This 3 days Rwanda community development tour focuses on determining the impact of tourism towards community development and this visit shall take you to the popular Gorilla Guardians’ Village. This not-for-profit Organization exists to improve lives of reformed poachers as well as local communities that live around the iconic Volcanoes National Park. Its main aim is to provide alternative livelihood to the people instead of depending on the Park for fuel or firewood, food, bush meat and plants. The Organization provides conservation incentives like goats for gorillas as a way of encouraging locals to protect the Park as well as encouraging and providing support for community enterprise development.
A number of projects are undertaken by the Gorilla Guardians. These include Community livelihood change through sanitization (clean water) and health improvement, Education facilitation whereby donations or proceeds from community tourism are used to sponsor some children and Agricultural support.
The conservation support project comes in form of providing support to Park rangers, goats for gorillas, to support reformed poachers. The enterprise development project involves supporting individual business start-ups with low-interest loans, community based tourism, basket weaving as well as arts and crafts.
Brief Itinerary
- Day 1: Arrive in Gorilla Guardian’s Village, Northern Province of Rwanda.
- Day 2: All-day in Gorilla Guardian’s Village.
- Day 3: Depart Gorilla Guardian’s Village and head back to Kigali.
Detailed Itinerary of 3 Days Rwanda Community Development Tour:
Day 1: Arrive in Kigali and continue to Gorilla Guardian’s Village, Northern Province of Rwanda
You will begin your adventure in the City of Kigali. On getting at the airport, you will be transferred to the Northern Province of Rwanda and relax for the rest of the day. Depending on the arrival time, take time to explore the historical and cultural sites; at least one of the Genocide memorial centers, any of the art galleries and possibly local market.
Dinner and overnight in the Northern Province.
Accommodation:
- The Bishop’s House (luxury).
- Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel (midrange).
Meals: Dinner.
Day 2: All-day in Gorilla Guardian’s Village
You will have a whole day to explore the wide range of activities provided at Gorilla Guardians’ Village. First have breakfast at the lodge and then be driven to the Village for your adventure.
You will get treated to the warmest welcome by the people and meet the local guide who will take you to the King’s Palace replica. Visit the traditional healer to learn how various medicinal plants and leaves are used for treating common ailments, and join the local women on preparing a local lunch and even get the chance to enjoy what you have prepared.
If time allows, you will attend a local banana brewing process and get entertained in local dances, visit a local school and have a match between visitors and local football team.
Get back to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation:
- The Bishop’s House (luxury).
- Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel (midrange).
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 3: Depart Gorilla Guardian’s Village and head back to Kigali
You will have a sad goodbye to Northern Province and later transfer to Kigali in time to catch your connecting flight.
Meals: Breakfast.
Drive time: 3 hours
3 Days Rwanda Community Development Tour Includes:-
- A safari land cruiser for the road transfers.
- Bottled water.
- Full day at Gorilla Guardian’s village.
- 2 nights’ accommodation.
- Relevant Government taxes.
- Services of a private English speaking guide.
- Hotel pick-up and drop-offs.
Package Excludes:
- Rwandan visa.
- Donation (if any).
- Gratuities to driver, local guide and Hotel staff.
- Laundry fees.
- Telephone calls.
- Cigarettes and drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic).