Rwanda a tourist hub in the heart of Africa owes her fast growth and development to favorable government policies. With an area size of about 26,338 km2 (10,169 sq mi), the ‘land of a thousand hills’ as it is commonly known, is a land-locked country situated in the Great Rift valley of central Africa where the Great Lakes region of Africa meets the South eastern region.
The country has an estimated population of about 12,955,736 people according to estimates by 2021, who mostly depend on agriculture (rearing of animals and crop cultivation). This population is largely divided into two major ethnic groups of ‘Tutsi’ and ‘Hutu’ although there is a minority group of ‘Twa’ people; the descendants of the first settlers of this region; a hunter-gatherer society of pygmies.
History of Rwanda a tourist hub
According to the archaeological findings, it is believed that the first human settlement in the territory of present-day Rwanda is dated back around 8000BC-3000 BC. These were the ancestors of the ‘Twa’ also known as the Batwa people that largely depended on hunting bush meat and gathering fruits. Later, the Bantu speaking people (Hutu) migrated into the region around 700Bc to 1500 AD. These were later followed by the Nilo-Hamitic tribes (the Tutsi) that also came to this region according to some theories although others have it that these two groups (Hutus and Tutsis) were not racially distinctive but rather a social class distinction that rose in this community much later.
Important to note is that these migrations were slow and integrating into one another not conquering the existing groups. By the coming of the Europeans into the area, Rwanda was governed under monarchy system and was known as the Kingdom of Rwanda with clan systems as a way of social organization. The predominant clan that produced kings was the Nyiginya clan.
Rwanda was colonized first by Germany and later Belgium before she gained her independence in 1962. The country faced one of the worst human tragedies on the continent of Africa; the 1994 genocide where over 1 million Tusti and moderate Hutus are estimated to have died at the hands of the extremist Hutu group in a period of 100 days. The genocide came to an end with the military take-over of Government by RPF forces under the leadership of the current president Paul Kagame.
The new regime embarked on re construction and rehabilitation of the infrastructure and population by emphasizing unity and reconciliation among the victims and perpetrators of this unfortunate human catastrophe. Identification by ethnicity was banned and people started identifying themselves as Rwandans instead of the previous Tutsi-Hutu classes. Some reconciliation villages were established where the survivors / victims of the genocide live harmoniously with the perpetuators in the same homesteads.
Tourism
Since then, the country has taken great strides in development with great focus on tourism and infrastructure development. Rwanda is gifted with 3 primate parks; Volcanoes National Park, popular for gorilla trekking safaris to see mountain gorillas. Other primates in the park include Golden monkeys and other monkey species. Gishwati-Mukura National Park is another newly-opened primate park in the northwestern part of the country. Other game reserves in Rwanda include Nyungwe Forest National Park popular for chimps and other primate species) and Akagera National Park, the country’s only savannah park that is home to the members of big five mammals and other mammal species.
Rwanda’s major attraction is the highly revered Mountain Gorilla, a sub species of the Eastern Gorilla that is only found in the Virunga massif that cuts across the 3 countries (Rwanda, Uganda and Congo) and in Bwindi NP of Uganda.
In the recent times, Rwanda has soared above its ugly past to position herself as a raising force in the travel and tourism industry on the continent of Africa. The country is now a hot spot for international events, conferences and meetings and her capital Kigali has been ranked by ICCA (International Congress and Convention Association) as the second most popular destination in Africa.
The country hosts a number of annual sports events including; Tour Du Rwanda that took place on 25th of Feb this year bringing together cyclists across the globe on a tour around the country. In addition, the country is expected to host the UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale) World Cycling Tour in 2024 where re known world cyclist stars are expected to participate. The country also hosted the African Basket Ball league a few months back where 12 teams came together to compete for the title, making Rwanda stand out as a potential host for more continental sports activities.
Important to note is that Rwanda is hosting the Common Wealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) this June which includes a number of other sectorial meetings like the Common Wealth Youths forum among others.
Other than Agriculture, Tourism is one of the biggest contributors of the National GDP to the economy of Rwanda. According to World Data (worlddata.info/Africa/Rwanda/tourism.php), about 2 million tourists visited Rwanda in 2019 contributing about 1.6bn US dollars to the economy which accounted for 15.1% of the GDP.
Rwanda’s popularity as a prestigious MICE destination is not by coincidence but rather a result of many factors at play.
The simplicity of her visa process that allows every traveller from any country in the world to get visa upon arrival coupled with its easy accessibility facilitated by the national carrier (Rwanda Air) and a number of other airlines that fly across the globe have made Rwanda a favourable destination.
More so, the availability of a number of world class facilities to host these events and conferences is a great facilitating factor in making the country a preferred destination for MICE visitors. The Kigali Convention Centre, The Kigali Conference and exhibition village, the Intare Conference Arena and the recently opened Kigali Arena have played a big role in making Rwanda a favorable MICE destination.
Stability and unity
One would not have done it justice if he talks about Rwanda and do not highlight its welcoming and hospitable people and its safety and security. Although the current regime has been criticised for suffocating human rights and freedoms especially the freedom of expression and speech, the country is completely safe and secure for all its citizens and visitors as long as you respect the country’s laws and regulations. Being a country that is still on the recovery trail from the genocide, one would understand why government put tough regulations about certain freedoms like speech in order not to evoke the people’s emotions and feelings.
Rwandans have a high sense of unity and love for one another and for strangers as well. No wonder, the capital Kigali is regarded as one of the cleanest and safest cities on the continent of Africa. Guests can take a walk in the heart of the city at any time of the day without feeling any threat on their property or life. The streets are clean and calm, some have been made free of vehicles to enable people walk and rest along these streets while catching up with friends or checking out a few things on the internet using the city’s free WiFi.
The close proximity of the Volcanoes NP, (one of the few remaining shelters of the endangered mountain Gorilla) from Kigali (3hrs drive), has also facilitated travel and tourism in this land of a thousand hills. One can easily take off a day or 2 from his meeting or conference in Kigali to go and trek gorillas which makes it easy even for those on a tight schedule.
Natural beauty
Other than the Gorillas and other wildlife like chimpanzees and the big five, Rwanda’s scenery of towering hills and winding valleys give it a great picturesque beauty. The good road network connecting all the country’s regions makes it easy to access any part of the country. From North to west to south, one crosses towering hills and deep valleys, while to the East, the country side unfolds into fascinating open plains that offer wide views of the landscape and is home to the Akagera game park which shelters the savannah dwelling mammals.
With the current stable political environment and security coupled with Rwanda’s natural beauty of awe-striking scenery and captivating wildlife, the country’s size is no limit to its great potential as a raising tourist hub on the continent of Africa. Come and learn about the somber past, marvel at the charming present and envisage the brighter future ahead for this magnificent country. With the national carrier; Rwanda Air expanding its routes and destinations on the continent and the rest of the world, and the many airlines that are supplying the country, the future of Rwanda’s tourism is destined to be brighter and flamboyant.
Interested in visiting Rwanda for amazing experiences like gorilla trekking? Contact us and we arrange your trip at friendly terms.
