Are you looking for the best place to immerse yourself in the rich Rwandan culture on a Rwanda safari? Look no further than the Iby’iwacu Cultural Village (the Gorilla Guardians Village).

This village is located around Volcanoes National Park in the Musanze district in the northern province of Rwanda.

Iby’iwacu is a transformed village where the former poachers have become cultural ambassadors and performers, who engage in different cultural practices.

Tourists, both domestic and foreign, frequently visit the Iby’iwacu village to experience the Rwandan lifestyle through the various activities it offers. Expect to find various artifacts that showcase the way of life of indigenous Rwandans.

This cultural visit to Iby’iwacu is always done by visitors as an addition to their chimpanzee or gorilla trekking tours in Rwanda.

On such a cultural safari in Iby’iwacu while on your Rwanda tour, expect to find welcoming people ready to host you in their homes to immerse you more in the rich Rwandan culture.

The village gives an insight into the everyday lives of the village communities in ancient Rwanda.

A 1-Day Tour to Iby’iwacu Cultural Village

On a 1-day tour to the Iby’iwacu village, you will visit different sites where you will be engaged in many activities with the aid of an experienced local guide.

You will discover why the village is called Iby’iwacu, which means our heritage or the treasure of our home.

This community-based tourism project celebrates the Rwandan culture as it empowers the local people. At this village, you will have more as you explore the traditional rural life of many Rwandans.

Expect to visit local people for interaction, learn about their daily routines, and engage in various activities that will help you appreciate the importance of conserving traditional culture in a changing world.

The interactions with the locals will make your Rwanda safari an unforgettable experience.

Cultural Activities to Do at The Iby’iwacu 

On a Rwanda cultural safari/Rwanda safari in Iby’iwacu (Gorilla Guardians Village), you can participate in many cultural activities that will provide excellent value for your money, which include.

Community Walks 

Walking to different parts of one community is one of the interesting activities when on Iby’iwacu Cultural tours and experiences.

Together with the experienced local guide who knows the local community, you will have an opportunity to visit different families to see how they live.

The hosts from different families are open enough to share their everyday lives, their past experiences, and the effects of the Rwandan genocide that affected most of the families.

On the same local community walk, you can choose to visit one of the remarkable places in the village, like local clinics and local schools.

You will also see and participate in visiting vegetable and banana plantations where bananas used in the making of local banana beer are harvested. This will make your community tour one of the memorable Rwanda safari experiences.

Visiting The King’s House Replica (King’s Hut)

Iby’iwacu Cultural Village hosts a replica of a traditional Rwandan king’s palace where visitors can learn about ancient leadership roles.

This is a fascinating and unforgettable experience where an individual becomes a king for a moment during this village ceremony.

In this ceremony, the village leader officially crowns anyone who desires to be a king. It is a wonderful time for exercising power as a king some something that creates lasting memories of the Rwanda cultural tour.

Expect to hear interesting stories from the experienced local guides about the details of the king’s heart and all the Rwandan kings who reigned in the land. You will also learn the meanings and uses of various palace symbols and regalia.

 Visiting the Batwa Community on A Cultural Tour 

The Batwa are the indigenous people who were the original inhabitants of the forests of Rwanda, especially around the volcanoes. Many visitors on a Rwanda cultural safari get a chance to learn from their cultural practices in Ibyiwacu.

Originally, many of these people lived in the forest, but they were evicted by the government of Rwanda after the creation of Volcanoes National Park (Parc National des Volcans).

This primitive group of people is known to be hunters and fruit gatherers, but is now gradually adapting to the modern way of life. They are now engaging in income-generating activities like pottery to better their lives.

Led by an experienced local guide, Visitors also engage in pottery lessons and learn pottery skills for making items of clay.

On top of pottery, visitors learn traditional hunting techniques and are shown how to shoot a bow and arrow, as it is done when hunting for prey.

 Participate in Traditional Dance and Music

The Gorilla Guardians Village is renowned for its mesmerizing dances. Among Rwanda’s eight traditional dance styles, you can find them all here, including Intore, Ibyivugo, and Umuduri dance, among others.

Everyone in the Gorilla Guardians Village cherishes dancing and singing. All ages and genders enthusiastically participate, resulting in vibrant and unforgettable moments.

The famous Ngayabatema, also known as the Kayuku, will perform gorillas’ songs for your enjoyment.

Besides these, enjoy and learn dances like the Intore, a warrior dance performed by men with spears and bells to celebrate victory or strength.

Expect to see and learn traditional drumming styles that accommodate different traditional musical instruments. The vibrant rhythms produced will enhance your experience and leave you with unforgettable memories of this Rwanda cultural safari/Rwanda safari.

The traditional musical instruments used include Ingoma (drums), Ibyivugo (vocal imitations of animal sounds), Umuduri (a one-stringed instrument), Inanga (lyre), Iningiri (bowed lute), Amakondera (flutes), and Agakenke (a type of flute).

Visitors are encouraged to participate in the dancing, singing, and drumming to make it more interesting, especially toward the end of the performance, to prove what they have learned. The village truly offers a memorable and authentic cultural experience.

Traditionally, Prepare Local Dishes at The Gorilla Guardians Village

Traditionally, preparing meals is one of the interesting activities to engage in. This starts with harvesting the food to be prepared and making fire, either by using charcoal or firewood.

Visitors are also taught the skills of grinding sorghum on the ancient grinding stone by the Experienced Rwandan women.

After the grinding process, you will learn how to cook local food like the ugali and Nyama Choma, which is one of the most delicious local dishes that many tourists on a Rwanda tour enjoy.

Learn How to Prepare Potent Banana Beer from Sweet Banana

Preparing local beer from sweet bananas in the gorilla guardians’ village is another fun activity that you can only miss if you want. Local banana beer is served at meals and village celebrations.

During the beer production, you will see the local banana brewery process, where ripe banana juice mixed with ground sorghum is left to ferment to make a traditional drink.

When a visitor is present in the community and interacts with local people, it is sufficient for the host to offer a drink (beer) as a sign of a warm welcome.

Attend The Local Herb Exhibitions 

On your Ibyiwacu cultural tour and experience, you will have a chance to visit the local traditional healers, like medicine men, who are also the masters of the jungle.

You will see and hear about various medicinal trees, shrubs, and other plant species, each providing specific remedies for different illnesses.

The traditional healers here do not bestow spells but instead use different medicinal trees, roots, and barks as traditional medicine to cure local patients.

Storytelling (Igitiramo)

The Igitiramo is the climax of the visit to the Iby’iwacu. It is an interesting event that involves storytelling and entertainment around the campfire.

It is an interesting activity where village elders will share their experiences, narrate the nation’s history, and introduce you to Rwanda’s rich oral traditions.

Interesting stories about the colonial era and many other events carry moral messages and showcase the importance of unity, perseverance, and reverence for nature.

There are many other optional activities not mentioned in this article. Booking a Rwanda cultural trip in Iby’iwacu offers an authentic experience that may not be found in any other place.

The Community Impact 

The Gorilla Guardians village remains a model for sustainable tourism in Rwanda. The income generated from visitors is used to support local education, fund healthcare, and conservation initiatives.

The Iby’iwacu Cultural Village provides opportunities for visitors to buy local crafts, gifts, and souvenirs, something that greatly contributes to the community.

By participating in the many activities, visitors contribute directly to the well-being of the community members and the protection of nearby gorilla habitats.

Visitors to the Gorilla Guardians village can experience Rwandan culture firsthand through traditional music and dance, storytelling, and interactions with local healers and artisans. This fosters a deeper appreciation for Rwanda’s culture and its connection to gorilla conservation.

Guidelines To Consider While at The Iby’iwacu 

Given the fact that Iby’iwacu is an organized place and a travel destination, it has rules and regulations, which include

1. Visitors are required to keep the Iby’iwacu culture center very clean. Littering in the compound is highly prohibited. In that case, dustbins are put at specific points.
2. For visitors to use their cameras to capture people and some other events, they must first seek permission.

.      Visitors are also required to share knowledge about their different cultures with the local people of Iby’iwacu to facilitate comparison, as various cultures exist across different communities.

4. Visitors are required to respect nature, especially plants and all other green cover in the village.
5. Visitors are free to ask any questions for clarity about anything concerning this village.
6. Respect for cultural diversity is key, so visitors are required to dress very decently, given the fact that most African cultures discourage showing one’s body.
7. Visitors are required to be friendly and patient enough with the local people as they share their cultural and life experiences.
8. Since security is considered serious, visitors are encouraged to donate to strengthen the security of the place.

 How to Get to Iby’iwacu Cultural Village? 

Fly to Kigali International Airport, where you will then travel by road to Musanze.

From Kigali to Musanze, a town in the northern province of Rwanda, the drive is about 2.5 hours.

After reaching Musanze town, where Volcanoes National Park is located, drive to Kinigi. Once you are in Kinigi, the Iby’iwacu/gorilla guardians’ village is well known, and you can get more directions from the local people or use GPS.

Iby’iwacu Cultural Village (FAQs) Frequently Asked Questions

1. Where Is Iby’iwacu Village Located? 

Iby’iwacu Shelter, also known as Gorilla Guardians Village, is located around Volcanoes National Park (Parc National des Volcans) in the Musanze district of Rwanda.

It is a community-based tourism initiative located in the northern province of Rwanda, specifically near Kinigi, focusing on showcasing the culture of Rwanda.

2. How Much Does It Cost to Go to Iby’iwacu Cultural Village? 

According to the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), a 1-day visit to the Iby’iwacu Village (gorilla guardians’ village) costs 35.00USD per person.

This includes all activities at the village and a guided community walk in the village to visit village elders, women, and children, and other community activities.

3. What Activities Are Done by Tourists at Ibyiwacu Cultural Village?

Activities to engage in include

• Participating in traditional music and dance performances
• Visiting a replica of a king’s palace
• A guided community walk to visit different families and other remarkable places
• Visit the Batwa community, among others.
• Attend a local football match.
• Visiting local schools

Embark on a fascinating journey by booking your Rwanda cultural safari to Ibyiwacu Cultural Village. Explore the vibrant Rwandan culture through encounters with the Batwa tribe, traditional dances, and captivating music. This cultural experience promises an unforgettable Rwanda safari filled with enriching cultural immersion.