In Rwanda, one of Africa’s greatest experiences – the chance of a close encounter with the rare mountain gorillas of the Virungas – is tempered by the terrible 1994 genocide in which some 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus were murdered by government-sponsored paramilitary gangs. And yet so successful has the new, reforming government been at reconciliation – by their account there are no more Tutsis and Hutus here, just Rwandans – and at attracting foreign aid and investment, that even the genocide has been co-opted into the tourist industry in the shape of memorials and museums. . .
(continued on p. 349)
Good news for visa-phobes (and who isn’t a visa-phobe?): British, US, Canadian and South African nationals don’t need a visa for a stay of up to ninety days. There’s more Rwandan travel and red tape info on p.352.
Links we like
Leave None to Tell the Story: Genocide in Rwanda The genocide, its background and aftermath, in cold print.
Rwanda Tourism Development Board Official tourism site.
Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund Main site devoted to the country’s gorillas.
Birding Rwanda Ruhengeri-based blogger with a wealth of observations.
This page last edited 9 June 2011 © Richard Trillo and Emma Gregg
First-Time Africa: know before you go 