Following her participation in the 21st Kwita Izina Gorilla Naming Ceremony, where she named a baby gorilla “Ishakwe,” UN Tourism Secretary-General Shaikha Al Nuwais visited the Red Rocks Intercultural Centre in Nkotsi Village on Thursday, 3 September 2026. Nkotsi Village, recognized in 2021 as one of UN Tourism’s inaugural Best Tourism Villages, sits ten minutes from […]

Across East Africa, wildlife and ecosystems move freely across borders, and conservation efforts must do the same. Recognizing this reality, the Uganda Wildlife Research and Training College (UWRTC) and the Red Rocks Initiative for Sustainable Development in Rwanda developed a forward-looking partnership aimed at strengthening conservation, sustainable tourism, community empowerment, and knowledge exchange across the […]

What began as an idea to bring communities closer to tourism opportunities grew into a movement of hope, culture, learning, and collaboration. The first edition of the Community Tourism Fair 2026, hosted by Red Rocks Initiative for Sustainable Development in Rwanda, exceeded expectations and demonstrated the growing global interest in tourism that creates positive impact […]

This initiative brings together three complementary actors—Amahoro Tours, Red Rocks Rwanda Community Benefit Company, and Red Rocks Initiative for Sustainable Development—each playing a distinct yet interconnected role in advancing community-based tourism (CBT). At the forefront, Amahoro Tours connects Rwanda’s unique experiences to the global market. Through strategic marketing, sales, and destination promotion, the company ensures […]

Across Rwanda’s diverse landscapes—from the misty volcanoes in the north to the savannah plains in the east, the shores of Lake Kivu in the west, and the rich cultural heartlands in the south—local communities have long been the custodians of the country’s natural and cultural heritage. Yet, many of these communities have remained on the […]

We are thrilled to announce that the Kayonza Cultural Heritage Center is now 70% complete. What began as a dream to blend culture, conservation, and community is now taking solid form in Rwanda’s Eastern Province. Our new center is a masterclass in eco-innovation. By merging modern design with traditional Rwandan aesthetics—think hybrid thatch roofs and […]

Volcanoes National Park is part of the Virunga Massif ecosystem shared with Virunga National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, home to the endangered mountain gorillas. To strengthen conservation and improve ecological connectivity, Rwanda has initiated a major expansion of Volcanoes National Park by 23%, adding approximately 10,000 hectares to the current protected area. About […]

Each year at the foothills of the Virunga Massif, Rwanda hosts Kwita Izina, the annual gorilla naming ceremony that blends culture, conservation, tourism, and community development. Launched in 2005 by the Rwanda Development Board, it draws inspiration from a centuries‑old Rwandan tradition in which families name their children eight days after birth. By extending this […]

The Atlantic Forest Great Reserve is a voluntary multi-stakeholder collaboration that brings together public authorities, private sector actors, local communities, NGOs, and academic institutions to promote nature-based tourism in the largest remaining continuous stretch of the Atlantic Forest. The initiative spans over 3 million hectares of conserved natural landscapes across 60 municipalities in the states […]

Marketing, Branding, and Selling Authentic Rural Tourism Experiences Around Rwanda’s National Parks. In the spirit of Rwanda’s resilient communities, we are launching a bold campaign: “Not Walking Alone, Leaving No One Behind”. This initiative unites community-based tourism players across the country, fostering collaboration to share authentic, sustainable experiences with travelers visiting our beautiful land. Our […]