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| During the closing session of the World Travel & Tourism Council’s (WTTC) Global Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the Rwandan capital of Kigali was announced as the host city for 2023, the first event by WTTC to be hosted in Africa. Rwanda, the home of the International Gorilla Conservation Programme, will showcase the power of sustainable tourism to protect biodiversity and create thriving communities. WTTC closed its largest-ever Global Summit in December 2022 with more than 3,000 delegates attending the event in Riyadh. The tourism body’s Global Summit saw speakers such as former UK Prime Minister Theresa May, former United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon, and actor, filmmaker and Golden Globe winner Edward Norton. The most influential travel and tourism event on the calendar, WTTC’s record-breaking Global Summit was attended by more than 85 countries.
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Worth Knowing About |
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| Rwanda Art Museum |
| Formerly the Presidential Palace Museum, this new museum displays contemporary artworks from Rwanda as well as abroad. The museum seeks to provide an insight into the originality of Rwandan creativity. Exploring the development of art from olden times to the modern day, it considers how traditional and modern imaginations can blend and fuse. The Rwanda Art Museum is one of the eight museums that make up the Institute of National Museums of Rwanda, hosting temporary and traveling exhibits alongside a permanent collection. |
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| Fashion in Rwanda |
| Though it seemed like a pipe dream just a few years ago, today Kigali plays host not one, but two fashion festivals every year. For fashionistas and those on the cutting edge of style, they offer a fantastic opportunity to see the cultural fusion of western and Rwandan styles that the country’s finest designers negotiate and create daily. Kigali Fashion Week takes place every July and hosts dozens of international, local and upcoming young designers, while the Rwanda Cultural Fashion Week showcases even more local and international talent every September. |
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| Rwanda Cafe Featured in Hotels Above Par |
| As mentioned in a recent article by Hotels Above Par, the best cocktail in Rwanda is in Kayonza at the Imigongo Art Center’s cafe. In addition to tea and coffee, the cafe offers plenty of options to help kick-start the day (or afternoon). This social enterprise combines the feeling of a studio and gallery with a coffee shop inside. While sipping on local brews, guests can browse the handwoven baskets and textured paintings, or even a safari animal come to life on a canvas. Founded in 2018, the art center received an innovation award from the District of Kayonza after being in operation for only two months and continues to impress locals and visitors alike. |
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| Responsible Tourism – Birdwatching |
| Rwanda is a birder’s heaven with 703 species, 29 Albertine Rift Endemics, diverse habitats and the best montane birding in Africa. Combine that with a great road network, safety and security, a diversity of habitats and you have one of the best ecotourism destinations in Africa. Most birders will want to focus their attention on Nyungwe National Park in the west of Rwanda and Akagera National Park located in the east. However, good birding can be found across the country and even close to Kigali, so no matter how long you are staying there is rewarding birding on offer. |
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Product Highlights |
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| Nyungwe Canopy Walkway |
| Suspended above a ravine in the lush mountain rainforest of Nyungwe National Park, the canopy walkway provides an exhilarating perspective on the ancient treetops and wildlife. The 525-foot-long and 230-foot-high suspension bridge is accessible as part of a guided tour along the Igishigishigi Trail or to those hiking the Imbaraga or Umuyove trails. Having escaped the last ice age, the Nyungwe forest is a hotbed of biodiversity. Along the hour’s walk to the canopy walkway from the Uwinka Reception Centre, visitors will see countless butterflies, orchids and colorful birds, including many endemic to the region. Thirteen species of primates live in Nyungwe, so a chance encounter isn’t out of the question, although those wishing to seek them out should opt for a dedicated primate visit.< |
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| Kingfisher Journeys |
| Explore, discover and journey in the Land of a Thousand Hills and see more of Rwanda from a truly unique perspective. Soak up the peace and quiet on the water, watch the beautiful landscape passing by, see the amazing birdlife, engage with friendly communities and do something unique to any African trip! Kingfisher Journeys runs guided small group kayaking day trips and overnight adventures on Lake Kivu from both Rubavu and Karongi, with multi-day activities from Rusizi to Rubavu. With new modern, stable kayaks and all equipment provided, these professional guides will assist any age and experience level in this exciting – and yet also very relaxing – activity! |
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| Rwanda is one of the most densely populated countries in Africa. With just over 13 million people, its population is about the same size as Massachusetts – but with only 9,525 square miles (compared to Massachusetts’ 10,565 square miles). This puts the population density at 1,360 people per square mile, with the median age in Rwanda at 20 years. |
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For more information on booking travel with Visit Rwanda, click here.
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