While visiting Rwanda, think of other several experiences to take from gorilla trek. Before or after witnessing one of the most spectacular attractions (mountain gorillas) in Rwanda, experience the genocides, Intore dance, Iby’Iwacu cultural performance, Azizi life experience, dancing pots among others. Thereafter, you can relax along the Lake Kivu for unbeatable exclusive beach holidays.

• Rwanda Genocides;This was a war that took place in Rwanda in the 1994 between the Tutsi and the Hutu leaving more than 800,000 people dead. The country experienced a total blackout of more than 100 days where the Hutu military was massacring people especially the Tutsi. This genocide led to a back fall of the entire country shading lots of blood.It is after this genocide that the memorial site was set to commemorate and show case the history of the tragedy in 1994. The genocide memorial centre in Kigali is the over all site where you can get all what happened and triggered the 1994 genocide.This was done for the people of Rwanda to embrace peace and reconciliation. This has always given courage to the natives of Rwanda becoming one as a nation as well as serving to educate about how the Genocide against the Tutsi took shape and examines genocide in the 20th century.This Kigali genocide memorial in Gisozi is the final resting site for all those who lost their lives in the 1994 genocide. The wall of names is dedicated to those who died and is a work still in progress. Many of the victims’ names have yet to be gathered and documented and many of the victims who rest in the graves are unknown.The gardens of the memorial centre are places of quiet contemplation for the massacres against the Tutsi mainly allowing you to reflect on how we all have a personal responsibility to prevent discrimination and mass atrocity that may cause more future genocides.The centre goes ahead to give support to the survivors most especially orphans and widows. This puts room for those interested in giving support to touched by the genocide to come and join as the learn about the history of the genocide.The genocide was all over the country so there are many memorial sites in Rwanda for example the Camp Kigali Belgian Monument.

  This is a small museum at the site of the massacre of ten Belgian UN Blue Beret. At the onset of Genocide under the command of General Dallaire, they were deployed to guard the house of Prime Minister Agatha Uwilingimana. During the genocide, Presidential Guard soldiers invaded the home, disarmed the Belgians and transported them to Camp Kigali where they killed them. The ten stone pillars memorialise the ten soldiers killed.

  You are at liberty to check out what happens at Nyanza Genocide Memorial, Ntarama Genocide Memorial, Nyamata Genocide Memorial, Murambi Genocide Memorial.

• Intore Dance is a traditional dance in Rwanda performed by men wearing grassy wigs on their heads and women waiving in their traditional attires. Originally, it was a dance performed when returning warriors or winning a victory in Rwanda. It later turned out to be an interesting dance in the eyes of visitors to Rwanda and now a main performance to all tourists in the country. This dance has revived many lives of the locals since there is a small token paid to this group of performers for the wonderful performance they offer. This is a story telling dance which teaches on love, war and hard times.You will real enjoy these chosen ones wearing little bells on each foot which gives a rhythm to the entire background music. It is here that celebration for victory is displayed. Once you think of visiting Rwanda, intore dance is one of the cultural practices you shouldn’t miss out. It is an amazing experience every one would yarn for while in Rwanda.You will also witness the dancers stop, with stretched arms and give out blood-curdling battle cries. You will also witness physical quarrel between the dancers turning into a form of artistic rivalry and at the end of the performance they hug each other as a symbol of friendship.All this is what you need to witness physically for you to understand more on the culture of Rwanda before and after. It is this dance that plays a big role in healing the hearts of those people involved in the genocide and reconciliation there by promoting peace and bring a sense of togetherness. You will be given the chance to participate in this traditional dance there by enlightening you on the African culture.
• Iby’Iwacu Cultural Performance;It is a vibrant cultural performance showcasing Rwandan traditions and the lives of reformed poachers turned performers. Visitors can witness traditional dances, drumming and participate in activities like mock hunting, banana beer making and cooking local foods. The experience aims to preserve Rwandan culture and provide an alternative livelihood for the community.The experience is conducted in the ibyiwacu cultural village where a great number of activities take place. The traditional dance and music are a highlight by the “Intore” dance group, a group of reformed poachers, who perform the ancient victory dance of Rwandan kings.You will get the chance to interact with locals, visit their traditional homes and plantations, and learn about their daily lives. It is the only opportunity you get to mix up in the traditional setting of this particular country.Participate in mock hunting, learn to brew banana beer, witness traditional medicine demonstrations, and even try your hand at grinding sorghum which are all made locally and manually. This will give you a clear understanding of the African setting.The Iby’iwacu Cultural Village was established to combat poaching by providing reformed poachers with an alternative means of income and support for their families. This means every time you choose to visit this village, you are supporting and changing the lives of the ex-poachers.Another way to support is by purchasing locally made crafts, such as baskets, walking sticks, and carved gorillas, sourced from the surrounding area.

  The village also offers the opportunity to stay overnight in newly built Bandas, providing a deeper cultural immersion. It is still another way of supporting them hence boosting the well-being as well as strengthening the village.

• Azizi Life Experience;This is an experience carried out by artisans and artists giving visitors a wonderful way to get a taste of the beauty and rigor of rural life and Rwandan culture. You will enjoy the traditional life of Artisans. Be part of a weaving cooperative for a day. During this activity, you can join the local artisan hostess within their villages as they go about family chores that range from preparing home-prepared meals, fetching water from the village spring, cutting grass for farm animals, weaving baskets, harvesting the day’s produce especially during the harvesting season to learning art and craft skills.It is here that you join the pottery experience, take a step back in time by learning how to make traditional pots and plates in the olden days. This normally begins with digging up clay from the nearby fields as well as various materials that will be required for the craft. It is done in the company of experienced artisans who take you through the process of cleaning and preparing the clay ready for molding into different designs of interest. Having made your own beautiful pot, piggy bank, plate or candle holder, it will be left in the sun to dry as you partake of a meal with the host family.You will also go for the traditional coffee experience learning the simple ways of picking, washing, roasting and hand-grinding. You will take a drive to the nearby village where the guide will receive you and offer introduction to the ladies in the Cooperative. Identify the ready coffee beans to be washed before removing the pulp. To make it more interesting, you will head to the Valley to fetch water for washing.Learn how cow dung makes amazing art designs during the Azizi Life Experience. It was practiced from the pre-colonial period where a Prince decided to design his house by creating geometric shapes onto the hut wall with ordinary cow dung. This slowly became a famous traditional Rwandan Art known as “Imigongo”.Banana juice making is yet another experience done by the Azizi Artisans. You will join a rural host in collecting bananas and leaves to start the process followed by digging a pit and burying the bananas for ripening. Given the fact that ripening takes up to 4 days, you will use already ripened bananas but first, fetch water that will be used in mixing when ready. You will start with peeling, mashing and straining the ripe bananas traditionally for your sweet and natural banana juice.

  You can also take part in the traditional construction. You will dig soil and fetch water to learn about brick laying. Having made your own bricks, foundations will be dug followed by laying bricks for a strong house. By the time you are already hungry, a delicious meal with the host family is ready for you to enjoy. After lunch and resting, collect some banana leaves for making strong ropes for lashing wood together, to put up a roof.

• Dancing Pots;This is a cultural experience focused on the Batwa community in Nyanza, where visitors participate in a hands-on pottery workshop, witnessing as well as experiencing the traditional firing techniques and dance performances and learning about the Batwa’s journey to cultural empowerment.The site offers a study about their ancient heritage of culture and history. You will witness vibrant men participating while showcasing their dance skills with a pleasing smile on their faces backed up with singing ladies making your day the best ever on your safari.The skill of pottery is the most fascinating wonder to this experience. These Batwas have the highest experience in pottery making them having the best pottery products in Rwanda. This will give you a great advantage of getting the best souvenirs on your safari. You will be part of the team making pots creating a direct immersion into the Rwandan culture.
• Agro-tourism;This offers a unique cultural and economic opportunities to visitors experiencing the nation’s agriculture through farm stays, tours, and hands-on activities like coffee harvesting and cow milking. On this tour, you will visit tea and coffee plantations, dairy farms, and cultural heritage sites, providing a deeper connection to the local land and people.You will participate in the entire agricultural value chain, from planting to processing and tasting. Learn about the harvesting and processing of coffee and tea as well as enjoying the tastings of the final out put.This kind of tourism has been on the front to empower locals economically. The sector creates income for rural communities, supports smallholder farmers, and helps diversify the national economy.

  Argo-tourism provides an insight into Rwanda’s agricultural heritage and the importance of farming to its culture and development goals. This gives you the chance to immerse into the Rwandan culture.