Responsible tourism in Rwanda

Peacetime sensitivity

It is vital to remember that Rwanda is still recovering from a civil war and the 1994 genocide in which approximately a million people were murdered. Between April and mid-July 1994, nearly 70 per cent of the Tutsi population was killed by Hutu extremists. Millions of people were displaced as the world looked on in horror. The grieving process will surely take more than a generation, so please don’t invade Rwandans’ privacy by asking probing questions about the country’s recent painful history. Many lost relatives and friends. People still don’t want to discuss it but try to move on.

In 2004, just a decade after the genocide, the government banned ethnic distinctions. It has been wiped off ID cards and government forms, and no longer appears in school books, although the genocide is discussed as a way of learning from the past. This move to ban references to ethnicity has been controversial, but also considered necessary by many so that people are no longer defined as Hutu, Twa or Tutsi, but simply as Rwandan. As a visitor it is important, therefore, to note that discussing someone’s ethnicity is not only insensitive but also illegal.

Gorillas rule & gorilla rules

The wildlife authorities of Rwanda work continuously in partnership with their neighbours in Uganda, and have created a set of official ‘gorilla rules’. The reason for strict rules is so that gorillas are exposed to as little human contact as possible and, when they are, it must be very low key. Once you reach your allotted gorilla group, you can spend a maximum of an hour with them, traveling in a group of up to eight people, and you won’t be crowding around them to see who can get the best picture. The only picture in Rwanda, as far as conservationists are concerned, is a healthy one for gorillas. There are also very strict rules to stop spreading disease and bacteria. These are as follows:

Do not go gorilla trekking if you think there is any risk of you being ill Always wash your hands before your trek Keep your voice low Do not touch the gorillas. The guides will ensure that you keep a minimum 7-metre distance at all times Do not eat or drink while you are near the gorillas. This is to avoid morsels of drink or food falling in the gorillas’ habitat, which can then increase the risk of disease transmission Keep down low and in a submissive state Do not use flash photography. If you need to cough or sneeze when you are near the gorillas, turn away and cover your nose and mouth