Total park revenue surged to $40.8 million, with the renowned Volcanoes National Park serving as the primary economic engine by contributing $35.8 million.
Beyond the mountain gorillas, the country successfully diversified its offerings, leading to a 22.8% growth in visitation to Nyungwe National Park, according to the 2025 annual report released by the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) this week. This surge was boosted by the debut of the Nyungwe Zipline, which, at 1,935 meters, is now recognized as one of the longest in Africa.
The hospitality sector complemented this growth with the launch of premier properties such as Bisate Reserve, Magashi Peninsula, and Munazi Eco Lodge, helping to drive total visitor arrivals to 1.49 million. While international air travel to the country grew by 23%, the EAC and DRC remained the strongest source markets for visitors.
Conservation efforts in 2025 were highlighted by the Rhino Rewild Initiative, which saw the successful translocation of 70 southern White rhinos from South Africa to Akagera National Park. This initiative was mirrored by the 20th anniversary of Kwita Izina, where 40 baby gorillas were named, bringing the total number of names given since the program’s inception to 397.
Looking forward, the approval of the Rwanda Wildlife Conservation Master Plan sets a bold target to protect 12% of Rwanda’s land area by 2050. These conservation successes are being shared directly with the population through the Tourism Revenue Sharing Programme, which reinvested Rwf 4.7 billion into 82 community projects during the 2024-2025 cycle, with an increased commitment of Rwf 5.2 billion slated for the following year.
The economic impact of the sector was further amplified by Rwanda’s rise as a hub for sports and international gatherings. The MICE sector generated $94.7 million in 2025, a growth of 11.8% bolstered by major events like the first-ever UCI Road World Championships held in Africa.
Domestically, there was also a notable shift in engagement, as park visits by Rwandan residents rose by 8.1% to nearly 60,000 visitors, while total domestic tourism revenue increased by 3.5% to reach $821,093. This holistic growth across luxury, community, and domestic segments underscores a robust and sustainable future for the “Land of a Thousand Hills.”
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