Tour Of Gorilla Guardian Village During Rwanda Gorilla Safaris
Gorilla Trekking is the number one motivator for travelers visiting Rwanda but there is another experience that you ought not to miss during your Rwanda Gorilla Safari, and this is the “Tour of Gorilla Guardian Village”. Situated in Musanze (the Northern province), the “Gorilla Guardian’s Village”, previously referred to as “Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village” is a must-visit not-for-profit Organization hidden in the foothills of Virunga Volcanoes bordering Volcanoes National Park.
Gorilla Guardians Village
The Gorilla Guardian’s Village was mainly founded to better the livelihood of reformed poachers and communities living around Volcanoes National Park, the gorilla trekking destination in Rwanda. When travelers undertake guided tours of the Village, they are provided an insight into the different projects that promote livelihood development, conservation, and community enterprise, in addition to getting immersed into the traditional lifestyle, cultures, and traditions of Rwandans.
Surprisingly, this is normally another highlight on Rwanda Gorilla safaris as visitors get the chance to interact with the warm and hospitable people living around the Park while gaining first-hand knowledge of the Village’s activities to improve their livelihoods.
By touring Gorilla Guardian Village, travelers have the opportunity to enjoy the ancient and unspoiled cultural and rural life of Rwandans before modernization with a wide range of activities to look out for. You can also make a donation (optional) after your guided tour to directly help the community in preserving the endangered mountain gorillas and improve the lives of people living around these Giant Apes.
Besides the different projects undertaken by Gorilla Guardian Village, there are a number of exciting tourist activities to participate in and these introduce travelers to the traditional rural Rwandan Village life that has been practiced for centuries, interact with the people (especially village elders during storytelling or folklore), have a unique taste of their culture and traditions through;
Gorilla Guardians Village
Visiting the King’s Palace Replica to listen to different King’s stories, and learn about the meanings of several tools and symbols in the Palace. The most exciting part of this activity is being the “King or Queen” for minutes, whereby you can exercise King’s powers as conferred on you by the Village elder during the Village Ceremony.
Participating in a community walk with a guide from the local community for an opportunity to check out several interesting sites in the area, and learn about the interesting, simple, and life-changing day-to-day lives of the local people.
Exploring the 8 traditional dances performed with several traditional musical instruments such as “Agakenke”, “Ibyivugo”, “Ikembe”, “Umuduri” and “Amakondera” among others. The majority of these dances are performed by Women, Men, Youth, and children, and before they are performed, you will learn about the events where they are significant and you are free to join in these dances.
Paying a visit to the traditional herbalist to learn about the unique medicinal plants, trees, shrubs, and grass plus the diseases they treat/heal. On a lucky day, you will find the patients who will give their testimonies. There is also a chance to visit the traditional pharmacies and clinics where you will listen as village elders provide an insight into how medicines have revolved through pre and post-Colonial eras.
Also provided at Gorilla Guardian Village are guided tours of local schools, where you are free to volunteer as a teacher and share knowledge depending on your field. Get the chance to see how children in a typical local school in Rwanda learn without Tablets, laptops, and Textbooks but instead ordinary chalkboards, and you can donate scholastic materials to the school.
A visit to Gorilla Guardian Village isn’t complete without participating in the preparation and tasting of a local Rwandan meal with the local village women. Unlike back home where foods are bought from grocery stores or markets, a typical Rwandan rural family harvests fresh food (Greens and vegetables, fresh beans and cowpeas, plantain, sweet potatoes, Onions, and tomatoes) from the Gardens and therefore during your visit to Gorilla Guardian’s Village, you will join the women to the Gardens, learn about how to prepare the meal and even enjoy the results. Yummy!!!
Learn about the tradition of Banana beer and how it is brewed. The locals will offer the detailed local banana beer brewing process and you will have a taste of it. Right from the time of harvesting a ready banana from the Plantation, the ripening process (although you will use ripe fruits because it takes 3-4 days to ripen), how to brew, and then the golden moment of tasting it.
Gorilla Guardian Village was mainly established to improve the lives of reformed poachers and therefore during your visit, you will also learn about their hunting skills/techniques, and listen to their stories (especially the Batwa pygmies).
Also, learn the thrilling Batwa Pottery-making experience during your tour of Gorilla Guardian Village, whereby you can also make your own pot. There is also an opportunity to watch the handcraft-making process and interact with the artisans and craft-makers. The highlight of your Gorilla Guardian Village Tour is the local football match with the local community.