of lions, reducing human-wildlife conflicts on the park boundary and, in turn, creating community support for the park.
These activities provide opportunities to engage with people going about their daily lives and eager to share their stories. Since the income from these activities is shared with the participating community members it provides additional revenue, directly through tourism, to families living on the boundary of the park, demonstrating the benefits of tourism and creating long-term support for the conservation of Akagera National Park. It doesn’t get more authentic than that!
Read MoreAdventure Caving in Musanze Cave
The Musanze caves in Rwanda offer indepth understanding of geological history and development of the earth. Located in the volcanic region of Rwanda where different lava flow layers dating from 65 million years ago created the Albertine Rift Valley, the caves are two kilometers long underneath.
The caving activity in these caves is fairly new and started only late last year. They are not yet very popular, but part of it can also be blamed on very little promotion. I stumbled upon on this when I reached the reception of Volcanoes National Park a little late for any activity within the park. I had seen a signboard on the way and when I asked them about it they said they organize caving as well.
My Caving experience: Preparations This was not my first caving experience, but it was certainly the most formal one – with full caving gear into a cave full of wild migratory bats. The first time I tried caving was in Meghalaya way back in 2006, and since then never had an opportunity. Unfortunately no images survive from my first experience and I never shared about it on the blog as well.
Anyway, as soon as I was told that I could do caving in the first half of the day, I got super excited and immediately said the fee (USD 30). I was introduced to my guide Mr D, who also became my good friend and gave me company and tips of the next few days that I was in the town of Musanze. I asked him if he needed any help and he simply asked me to walk around, take pictures and wait. The reception is quite scenically located on the foothills of Volcanoes National Park and you can see the most beautiful volcano, Mount Sabyinyo, right behind it. Its so beautiful that I could stare at it for hours…
Anyway within an hour we were ready to leave. It took all this time as they had to charge a number of lights that we had to use within the cave. When I had a look at all the gear we had to carry, I was super impressed and even more excited to go into the caves. Usually one needs a vehicle to go to the caves, but since I had come there on a bike taxi, they graciously offered me a ride in a Park safari vehicle – which is generally used for conservation work and never used by the tourists. I guess, since I was alone and had become friends with the soldiers, they were open to giving me a free ride.
Caving in Musanze Caves After a drive of about 30 minutes we were near the entrance of the cave. We dressed up before going down into the darkness and it added to the excitement. I was given the following:
- Head cap 2. Helmet with light 3. Face cover 4. Gloves 5. Knee caps 6. Boots 7. Hand torch 8. Lots of instructions The cave is actually quite long, though we could only do a short stretch of it which took us about an hour. There is, of course, no light inside the cave and you have to use the head light on the helmet almost all the time. This is good for you, but sharp light disturbs the bats and make quite a bit of noise. Its great when you switch off all the lights inside and stand quietly, the bats also calm down and go silent. You can even feel them flying quite close to you – the winds flapping, strange bat stench and so on.
The last bit of the cave is also the most beautiful. The image at top is from at the end. On the insistence of my guide, I also made this short video about the place. He wanted me to make it so that I can share it with my family and convince them to come to Rwanda for their next vacation.
My Guide – Mr D! His real name was Diogene, but he preferred Mr D. He was my guide to the caves but we quickly became friends, chatting up about Rwanda and India. He also took me to the coolest places in Musanze, lent me his jacket for the trek and called up every evening to ask me about my day!
I took this portrait at a nice and old French cafe in town where we had our lunch after Caving.
Musanze caves during Genocide The caves became prominent during the genocide in 1994. It was used by hapless residents fleeing their killers to hide and save themselves. Many of them lived here for months and made it their home. It must have been quite tough living here – no light, little food and lots of bats. A new walkway is in place now, but back then it was only rocks and uneven terrain. As per my guide, many of those who hid here actually survived.
Travel tips:
- If you are in Musanze, you can take a bike taxi to the Reception of Volcanoes National Park. No prior booking is required. The taxi will cost you FRw 2000.
- A jeep or car is preferred as you can dump all the caving equipment there
- Caving takes about an hour and it not at all tough – its an experience for everyone
- You can carry water and food, but you can’t have it inside the cave
- Cameras are generally useless, unless you intend to use a tripod and take long exposure shot
The Success of Gorilla Tourism in Rwanda
Several factors have been attributed to the success of gorilla Tourism in Rwanda and the other country where mountain Gorillas can be visited safely is Uganda, however the Democratic republic of Congo is relatively unstable. With quite a broad client base the demand has been higher than the availability of permits and the good accessibility of the gorillas is an advantage. Rwanda is a small country and the mountain gorillas are fast to be reached within 2 hours from Kigali, the capital city of the Republic of Rwanda as opposed to Uganda which is about 6 hours from the capital city Kampala. There are viable tourists assets which are necessary but not very sufficient, requiring t more infrastructure and to be set up in Rwanda.
A prerequisite is the relative ease of habituating Mountain Gorillas facilitated by the temperate climate. A sustainable Tourism development plan was designed by the republic of Rwanda with the support of the United Nations World Tourism Organization. The Virunga mountain gorilla represent an isolated island population in an upland area surrounded by a sea humanity at some of the highest human densities found on the African continent.
Threats to Mountain Gorillas
Mountain Gorillas are severely threatened by anthropogenic disturbance such as need for agricultural expansion and illegal extraction of resources. Until recent, mountain Gorillas are not hunted down for meat as it was before. Many Mountain Gorillas were killed and other wounded with other groups disintegrating as a result. This resulted in high demand to trap infants which were taken on the black market in the Virunga range. Illegal hunting was mainly motivated by meeting subsistence needs for the poorest people around the Virunga National Park and this pressure presently represents the greatest threat to the survival of the mountain gorilla and the integrity of their habitat.
A key focus for the Contemporary conservation of Mountain Gorillas
There has been a focus of contemporary conservation strategies where the local communities have persistently addresses the local welfare needs to mitigate some of the poverty related conservation threats. This has combined the conservation with the local development through the integrated conservation and development projects. The communities in Rwanda are involved in gorilla tourism in the following ways including; creation of a department for community conservation which is aimed at working with the local education and social infrastructure projects.
The republic of Rwanda has initiated revenue sharing scheme whereby 5 percent of tourism revenues from the park fees are injected into local community projects around the national parks. This has been made possible to ensure that the local people consider the parks as one of their own and it is not known what proportion is shared with revenue represents the budget of the local councils
Benefits of gorilla tourism
The Virunga Mountain Gorilla represents an Isolated Island of Island population in an upland area which is surrounded by sea of humanity at some of humanity at some of the highest human densities found on the African continent. Employment opportunities have been offered to the people of Rwanda through National the national park. The local community have been have been employed as guides, trackers and antipoachers while some privately tour operators have offered community based tourism activities including stays with local family, village walks, banana beer production or even volunteering opportunities in the local communities. As compared to other countries, Rwanda has shown a strong commitment to promote the tourism sector and have developed a clear tourism strategy and a marketed destination. A private sector was involved in the policy sector and dialogue and generally have improved the country’s business environment.
Read MoreTracking the Mountain Gorillas in Rwanda
Gorilla trekking is a unique once-in-a-lifetime experience that you should not miss while in Rwanda. This is one of the best rated adventure activities on TripAdvisor and surprisingly, it can be done safely in Rwanda.
On a Rwanda tour you should not miss visiting the Volcanoes National Park, the oldest park in Africa! The park’s history dates back to the creation of the Albert National Park that was created by the Belgians in 1925. This is one of the only four national parks protecting the mountain gorillas.
It is estimated that there are as few as only 900 mountain gorillas left globally. The mountain gorillas are listed as endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Did you know that there are only three countries where you can see these endangered species? These great apes are only found in the countries of Uganda, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda.
The Volcanoes National Park is part of the Virunga Region, the montane forests of Central Africa protecting the mountain gorillas. The region has two other parks that include Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Mgahinga National Park in Uganda.
For the past two decades, gorilla tourism has been promoted in these countries most especially Uganda and Rwanda. Today there are several habituated gorilla families that can be visited in these countries. However based on easiness, Volcanoes National Park is the best place to track the mountain gorillas in Africa. It is also safe to say that this very special experience is very rewarding and interesting – giving you up to 1 hour to watch and photograph these great apes.
Planning a Gorilla Trek in Rwanda
There are limited gorilla permits available for gorilla tracking in Rwanda. Today there are ten habituated gorilla groups that can be visited by tourists. Each group is allocated only 8 tourists and the number is limited based on guidelines that were set while planning gorilla tourism as a sustainable tourism activity.
Given that there are less permits available, it is advisable to book a gorilla permit early enough most especially if you are looking to gorilla watching in the peak months of June – September and December – February! Gorilla permits can be booked at the ORTPN offices in Kigali, at the Volcanoes National Park headquarters or through a local tour operator based in Rwanda.
Costs for gorilla permits:
- USD $1500 per person for non-nationals
The fees for gorilla permits are inclusive of park entry fees.
Please note that gorilla trekking requires good physical fitness, stamina and a yellow fever certificate. The trek encompasses visiting some of the most beautiful volcanoes, amongst the Virunga mountains, in the world. Four days and 3 nights, all you need for this fulfilling experience (a good add on to a traditional Safari trip to Tanzania).
Read MoreGishwati Mukura Gazetted into a National Park
Gishwati-Mukura Nature Reserve has officially become Rwanda’s 4th National Park after Akagera, Nyungwe and Volcanoes National Park. This park is known for its fauna and flora such as primates, chimpanzees and more than 60 types of trees.
Gishwati-Mukura National Park is located in Rubavu, Rutsiro, Ngororero and Nyabihu Districts in western Rwanda. Rwanda had only three national parks but the number increased from 3 to 4 parks with the law establishing Gishwati and Mukura National Park which was signed and published in the official gazette on February 01, 2016.
The objective of turning Gishwati-Mukura into a national park is to “ensure that the part of these forests that remains is safeguarded” as explained by Dr Rose Mukankomeje, Director of REMA. Dr. Mukankomeje also asserts that “the new park will contribute to the well-being of the surrounding population as they will find jobs in hotels, guide tourists and sell handicrafts to tourists who visit Gishwati-Mukura Park” .
This law provides that the two parks are composed of the Gishwati forest measuring 1,439.72 hectares and the Mukura forest measuring 1,987.74 hectares. The total area of Gishwati-Mukura Park is 992.48 hectares.
This has been extremely exciting news for Rwanda, and shows a great willingness of the government to help stabilize and protect these hugely important areas and turning the forest into a national park move has increased the number of parks in the country to four. The others are the game-rich Akagera, situated in savannah lowlands in the country’s east; Volcanoes, home to the famous mountain gorillas in the north; and Nyungwe rainforest in south-west, one of the world’s richest ecosystems that is home to several species of primates and birds.
Read More
Canine Unit Takes Command
17 dog handlers have graduated after seven months of training to enable them to work with eight highly-trained tracker and restraint dogs in Akagera National Park. The canine unit will provide the law enforcement team with a significant boost in securing the parks and preventing illegal activities.
The eight dogs were a donation to Rwanda from the HGB Foundation early in 2015. They had previously been deployed in Central African Republic. With the dogs already highly trained, handlers were recruited to be trained and operate the canine unit. The intensive course consisted of theory and practical programmes on veterinary knowledge and care of a service dog, the theory of scent, bite work, reinforcement training, obstacle work and tracking in the field. It was important for the handlers to develop a relationship with the dogs so they can understand their signals and read their behaviours. For maximum effectiveness and efficiency, the dogs and handlers need to work together as a team.
Seven of the dogs are Belgian Malinois named Reza, Max, Bruno, Bronco, Gozer, Barrack and Tigo, the eighth is a Dutch shepherd named Duco. All are male and around 3-5 years old, highly trained and experienced in law enforcement for tracking and, where necessary, are also able to restrain an assailant until rangers are able to arrest him. While the dogs have remained in Akagera for the training period, in future they may be deployed across all parks in Rwanda to assist in anti-poaching activities and help to secure the integrity of the national parks.
Law enforcement activities in Akagera continues to show significant improvements with huge reductions in all illegal activities. Snare recovery has dropped from 1,997 in 2013 to just 141 at the time of writing in December 2015. Arrests of poachers has gone from 308 in 2012 to just 6.
These have reduced while patrol coverage has increased and the rangers have been trained and properly equipped to carry out patrols. With the recent return of lions, and the planned reintroduction of black rhino in the near future, the law enforcement team continue to be presented with new challenges and must be able to ensure the protection of the park and animals within. The canine unit will provide the team with a significant boost in anti-poaching efforts to carry on the protection and conservation of Akagera National Park.
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