5 good reasons to visit… Rwanda

1) You can get close to gorillas!

An encounter with a Silverback Gorilla
is unforgettable.

By far Rwanda’s biggest lure to visitors are the beautiful silverback mountain gorillas residing there. The chance to track these rare creatures and then to get close to them in their own habitat is a profound and unforgettable experience. Gorillas display a calm and peaceful attitude to human observers in spite of their overwhelming size and formidable power. Being in their presence is truly one of the world’s most amazing wildlife encounters.

2) There’s a wealth of other wildlife too

While the gorillas are a must-see, Rwanda is not all about the monkeys! In its National Parks, such as the stunning Virunga, you can witness a vast array of other spectacular wildlife. Forest elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, hippos and a stunning assortment of African bird species are just a part of the rich and varied catalogue of wild animals which await you.

3) It’s exceptionally beautiful

Rwanda offers magnificent views of mountains
and verdant green landscapes.

Dubbed the ‘Land of a Thousand Hills’, Rwanda’s landscape is a breathtaking sight. Mountains, extinct volcanoes, rivers and lakes are all present in this tiny African country. There are also endless lush grassy hills and vibrant rainforest, giving Rwanda a refreshing lush greenness you might not have expected to enjoy in the heart of Africa.

4) The climate is pleasant

Despite its equatorial position, Rwanda’s climate is temperate owing to its high elevation. This makes for very comfortable conditions for those scenic walks or that mountain gorilla trek. It makes Rwanda the perfect place for anyone who wants the magic of a tropical holiday but without the intense heat.

5) It’s highly underrated

Rwanda is not widely thought of as a conventional tourist destination so visitor numbers are relatively low. This means that the country has a more authentic, less ‘touristy’ feel than some more established destinations. Many are inevitably deterred from considering Rwanda for their holiday because of associations with its tragic recent past. But the reality is that Rwanda has moved on from its dark times to become a safe and welcoming place. In fact, the country has developed into a beacon of stability and progressiveness - in 2008, Rwanda became the first country to elect a female majority in government. Come along and witness a country full of renewed hope and civic pride.

Embracing responsible tourism

The chance to travel to remote reaches of the planet is one of modern life’s great privileges. Escaping for a week or two to immerse yourself in places and cultures which are a world away from your own is a unique experience which may be relaxing, invigorating, educational, or even spiritual.
 

Responsible tourism is about
treading lightly.

But there is an increasing awareness that alongside these profound benefits, tourism can also come at a cost to local communities and to the environment. This concern is behind the rising trend towards more ethical forms of tourism.

Being a responsible traveller entails making an effort to minimise the negative impacts of your holiday – both socially and environmentally. It is about interacting meaningfully with the people and places you visit, treading lightly and developing a respect for and an understanding of the cultures and environments you encounter.

More than just business

Small, bespoke travel operators like us at Africa House Safaris have ethical principles embedded in the way we operate. For a start, we’re based in East Africa, so the places to which we take our guests are home to us. And our relationships with our guides and with the owners of the lodges and camps we use are personal, lasting friendships – rather than just business arrangements based purely on profit and gain.

The camps we use are friendly and personal,
allowing guests to get to know their hosts.

One of the ways we like to foster a connection between our guests and local communities is through arranging stays at the homes of some of our friends here in East Africa. These occasions afford an intimate insight into the culture and lifestyle of people who live and work here — and are a far cry from the custom of package holiday tourists descending on communities en masse to scrutinize them. In home stays, the onus is on authenticity and mutually respectful connections.

Sustainable destinations

At Africa House, we’re keen to take guests to lodges and attractions which are run with sustainability in mind. A great example of this is the Ol Malo Trust, a private game sanctuary in Kenya. Ol Malo is engaged in a number of projects aimed at empowering the Samburu people in terms of education, employment, sustainable environment practices and health. Notably, the Trust has enhanced the lives of hundreds of local families by treating and helping to prevent trachoma, an eye disease which is common in the region.


A guest at Ol Malo, Kenya, a game sanctuary
with positive social and environmental aims.

Our forthcoming special tours also feature visits to important social and environmental projects. For example, guests on next month’s Spring Break Safari will pay a visit to Daphne Sheldrick’s Elephant Orphange. In late June, our Painting Safari will include a trip to the Lumo Community Wildlife Sanctuary, which is doing valuable work in protecting its rich biodiversity. Going to places like these serves the dual purpose of providing a valuable insight into the cultural and natural heritage present in East Africa, and in supporting the very projects which help to protect it.



Eco credentials

For guests who’d like the full eco-experience, we can incorporate accommodation with the very highest green credentials when we design your safari itinerary. A striking example of this is Lemarti’s Camp, in Laikipia, which we featured in last month’s newsletter. With its use of locally-sourced, eco-friendly products and materials, natural construction and low energy demands, it’s hard to imagine a more sustainably run camp.

Guests enjoy opportunities for cultural insights
through spending time with tribespeople.

Even with the best intentions to travel with ethical principles, one sadly inevitable impact for most people visiting Africa is that of air travel. At Africa House, we do what we can to offset the contribution to climate change caused through aviation emissions through our tree planting pledge. To help reduce our carbon footprint we are planting ten trees for every guest we take on safari this year.

Travelling to somewhere as beautiful as East Africa can never be enjoyed without some impacts. But at Africa House we believe we minimise these effects through the choices we make in supporting the people and places which are run sensitively and sustainably. We think that the opportunities for mutual understanding brought by the interaction between our guests and the communities and natural wonders they visit can even be a force for good.