Discover Rwanda, The Country of Gorilla Safaris in Africa

Discover Rwanda, The Country of Gorilla Safaris500 per person. The gorillas are one of the most
in Africa Rwanda is a tiny country, landlocked andendangered species in the world with a number
only about the size of Wales, with three millionshrinking to 700 mountain gorillas. For every
more residents than Scotland. One can make itpermit you pay, you contribute directly to the
nearly anywhere in Rwanda from the capital,conservation of these apes. An African Safari
Kigali, by car in close to two hours. The roads areinvolving the gorillas is very rewarding.
well-maintained and easy to follow, making drivesHistory and People Rwandans today are the
through the beautiful countryside a distinctlydescendants of three major ethnic groups: the
Rwandan pleasure. It is old Rwandan legend thatTwa, the Hutu and the Tutsi. Although the Twa,
God, although he or she may spend the daypygmies of the Rwandan forests, were the first
wandering the world, always returns to Rwandapeople to settle into the area, today they only
to appreciate its beauty! Come enjoy the lovelyaccount for 1% of Rwanda's population. The Hutu
hospitality of the Land of a Thousand Hills!, one ofpeoples came later, followed by the Tutsi.
the recent African Safari destinationsTraditionally, the Hutu and their descendants
Landscape, Wildlife and Gorilla Safaris Rwanda isworked in agriculture, while Tutsis were known
known as the Land of One Thousand Hills. It canfor raising cattle.
be a joke to most Rwandans, who like to sayIt wasn't until the 1700s that Rwanda became a
that whoever was counting certainly missed acountry, in the modern sense. Power became
few! In northern Rwanda, the hills are likecentralized under the rule of the "Mwami," the
overturned cones, covered in farm plots thatTutsi kings who were thought to have divine
make the landscape appear to be quilted. Thepowers. In the court of the Mwami, Twa dancers
roads twist through the countryside, providing awere often employed as jesters and
spectacular view for anyone traveling by car.entertainment. Otherwise, the Twa people mostly
Much of Rwanda's extensive collection of wildlifekept to themselves during Rwanda's history. The
and breathtaking views are results of theMwamis controlled Rwanda by demanding tribute
Albertine Rift. The Rift stretches from Tanzaniaof district chiefs, who were also typically of Tutsi
through Rwanda and even as far north asdescent.
Uganda. The collision and separation of two ofSince 1994, Rwanda has increased its tourism
Earth's land masses created the Rift, resulting in atremendously. The number of tour operators in
vast array of natural wonders and habitats, fromEurope and the United Kingdom who provide
hot springs to alpine climes. Thanks to thetours to Rwanda had grown to 23 by the year
Albertine Rift, Rwanda has more than 6702003. Relying on Kigali's beautiful hotels, the rare
different species of birds, 120 varieties ofmountain gorillas and the country's fantastic array
butterflies and splendid paths through all its nationalof wildlife, the tourism industry has bloomed.
parks.Rwanda's people have united under the former
Permits to enter the country's parks can beleader of the Rwandan Patriotic Front, President
obtained at Rwanda's Tourism Offices (ORTPN),Paul Kagame. Kagame, who seeks to create a
on l'Avenue de l'Armee in Kigali. Visitors shouldsense of national identity in Rwanda, won the first
make a point to stop in, since more informationdemocratic elections in the country in August,
and souvenirs are provided there as well.2003.
A permit to track the gorillas of Rwanda is USD