IGIHE

Category: Tourism

  • 11 Baby Mountain Gorillas to be Named in June

    {{This year, 11 baby Mountain gorillas are scheduled to be named in the 10th Gorilla naming Ceremony that draws hundreds of visitors from allover the world and especially those in the conservation and tourism sectors and support sectors.}}

    The event is scheduled for June 22, at Kinigi in Northern Province of Rwanda.

    A statement from Rwanda Development Board said, the naming ceremony targets baby gorillas born recently but have not been named.

    The mountain gorilla is one of the world’s most endangered species and Rwanda is one of the countries in the Great Lakes region that shares a habitat for these endangered species. The habitat stretches across Uganda, DRC and Rwanda.

    With about 780 Mountain gorillas left in the World, it has enabled the Rwanda to receive over 20,000 visitors every year visiting the creatures which share more than 97% genetic material with human beings.

  • Central African Elephant Reserve Sieged

    {{A group of 17 gunmen entered an animal park in the Central African Republic, threatening “one of the biggest massacres of elephants” in the region, conservationist body WWF has said.}}

    It said the 17 had on Monday entered the Dzanga-Ndoki national park and were heading for Dzanga Bai, known locally as “elephant village”.

    The poachers threatened to bring about “one of the biggest massacres of elephants in the region since poachers killed at least 300 elephants for their ivory in Bouba N’Djidda national park in north Cameroon in February 2012, WWF said in a statement.

    Dzanga Bai was described as a big clearing where 50 to 200 elephants go each day “to drink mineral salts present in the sands”.

    “Unless rapid and decisive measures are taken it seems very likely that the poachers will take advantage of the country’s chaos and instability to shoot elephants living in this unique site,” said Jim Leape, general director of WWF International.

    The rebel Seleka coalition toppled the regime of Francois Bozize in March but has yet to establish order in the country whose army is in a shambles.

    WWF

  • Rica Rwigamba Takes Over Chair of GVTC

    {{The Rwanda Development Board’s (RDB) Head of Tourism and Conservation, Rica Rwigamba, took over as Chairperson of the Greater Virunga Transboundary Collaboration (GVTC) yesterday. }}

    The GVTC brings together Rwanda, Uganda, and the Congo DR for the purpose of conservation and management of the mountain gorilla populations and their habitat.

    Rica started her two-year term as Chairperson at the end of the regular meeting of the tripartite parties in Kampala, Uganda, yesterday, following the end of the term of her colleague, Dr. Wilungula of the Congolese Institute for Conservation of Nature (ICCN) with the Uganda Wildlife Authority, and Dr. Andrew Seguya hosting the meeting, which rotates between the member countries.

    Gorilla tracking is one of the most high-profile tourism activities in Rwanda, Uganda, and the Eastern Congo.

    It attracts thousands of visitors to the region and makes up the largest share of tourism-related income for the RDB – Tourism & Conservation, the Uganda Wildlife Authority, and ICCN.

    Numbers in the 3 countries are estimated to stand at nearly 900 of the endangered animals, up significantly over the past decade as a result of cooperation between the wildlife management bodies, campaigns among area residents to promote conservation vis-a-vis benefit sharing, and improved monitoring and security measures.

    The cost of a gorilla tracking permit in Rwanda stands at US$750 per person, while in Uganda the cost is ordinarily US$500, although a special low-season promotion for the period up to May 31 is presently ongoing with tracking permits going for US$ 350 per person.

    Congratulations to Rica and all the best in dealing with the challenges ahead.

    {GLobal Travel Industry news}

  • Egypt Grounds Balloon Flights

    {{The Egyptian authorities have suspended all hot air balloon flights near Luxor and launched an investigation following the deaths of 19 tourists in a crash.}}

    Hong Kong, Japanese, British, French and Hungarian nationals were among those killed on Tuesday morning.

    A landing rope is reported to have got caught around a helium gas tube and severed it, after which a fire erupted and the balloon shot up into the air.

    It then plunged some 300m (1,000ft) to the ground in a field west of the city.

    The pilot and one passenger survived by jumping out of the basket.

    Balloon rides are a popular way to see the numerous ancient sites which line the banks of the River Nile at Luxor, in the south of Egypt, such as the temple of Karnak and the royal tombs in the Valley of the Kings.

    The balloon which crashed was one of at least nine which took off in a field north of Luxor, on the west bank of the Nile, at dawn on Tuesday.

    It was operated by the local company, Sky Cruise, which said a gas cylinder had exploded on board when it was about 300m in the air.

    BBC

  • 19 Tourists Killed in Balloon Accident in Egypt

    {{British, French, Hong Kong and Japanese nationals are among 19 tourists reportedly killed in a hot air balloon crash near the Egyptian city of Luxor.}}

    The balloon was at 1,000 ft (300m) when it caught fire and plunged onto fields west of Luxor, officials said.

    At least two people, including the balloon’s pilot, reportedly survived; apparently by jumping out of the balloon before it crashed.

    Luxor is home to some of Egypt’s most famous pharaonic-era ruins.

    It lies on the banks of the River Nile in the south of the country, and has long been a popular tourist destination.

    BBC

  • Nyungwe Park Towers to Improve Bird Watching

    {{In order to cater for more foreign leisure tourists watching bird species, Nyungwe Park has established three more watch towers.}}

    Tourists using the towers will be able to engage in bird photography.
    The Towers are based in Nyamasheke District.

    As the tourism industry raises about 40% of the country’s revenue with the Mountain gorillas in North West of Rwanda as the major attraction to date Rwanda is also investing in birds attractions.

    Kambogo Ildephonse, of Rwanda Development Board, on tourism development said residents close to the park be trained on how to explore the potential of those watch towers as well as urging them to help leisure tourists to use them.

    He said that new tours will help residents to showcase the beauty of their region as well as increasing their revenues.

  • Southern Province Residents to Cleanup Nyungwe Park

    {{The Southern Province of Rwanda has launched activities to make Nyungwe National Park clean and safe as well as taking care of all biodiversity species inside the park.}}

    The Governor of the Southern Province, Alfred Munyentwari said the cleaning activities aim at picking up garbage and other waste spotted alongside the road passing through the park.

    Hygiene activities are to be conducted by residents from Districts of Nyamagabe, Nyamasheke and Rusizi with representatives of the army and national Police.

    Munyantwari said that holding such activities through community work had two objectives which are to take care of the park and not scatter the remains of food and other non-biodegradable packages along the road bordering the park.

  • Gatsibo to Construct Paved Road to Ngarama Rock

    {{On a hard rock at Ngarama hill in Gatsibo District is neatly inscribed footprints of a dog. The footprints, as legend has it, were left there by one of Ruganzu’s dogs.}}

    In line with attracting tourists visiting the site, the Mayor of Gatsibo District Ruboneza Ambroise has confirmed to IGIHE that the District in collaboration with Rwanda Development Board (RDB) is planning to construct a road heading to the site.

    The Mayor says construction activities of the 24Km-road are expected to be complete within two years.

    Ruboneza added infrastructure development has increased in Ngarama region and that beautification of the area will continue as a way to attract more tourists.

    The Mayor has asked investors to build hotels and restaurants for those who will be visiting Ngarama rock which have been known due to King Ruganzu Legendary History.

  • World War II Info to be Inscribed on Rubavu Rock

    {{Information related to the Second World War will be written on a large rock cliff found in Rubavu District.}}

    The rock had always existed with a name of “Rubavu Rock” and currently the District of Rubavu has decided to use that rock on which 2nd World War History will be presented.

    This is in line with creating another tourism site in that region.

    The Mayor of District, Sheikh Bahame Hassan has said in order to have accurate information they will approach elders to tell the story of how things happened in Rwanda during World War 2.

    Bahame said the District accommodates places where Belgium soldiers positioned during the war.

    Other historical rocks that are found in Rwanda include Rock of Kamegeri, situated at Ruhango District.

    Official documents indicate that the rock originated from Kamegeri who was a leader under the reign of king Mibambwe Sekarongoro Mutabazi who was burnt on that rock after he had asked that criminals be thrown on that rock after it was made red-hot.

    Since then that rock cliff was attributed to him to become the Historical rock in Rwanda.

  • 15 Graduate in Wildlife Management

    {{Rwanda Development Board (RDB) through its Kitabi College of Conservation and Environmental Management (KCCEM) on Friday graduated 15 students with diploma in wildlife management.}}

    Graduates who were selected among six national parks from Burundi and Rwanda, underwent a two-year training in conservation and environment management.

    Three of them were from Burundi’s Kibila National Park.

    At the ceremony, Rica Rwigamba, the Head of Tourism and Conservation at RDB said, the new graduates will contribute to sustainable management of Environment and wild life conservation.

    Rica noted that the knowledge they have received within the last two years is extensive and more than just the certificate they received.

    She added that in partnership with the government of Rwanda, RDB will continue to strengthen the capacity of KCCEM.

    Currently, RDB and the College are in talks with the Rwanda Ministry of Education so that diplomas from KCCEM are recognized as any other diplomas offered by colleges operating in the country.

    Richard Nasasira, the acting Principal of KCCEM said that graduates have been equipped with necessary technical skills that the sector of Conservation needs for its development.

    “We are sure our graduates today will perform better due to the fact that they have been equipped with necessary skills that will allow them to fulfill their duties,” said Nasasira.

    Denise Umugwaneza, former Akagera tourist guide and the only Girl that graduated among the 15 graduates in the department of wildlife conservation said that girls and women are still reluctant in joining conservation and guide activities.

    “A Lot of women are not interested and some time they lack self confidence or traditional barriers where women think that the job of guide is for men which is not true.” Umugwaneza observed.

    “I encourage women to join this profession because they can gain more,” umugwaneza urged.