The Places We Go
The following are a sampling of the places you’ll visit and experiences you’ll have when you join us on a contributourism adventure in Rwanda. Our tours are structured carefully to introduce you to the history and culture of Rwanda, meet its wonderful people, and experience the beauty of its wildlife and breathtaking scenery.
Kigali Genocide Memorial and Museum
An introduction to Rwanda’s troubled past and commitment to a peaceful future, this museum and its gardens – the final resting place of over 250,000 Rwandans slaughtered in 1994 – gives visitors a framework to understand the dark places Rwanda has been, and the noble and extraordinary work they’ve done in rebuilding their nation as a peaceful, unified people. Learn more HERE.
Nyamata Church Genocide Memorial
Site of one of the largest massacres of the 1994 genocide – approximately 10,000 people seeking refuge here were slaughtered in June 1994 – Nyamata Church was appropriated by the government and desacralized by the Roman Catholic Church to become one of the first of six genocide memorial centers in Rwanda. Learn more HERE.
Reconciliation Village Mbyo
In one of Rwanda’s six Reconciliation Villages, Mybo residents – both perpetrators of genocide and survivors – choose to live in community with the aim of finding forgiveness. Hear their moving stories and meet their children: a new generation of Rwandans being raised together without regard to old tribal affiliations. Learn more HERE.
Little Angels School
Established to serve the families of the Mbyo Reconciliation Village, Little Angels is a primary school located outside the capital city of Kigali. Here the children of perpetrators and victims of the genocide, formerly divided along tribal lines, attend school together as the first generation of unified Rwandans. Little Angels is the site of much of our volunteer work. Learn more HERE.
Akagera National Park
Head out on a multiple-day African safari in beautiful Akagera National Park. Get up close and personal with Rwanda’s “Big Five” (lion, leopard, elephant, black rhino and buffalo) and return home with a camera full of photos and a heart full of memories. Learn more HERE.
Gorilla Guardians Village Cultural Immersion
Former gorilla poachers turned conservationists, the residents of the Gorilla Guardians village share their stories and Rwanda’s rich cultural past. This cultural immersion experience provides a livelihood for communities near Volcanoes National Park and focuses on the history of Rwanda apart from the genocide. Learn more HERE.
Batwa Pygmy Village
The Batwas, also known as Pygmies, have been indigenous to the Great Lakes region of Eastern Africa for hundreds of years. Often marginalized, this fascinating minority group is known for their incredible clay pots. Learn more HERE.
Volcanoes National Park
Home to the yearly gorilla naming ceremony, or Kwita Izina, we venture up into the mountains to meet golden monkeys in their native jungle habitat. (Mountain gorilla trekking available for an additional fee.) Learn more HERE.
The Ellen Degeneres Campus for the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund
This partnership between ‘The Ellen Wildlife Fund’ and the ‘Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund’ creates an interactive visitor center where guests can learn about gorilla conservation efforts in Rwanda. Learn more HERE.
Lake Kivu
Available as a day trip, Rwanda’s largest lake is surrounded by lush mountains and has deep, emerald waters. Have a drink near the water’s edge at one of the trendy bars in Rubavu, watch the fishermen in Karongi, or paddle out in kayak for an adventure on the water. (Additional Fee Applies) Learn more HERE.
Add On Experience: Mountain Gorilla Trekking
Follow in the footsteps of Dian Fossey, tracking Rwanda’s native mountain gorillas through the jungle. Spend an unforgettable morning up close and personal with these primates in the wild. (Additional Fee Applies) Learn more HERE.
Add On Experience: Tanzania Safari
Available immediately before or after your time in Rwanda, this week-long experience takes you to neighboring Tanzania for a safari in the world-famed Serengeti National Park – home to Africa’s “great migration” of wildlife. (Additional Fee Applies) Learn more HERE.