Lake Mutanda gorilla safari in Uganda

Planet

Tourism plays a pivotal role in the conservation and protection of mountain gorillas in Rwanda. The country's carefully managed gorilla trekking permits generate significant revenue, which is reinvested into conservation initiatives and habitat protection. This financial support helps to safeguard the gorillas' natural environment, ensuring their survival and promoting biodiversity. Additionally, the tourism industry fosters local economic development by creating jobs and providing income for communities surrounding the Volcanoes National Park. This economic incentive encourages local stakeholders to actively participate in conservation efforts and reduce poaching risks. Furthermore, the presence of responsible tourists raises global awareness about the plight of mountain gorillas, garnering international support for their protection. In summary, tourism in Rwanda not only offers a unique and memorable experience for visitors but also plays a crucial role in ensuring the long-term survival of mountain gorillas and the well-being of local communities.

Think of safaris today and one conjures up an image of excited khaki-clad tourists in a traditional game vehicle, stopping to photograph animals and learn about the bush from their guide.

We provide clients with information about environmentally-friendly tourism and choices that can be made while still enjoying a bucket-list holiday – leave sea shells on the beach, don't visit 'petting' parks or go on a shark cage diving. The guides that we work with teach guests the problems associated with feeding wild animals and other important environmental concerns in each specific area of travel.

At Mutanda, we use filtered water to avoid using too much plastic. We use ceramic water filters (Purifaaya) which filter 99.9% of all germs and is as safe a bottled water. This is served in our restaurant and in the rooms without any charge. Of course for the gorilla trekking we do provide bottled water in the packed lunch.

The Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is an oasis of forest situated inside one of the most densely populated rural areas in the country with more than 350 people per square km. This means that there is no possibility for a buffer zone at the forest edge apart from a buffer of 4 km2 which was donated by communities at the southern end of the Park to safeguard the site. It is recognized that the site is reduced in size and does not have an ideal boundary configuration, as the boundary area ratio is high and the area of park/people contact requires intensive management. There are several narrow corridors between sectors that will create difficulties for movement of wildlife. Due to human disturbance and clearing of vegetation there is little that can be done to expand the area around these constrictions.

The forest is very significant as a home to almost half of the population (about 340) of the critically endangered mountain gorilla. With over 347 species of forest birds recorded in the Park,at least 70 out of 78 montane forest bird species occurring in the Albertine Rift region are found in the forest, and 22 of the 36 endemics. Overall, Bwindi hosts numerous globally threatened species including high-profile mammals such as mountain gorilla, chimpanzee, l’Hoest’s monkey and African elephant; birds such as African green broadbill, Grauer’s swamp warbler, Turner’s Eremomela, Chapin’s flycatcher and Shelley’s crimson-wing; and butterflies such as African giant swallowtail and Cream-banded swallowtail.

People

We believe that it is important that we minimize our impact on the environment while magnifying our impact on our communities. Tiloreza strives to continue to find ways to work towards a greener future. Additionally, we are reaching out to our community to support both environmental and educational efforts.
We are constantly looking at ways to provide you a more active travel experience. For example,we offer some of the newest bikes available in Rwanda for use on some of the best rides in Africa.

Anyone can see the country from the window of a car. But to know the country, meet the people, hear the sounds and become part of the country you need to be part of it.