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When looking for gorilla safaris in the world, Uganda comes on the first list visited countries for gorilla tracking, few countries worldwide host these endangered species as there are only about 900 individuals left in the world shared by three African countries including Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Uganda to many gorilla trackers is considered as the leading gorilla safari destination in the world and perhaps housing the highest number of these endangered species. Gorilla tracking is considered the most interesting adventurous safari activity in the world attracting a number of travelers to gorilla tracking destinations.

Mountain gorillas is known as one of the sub species of gorillas rarely seen and safari to see these apes is only done in areas where they are habituated from. Mountain gorillas are known as the largest primate on earth, very intelligent and a close relative to human after the chimps which shares almost 98% of human DNA make-up. Uganda is popularly known for its mountain gorilla species and gorilla tracking is the most tourist activity many travelers come for. For one to track these remaining apes it needs some preparations and booking in time, it’s better to book with a registered and genuine tour and tour company to arrange for you the whole ground handling gorilla safari to Uganda.

A gorilla permit is a passport for one to see these remaining apes in their natural habitat deep into the forest, and gorilla tracking activity is at a very high demand permits sometimes get finished, so you are advised to book your gorilla tracking permit prior to your travel dates at least 2-5 months to secure and guarantee tracking. Owning a gorilla permit is a guarantee for sighting, but it’s not a guarantee for sighting since mountain gorillas are wild-animals they are very difficult to predict although chances of sighting are very high about 98% and above. sometimes it’s very difficult to obtain a gorilla permit as an individual but if you use a tour agent or tour and travel company chances of obtaining a gorilla permit in time is very high as they have more chances of buying them in advance than an individual, so to ease the process of obtaining a gorilla tracking permit it’s better to use a tour and travel company your permit will be secured early to stand a chance of participating in gorilla tracking activity in Uganda, the number one adventurous safari activity incomparable.

Mountain gorilla tracking costs usd700 for forein non residents, $600 for forein residents and Ugx 250,000 for East African citizens. Book with us at Go Rwanda Safaris and  we will get you a gorilla permit at no extra charge. This works if you are booking the all gorilla safari with us; however in case you need only a gorilla permit we will get it for you at an extra charge of usd50. Mountain gorillas in Uganda are found in Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla forest national park, however in Mgahinga, gorillas are not stable most of the time they cross to Rwanda and DRC making tracking in the only gorilla group available in Mgahinga (Nyakagezi) very difficult), so many trackers opt for Bwindi national park and the park has 13 gorilla families with one group visited by only researchers and ranger guides. Other gorilla families are opened to tourist and safaris to trek them is done on a daily basis. Only eight people are allowed to visit gorillas in each gorilla family daily and to participate in this activity one should be above 15 years of age.

The tracking permit will give you an opportunity to meet and spend time with the mountain gorillas and after tracking a certificate will be issued to you by the Uganda wildlife authority. Gorilla tracking can be done along with many other interesting activities including wildlife viewing, bird watching, chimp tracking, batwa experience among many others. To book your mountain gorilla tracking safari either in Uganda/Rwanda, send us your passport details which include your full names, passport number and the nationality. After confirming your tracking dates and sending the money for permits, the dates for gorilla tracking cannot change after the permits have been booked. For a change in dates of gorilla tracking, inform your travel agency or a tour company organizing your safari in time for the changed dates of gorilla tracking and the Uganda Wildlife Authority is subjected a fee of usd100 for each gorilla date changed as a cancellation fee. Book your gorilla permit now to stand a chance of seeing the gorillas in their natural habitat.

The genocide was as a result of inter tribal conflict which took place from April where the Hutu ethnic group comprising of the majority murdered their fellow Tutsi group of people in Rwanda. The genocide started from the capital by the Hutu and spread rapidly and brutally through the whole country being led by local officials and the Hutu who where in government killing as much as 800000 people of the Tutsi tribe. This was only ended in July after the Rwanda patriotic front taking control with the military force.
Rwanda had one of the highest populations in Africa with 85 percent of them being the Hutu and 14 percent the Tutsi and 1 percent the Twa comprising of the very list percentage of people in Rwanda. This all begun after World War 1 when Rwanda came under the Belgium who favored the Tutsi over the Hutu. This created hate and enmity which aroused violence as early as 1959 forcing around 300000 Tutsi to flee the country decreasing them more in number. By 1961 the Tutsi were forced into exile by the Hutu declaring the country a republic after which the Belgium granted the country its independence in July 1962.
In 1994 the plan between Habyarimana the spear head in the genocide and the Burundi president Cyprien Ntaryamira shot down killing more than million of Rwanda people. The presidential guards together with Hutu Prime Minister Agatha Umilinglylmana and his 10 Belgium body guards were the first victims being killed on April 7.
The war spread so fast throughout Rwanda killing 800000 people within three months. The Rwanda civilians were encouraged by local officials and government sponsored radio station to kill there fellow neighbors. This had to bring in the RPT to wage a war alongside the genocide were it gained control and more than 2 million Hutu fled from Rwanda to Congo as refugees and other neighboring countries.
The RPT then established a coalition government with Pasteur Bizimungu a Hutu as the president and Paul kagame as vice president and the defense minister. This lowered Habyarimanas influence who had mobilized the genocide and then anew law and constitution was mandated in 2003 emphasizing unity. This was followed by electing Paul kagame as Rwandans president who is still ruling up to date. The Rwandans are fully responsible for the genocide though other powerful counties failure to do something to put the war to an end can not be under estimated. The international forces were aware of the preparations and targets of elimination of the Tutsi but then they refused to use their authority and power to challenge the government by then for the prevention of the genocide.

THE GENOCIDE SITES IN RWANDA.
Following the course of the 1994 war, the sites were put in place to show the dangers of the genocide war were around 800000 people lost there life’s and these are;

MURAMBI GENOCIDE SITE.
This was a school in the first place before the massacre where 2700 individuals are estimate to have been murdered. Since then the natives were resettled in other places for the preservation of the corpses in the place and it’s now an exhibition places related to tourism. Free information is given to the tourists by the survivors regarding the history of the genocide. There are burial room, display of corpses and amass grave were the victims were buried all together.

GISOZI MEMORIAL SITE.
This is were most of the Tutsi victims were killed and its situated in Gasabo village. Here there is a library were books and documents concerning the country’s history are found, a display house were the corpses are seen, photographs and cemetery where around 30000 victims were killed both the Hutu and the Tutsi were buried in that same place .The site become a tourist attraction in 2004 and is having a plan to provide history concerning the country the world.

GISENYI MEMORIAL SITE.
This is the first memorial site were around 12000 victims who were killed in the genocide were buried. There bodies were just brought there from Nyundo and Corniche. This is the site were Madame Carr’s grave who was in charge of the Imbabazi orphanage is found. This site is found in Gisenyi.

NYAMATA MEMORIAL SITE
Formally this was a church found in Bugesera districts were 2500 people were killed who had run there for safety. The church still exits as to remembrance of the incidence that took place.

BISESERO MEMORIAL SITE
Its in Karongi districts were around 30000paople were murdered. These were mainly the brave Tutsi who stood up against the Hutu and were over powered. The site has nine small structures connoting the nine communities which formed the Kibuye region and is referred to as a hill of resistance because of there oppositions against the Hutu people.

NYARUBUYE MEMORIAL SITE.
This was a convent and also school in which 20000 people were murdered and buried as they tried to escape for there life’s in Tanzania generisk viagra pris. There corpse are in the convent and in 2003 the school was also re-opened, still operating with a number of students.

NYANZA MEMORIAL SITE
This was formally a school called ETO managed by the UN who had come to provide security to the people of Rwanda before the genocide. With the commencement of the genocide they left and the local individuals found there were murdered. On the 11 of April, a memorial ritual is done in this place to remember the victim’s souls by the survivors.

NTARAMA MEMORIAL SITE
Here several children were killed and women were murdered who had gone to seek refugee in a church during the war only to be killed there too. Around 5000 people and its just an hours drive from Kigali and is located in Bugesera. It’s now a display site.

Lake Kivu is one of the largest numerous fresh water bodies in the East African rift valley of Rwanda. It’s a rare attractive lake that is believed to have existed between 1-5 million years ago. It covers a surface area of 2370 km sq d; maximum depth of 485 metres, a volume of 560 km sq d, an altitude of 1463 metres above sea level with an annual level of fluctuation between 0.17 and 1.17 m.
The main leisure or tourism activities in and around Lake Kivu.
Lake Kivu is ideal for a day relaxing on the beach. you can enjoy leisurely strolls along the beach waters, local cuisine along while watching freshly caught fish, evening bonfires, private massage all on the beach, a luxury tourist boat can be board in Gisenyi to guide tourist a long lake kivu shores.
Swimming. Lake Kivu is definitely one of the unique lakes in Africa where you can safely swim. Visitors should be contented because there are no crocodiles, hippopotamus, and billiharzias in the lake. The lake has pleasant surface temperatures throughout the year from 23- 27 degrees cent grade, no gas outbursts since the methane is trapped below 260 m and far a way from the shore.
Water sports including Kayaking, wind surfing, catamaran and Jet Ski are as well common games of interest at the shores of the lake. The equipments can be hired at kivu Serena in Gisenyi and kayaks can also be hired in moriah hills in Kibuye.
Fishing activities. The Lake has like 31 species of fish breathing underneath it with the common type as the Tanganyika sardine locally known as lsambaza introduced in 1960’s. You can join the fishermen for an evening and experience their traditional techniques of fishing, listen to the fishermen singing as they row gently, watch the lsambaza fishing boat with their fishing equipments like nets, beams and telescopic poles during the day along the shorelines. The fish are attracted by the petrol light from the fishermen at night making it impossible to fish during full moon light.
Boat riding. It’s an emotional experience were one can enjoy the breath taking landscapes as they cruise. The speed boat can be hired in munezero from Rwanda development board in Gisenyi.
Cycling, hiking or driving along the Congo Nile trail. Running from Gisenyi to Kamembe along the scenic shore of Lake Kivu is the Congo Nile trail at a distance of 227 km. These cycles can be hired in Gisenyi plus the bicycle guides and porters to help you a long the trail.
Visit the scenic island around Lake Kivu and experience the local spices like thousands of bats at napoleon island, sleep, eat fresh fish and relax on the island from parsdis molahide hotel in Gisenyi, visit the inhabitants of bugarama and nkoma islands and indulge in there local activities
Observe the smoke from the nyiragongo volcano during the day and its glow at night from Gisenyi, Kibuye and Nyungwe forest all along Lake Kivu and watch the sun set.
The estimated population of people around Lake Kivu is 2 m people and their activities include; marine and terrestrial transport of passengers and goods, fishing lsambaza, lndugu and tilapia, hydro power plants in Gisenyi, nkora, cyimburu and kaya, methane extraction in Lake Kivu, boat building among others.
Hotels and places were to stay along Lake Kivu include; morian hill resort, cornmorant logged, lake kivu Serena hotel, bethania guest house, peace guest house and paradis molahide https://libido-portugal.com/.

The volcanoes of Rwanda located in its north, is the only place where mountains gorillas can be trekked in the country. The gorillas are trekked in there groups and in Rwanda the groups are divided into two; the ones used for research purposed are only accessed by researchers/ scientists and they have the largest members of the family and they are beetsme and Pablo’s shida’s.
The second groups are the habituated groups for tourism. These are 10 groups and are visited by a maximum of 8 persons at a maximum of one hour meaning that 80 visitors can possibly trek each day to the mountain gorilla in volcanoes national park.
Before your gorilla trek, you will be assigned to a gorilla group that fits your level of fitness and these are the gorilla groups;
1. Susa group. This was the largest group before its split with over 40 members and was the group studied by dian Fossey, headed by kurira which means crying. The name Susa is derived from the Susa River along their home area. It’s the hardest group to trek as they range high into the mountains at the lower slopes of mountain Karisimbi it has a family of 28 individuals with 2 silver backs. The group is famous of the young twins named byishimo and impano and it also has the oldest habituated gorilla called poppy born in 1976.

2. Karisimbi family [Susa B]. This has 16 individual including two silver backs and is the group that split from Susa in 2008 that’s why it’s at times called Susa B family. they stay high at the picks of Karisimbi volcanoes which takes a full day trekking. The trekker should be fit and health to enjoy this trek.

3. Sabinyo gorilla group. This is the easiest group to access they are usually at the edge of the park. The group is led by guhonda the biggest, massive and strongest silver back gorilla of all having 220 kg. It has 8 members with 2 silvers backs. The name was given after Sabyinyo volcanoes meaning old teeth. They are mostly found in the gentle foothills of mountain Sabyinyo and mountain Gahinga.

4. Amahoro gorilla group. The trekking of this group endures a fairly steep climb. This group is led by the ubumwe having 17 individual with 1 silver back, 2 black backs, 5 adult females, 2 sub adult males, 2 juveniles and 5 babies. Its name is derived from the peaceful and congeniality character. they are often found roaming at the slopes of mountain Visoke and their trek is medium difficulty

5. Group 13. These are also known as aka Agasha group. The name is derived from its first 13 habituated members but gradually increased to 27 members being led by agasha meaning the news with 1 silver back, 2 adult females, and 2 sub adults’ females, 3 juvenile and 7 babies. Can be found in the same are as Sabinyo groups.
6. Umubano group. These broke off from Amahoro after a fight between ubumwe and Charles who is there leader. Charles stole a few females and formed his own group. They are now 11 with 2 silver back, 1 sub adult male, 3 adult female, 3 adult female and 6 babies. Their name means living together and is always found in the same area as the Amahoro.

7. Kwitonda family. This is led by Kwitonda meaning humble and has 18 members with 4 silver back and one black back. These migrated from DRC and range far making there trekking moderately difficult like the Susa they are found on the slopes of mountain Muhabura.

8. Hirwa group. The group emerged from two different existing families of group 13 and Sabinyo forming there own in 2006. They are led by munyinya and has 9 individuals 1 silver back,3 adult females, 2 sub adult females and 3 babies. They are usually found at the foot hill of mountain Sabyinyo on the Gahinga side. Hirwa means lucky one. This group also had twins born to them at the beginning of 2011.

9. Bwenge family. It’s a new group formed in 2007. The name Bwenge means brightness or wisdom and the group is led by Bwenge who left his former group and was joined by other females from other groups. It has 11 individuals mostly found at the slopes of the Karisoke / Bisoke volcanoes and its trekking is moderately difficult. This group faced some difficulties of losing 6 of its infants. This is also the group whose members where featured in the movie gorilla in the mist.

10. Ugenda family. This family has 11 members with 2 silver backs and it’s led by ugenda. Its name means mobile / departure because it was always moving from one area to another. This group is found around mountain Bisoke and there hike is both easy and moderately difficult that’s they are not difficult to hike but many times they keep on moving from one place to another.

Although there are some difficulties in the trekking, guides always have to trace where these families are a day before the trekking and porter to carry luggage’s if the trek you are taking is relatively difficult involving long hours of trekking at a small fee.

Besides the famous gorilla trekking activity in kiningi, the volcanoes of Rwanda is blessed with a number of tourist attractions that entice visitors to consider it as a priority in Africa. This was the very first park officiated in 1925 to protect the mountain gorillas from the poachers and is located in Musanze province with 5 volcanoes, 23 lakes and river some of which formed the source of the Nile.
There are a number of other activities carried out in the volcanoes like birding, visiting caves, cultural and community tourism, cycling, hiking, fishing among others and these are detailed as below.
Dian Fossey tomb.
Going to the dian Fossey tomb is one of the activities one shouldn’t miss while visiting Rwanda’s volcanoes. With in 30 minutes’ drive from the park headquarters you will immerse at Karisoke research camp where Dian’s grave the American zoologist is found. She was so dedicated to conservatism leaving a legacy up to today. This hiking is an incredible trek with views of species like elephants, forest hogs, bird among others. Dian Fossey was mysteriously murdered on 27 December 1985 and buried just next to her favorite gorilla friend digit and other gorillas killed by poachers or that died for other reasons.
Golden monkey trekking.
The golden monkeys are a species listed among the endangered in the volcanoes of Rwanda. Trekking of these golden monkeys is worth going for while in the volcanoes. Just like gorillas are trekked, a group of not more than 8 people can spend one hour with the golden monkeys once found in the bamboo vegetation’s where they live. They are active and delightful creatures to watch in there free time swing from tree to tree. They are habituated in two groups, one comprising of around 80-100 individuals.
The mountain of Bisoke.
This is one of the most memorable activities in the volcanoes. The top of this mountain has got a spectacular crater lake of ngezi, Mikeno, Muhabura and magahinga. With in 6 hour, your heart will be filled by the joy of the fresh waters.
Mountain Karisimbi hike.
Karisimbi happens to be the highest of all the major 8 volcanoes arising at an elevation of 4507 meters being the 5th highest in Africa. It’s named after the white capped summit which is usually seen on top of this volcano. It requires a 2 days hike offering views of several bird varieties, primates like monkey, gorilla and vegetation. You need relatively good health and fitness to hike through the slippery slopes to reach the peak so one may hire a porter to help in carrying your luggage.

Iby’lwacu village.
Iby’lwacu cultural village is enclosed in nyabigoma, Musanze district. It gives the travelers a chance to share the traditions and beliefs of Rwandan’s culture from heritage, lifestyle, artifacts and there usual daily routines. Here the visitors can get close, interact with the local people and take part in number of daily activities
One can be enthroned as a king for some time exercising kings power as presented to by the village elder through a village ceremony. Experience the local dances like Intore dance; listen to the gorilla song and the sound produced by traditional musical instruments.
Learn about the traditional medicine from the local traditional healer and get to know how medicinal tree, shrubs, grass are used to cure some diseases.
Get a chance of teaching or become a student and experience the education life in Rwanda. The choice is yours to teach any lesson or attend any class and be taught.
Enjoy Rwanda’s local dish at lunch time or dinner. You can even take part in its preparations with the local women.
Experience the local banana beer from its brewing process to the final stage of enjoying the taste.
Kwita izina. This is the annual gorilla ceremony where new born baby gorillas in every family are given a name. This has become a culture and tradition in Rwanda for there famous wildlife conservation. The effort are credited to the government of Rwanda with the help of the Rwanda development board and other conservation partners and the local community especially those who were former poachers and living around the volcanoes national park. The major aim of this ceremony is gorilla conservation. This year’s kwita izina was the eleventh and was held on the 5th September in Kiningi at the foot hills of the volcanoes with its theme as “conserving now and for the future.” This has become an exciting part of conservation in tourism of Rwanda.
The rugezi swamp. This has turned out to be a habitat to several birds’ species especially the gravures swamp warbler turning it into an important point of attraction in Rwanda.
Brick making tour. One should not miss to see how local bricks are made with clay; these are always covered with banana leaves and left to dry for 2 days after which you use your hands to mold them in the right shape ready for the next processes of burning them after which a house can be put up or constructed.
Lakes Burera and Ruhondo. These are beautiful lakes located at the base of volcanoes Muhabura and close to the border with Uganda. They are surrounded by steep hills and large waterfalls with a back drop of the Virunga volcanoes mountain. these twin lakes are great spots to be visited after watching the gorillas in the Rwandan mountain .Besides being birding centres, these lakes offer boat cruises to the islands of Ruhondo and Burera enjoying the nature’s beauty. They are also a good leisure place for relaxing on the beaches
Lakes karago and Lake Nyarakigugu. The main activities offered here are fishing and birding. This offers visitors a glimpse into African methods of fishing. Visitors can practically engage themselves in these activities if interested.
Buhanga Eco Park. This is a section of the forest that offers nature walks, picnics and camping facilities. The forest is dominated by beautiful dragon trees and a habitat to a number of lovely birds.
Caving tourism. As a result of volcanic activity especially the Cenozoic rocks, 52 caves were formed in the northern province which include; the Musanze cave which is 2 km long and the most often visited cave with 31 entrances, the busasamana cave, mugongo caves that is great for caving and can easily be found close to Mr. cars property with some camping amenities.

Gorilla trekking in Rwanda’s volcanoes national park is the most prominent Eco friendly activity. Rules and regulations have been put in place for the safety of both the gorilla and the trekkers, in addition to guarantee the existence of the gorilla and adverse environment impact.
An encounter with these endangered giant species is an intimacy. The silver back male is always gentle unless provoked, but the young ones are usually playful and in many cases they attempt to touch. They are attracted to bright colors especially yellow so it’s advisable not to put on a yellow color on trekking.
BEFORE DEPARTURE
Make sure that you attend the pre-tracking orientation where you will be grouped and briefed on your way of conduct and when with the gorillas.
Make sure that you have a gorilla trekking permit.
Be in good reasonable shape or health and a level of fitness is required for the gorilla group. It shouldn’t necessary be an athletic fitness or strength just good heath because the guides will walk you through at a reasonable pace
Have no communicable disease or cold, flu, TB, diarrhea and any other as long as it’s in this category.
A maximum number of 8 visitors are only allowed to visit a group because more of this will emotionally upset the mountain gorilla. This also avoids exposure to illnesses
Always wash your hand before you go for the trekking.
ON THE WAY TO THE GORILLAS.
Do not leave any rubbish in the park.
You will be taken where the guides observed the gorillas the previous day, then follow the gorillas step to there nest.
As you approach them, the guides will alert you.
Your voice should be kept low.
WHEN YOU ARE WITH THE GORILLAS
It’s very important that you must follow the instruction of your guide because they are always with the gorillas understanding them very well. So you should remain in a compact group behind the guide.
Always stay 7 meter away from the gorilla as this helps to limit the spread of disease since they are susceptible to human diseases.
Stay together as a group when you are in the presence of the gorillas to reduce potential confusion of the gorillas
Submissiveness is required in case the male silver back charges. You shouldn’t attempt to run away, just remain where you are, do not panic and look down in case it stares at you.
Never make any sudden movements or loud noise in the presence of a gorilla. Your voice should always be keep low until you are 200 meters away from the gorillas, though this can not avoid you from asking questions from the guide.
Do not attempt to move when the gorilla is passing wait for it to pass first.
Your movements should be slowly and careful, do not point or wave your arms in the presence of gorillas.
Do not imitate the male gorilla chest beating as this will create chaos.
In case a young gorilla approaches because they are playful, do not attempt to touch them because this can create a threatening situation with the dominant male.
Never use a flash camera when photographing the gorilla this is seen as aggressive by the gorilla. Besides special photographic and filming can be organized when arranged especially for commercial use and documentaries but will require accreditation card unlike normal tourists. If photographing using film, 400-800 ASA film is recommendable.
Concerning health, you must be physically fit and mentally prepared to endure several hours walk in difficult and rough terrain.
Only visitors in good health will be permitted to track gorillas as they are susceptible to common colds and other respiratory diseases transmitted by humans
In case you are sick let it be known and be removed from the gorilla tracking team. An alternative gorilla trekking opportunity will be arranged or money referred back to you
If you need to cough, sneeze, blow your nose, move your head away from the gorilla in order to keep the risk of infection minimal
In case you need to go to the toilet, ask the ranger guide to dig you a hole of 30cm deep and ensure its filled after you have finished using it.
Environmental conservation is important so it’s prohibited to destroy any vegetation unnecessary or to make open fires in the national parks and reserves they are strictly protected.
All visitors must carry their own liter with them out of the park reserves leaving nothing behind as these can harbor diseases or other contaminants
One should not collect any souvenirs from the pack.
No smoking, eating food or drinking of any beverages is allowed in the presence of the gorillas. Its only permitted within 200 meters of a gorilla family.
The recommendable age limit is 15 years and above so any one below that should not bother.
It’s very important to know that the limited number of eight persons per group at a length of maximum one hour makes it hard or impossible to do gorilla trekking on personal basis.
WHAT TO BRING ON TREKKING.
A small, light weight frame less water proof back for your packing.
Alight rain jacket since is usually rains, long sleeved shirts to avoid scratches by branches, gloves made of cotton to pull yourself up on branches, proper light waterproof hiking boot to support your ankles, thick stocks, waterproof squash able hat
A bottle of water like 2 litters, energy bars or other high energy snacks for the hikes
Binoculars or one con be hire
Spare batteries and an extra memory card for your digital camera.
A walking stick can be purchased and you can hire a porter at a less price to carry your luggage.

The Iby’lwacu cultural village is located in the area of Musanze near Kinigi and Parc national des Volcano in Rwanda. The term Iby’lwacu denotes” treasure of our heritage” and thus the villages exhibits what Rwanda is in the economical and social aspects becoming a centre of attraction besides the gorilla and golden monkey trekking in the areas of the volcanoes. This village gives the travelers a chance to meet local people in their environment experiencing there culture and traditions, get to know the people by interacting with them and taking part in their daily activities.
Iby’lwacu village was pioneered by Edwin Sabuhoro basically aimed at improving the lives of reformed poachers and communities around the volcanoes national park through provision of conservation incentives, supporting community enterprise development and livelihood based projects. This helped them to resort to their family lives and preserving Rwanda culture among the youth since it was made a means of earning a living.The village costs USD 35 per person and USD 70 for an overnight לקנות לויטרה.
After gorilla trekking, the Iby’lwacu cultural village is the best place to go to and experience the real Rwanda culture, norms and traditions. The hike will depend on the travelers interests and the various activities include;
• A community walks visiting different sites with in the community. This gives an insight into the daily lives of the people in the community.
• Go to the king’s house be enthroned as a king and exercise kingship as instructed by elders through a village ceremony, listen to all the kings’ stories and be explained to all the meaning of different symbols within the palace.
• Watch the eight different types of traditional dances in Rwanda’s culture, other local and traditional musical instruments i.e. In tore dances, drumming, ibyivugo, umuduri, ikemde, iningiri, inanga, Ingoma, amakondera, agakenke.
• Listen to the famous gorilla song sung by Ngayabatema, mainly referred to as kaayuku.
• Experience the use of local medicinal trees, shrubs, grasses that cure some diseases with the local traditional healer. Visit their clinics and pharmacies.
• Visit local schools and exercise the Rwanda’s education by being a student or becoming a teacher of any lesson and class.
• Participate in the preparation of a local lunch or dinner like the ubugari, igikoma etc with local people and have its taste while listening to interesting stories of pre and post colonial era from the elderly people around.
• Attend a local banana brewing process and have a taste of local banana brew.
• Learn about the ex-poachers techniques of hunting and the stories of their past life experiences in particular from the Batwa.
• Engage yourself in pottery making with the Batwa people, experience the artisans and craft making done by women, men and children.
• Participate in the local football match and many more sports activities.

• Don’t miss the agricultural tourism by joining the local people to their agricultural fields to work and learn about their ways of farming, harvest and participate in food preparation and making processes like millet grinding using stones, carrying potatoes and water on your head.
• Experience the days climax with Igitaramo camp fire, with drums and local dances before sunset, where stories and riddles are re-sighted by story tellers with every one seated around fire.
• This village gives you the best ways to get to know the local peoples culture and their ways of living by actively taking part in their daily lives.
The code of conduct while in Iby’lwacu village.
These guidelines help to preserve the environment and culture of Rwanda’s community and they ought to be followed.
• Throwing rubbish is prohibited and bins are provided for any litter.
• Plants should not be touched or stepped on and taking cuttings, seeds and roots is illegal in Rwanda’s community.
• Respect privacy when taking photographs, ask the community leader or guide if it is alright and use restraint.
• Avoid giving children empty bottles to avoid begging.
• When donating, it’s preferred to be for the community project purpose because it’s a more constructive way to help and only give to the community leader.
• Use only your right hands when greeting and eating. It’s also polite to use either hands while giving or receiving gifts.
• Respect the local etiquette, light weight clothes are preferable to indecent clothes, kissing in public is disliked by local people.
• Be patient, friendly, sensitive and sharing your culture will be our pleasure we might have certain things in common.
• In case of anything that is unusual to you, ask the community leader for interpretation, it might be vital.

The kwita izina is an annual ceremony for naming newly born baby gorillas with in the year. This has become a culture and tradition in Rwanda for there famous wildlife conservation and there only weeks to this a waited enrapture day. The efforts are credited to the government of Rwanda development board and other conservation partners and the local community especially those who were former poachers’ and living around the volcanoes national park. This ceremony is mainly for the purpose of conserving the mountains gorilla inhabitants for the primate’s continuity.
The naming of these baby gorillas helps in knowing the increased number of gorillas in each family group with in the year. The ceremony was first commenced in 2005 with an aim of creating awareness of gorilla conservation among the people of Rwanda. But before the kwita Izina was started, the naming of the baby gorillas was done by the game rangers and the researchers without involving the general public. So this has enabled to indulge the general public in this event.
The ceremony has created awareness to thousands of people both the international and the local people every year. The event is usually celebrated at the foothills of the famous Virunga Mountains. Tourism in Rwanda is now one of the largest and growing sectors in Rwanda. all the conservation partners plus the Rwanda government aim at conserving the natural environment and the wildlife in it. This has led to the social, economic and environmental development and helped to control the destruction of wild life especially the famous gorilla in the Virunga Park.
The 2015’s annual kwita izina will be held on the 5th September 2015. This will be the eleventh annual kwita izina where 24 baby gorillas born with in the year will be named. This year’s kwita izina theme will be conserving now and for the future.
This years ceremony will be one of its kind coupled with another great activity of sensitizing the general gorilla number in there famous home volcanoes’ national park of Rwanda. This was last carried out in 2010 which gorillas had a growth rate of 26.3% with in a period of 7 years from the first census in 2003.