Scientific tourism: Dr Kinani’s new initiative to boost Rwanda’s tourism
Today, Rwanda joins the rest of the world to celebrate World Tourism Day. And with almost 1.2 billion people travelling abroad every year, this industry has become a powerful economic sector and a passport to peace and posterity, plus a transformative force improving millions of lives.
In Rwanda, different sector players have come on board to find innovative ways through which tourism can be enhanced. While the country’s flagship tourism attraction remains gorilla trekking, it’s instructive that there are some organisations that now look beyond mountain gorillas and have turned their focus on other strategies of marketing the country to tourists.
Globally, scientific tourism is not a new phenomenon. However, few people in the country have heard about it, and now one organisation called One Health Approach for Conservation (OHAC), with its newest initiative Gorilla Health project, has put itself at the forefront of promoting scientific tourism.
Dr Jean Felix Kinani, the founder and executive director of OHAC, explains that the new initiative is focused on supporting integrated conservation of non-human primates through monitoring, interventions, capacity building, research and raising awareness.
“We provide for tourist and visitors a one-hour power point presentation focusing on our work in conservation and especially the care of the famous mountain gorillas that reside in the Virunga Massif,” he explains.
Science tourism is a travel topic grouping scientific attractions. It covers interests in visiting and exploring not only scientific landmarks, including museums, laboratories, observatories and universities, but also in site research and findings.
Rwanda is rich in stunning attractions and incredible sites where such innovative solutions to tourism can easily find a home. For example, the Museum of Rwanda, based in the capital city Kigali, is a repertoire of cultural artefacts where the country’s rich cultural and scientific history is preserved.
And ever since the Genocide against the Tutsi that was carried out in 1994, the country has made tremendous progress, particularly in the education sector, and many universities now serve as a sea of opportunities from where science knowledge can be drawn.
The country’s rich flora and fauna can also serve as a bedrock of the science tourism project.
Dr Kinani observes that tourism is a significant branch of science. “People travel to recreate or to learn something new. We would like to bring you to the field where scientific knowledge is preserved and communicated from generation to generation,” he says.
The new product is also focused on sensitising “wildlife friends” on the value of conservation for sustainable tourism activities.
“Our presentations touch different subjects and tourists can ask questions on the subject following their interest within conservation issues,” Dr Kinani explains.
Dr Jean Felix Kinani can be contacted at jfkinani@gmail.com, ohac2004@gmail.com. Twitter: @jfkinani, @ohac_gorilla, @gorillahealth
Read MoreQuest for Rwanda Mountain Gorillas
The activity of Gorilla tracking in Rwanda is an event which is dreamt by many nature photographers and realized by few while the anticipation, preparation and physical effort of getting to where the gorilla are. When trekking through the virgin jungle in Rwanda, you will yourselves in the world of mountain and you will go about their daily routine. If you have a camera, you will be allowed to take photographs and no one will anticipate the feeling of tranquility which is associated with close contact with these rare primates. Photographing a 550 pound gorilla is one the most exciting activities tourists will enjoy when he/she is in Rwanda.
The lure of the primeval forest habitat when coupled with photographing the endangered animal of legend makes your safari a challenge that you have never attempted to take and the obstacles are very many and these include getting yourself along with your photo equipment. There is also a high working order, trekking an unknown distance through daunting terrain, and finally pointing the camera in the right direction and pushing the button at the right time. Note that what you might not factor in is the slight rise in body temperature which might be due the excitement of being so close to a 550 pound silverback and combining with the humid jungle air, causing your glasses to fog over completely.
If you are a United States of America Citizen, you require no Visa to enter the republic of Rwanda and passports must be valid for at least 6 months after entry date. The prices for your safari will include all ground transportation, accommodations and meals mentioned on the itinerary, gorilla tracking permits for 3 days, all activities and excursions mentioned in the itinerary, bottled water in vehicles, services of professional trackers/guides during tracking, English speaking guide/driver throughout the program, medical emergency evacuation coverage, one porter per person per gorilla tracking, and all tips except for guide/driver.
When you are booking for a gorilla safari, the price does not include international airfare, flights from Kilimanjaro to Kigali. However approximately $365 per person is required to be booked on your behalf once you sign up for the program and visa fees, any beverages throughout the trip except for bottled water in vehicles. Be prepared to tip during meals, tips for guide/driver, and any personal extras such as phone calls, minibar, and laundry. About $2,500 per person which is non-refundable deposit is necessary to confirm a booking and the final payments are due no later than 95 days prior to departure. The cancellations received less than 95 days prior to departure are not refundable and the Travel/trip cancellation insurance is strongly recommended. In case you wish to get any more information concerning how to book in Rwanda, you should contact our company for advice.
Read MoreRwanda Sets Eyes on More Tourism Investors in 2016
Despite the countries success in the tourism sector for the past years, new tourism investors are yet to be attracted to Rwanda after the host of the Africa hotel investment forum in 2016. The government of Rwanda through the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) said that the African hotel investment forum will unite international hotel investors in Africa, tour operators, government officials and other tourism industry experts.
The forum scheduled for 2016 will take place in Kigali Rwanda’s capital with an emphasize on hotel investment and operation in Africa. The Rwanda chief tourism officer at Rwanda development board Mr Yamina Karitanyi said that “We see Africa Hotel International Forum as an exceptional platform to meet many of the most important decision makers and investors, who have the power collectively to influence investment in the hospitality industry in Africa. And also said that they are determined to build a strong relationship and showcase Rwanda as the best place to do business creating chance for local hotel developers to forge partnerships with investors.
There are many tourism adventures to attract travelers in Rwanda such as the mountain gorilla tracking, Chimpanzee/primate treks, bird safaris, wildlife excursions in the forefront in Akagera National park and tours to the genocide memorial sites where memories of the famous human genocide in Africa visible at the various museums for visitors to pick a leaf for the future.
However looking at the beautiful tourism industry of Africa-the sector is accountable for 8.1% GDP and expected to rise to 4.9% every year by 2025 as stated by World tourism and Travel sector. Equally the Rwanda tourism sector continues to grow positioning itself as the leading foreign earner for the country evidenced by the 3% increase in the number of foreign tourist from 2013-14 in Rwanda. These numbers grew from 1.14 million visitors to 1.2 million visitors also accounting for an increase in revenue from $293.4m in 2013 to $303m in 2014.
Above all some hotel projects started as a result of the Africa Hotel International Forum and others are yet to come seeking new opportunities in Africa. Though finding public sector partners who speak the same language as the inventors is a must in order to have a smooth running of new hotel tourism investments in Rwanda.
Read MoreRwanda showcases Tourism Package in Netherlands
Rwanda is showcasing its marvelous tourist attractions at the Vakantiebeurs tourism exhibition, the largest tourism exhibition in the Benelux in Utrecht.
The exhibition is running from January 7, 2016 until 17 January in Utrecht, the Netherlands.
The exhibition kicked off on Tuesday with a trade day for the Dutch travel industry and travel media and at the official opening with many VIPs the audience was impressed by a performance of Rwandan cultural dancers, who will continue entertaining visitors in front of the Rwanda stand and on stage in the Africa hall.
After the opening Rwanda’s Ambassador to the Netherlands, H.E. Jean Pierre Karabaranga, invited Mayor Van Zanen of Utrecht to the Rwanda stand to discover the tourism opportunities in the land of a thousand hills.
They made a photo at the Rwanda photo booth for visitors to take souvenir photos in the Rwanda landscape.
Ambassador Karabaranga said that he noticed a remarkable growth in interest and enthusiasm of Dutch tour operators.
‘Tour operators specialized in Africa are extending their product offer and are offering Rwanda as a ’standalone’ destination. Some, like AV Tours & Safari and All for Nature Travel, told me that they were grateful for the invitation from the Rwanda Development Board to attend Kwita Izina and discover Rwanda in September 2015.
This trip showed them that Rwanda’s tourism is very diversified and is much more than Gorilla tracking only’.
“Inviting tour operators and travel journalists is the best way to achieve the remarkable progress and the Embassy is working closely with the Rwanda Development Board to continue those media and tour operator familiarization trips in 2016, ”said Karabaranga.
Rwanda is among the 160 countries that participated at the Vakantiebeurs which also attracts more than 125,000 visitors. Amahoro Tours, Great Seasons Hotel Kigali, Mountain Gorilla Safaris and Wildlife Tours Rwanda are represented during the six-day event.
During the consumer days Rwanda’s exhibition stand is receiving many visitors who are enjoying Rwandan coffee and tea, and entertained by Rwandan traditional dancers. They are engaging in the lifetime offer to take a photo in Rwanda style for free and sharing it on the travel Rwanda Facebook page.
Read MoreLions Return to Akagera National Park
The lions were hypnotized before leaving South Africa for Rwanda. Seven lions including two males and 5 females from South Africa have just been reintroduced into the Akagera National Park. Some lions had been completely decimated about fifteen years ago in this savannah in eastern Rwanda following the war and the genocide against the Tutsis. Another part had been poisoned by cattle breeders who saw these beasts as a threat to their herds.
The 5 lionesses from South Africa were donated by Beyond Phinda Private Game Reserve and the two by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife of Tembe Elephant Park. Located in the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal, both are small reserves where surplus big cats are destined to be sent elsewhere like this case of Rwanda for proper management.
In Akagera National Park, the new home of these lions, they have been placed in a 1km² area to the north of the park. This space has been split into two separate enclosures, the perimeter 3m high, with an electrified fence. A water reserve has been set up and the lions will be fed for 3 to 4 days to reproduce their natural feeding pattern. They will then be quarantined for at least 14 days during which they will be continuously monitored before being released into the desert.
These lions were selected based on reproductive potential and their ability to contribute to social cohesion. These lions were captured and held in Bomas in Phinda and in Tembe Elephant Park. On June 29, they were hypnotized and placed in steel containers, and loaded on trucks to OR Tambo airport in Johannesburg in the direction of Kigali.
In addition, these lions are equipped with satellite collars that allow the Akagera park management team to monitor their movements. Another precautionary measure, the fence of the park to not allow wild animals to leave the park. These collars have a life of two years and the park team will have assessed the dynamics and evolution of these lions.
“The return of the lions to Akagera is an important step for the conservation of the park and the country. Restoring the national park to its former state of biodiversity is paramount in the conservation of African parks,” said Peter Fearnhead, African Parks CEO.
“It is important to rehabilitate the park, this return will encourage the natural balance of the ecosystem and improve the tourism product”, said Ambassador Yamina Karitanyi, the head of the directorate of tourism at Rwanda Development. Board.
Last year, as part of the preparations for the reintroduction of the lions, the Akagera Park team carried out an awareness program for the communities living around the park to promote harmonious coexistence with the lions.
Read MoreNgoma: Youth vow to Fight Genocide Ideology
Members of Never Again Club -Ngoma on Wednesday, vowed to fight Genocide and its ideology.
The youth made the resolve during their study tour at Nyarubuye Genocide Memorial Site in Kirehe district.
At the site, the students received lessons on the history of Rwanda, how the Genocide was planned and carried out and the role of youth preventing it.
“The youth of today will not give a chance to Genocide and its ideology to infiltrate us. We have the power to change that history and build a new country and future,” said Gaudence Mukansanga, a member of Never Again.
Jean Cedric Ndikumana, also a member of Never Again said the members will sensitize others and participate in nation building by profitably using their energy.
In his address, Cyprien Turatsinze, the coordinator of Never Again Club –Ngoma district commended the youth for their resilience in national building
“The youth promised to lead the way, in challenging the Genocide ideology, divisive thinking and prejudice,” said Turatsinze.
“They see themselves as the pillar for a brighter Rwanda, free of hatred and divisionism” he said.
Never Again Rwanda (NAR) is a human rights and peacebuilding organisation that was founded by three university students in 2002. Guided by a vision of a nation where young people are agents of positive change and work together towards sustainable peace and development, the founding members established NAR to empower young people with opportunities to become active citizens.
Read MoreRwanda Targets $860 from tourism
Rwanda has embarked on rehabilitation of Gishwati-Mukura natural reserve with the aim of conserving wildlife that is a major attraction to tourists increasingly visiting the country.
Government is also expected in the next few months to pass the bill into law that will upgrade the natural reserve into a full National park. According to Rwanda Development Board (RDB) which is in charge of tourism, the countrygenerated $ 304.9 from 1,220, 000 tourists in 2014.
Of this, $ 213.43 (70%) was earned from permits paid to see rare mountain gorillas inhabiting the volcanic mountains.
Mukura-Gishwati is a major natural attraction hosting 60 tree species, golden monkeys, blue monkeys, and the mountain monkeys besides a dozen species of East African chimpanzees among others.
Its Located between Rubavu, Rutsiro, Ngororero and Nyabihu, Western part of the country,
Dr. Rose Mukankomeje, the Director General of Rwanda Environmental Management Authority (REMA) called for public support in the implementation of the rehabilitation project.
“Success of this project will benefit local communities, Rwanda and the world as a whole,” Dr.Mukankomeje told KT Press.
Rwanda launched the reserve rehabilitation project through public work, umuganda on June 5. The reserve was encroached on by human activities which reduced it from initial size of 250,000
hectares in 1951 to its current 1000 hectares because of resettlement of people, farming, and illegal mining. Human activities at the reserve led to devastating soil erosion within the forests and resulted into severe landslides and floods.
Through the Landscape Approach to Forest Restoration and Conservation (LAFREC), Rwanda will increase tree cover and restore indigenous woodland in deforested areas, according to REMA.
The country expects to limit poaching and other hostile activities in the park through several projects.
“We shall offer livestock population living close to the park,” Emmanuel Mazimpaka, vice mayor for economic affairs in Ngororero district told KT Press. He added that bee keeping will be introduced. Roads and electricity will be extended to the the park area to improve trade. These projects covering the reserve’s buffer zone will be supported by World Bank with a-5 year grant worth$ 9.53 million.
After Mukura-Gishwati reserve is upgraded to a National park status, it will be the Fourth national park after Volcanoes National Park, Nyungwe Forest National Park and Akagera National Park. With this Rwanda expects to hit $ 860 million target in tourism revenue in 2016.
Read MoreRwanda Dismisses US Travel Advisory over Congo crisis
Despite the crisis in eastern DR Congo and “two isolated skirmishes”, the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) says Rwanda remains one of the safest places for tourists and all other travelers.
The agency has also reassured the business community that it is safe to travel to all parts of Rwanda. The situation in Eastern DRC has resulted in two isolated skirmishes on Rwandan territory which were rapidly contained and border security has been reinforced to prevent recurrence.
“We would like to reassure visitors that it is business as usual at all our tourism destinations,” said Clare Akamanzi, acting CEO of RDB, in a statement on Thursday (December 06).
“Travellers to Rwanda continue to enjoy the magnificent scenery, pleasant climate, rich culture and diverse wildlife in our national parks, including the rare mountain gorillas.”
The US embassy in Kigali released a travel advisory on Monday this week urging Americans to avoid non-essential travel to areas bordering DRC – mainly Rubavu. The US embassy wants Americans to stay away from those areas.
“Pending clarification of the situation, the U.S. Embassy has restricted travel of official Americans to Rubavu District, Volcanoes National Park, the town of Kinigi, and the area to the north and west of Kinigi that abuts Volcanoes National Park Rwanda,” said the Embassy in a statement posted on its site.
All these singled places are some of Rwanda’s most visited sites by tourists because of the gorillas and the well developed hospitality industry. Rubavu, for example, is home to Hotel Serena.
Despite the conflict in eastern DRC that does not seem to go away for years, tourists have flocked to Rwanda year-in-year-out. The country received more than 680,000 visitors last year. A much bigger number is expected to be recorded by end of this year.
RDB’s Akamanzi noted that tourism has been successful over the past years and continues to be Rwanda’s number one foreign exchange earner.
“While ecotourism remains the key attraction for visitors coming to the land of thousand hills, we are working to increase conference and events tourism, a goal that will be facilitated by newly registered hotel investments such as Marriott, Radisson Blu and most recently Sheraton.”
Read MoreThree Rwanda firms launch promotion for Nigerian travelers
Rwanda’s national carrier RwandAir, Serena Hotel and Thousand Hills Expedition have put together a discounted package for Nigerians planning to travel to Rwanda, in a deal announced Thursday November 15, 2012.
The promotion launched in Lagos, Nigeria, will provide an affordable travel package which is inclusive of what has been described as “out-of-this-world expedition experience and five-star accommodation” in Rwanda.
RwandAir, which now flies five times weekly Kigali-Lagos route in partnership with Serena Hotels, one of the largest hotel chains in East-Africa and Thousand Hills Expedition, leading tourism company in Rwanda, put together the exciting package.
For only US$1,350 per person, Nigerian travelers will get an all inclusive four-night package to experience the beautiful greenlands of Kigali and Gisenyi, a return flight ticket, tour services, meet and greet and return airport transfers, said the firms in a joint statement.
While explaining the travel package at a destination Rwanda promotion seminar for travel agencies in Lagos, RwandAir Nigeria Country Manager, Hafeez Balogun detailed the bouquet of the airline’s offerings which includes numerous discounted fares on all RwandAir destinations.
Balogun said: “RwandAir is one of the fastest growing airlines in the continent giving passengers special treat with young and reliable aircraft fleet.”
“The Lagos-Kigali route is serviced by the new Boeing 737-800NG, the very first on the African continent.”
Denise Benzinge-Omany, Sales & Marketing Manager Kigali Serena Hotel said: “we are focusing on Nigerian travelers not only to use Rwanda as transit point to their final destination, but also for the travelers to have a feel and experience the beautiful natural scenery that our country offers”.
Jacqui M. Sebageni representing Thousand Hills Expeditions at the seminar stated that the travel package is targeted at Nigerian travelers who desire a different kind of vacation from the ordinary as well as feel at home.
At the function, RwandAir also gave away one business class return ticket Lagos/Johannesburg via a raffle draw at the seminar. Olaoye Olubimpe Priscilla of Giovanni Travels and Tour was the lucky winner.
The latest promotion comes after President Paul Kagame completed a two-day high level visit to Nigeria last weekend. The President met Nigerian business leaders and gave a historic lecture at a function hosted by Nigerian Young Professionals.
Following President Kagame’s visit, Nigerian media have been abuzz with articles praising him and lambasting Nigerian politicians and other African leaders. On social networks, there is still a fierce debate about the state of affairs in Nigeria compared to Rwanda. Some have actually suggested that they would like to have a Kagame-like leader for Africa’s most populous country.
Read MoreKARONGI: Best Western Eco Hotel in the Heart of Karongi Town
Best Western Eco Hotel opened its doors two months ago. It is located in the middle of the town of former Kibuye now Karongi. Investors in Karongi prefer to locate their hotel business on the lakeshores of Kivu but Best Western Eco Hotel owner chose to make a difference and put it in the heart of Karongi town.
Apart from restaurants and food stores, Best Western Eco Hotel is the only hotel located in the central town.
The investor who the idea is Nahayo Vincent, the owner and Director General of Nyungwe Chimps Travel Agency (NCTA), also Legal Representative of Rwanda Environmental Awareness Project (REAP).
In an interview with All About Rwanda, Mister Nahayo explained why he prefers his hotel in the middle of the town: “Not all people are equal financially speaking, of course it’s good to sleep by the lakeside but I don’t think everyone needs it! I preferred to run my business in the central town to facilitate access to my customers. Before you start a business you need to first of all study your market. I’ll give you an example, you’ve just arrived from Kigali and you need a place where to rest without making extra travel. You know all hotels here are located by the lakeshores. Imagine you arrive in Karongi at night and you’ve not provided for extra transport fares. What will happen then? I guess you’ll definitely need to go to the nearest hotel. That is how the idea crossed my mind and I started my hotel business here in Kibuye town.”
Concerning the name of the hotel, the owner says he chose ‘Best Western Eco Hotel’ based on two main points: the word Western to indicate the location because his business is in Karongi district, which is part of the Western Province. The hotel is also part of a large business he runs in the Province including a campsite in western Rusizi district. The campsite is currently under development at a peninsula in Lake Kivu. Besides, Nahayo Vincent says he’s also finalizing the construction of another hotel in the same district. The businessman tells more about his campsite business:
“Most Rwandans slept in tents in exile as a result of the 1994 genocide and war, so they have a relatively harsh memory about tents, but let’s talk about those who didn’t have that experience. How many years have you slept indoors? In fact try a tent it once and you’ll see the result. We call them tents but those used for camping are actually designed for that particular purpose. They’re fully fledged with sleeping bags and ventilations to let you breathe fresh air from camping site.”
Best Western Eco Hotel in the town of Karongi (former Kibuye)
Nahayo’s campsite project will be extended to Karongi district, where he has already purchased a land at Mpembe. The second part of his Hotel name is Eco. He says this is in line with his passion to promote environment.
“You see, the hotel is in a busy town next to the bus station. You can imagine the smokes from the exhaustion pipes polluting the air. So I’ve envisaged to plant trees that will help provide fresh air around the hotel. Moreover, the rooms are painted with environmentally-friendly paints.”
The shape of the building follows Rwanda’s geographical situation and the location of its parks. Nahayo says this is an add-value component as he points out:
“The building comprises three parts. One facing the South, the second one facing the North and the third one looking East. We have Nyungwe Park in the south, the Volcanoes National Park in the north and the Akagera National Park in the East. Furthermore, the 10 hotel rooms in the southern part of the building bear 10 names of 10 species of primates found in Nyungwe Park.”
On top of Hotel and campsites businesses, Nahayo have plans to start package tour business:
“Package tour or package holiday is not common in Rwanda but people do it without knowing. It consists of transport and accommodation advertised and sold together by a vendor known as a tour operator. Other services may be provided like a rental car, activities or outings during the holiday. Package holidays are organized by a tour operator and sold to a consumer by a travel agent. Some travel agents are employees of tour operators, others are independent.”
Nahayo has extended his business to further innovations where he employs local motorcyclists who attract customers to his hotel (Best Western Eco Hotel) in Karongi. Each motorcyclist who brings one customer earns a 500Rwf airtime, and if they bring up to 10 people per day they get a 5,000Rwf incentive. It’s a very effective way since there are no other means of public transport around the town but taxi motorcycles.
The tariffs at Best Western Eco Hotel are reasonable compared to services which include bedrooms with television and wireless internet for free.
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