Rwanda Chamber

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  • Guide to Gorilla Trekking in Uganda and Rwanda

    Guide to Gorilla Trekking in Uganda and Rwanda

    Whenever a name “mountain gorilla” is mentioned, many people’s minds drift to Africa which is the only continent that harbors them. However, these endangered species are found in a few selective countries (Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo) and a gorilla trekking safari to any of these destinations is a life time experience that you will live to tell. Trust me a face-to-face encounter with these human-like apes is a life changing experience which is associated with magnificent adventures.

    Where to trek the gorillas from

    A thrilling gorilla trekking tour is restricted to a few remote but easily accessed destinations in the three countries of Africa. Mainly known for their elegant lifestyle, Western lowland gorillas can be well trekked in Democratic Republic of Congo’s primeval forests. Uganda and Rwanda are blessed with the rare mountain gorillas and Uganda has the highest number of about 400 gorillas. In these two countries, the best points of having a glance at the gorillas are; Bwindi Impenetrable National Park of Uganda and Volcanoes National Park of Rwanda.

    Gorillas have a human-like way of living and they live in close-knit family groups, have many emotional gestures that we human beings have, like delight, get irritated and have affections. All these characteristics make them the second closest primate to human beings, second to the chimpanzees.

    When should you tour and what to expect

    Though a gorilla trekking safari can never be a regret at any time of year in Uganda and Rwanda, there are best times to enjoy this wonderful experience. Both countries share almost the same weather changes each with two dry seasons; mid-December- February and June-September. These are the best seasons to visit these East African countries specifically for gorilla trekking. However, the activity becomes more tiresome during a wet season because of the wet and muddy steep slopes plus tangled vegetation which you must penetrate through before encountering the gorillas. Never the less, the hustle is worth it once you get close to the primates in their natural habitats.

    Once you have located and found a gorilla family, first relax for about an hour at the sometime viewing the gorillas at a close range as they feed and groom. Witness the playful lifestyle of young gorillas in the wild as they jump from one end to another tumbling about the undergrowth. They do this well assured of the security from the great male silverback.

    However, you are required to meet some conditions before embarking on this adventurous activity like fitness, equipped for humid and muddy conditions of the rain forest hike. Your health is one of the key considerations because gorilla trekking is physical and gorillas are susceptible to many human diseases.

    Chimpanzee Trekking

    Since its Africa, the adventure that surrounds the great apes does not end with the gorillas. Chimpanzee trekking is one of the rapidly growing tourism activities in Africa. Viewing the chimps and other primate species on your gorilla trek is not enough but making an actual visit to some of the stand-alone chimpanzee trekking destinations is the best idea. There are several places in Africa designated for chimpanzee trekking and among them include; Mahale Mountains and Gombe Stream of Tanzania, Queen Elizabeth, Murchison and Kibale National Parks of Uganda.

    Chimpanzee and Gorilla trekking are quite different each with its own unique adventure expossed to tourists. Chimps live in a more terrain environment and they are harder to find while trekking compared to the gorillas. In most cases, chimpanzee trekking is an additional activity to a big game safari but for a gorilla-like face-to-face encounter experience, it is the best alternative. Just like gorillas, chimp trekking takes an hour.

    How to go Gorilla Trekking

    Unlike chimpanzee trekking which is still in its initial stages, gorilla trekking, has tighter regulations which a visitor must adhere to. To be on a safer side, you are advised to use a credible tour company on your safari to Uganda and Rwanda .Your are required to obtain a gorilla trekking permit which gives you a go-ahead to enjoy the activity. These permits are limited most especially during the peak seasons and therefore a visitor should book in time before his/her gorilla trekking tour.

    Why go for a gorilla trekking safari

    The mere fact that gorillas are not habituated like other animals makes it clear that you can’t find them in a zoo .This is why you must make a gorilla trekking safari to Rwanda and Uganda if interested in the activity and view the gorillas in their natural habitats. The best places for trekking these elegant primates are; Bwindi Impenetrable forest and Volcanoes National Parks of Uganda and Rwanda consecutively.

    You don’t need to worry about penetrating through dense forests because there are guides who will move along with you on your trek

    Don’t forget to carry a camera along with you for taking clear photographs with these rare primates. However, you are advised to keep the flush of your camera off to avoid irritating the gorillas. Also keep a distance of about 6 meters away from the gorillas to avoid accidents.

    About gorilla trekking

    Gorilla trekking in simple terms means penetrating through dense forests and narrow paths for hours in searching for the mountain gorillas. For a successful trek, make sure you are fit, in normal conditions and well equipped for the tough environment. Some of the key things that you should carry for security purposes include; broken-in hiking boots, knee-high gaiters, double layered socks and more others. Please take note that unless you prove that you are not sick, you won’t be allowed to go trekking because gorillas are highly susceptible to human illnesses.

    When to trek

    The climatic conditions of these two countries (Uganda and Rwanda) are identical and it’s more weather friendly to come for gorilla trekking during the two dry seasons of the year. These dry seasons are mid-December to end of February and June to late September. However, even during these seasons, expect a humid and wet environment with plenty of mud.

    You will need to travel quite a long distance to reach the rainforests where gorillas are found. This means that an enough rest before the trekking day is a must to avoid complications.

    Sometimes, it becomes hard to see the gorillas while in the forest and this is why a guide might ask you to keep silent while trekking. Mountain gorillas are fond of hiding in the leaves busy feeding and enjoying the heat from the sun making it hard to see them.

    A gorilla safari to Uganda and Rwanda avails more than 95% chances of encountering the rare primates.

    Just after finding a gorilla family, your guide will ask you to drop everything somewhere except the cameras and he/she will take you closer to them for observing and taking photographs. At this point, you are advised to avoid any irritating behaviors which threaten the gorillas. It is a live experience in the wild since there are no fences between you and gorillas and what makes it a success is the mutual respect for the primates that is require from you.

    Unlike other primates, gorillas are habituated to human beings and while observing, they will continue doing their own business of napping, foraging and grooming without any fear in them.

    Don’t miss out on the most interesting point of the trek and always portion your time with the gorillas well. Make sure you spend more time viewing and the remaining time taking photographs.

    Sit a few meters away from a gorilla family and witness the humanity reflections in their social rituals and warm brown eyes.

    In conclusion, a gorilla trekking safari to Uganda and Rwanda cannot be compared to any other tourism activity because of the life-experience that a tourist is exposed to.

  • Foreign Companies Pledge Investment in Energy Sector during Rwanda Day 2015

    As the 2015 Rwanda day in The Netherlands came to a close in the Netherlands, foreign companies have shown interest in investing in Rwanda’s energy sector, a move likely to help the country achieve energy targets.

    The companies from France and Italy are looking at investing in renewable energy, one of the priority areas where the country is wooing private investors to invest in.

    “We wish to invest in Rwanda’s energy mainly in solar very soon,” Andrew Shabnicker, a representative of Italian companies aid during the 2015 Rwanda Day on Saturday.

    The 2015 Rwanda day that was graced by His Excellency President Paul Kagame attracted Rwandans in Diaspora as well as friends of Rwanda with all pledging to contribute to the development of the country.

    Meanwhile, a consortium of companies from France also pledged to invest over 200 million euros in the country’s energy sector during the event.The country is looking at producing 563 Mega Watts of energy by 2017 in order to meet the expected demand of energy.

    Currently, Rwanda produces only 125Mega Watts.

    The investments also come at the time the government opened doors for private investments in the sector as a way of boosting its production, moreover setting up incentives for investments going to energy.

    The private sector is involved in power generation through Independent Power Producers (IPP’s) and Private Public Partnerships (PPP’s) structures,”Olivier Ngororabanga, Energy Specialist told this website.

    According to the structures, the investors are assured of a minimum 25 years concession Agreement under the Power Purchase Agreement which ensures returns on investment by the investor.

  • New legal entity for the investment program in Rwanda

    CC.

    Chris van der Plasse, Member of the Board Rwanda Chamber Foundation. Stef Schreuder, CEO Erasmus Investment International S.A.

    To

    All parties involved in the Green Business Hub Rwanda investment program, prepared by RCF in collaboration with GOR, local, and international parties.
    Concerns New legal entity for the investment program in Rwanda.

    Sir/Madam,

    We have decided to create a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to realize the investment program in Rwanda. We own a legal entity very suitable to support our ambition in “Africa Business Development Ltd.” (ABD). ABD takes over all responsibilities and agreements from Erasmus Investment International (EII) concerning the Rwanda project. ABD will be the majority shareholder of Green Business Hub Rwanda (GBHR).
    The main reason to take this course of action is primarily to maximize the focus on Rwanda and to generate maximum speed to proceed with the funding processes. During Q2 2015 we were confronted with some delays in the execution of the program. It took more time than expected to find co-financers of our investment program ; all parties need time for due diligence and negotiations. This is done simultaneously with other Erasmus programs in other countries. The Rwanda program is “competing” with these developments.

  • Rwanda Celebrates Annual Book Festival

    This week marks the third annual Book and Reading Festival, organised by the Ministry of Sports and Culture (MINISPOC) through its Rwanda Library Services (RLS).

    The festival, themed Literacy for Self-reliance, commences today with the launch of a community library in Rulindo District.

    Books have been delivered to #Rulindo for todays launch of a #communitylibrary and #bookfestival2015! @MINISPOC pic.twitter.com/4H4bE510aQ

    According to MINISPOC, the week-long festival aims to promote a culture of reading and writing, raise awareness about the role of libraries in Rwanda, and sensitize parents about their role in childrens literacy.

    Throughout the week, RLS, together with partners (such as the Education Development Center, Editions Bakame, Ishyo Arts Center, Save the Children, Institut Francais, the Rwanda Book Publishers Association, etc.), will engage communities across the country in storytelling activities, reading sessions and competitions, as well as discussions.

     

    Twereke aho igitabo kitwa gira amatsiko kiri! Show us where the book titled “Be Curious” is! #bookfest2015 pic.twitter.com/eAjbpb1X6D

    — Ishyo Arts Centre (@IshyoArts) February 16, 2015

    The festival will conclude with a Walk for Literacy and closing ceremony on Friday, 20 February in Kigali at Petit Stade.

    Rwandas Vision 2020 aims to transform the country into a knowledge-based economy; and it is believed that developing strong literacy skills will significantly contribute to achieving the goal.

  • Kigali-based Fashion House Listed Among 50 Most Innovative Companies

    Fast Company, whose mission is to inspires a new breed of innovative and creative thought leaders who are actively inventing the future of business, has listed Made in Kigali among the worlds 50 most innovative companies.

    The Kigali-based fashion house is praised for helping to build an industry from scratch.

    In a blog post, Emma Whitford explains why the company made it to the list:

    [Scorpio Ramazani Khoury,] 26-year-old, a mineral trader by profession, is trying to lead the way—and in the process, boost Rwanda’s reputation as a global exporter (of textiles, of course, but also minerals). Her fashion house, Made in Kigali, expanded in a year to employ nearly 50 tailors, and is currently working with the minister of trade on a large-scale training center in Kigali that could handle 3,000 tailors.

    Made in Kigali is listed alongside world renown brands such as Apple, Google, Alibaba, Instagram, Samsung, and more.

  • Rwanda’s Girl Research Unit in Their Own Words

    In Rwanda, a movement has emerged over the last few year that has seen girls creating their own platforms to tell their own stories. Ni Nyampinga is Rwanda’s first teen brand and it features both a magazine and radio show produced by girls for girls that centers on issues that directly affect them. In 2012, Girl Hub Rwanda decided to build on this movement by creating a team of girl researchers armed with the skills to gather and tell stories of Rwandan girls’ lives.

    In partnership with Market Research Society (MRS) and UK-based organization 2CV, Rwanda’s Girl Research Unit (GRU) was established to provide training on research principles, recruitment in the field, facilitation of workshops and research, analysis and interpretation, and presentation of results from the research to clients. Five young women graduated in June 2014 with an international qualification from the Market Research Society in qualitative research skills and are now equipped with girl-centered research techniques.

    Since June, the GRU has been conducting field research and analysis and giving presentations on their research methodology to audiences such as graduate students from the College of Education at the University of Rwanda. The girls usually work in pairs or small groups when conducting their research and then they analyze their findings as a whole group. Some of the issues the GRU has researched include:

    • Ni Nyampinga radio and magazine: how girls respond to the different magazine issues. This research and analysis resulted in shortening the length of the magazine—as demonstrated in the latest issue (Issue 11). It also resulted in including boys in the upcoming Issue 12.
    • How boys and men can contribute to ending violence against girls. This research fed directly into Issue 11 of Ni Nyampinga magazine.

    We recently spent some time with two researchers, Frida and Aurore, who shared their experience so far.

    How do you feel since your graduation in June?

    Aurore:

    Happy and proud: my skills and knowledge continue to improve and I’m proud that I’m learning so much. I hope to become a professional researcher in the future.

    Frida:

    We didn’t have a lot of independent research work before June because we were still in training. Since then, we have had the opportunity to work alone and to present our ideas to the team which has helped us develop independently. We have worked on several different projects that have improved our skills and that have brought us closer to being professional researchers.

    What do you like most about being a researcher?

    Aurore:

    I enjoy being able to listen to, analyze, and understand different research findings and I love being able to communicate the thoughts and feelings of others in order to contribute to change. It’s exciting that our research findings can help develop NGO and Government programs and strategies.

    Frida:

    I like speaking on behalf of people who cannot speak for themselves. It is a rare opportunity for girls to be able to go into the field, speak to other girls, gather information, understand people’s perceptions about different issues and then present these views to those who can help empower the people.

    Where do you see GRU in 2-3 years?

    Aurore:

    In three years, we will be more independent. We will not need as much feedback and supervision as we do now and we will be equipped with the skills and experience we need to be able to be hired as professional researchers. We also want to keep reaching out and sharing our experiences so that more girls are inspired to become researchers as well.

    Frida:

    I hope for the growth of the qualitative research industry in Rwanda. Qualitative research is being used in more government institutions and other organizations. It should not just be about the numbers but also the story behind the numbers. And these are the stories that the GRU can help tell.

  • Residents from 12 Countries to Get Visa-free entry to Rwanda

    Residents from 12 Countries to Get Visa-free entry to Rwanda

    Passport holders of 12 countries across the world will no longer need a visa to travel to Rwanda for short visits from next month, Rwandas Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration said Monday.

    A visa waiver agreement, which recognized growing links between Rwanda and concerned 12 countries including Singapore, Hong Kong, Mauritius and Philippines will be applied where by nationals from these nations will from now on be exempted from entry/tourism visa for a stay of up to 90 days, the official statement said. Among other countries for whose citizens shall get and pay entry visa fee of 30 U.S. dollars are Australia, Germany, Israel, New Zealand, South Africa, Sweden, Britain and the United States, according to the same source.

    Speaking during an exclusive interview with Xinhua, the spokesperson of Rwandas Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration, Ange Sebutege, said that Rwanda nationals are also expected to enjoy visa-free access to Philippines where by it is expected that each year the number of investors from the Southeast Asian island was expected to grow with the visa waiver in place.

    Meanwhile, citizens from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) will continue getting visitors visa for a stay not exceeding 90 days with no fees as provided by the Economic Community of the Great Lakes Region.

    Rwanda is a member state of the sub-regional Economic Community of the Great Lakes region that also includes Burundi and DR Congo, and members of this regional bloc are bound by the agreement signed in September 1976 dedicated to promote regional integration, particularly free movement of persons, goods, and services.

    The new decision on visa policy and regulations for neighboring DR Congo nationals comes a few months after Congolese authorities has instructed all Rwandan citizens to pay for visa in order to enter the DR Congo.

    By adopting these new set of measures, Rwanda is looking to become a preferred destination for tourists while mobilising large foreign investments in the country.

  • Rwanda Emerges as a Popular Destination

    Rwanda Emerges as a Popular Destination

    Once blemished by one of the worst cases of ethnic violence that resulted in to the popular 1994 Rwanda Genocide, Rwanda is fast becoming one of the top travel destinations in Rwanda. To many people in the world, when you ask them about Rwanda, the few who know this tiny country know about the genocide than the adventurous side of it. Twenty years after experiencing the genocide, a worst ethnic violence the world has ever seen, Rwanda has greatly recovered and established itself as one of the places to go gorilla trekking though still now the effects of the genocide is still fresh in the hearts of Rwandans.

    The country has steadily emerged as a well-known tourist destination internationally thanks to the existence of the mountain gorillas. Tourists are drawn to Rwanda by its natural and scenic beauty, rich culture, as well as the unique flora and fauna in its national parks, which are home to the giant mountain gorillas. Many travelers have taken safaris into Rwanda to see the amazing gorillas, chimpanzees, genocide memorial sites and experience the unique culture of the Rwanda people.

    The Goma, Kibuye, Kigali, Gisenyi are the well known places to see in Rwanda. Rwandan wildlife attracts a huge number of tourists every year. The dangerous volcanic mountains preserved by the Volcanoes National Park and the dense tropical forests are the main attractions in the northern part of the country. On the other hand lakes, rivers, valleys and hills dominate the rest part of the country. Akagera National Park in eastern Rwanda and Parc National des Volcanoes is the home place for many endangered species. The water bodies of Rwanda are also very famous particularly the Lake Muhazi and Lake Kivu

    Besides that, the Rwanda recently joined the International Council of Tourism Partners. All of these attributes have helped the nation to rank among the top five as it was voted among the; “Top Emerging Destinations” in the Wanderlust Travel Awards 2011. This all means that the country’s efforts to develop travel and tourism in a sustainable way seem to be paying off, so all you have to do is bear witness to what Rwanda has to offer by booking one of the packaged Rwanda safaris today.

  • MTN Rwanda Loses Market in Fourth Quarter to Rival Tigo

    MTN Group Ltd. (MTN)’s Rwandan unit lost market share in the fourth quarter to its main competitor, Tigo Rwanda, the Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Agency (RURA) said. MTN Rwanda’s share stood at 65 percent compared with 72 percent a year earlier, while Tigo’s grew to 35 percent from 19 percent, the Kigali-based regulator said in a report yesterday. MTN had 2.89 million subscribers in the East African country as of December, while Tigo had 1.55 million, it said.

    “Our affordable tariff structure has clearly played a major part in this achievement,” Tigo Chief Executive Officer Diego Camberos said in a phone interview yesterday. MTN Rwanda Chief Marketing Officer Yvonne Makolo didn’t respond to an e-mailed request for comment.

    Rwanda’s mobile-phone penetration rate may increase to 60 percent this year after Bharti Airtel Ltd. (BHARTI) begins operating in the East African country, the regulator said in January. The proportion of the Rwandan population with a mobile phone rose to 41.6 percent in December from 41.3 percent in November.

    MTN Rwanda began operations in 1998, while Tigo, which is owned by Luxembourg-based Millicom International Cellular SA (MICC), obtained its license in 2008.

  • Multimedia Academy to Open Next Week

    A multimedia academy, The Africa Digital Multimedia Academy the first in Africa, will commence lectures next week in Kigali.

    This was revealed yesterday, by the Director General of WDA, Jerome Gasana, during a press conference held at the academy premises in Nyarugenge District, Kigali city.

    He said WDA, in collaboration with Pixel Corps has already recruited 20 students for the first intake. Gasana noted that those who were recruited are already engaged in the multimedia industry.

    “Over 300 people applied for this training,” Gasana said.

    He added that after three months, the academy will recruit another batch of students. Initially the school was supposed to have started operating before the end of February, but according to Gasana, it was delayed because they were still procuring equipment for the academy.

    He noted that the school aims to equip Rwandans with multimedia skills, therefore unlocking the entire industry and encouraging innovation and creativity.

    The Government, through the WDA, has so far spent Rwf 100 million on the Academy. Various international companies have shown interest in providing more financial support to the school.

    Speaking to The New Times, Christopher Marler, the Program Manager at the Academy, the Pixel Corps are working with WDA to develop a curriculum and train instructors for the school.

    “The teaching equipment, which we have brought here, is as good as those used in the film production and Photoshop academies in the USA. In addition, part of our responsibility is also to connect the academy to other academies in the same field”.