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 […]

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 […]

Hakone is a hot spring resort town rich in nature that located in the surroundings of Tokyo, only 1:30 drive away. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the city with a population of 11,000 had around 20 million visitors per year, of which three-quarters were day-visitors. Therefore, it was vital to promote attractive places and products in […]

Red Rocks Rwanda is a social enterprise that is all about the community, wildlife, tourism & travel thus promoting sustainable tourism through community and cultural programs. Their pioneering cultural tourism scheme involves developing the community and promoting conservation through tourism. The eco-tours, Amahoro Tours, offer customized travel itineraries around Rwanda and bring under-served communities into […]

Red Rocks Initiative for Sustainable Development is a non-profit organization based in Musanze, Rwanda, dedicated to fostering positive change and sustainable development within local communities. We are seeking donors, sponsors, and grants to enhance our facilities and expand our impactful programs, including Balister coffee skills training, bakery skills and sugarcane juice making, culinary art programs […]

In 2019, Shirakawa Village was visited by about 2.15 million tourists who came to see its group of traditional houses built in the gassho style (with steep thatched roofs) that are inscribed on the World Heritage list. However, these visits are concentrated in certain districts and time periods and lead to problems in the aspects […]

Greg Bakunzi is a renowned pioneer and trailblazer in community-based tourism in East Africa. He grew up under extremely challenging conditions in a Ugandan refugee camp and had only little access to formal education. In 1998, once peace was slowly returning to the region after the 1994 genocide, he decided to follow his heart and […]

David McGowan, Ravenswood Media, and Greg Bakunzi- Red Rocks Initiative, have partnered together to build a media training center in Musanze, Rwanda at the foot of the Volcanoes National Park. McGowan, an Academy Award nominated filmmaker, coming together with the team at Red Rocks to provides basic filmmaking training. The course is free and the […]

Red Rocks Initiatives for Sustainable Development is a non-profit organization that operates and around Virunga volcano mountain region of Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic. Its vision is to integrate tourism, conservation and community empowerment for sustainable development in the region. In order achieve this, the communities around the region are encouraged to take part […]