Face to face with mountain gorillas in Rwanda

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: 31 mei 2016
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Rwanda - land
: Ditjes & Datjes
: 31 mei 2016
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Pagina
: 32
Advertentiewaarde : € 35.383,00
Regio
: Nederland
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Publicatie
Datum
cm2
Rwanda - land
: Ditjes & Datjes
: 31 mei 2016
: 1.472
inhoudelijk
alleen voor intern/eigen gebruik
Pagina
: 32
Advertentiewaarde : € 35.383,00
Regio
: Nederland
Frequentie : 12x per jaar
Oplage
: 650.000
Publicatie
Datum
cm2
Rwanda - land
: Ditjes & Datjes
: 31 mei 2016
: 1.472
inhoudelijk
alleen voor intern/eigen gebruik
Pagina
: 32
Advertentiewaarde : € 35.383,00
Regio
: Nederland
Frequentie : 12x per jaar
Oplage
: 650.000
FacetofacewithmountaingorillasinRwanda
Tropical rain forests, volcanoes and of course the famous mountain gorillas: Rwanda is a
must for nature lovers. An adventurous journey through the land of a thousand hills.
Driving through the countryside of Rwanda, everywhere you see colourfully dressed women
walking along the road, a large basket balancing effortlessly on the head. Small children run
along with the bus for a while, waving cheerfully and cheering English words: "Hello!
Welcome!'
Indeed, welcome to Rwanda, a small country located in the heart of East Africa, just below
the equator. The climate is mild - average 25 C - and it is surprisingly green. Rwanda is
known as the "land of a thousand hills'. The landscape is characterized by sloping hills and
volcanoes with fertile slopes. The many coffee and tea plantations stretch as undulating, green
terraces. Farmlands and small villages are spread like a patchwork across the mountains,
where early morning wisps of mist hang spooky in the trees. It is a magical sight.
UNFORGETTABLEEXPERIENCE
Although Rwanda was ravaged in the nineties of the last century by the violent conflict
between the Hutus and the Tutsis, the country developed into a modern, peaceful state. In
fact, Rwanda has become known as one of the safest countries on the African continent.
When you ask someone from the local people whether he is Hutu or Tutsi, the answer is clear:
"I am Rwandan." Distinction between the two populations is no longer made. The country
looks ahead. Tourism also started to grow, not at least because of the big star of the animal
kingdom: the mountain gorilla. Rwanda is, in addition to neighbouring Uganda and Congo,
the only place in the world where this endangered ape can be seen in the wild. There are about
480 mountain gorillas, mostly in the tropical rainforest of Volcanoes National Park, in the
beautiful Virunga Mountains. They are social animals, forming families. Tourists may visit
some of these families during a so-called "gorilla tracking" where you can observe them;
guided in small groups you stay with the animals for an hour. You have to make an effort
first: the first stage leads up, passing fields and farmlands, climbing the volcano. Once in the
dense jungle it may take hours before a family is found, the animals are in constant motion.
But when you finally face these rare animals, it is more than worth the effort. The head of the
family, the silverback, is a tough giant that demonstrates the hierarchy occasionally by
drumming on his chest or deeply growl. Younger males are curious and sometimes they come
so close that you can almost touch them. Females chew quietly on a bamboo and don’t seem
to bother about their visitors. But perhaps they do: sometimes they look at you with their deep
brown eyes, and after that they stoically concentrate on their meal again. The youngsters,
woolly creatures, playfully tumble over each other. And all that at a distance of about five
meters. A unique and unforgettable experience.
ADVENTUREOUSWILDLIFESAFARI
Granted, the gorilla safari is not cheap, the cost is around $ 750 per person. This money is
also used to educate the local community about the need to preserve the habitat of this
particular animal. With success, because more and more gorilla babies are born. To celebrate
this, the government organizes an annual ceremony for naming the little gorillas: the Kwita
Izina festival. During the edition of 2015 there were as many as 24 new-born fluff balls
"baptized". In 2013, Lieke van Lexmond and Mark Centuries were invited to give a name to
one of the little ones. It was Icyamamare, which means rising star.
Of course, you could visit Rwanda only because of the mountain gorillas, but there is much
more to discover. In the east of the country, near the border with Tanzania, you find Akagera
National Park. Here you will find a totally different landscape, perfect for an adventurous
wildlife safari. On the flat savannah zebras and buffalos wander between the acacia trees,
while in the air a large bird of prey appears. In one of the lakes a few elephants appear to
nibble at ease on a papyrus plant, while a hippo snorts loudly sticks his head above the water.
The park is a major tourist attraction, especially now lions can be spot again since the summer
of 2015. The animals were exterminated, but as part of a conservation project South Africa
donated a group of seven lions. Another spectacular national park in Rwanda is Nyungwe
Forest. This is an ancient, vast tropical forest where countless butterflies, birds, reptiles and
mammals such as Colobus monkeys live. You can go hiking along waterfalls with
magnificent views. But the highlight is a canopy walk where you walk on three swinging
suspension bridges, hanging high among the treetops. The view is priceless, but people with
fear of heights should persevere here. After such a hike it is wonderful to relax on the sandy
beaches of the nearby Lake Kivu, one of the largest lakes in Africa. Here you will find a fine
selection of spa resorts and hotels, and you can make nice boat trips.
AFLOURISHINGCOUNTRY
When you visit Rwanda, you will probably visit the genocide museum in the capital Kigali.
Here you get a clear picture of what has happened in the past and how it had come to this.
Once outside, you are in a peaceful garden full of flowers and birds. Here many victims are
buried. Fortunately there is a hopeful message: the past of Rwanda is fierce, but there is a
young generation ready to let the country flourish.
After all those impressive images and stories, one can take a break in a cosy coffee bar in the
city. The coffees from Rwanda are among the best in the world.
Because tourism in this country is in an early stage, it is important you plan your trip well in
advance. There are more and more Dutch tour operators that offer Rwanda as a holiday
destination and they also arrange permits for gorilla trekking.
Furthermore, KLM has daily flights that will take you to Kigali in 8.5 hours. There is no time
difference with the Netherlands; that saves a jetlag. You will never forget a trip to Rwanda.
More information: Rwandatourism.com.