Do not do any of these things on a Rwanda Cultural Tour
Things to Avoid On a Rwanda Cultural Tour: Top things you need to avoid doing while on a Rwanda Cultural Tour. Rwanda is located in the east of Africa within the Great Lakes region. The country is tagged as a land of a thousand hills since the country is made up of several hills. Rwanda comprises several cultural villages that travelers can engage in on their cultural tours. In the cultural tours to Rwanda, travelers have several things to avoid and some of these include;
Avoid careless talks about the Rwanda genocide
While in Rwanda for a cultural tour, travelers are supposed to avoid the careless talks about the 1994 genocide. During the period of the genocide, most of the people lost their loved ones. This genocide left a lot of people in sorrow for about 30 years and usually, it disturbs them when one is found talking about it. On the safari, the genocide sites are generally open for travelers to get their questions answered.
Asking about the Tutsi and Hutu
While on the Rwanda safaris to cultural communities, travelers are questioned never to ask about the Tutsi and Hutu since the ethnic groups were abandoned in Rwanda. This created the rise of the genocide against the Tutsi who were killed during the genocide. While in Rwanda for a cultural tour, travelers are not allowed to ask about that and it is against the anti-tribalism law set by the government.
No littering
Rwanda is considered to be the cleanest country in Africa. The level of cleanliness in the country is compared to the international countries. Travelers during their safaris are not allowed to litter in the several cultural communities they visit. In Rwanda, every last Saturday of the month was considered for cleaning the town and areas around the city.
No bringing plastic bags into the country
Travelers are not allowed to bring plastic bags into the country since Rwanda banned the use of plastic bags. Most of the plastic bags are usually removed from travelers at the border points or airports. Travelers are usually offered paper bags at a cost and these are usually reusable.
No spitting in public
While on a Rwanda cultural tour, travelers are not allowed to spit in public where they have to get to private places like toilets and do their spitting. Rwandese were used to spitting in public all the time and then the Rwandan government put a ban against spitting in public and it looks awkward for one to spit in public.
Disrespecting \abusing women
During the ancient times in Rwanda, the women were so impressed by the men from the neighboring communities that they would invade to take women away from the country. Currently, this has come to an end since there were laws put against women’s rights.
Indecent dressing
While on the Rwanda cultural tour, travelers are warned about the form of dressing. Indecent dressing is a form of disobeying the cultural norms and beliefs of Rwandan society. While on the safari, travelers are recommended to put decently as a form of respecting the culture of the Rwandese.
Don’t expect English in the cultural communities
Most Rwandese are not good at speaking English they are so fluent in the Rwandese language and French People who are usually fluent in English in Rwanda are usually tourist guides. Travelers are usually recommended to hire translators or use guides that are fluent in the language.
Taking pictures or photos without permission
This is a habit everywhere where take pictures or photos without permission. In Rwanda, it is a criminal offense for travelers to take pictures or photos without permission. While on the safari, travelers are supposed to get permission if they are to take pictures or photos. Even taking photos of the security personnel is also not allowed. Travelers are cautioned about the areas where to take photos during safaris.
Cultural Villages in Rwanda
While travelers on their safaris to Rwanda, there are several cultural communities that travelers can visit during their safaris and they include;
Gorilla Guardians Village
This community is also called the Ibyi’wacu cultural village and it is among the communities that travelers on their safaris should always consider visiting. The village is located near the Volcanoes National Park which is within the northwestern Rwanda at the border of Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo within the Virunga region. While in this community, travelers will encounter cultural activities like visiting the cured man who will engage you in curing diseases like cough, fever, and headache using the local hubs in the community like leaves, stems, shoots, roots, and many others. The other activities include cultural dances, banana brewing, coffee roasting, and many others.
Banda Village
This cultural village is found within the Nyungwe Forest National Park near Uwinka Park headquarters where canopy walks, chimpanzee trekking, and hikes are arranged. Travelers in this community exchange culture with the Rwandese through cultural games like Igsisoro games, banana brewing, coffee roasting, and many others.
Kings Palace Museum
Rukari or Kings Palace Museum is located in the Nyanza town north of the Butare museum. It was the heart of Rwanda in the old days for Rwandese. During the colonial time in the 19th century, where the German colonialists met the king of Rwanda. While on the visit to the palace, travelers can see the remains of King Mutara III Rudahingwa and the items that he used during his reigns like beds, until, bows, arrows, shields, drums, and many others.
Where to stay during a Rwanda cultural tour?
While in Rwanda for a cultural tour, travelers have several activities that they can engage in during their safaris. Accommodation facilities are situated around the communities and they are rated budget, midrange, and luxury. The facilities include Kigali Serena Hotel, Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, Lake Kivu Serena Hotel, Wilderness Sabyinyo Lodge, Singita Kwitonda Lodge, Virunga Lodge, Five Volcanoes Lodge, Wilderness Bisate Lodge, Ruzizi Tented Lodge, Kivu Paradise hotel, Villa gorilla lodge, Magashi tented camp, The retreat Kigali, One &only Nyungwe house, and many others.
