On the picture Mr. Jozef Verbruggen, director Untamed Travelling, Ms. Nathalie van Polanen, Petel-Ottens, Travel Counsellors – Dutch travel agent, Mrs. Claudine Rubagumya, strategic market specialist Rwanda Development Board and H.E. Jean Pierre Karabaranga, Ambassador for the Embassy of the Republic of Rwanda in the Netherlands.
For the 10th time Visit Rwanda is showcasing its divers tourist attractions at the Vakantiebeurs tourism exhibition, taking place this week until Sunday 13th of January in Utrecht, the Netherlands. The exhibition kicked of with an industry day for the Dutch travel professionals and travel media.
Rwanda is among the 160 countries that participate at the Vakantiebeurs, which attracts more than 100,000 visitors. Visit Rwanda at the Vakantiebeurs is about getting inspired about the country and everything Rwanda has to offer.
First, by getting in touch with the local specialists from Rwanda and hearing the stories and experiences from first hand. Representatives from the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), the Embassy of Rwanda in The Hague, Amahoro Tours, Wildlife Tours Rwanda and WOLF DMC are available at the Visit Rwanda stand in hall 12 during the five-day event.
Then, cultural inspiration will come while enjoying a traditional dance performance by the Rwanda dance group, followed by a culinary experience served by the barista on the Rwanda stand, serving specialty coffee and tea from the land of thousand hills.
On behalf of the Rwanda Development Board, Rwanda’s Ambassador to the Netherlands, H.E. Jean Pierre Karabaranga, invited the Dutch tourism professionals and travel media to the Visit Rwanda network reception, which was co-hosted by Dutch tour operator Untamed Travelling. At the end of the cocktail a raffle was organized where the travel agents could win a VIP Holiday to Rwanda. Ambassador Karabaranga and Mr Jozef Verbruggen, managing director of Untamed Travelling, were honored to pick the winner and to hand over the cheque.
RDB Tourism launches mountain biking
Following the launch of mountain biking and cycle tourism, RDB (Rwanda Development Board) invites cyclists, both local and foreign, to enjoy the world class trails across the country.
Tourists can now enjoy riding on 11 different trails across the country. The trails, which are a combined distance of 760 Km and give cyclists a chance to discover Rwanda anew, are found in every province in the country. The diverse trails cater for all skill levels, whether beginners or professionals.
To give cyclist a rewarding experience, RDB has ensured the maintenance of the different cycling trails and designed and mounted clearly understood signposts along the trails to guide cyclists. In addition, RDB has trained specialised guides and bicycle mechanics to ensure that that the cycle experience is seamless as possible. Secure campsites and other accommodation options are found on the cycling trails.
The famous Congo-Nile Trail, borders the scenic Lake Kivu, now attracts over 5,000 tourists annually.
www.rdb.rw/rdb-tourism-launches-mountain-biking/
MICE tourism in Rwanda is growing
Conveniently located close to Kigali airport, the Kigali Convention Centre offers a premium environment for regional and international conventions, exhibitions, festivals, meetings and other events. The iconic Kigali Convention Centre (KCC) is the premium events venue in Rwanda since its opening in 2016 and a hugely popular MICE destination in the East African region. Designed to reflect traditional Rwandan architecture, the centre has 18 different venues which can host more than 5,000 delegates at a time, with up to 2,600 guests in the main auditorium.
www.visitrwanda.com/meet-in-rwanda/
One&Only Nyungwe House – Nyungwe Forest National Park
One&Only Nyungwe House in Rwanda opened its doors on 1 October 2018 and is nestled within the Gisakura working tea plantation, on the edge of one of the oldest rainforests in Africa. Steeped in natural beauty with nature on its doorstep, the resort has curated a comprehensive and bespoke itinerary of activities for guests, from adventures that can be had at the resort, to those that explore the Nyungwe Forest and beyond.
www.oneandonlyresorts.com/one-and-only-nyungwe-house-rwanda
Wilderness Safaris to Magashi Camp in Rwanda’s Akagera National Park
Wilderness Safaris will be expanding its ecotourism footprint in Rwanda by opening a new camp in Akagera National Park in mid-March 2019. In partnership with the Rwanda Development Board and conservation group African Parks the six-tented camp, called Magashi, will be situated in the north-eastern part of Akagera overlooking Lake Rwanyakazinga. The long-term funding support of The Howard G. Buffett Foundation to African Parks for the protection and development of Akagera has made this further investment by Wilderness possible.
Guests will be able to view a range of wildlife on expertly-guided game drives, walks and boating trips, including buffalo, lion, leopard, elephant, giraffe, spotted hyaena, zebra, topi, roan, eland and more. The Park also boasts almost 500 species of birds including the spectacular shoebill with its implausibly massive bill and the near-endemic red-faced barbet.
Singita Kwitonda Lodge and Kataza House – Volcanoes National Park
Singita is honoured to be opening Kwitonda Lodge and Kataza House in late 2019 in Rwanda, an extraordinarily beautiful, small country where more than one third of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas live in the high-altitude cloud forests of Volcanoes National Park. Set within a landscape of wetlands and lush meadows, there will be eight suites and a four-bedroom villa linked by volcanic rock pathways to a central lodge. Singita Kwitonda Lodge and Kataza House will be built to embody the spirit of Rwanda and offer a tribute to the lodge’s namesake – Kwitonda – a great silverback gorilla whose legend lives on in Rwanda and was known for his humility and gentleness.
