Despite Rwanda being a relatively small country, it has a lot to offer to travelers willing and brave enough to wander in this beautiful country. Many activities are at travelers’ disposal, the gorilla safaris in Volcanoes national park, chimp trekking in Nyungwe forest, visiting the Kigali Genocide memorial site or even shopping in the numerous local markets spread all over the country.
All those are great options to consider while on a safari in Rwanda, but this small land locked country doesn’t only present wildlife and her sad story of the 1994 tribal genocide. Or perhaps it’s only thought of as a land of a thousand hills, still it has more than that, it’s the country of beautiful people and unique culture.
Be it a gorilla, wildlife or hiking adventures, nothing is more memorable than a cultural safari in Rwanda. Having to meet different people from another side of the world is an experience that cannot easily be forgotten, people with languages, norms and beliefs that are totally new to your insight.
Rwanda being a small country, has only three ethnic groups that call it home; the Twa, Hutu and Tutsi, all speaking the same language, same religions and interspersed in the same areas. The only difference they have is the perception of historical origins.
While on a cultural tour in Rwanda, travelers can visit the Iby’Iwachu cultural village in the northern province of Musanze. This is located just outside of Volcanoes national park and one can easily say that Rwanda’s culture is all summed up in this one stop point. For curious tourists wanting to explore all the ethnic groups of the country in a limited time, Iby’Iwachu is the most appropriate place for short cultural tours in Rwanda.
The village’s location just adjacent to the oldest home of the mountain gorillas; Volcanoes national furnished great opportunities for travelers on gorilla safaris to also venture into the local community. Visit the local families, be entertained by the traditional dancers. Note that you can also engage in the performances. A taste of the local cuisine is a guarantee except to those who don’t wish to have one. This village simply portrays the true Kinyarwanda culture in one stop point, such an experience is not yet got anywhere else in Africa.
The Humure refugee Village is also another community that most tourists have visited while on the wildlife safaris in Rwanda. It is situated close to Akagera national park, just 40 minutes’ drive from the park close to Lake Ihema and Ruzizi tented camp. Understand the Heritage of the cattle in Rwanda’s culture, music and dance traditional performances from the local people as well as food celebrations and festivals.
Visit the Imigongo art and craft center, the house of cow dung decoration. This is an iconic art and craft center in Rwanda. For the best souvenirs, this place can be recommended without any dot of doubt.
For travelers on chimp trekking safaris in Rwanda visit the Katabi and Banda cultural villages that surround Nyungwe national park; the prime home for chimps and other primates in Rwanda. So a cultural encounter in these villages is always the most appropriate additional activity that tourists can have after a chimp trek in the park.
See Rwanda through the eyes of the local people, understand their beliefs and perceptions. Learn to cook the local food and then later on eat like a local at any time you wish. Get to the streets of Katabi and Banda to have an authentic food experience in Rwanda.
If on a city tour in Kigali, and wish to explore Rwanda’s culture, its capital city Kigali is the best one can go. Based on its setting, Kigali would be referred to as one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
It is also a hub for Rwanda’s most beautiful and elegant natives and a multitude of foreign races drawn from all corners of the world.
Visit the Kigali genocide memorial site for the tragic stories and memories of Rwanda. Also other museums in the city portray the real picture of Rwanda’s heritage. Almost all streets of Kigali have at least one craft market or shop, so for souvenirs, Kigali can simply never fail you.
Indeed, if it’s an African cultural safari, and not in Rwanda, then is not a cultural safari because Rwanda’s cultural trips rank among the best in Africa.