Gorilla Tourism in Rwanda & Community
When you Say “Rwanda” all that comes in one’s mind is the country that faced massive killing of the Tutsis by the Hutu. Rwanda is landlocked located in East Africa bordered by Burundi Tanzania, Uganda, and DRC. The country has two rainy seasons from February to April and November to January with savanna grassland. Rwanda has a thousand hills and welcoming people.
The country has been investing most on tourism especially mountain gorilla tourism for about 10 years now and this has helped it to swiftly grow and develop with more roads houses and schools.
Mountain gorillas are the most notable wild mammal in Rwanda and East Africa. They spend a day babbling as they walk through the forest making stopovers to eat, play and rest. Usually, gorillas get a full idyllic eight hours of beauty sleep unless in cold weather.
Rwanda has only 10 habituated groups in the Volcanoes National Park in northern Rwanda though gorillas are still under pressure of poaching from communities. Now gorillas are being protected day and night by dedicated rangers.
Gorilla trekking is habitually described as a unique and life-changing experience since they are facing the threat of extinction and a few people are allowed to visit them once a day, for only an hour. This becomes sought after by many adventure seekers all over the world. It’s not only about seeing these gentle creatures in their natural habitat but the positive impacts to the country, communities, the public and private sector that makes the gorilla tracking experience much more than just an adventure. In a good rapport, helping the gorillas means helping the community.
- Revenue that later supports management /conservation of the natural environment, creation of job opportunities like guides, hotel managers, poachers and many others
- Education for children in the nearby communities.
- Infrastructure development especially building roads which lead to tourist sites.
- Most people who mainly come to see the mountain gorilla end up visiting other tourist attractions.
- Conservation reasons through the naming ceremony “Kwita Izina” where communities are brought together and learn about conserving, protecting and celebrating the gorillas which is an experience that aids in conservation through the income got from gorilla tracking permits.
Rwanda plays an important part in ecotourism by putting a lot of value on the natural world to conserve the area for future through Afforestation and employment of former poachers as game rangers and guides.
