Each year, it is every traveler’s dream to explore that one unique safari destination with new experiences and because of this, destination managers are tasked to identify the potential new tourist sites. That said, if there is a country that never sleeps when it comes to tourism then it is Rwanda. In order to meet travelers’ needs, a team led by the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) Chief Tourism Officer ‘Belise Kariza’ and the Eastern Province Governor Mufulukye plus other key tourism stakeholders including the director Tour and Travel Association and Chairman of the Rwanda safari guide association have concluded a 2 day program which looks at identifying new tourism opportunities particularly in the Eastern Province.
This program is part of the national move to map out and also increase the tourist attractions or sites that Rwanda as a prime safari destination has to offer which in a long run will boost both domestic and international tourism. Rwanda is endowed with a variety of tourist attractions besides its rare mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park. Among the many potential tourist attractions/sites which the team explored include the Fumbwe Hill in Rwamagana district, the deep pots of Rubona in Gatsibo district and Ngarama Rock of tales in Gatsibo district and Nyabwishongwezi where the late General Fred Rwigema was murdered in 1990 during the liberation war.
It also involved meeting local leaders in Nyagatare district, tourism professionals and other members of in hospitality sector. The Governor Eastern Province ‘Fred Mufulukye’ encouraged various stakeholders to make the best use of the country’s diverse cultural heritage, enhance transport infrastructure and hospitality industry in the area so as to attract more visitors which later will generate revenue. The RDB Chief Tourism Officer Belise also added that Rwanda is on move to identify more tourism opportunities as a way to diversify what it offers to the world market and one way is to identify new tourist sites. The identified tourist sites need to be promoted not just as new cultural tourist sites but the private sector as well needs to invest a lot in the area so as to create more opportunities for the nearby local communities.
The Eastern Province boasts not only for its diverse cultural and historical sites but also for its stunning Akagera National Park which is Rwanda’s only savanna grassland national park and the only income-generating destination in this region. This park offers refuge to big five games (elephants, rhinos, leopards, lions, buffaloes); giraffes, elands, hyenas, topis, savanna birds and others. It is ideal for game viewing, bird watching where you have a chance to spot out some of its 520 distinct bird species including the red-faced barbets, swamp flycatcher, shoebill storks, grey-backed fiscals, fan-tailed widowbird, Caruthers cisticola, Augur buzzard, viellot’s black weavers, long-crested eagle, Hammerkop, kingfishers, African wattled plover a mention but a few. It is also ideal for boat tours for you to look out mainly the aquatic life like crocodiles, hippos and water birds; sport fishing, helicopter tours, and others. Boat rides in Akagera National Park are conducted along Lake Ihema one of the scenic water bodies with huge concentration of hippos in East Africa and also a stronghold for crocodiles.
The eastern province is composed of about 3 million people and each district has approximately 500000 however, very few of them do pay a visit to this stunning national park itself. There is a need to create awareness among local residents to make them know what these areas have as most of them even do not know.
Besides the national park, cultural and historical site, this region also features about 31 most scenic lakes that include 10 lakes which are situated within the park itself. Last year, Akagera National Park alone generated about $1 million from the 44000 people who paid a visit.
In conclusion, regardless of Rwanda’s smallest size, a visit to this magical country rewards travel endeavors with a variety of natural wonders. Not only is it popular for mountain gorilla adventures but also the main refuge to savanna grassland wildlife including the big five game as well as several cultural and historical sites. By identifying more tourist sites means more new experiences for visitors on Rwanda safari!