|
ACTIVITIES ? CULTURE / LIFE AND PEOPLE
BANANA BARK WEAVING
Visit one of the women associations which make baskets and mats from banana tree barks. You will get the opportunity to learn how the weaving is done and try your own skills.
BANANA BEER PRODUCTION
Banana beer is a traditional Rwandese drink. Everyday hundreds of families around Ruhengeri produce thousands of liters of this famous specialty. Participate in the brewing
process and get full explanations of different types of bananas and other ingredients.
BEE KEEPING
Members of bee keeping associations produce bee hives that they place in swamps or forest areas rich in certain types of plants. Visit a bee keeping farm where you will be able to learn more of bees and the honey harvesting.
BRICK MAKING
Amahoro regularly visits the clay fields of particular brick makers' associations near Ruhengeri where about 15 people earn their daily bread. Their bricks are sold to private and public construction projects. During our visits a member of the association explains the art of brick making and answers questions about the life of the association members.
CHILDRENS CENTRE
Many children were orphaned directly or indirectly by the genocide and are now trying to cope with the memories. Trying to help this exposed group in the community Amahoro Tours is developing an education centre for these children. It is possible to visit the centre and meet the children and you can also contribute with your skills, helping out with different tasks.
COOKING CLASS
Visit a local Rwandese homestead and get in the kitchen to learn more of their cooking methods. You will have the opportunity to participate in the cooking and afterwards you will eat dinner together.
FAMILY VISIT
Visit a Rwandan family and participate in their everyday life, help with the chores and play with the children. Spend some days together and learn every possible thing about Rwandans life through the family.
FISHERMEN AT LAKE RUHONDO
People living around Rwanda's many lakes try to make a living out of what these lakes have to offer. Amahoro Tours co-operates with a group of local people who use traditional fishing methods at the twin lakes Burera and Ruhondo. The work is carried out either from the lake shore or from self-made traditional canoes that consist of a single piece of wood.
GENOCIDE MEMORIAL SITES
Many visitors to Rwanda are divided on whether to actually visit a genocide memorial site or not. Most people believe that such a visit is mandatory given the tragic history. Nevertheless, a lot of thought should be given to the desirability of seeing particular skull and bone filled sites. Your guide can give you more information on what you should expect from each site, so that you can take your own decision whether you want to participate in a certain visit or not.
HANDICRAFT PRODUCTION
The production of local handicrafts is one of the few sources of income generated through tourism at the moment. The formidable crafts are sold as souvenirs in shops or at stalls around the country. Among the various products are, beautiful African wood carvings, baskets, pots, saucers, old masks and swords, as well as the famous Rwandan banana leaf cards.
HISTORY OF RWANDA
Let one of our guides tell you the history of Rwanda. Learn more about the genocide and the current political situation. While you are listening you will get the opportunity to enjoy a traditional Rwandan dinner.
ISLANDS
A visit to an island, where you will get a boat or dugout canoe ride to the respective island in lakes Ruhondo and Burera. Enjoy the nice scenery and bring packed lunch and have a picnic at the island.
KAGANO COMMUNITY VISIT
This is a visit to a community living at the foot of Mt. Gahinga. These people used to be hunters and gatherers living in the forest, on land which is now a national park. These people, often called Batwas, were forced to move out of the national park in the 1930?s. Due to different reasons they are today often living under hard conditions and some of them do not even own the land they are living on. Visit the village and learn more about their history and everyday life.
SCHOOL VISITS
Visit a local primary school and see the standard of education in these schools. Witness the way the students learn and have the opportunity to interact with them and know more about them.
STREET KIDS
Visit a street kid home where you meet children who are being introduced to normal life after been living on the street for some time. Learn more of their life and take part in their daily activities.
SUSTAINABLE FARMING
Over the centuries farmers in Rwanda have developed their own special methods of sustainable farming processes. Some selected plantations are regularly visited by our groups, and visitors are always impressed by the comprehensive thoughts given to the activities and the sophisticated traditional methods used. Farming products include fruits such as bananas, as well as vegetables such as manioc, sweet potatoes and millet.
TEA PLANTING
Tea is one of the very few export commodities that Rwanda has to offer. Most of the plantations are situated in the western parts of the country near Lake Kivu.
We offer the possibility to visit one of them and to learn about the planting, picking and processing methods. Interested visitors will have the chance to 'get their hands dirty', too.
TOWN TOUR AND VISITS TO THE LOCAL MARKETS
Our guides who are familiar with the towns around Rwanda will be happy to take you around and give you a sightseeing of the town of your choice, for example you will have the opportunity to go shopping at the local markets - most often one of the highlights of every African experience.
TRADITIONAL DANCING AND DRUMMING
The famous Rwandan dancing troupes are known under the name Intore. The traditional dancing is one of the most important expressions of local culture.
See the one hour show with traditional dances and drumming. If you are interested we also offer dance and drumming classes.
TRADITIONAL DOCTORS
Most Rwandans still depend on the traditional medicine. The village doctor plays a very important role in the community as he treats diseases and educates the local people about the benefits of certain plants and animals. Visit the traditional healer and his medical garden and learn more about how to treat anything from snake bites to heart attacks.
VILLAGE WALK
This consists of a short walk in a village outside Ruhengeri town. You will get to learn more about the life of the Rwandese and the village walk can also include a visit to the market, where it is possible to see, hear, smell, touch and get a taste of the Rwandan ambiance.
ACTIVITIES ? NATURE / ADVENTURE
PARC NATIONAL DES VOLCANS
All activities are offered in cooperation with the ORTPN park authorities. Mountain gorilla trekking [please note that children below 15 are not allowed to trek the gorillas].
- 1 day hiking and mountain climbing, Mt. Bisoke - 3,711m.
- 2 days hiking and mountain climbing, overnight camping, Mt. Karisimbi - 4,507m.
- Golden Monkey trekking.
- Visit to the Karisoke Research Centre.
- Visit to the tomb of the legendary Dian Fossey.
- Nature walks, volcano flora and fauna.
NYUNGWE NATIONAL PARK
All activities are offered in cooperation with the ORTPN park authorities.
- Chimpanzee trekking.
- Colobus monkeys trekking and nature walk, 13 species of primates, 300 species of birds, 250 species of trees, hundreds of different flowering plants including 100 species of orchids.
- Camping.
AKAGERA NATIONAL PARK
All activities are offered in cooperation with the ORTPN park authorities.
- Jeep safaris to explore the habitats of savannah animals; giraffe, buffalo, zebra, elephant, antelopes, monkeys, and wetlands animals; hippo, crocodile, water birds etc.
- Water activities on the five lakes: canoeing, water cruises etc.
- Camping.
- Sport fishing.
LAKE KIVU
- Lake cruises between popular resort towns such as Cyangugu, Kibuye and Gisenyi.
- Boat rides on the lake.
- Nature discovery tours around the many deserted islands with largely unexplored natural attractions.
- Napoleon's Hat Island: Climb to the top of Napoleon's hat and experience thousands of bats darkening the sky.
- Island of Peace: Swimming, relaxing, beach volleyball, eating and drinking, watching the sunset.
- Hot springs near Gisenyi, boiling eggs in the heated waters of the adjacent Lake Kivu.
TWIN LAKES BURERA AND RUHONDO
- Nature discovery tours in traditional canoes, breathtaking landscape, wetland habitat and water birds.
MUSANZE CAVE
- Exploration tour to the Musanze Cave near Ruhengeri. The lava flow from an earlier volcanic eruption formed the natural cave.
| 
Activities
