Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village Tour
This non-profit umbrella organization aims to improve the lives of Rwanda’s community members and reformed poachers in Volcanoes National Park. It supports community enterprise developments, conservation incentives, and various livelihood-based projects. The main activities of this cultural village include giving visitors the chance to meet local people in their natural environments, offering stays in traditional rural villages that existed in recent times in Rwanda within Volcanoes National Park. The communities here welcome visitors and offer traditional performances, beliefs, and traditions. The village provides homestays for visitors to experience the lifestyle of local people living in and around Volcanoes National Park. Let us take you through Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village Tour
This non-profit umbrella organization aims to improve the lives of Rwanda’s community members and reformed poachers in Volcanoes National Park.
Visitor Preferences
Itineraries for visitors can be tailored to their wishes and interests. Activities at the village include community walks to visit different sites, where visitors can gain insights into the everyday village life of Rwandans. Visitors can also visit the king’s house, engage in storytelling, learn about different symbols used in the palace, and experience various traditional dances performed by women, men, youth, and children. Some of these dances include Umuduri, Iningiri, ibyivugo, inanga, Amakondera, Ingoman, and Ikembe. Visitors can also enjoy gorilla songs sung by Ngayabatema, commonly referred to as Kayuku. Additionally, visitors have the opportunity to visit traditional pharmacies and clinics to hear stories from elders about the post and pre-colonial eras and to visit traditional healers to learn about medicinal plants and their usage.
Other Activities
Other activities at the village include preparing local meals with local people, attending the local banana brewing process and tasting local beers, exchanging ideas with locals, learning about hunting methods, enjoying pottery and crafting, and engaging in local football matches.
The Igitaramo Experience
The “Igitaramo” experience involves gathering around a campfire with drums for dancing before sunset. Visitors can enjoy riddles and stories from elders as they sit around the fire. This activity is particularly convenient after gorilla trekking, as many tourists have free time in the late afternoon.
Visitor Guidelines
Visitors are provided with guidelines to follow at Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village, including using bins to avoid littering, asking for permission before taking photos, refraining from disturbing plants, avoiding giving children empty bottles, respecting local customs and etiquette, being friendly and patient, ensuring cultural exchange is mutual, and asking questions to the community leader if anything seems unique.
Accommodation
Guests can be accommodated in local grass-thatched mud houses made with ancient architecture. The king’s main house can accommodate over 200 people in a night. Let Abunda Discoveries Uganda be your trusted partner as your embark on this thrilling journey ar.
