Virunga ecotours offers great experiences that help you build unique relationships in the Virunga Massif area. Our tour packages are designed to ensure customer satisfaction and it is our goal to provide you with the most hassle free and enlightening experiences that connect you both with nature,wildlife and local community.

We offers community- based ecotourism activities in Virunga massif region,adventure tours,safari tours,etc.

We are different from what other competitive enterprises offer; we offer action, fun excitement and adventure in an area of outstanding beauty, together with opportunity to meet local people to experience the rich nature and varied culture.

We have selected some of the most inspirational activities and experiences to offer:

PRIMATES TREKKING

We offer life time primates trekking tours in the parks located in Virunga massif area. These tours offer a unique and unforgettable experience to observe and interact with endangered mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, baboons and monkeys in their natural habitat.

SAFARI TOURS

Our Safari tours provide intimate wildlife encounters, allowing participants to witness animals in their natural habitats. Our Guides share their knowledge and provide insights into the behavior, biology, and conservation efforts related to the wildlife being observed.

HOMESTAYS

Through our homestay “Virunga Homestay”, we offer short time accommodation and we connect you with local families who will make sure you feel like home away from home, and after your homestay you will get to know more about the world from a different perspective and culture.

SPIRITUAL TOURS

These guided trips focus on exploring spiritual and religious sites, practices, and traditions. These tours are designed to provide our guests with opportunities for personal reflection, inner growth, and a deeper connection with their spiritual beliefs.

Through these tours we connect tourists with the like-minded people in our communities to learn about new spiritual practices, and gain a deeper understanding of their own beliefs and values depending on the religion or spiritual tradition that is being explored.

These tours focus on visiting holy sites, such as churches, temples, or pilgrimage sites, while others may focus on practicing meditation, yoga, or other spiritual practices. Some tours may also include visits to natural sites or sacred places that are significant to a particular spiritual tradition.

Participating in a spiritual tour can be a powerful experience for individuals who are looking to deepen their connection to their faith or spirituality.

We help interested guests in participating in these spiritual tours, and look for specific tours that align with their interests and beliefs in the community.

TRADITIONAL CLOTHING TOURS

Rwanda is a country with a rich cultural heritage, and traditional clothing is an important part of its cultural identity. If you're interested in a more general traditional clothing tour in Rwanda, you may want to consider working with us to create a customized itinerary for you. This could include visits to local markets and shops that sell traditional clothing, as well as visits to exhibitions that showcase the history and significance of traditional clothing in Rwanda. Whatever your interests, a traditional clothing tour in Rwanda can be a great way to learn about the country's rich cultural heritage and connect with its vibrant communities.

One of the highlights of traditional clothing tours is the chance to try on and wear traditional clothing oneself. Participants can learn about the meaning and symbolism behind the clothing, and gain a deeper appreciation for the craftsmanship and skills required to create these garments.

Traditional clothing tours can vary depending on the region or culture being explored. For example, some tours may focus on the intricate embroidery and weaving techniques of textiles, while others may explore the vibrant colors and patterns of West African fabrics.

VOLUNTEER VACATIONS AND TOURS

We assist our guests to use their time and energy to help the local community while exploring Rwanda, its people and culture.Whether you are a researcher, a health worker, a student,or anyone else looking for volunteering activity, we turn your vacation into a fulfilling experience by giving back to the communities you travel through.

The cost for this activity is discussed accordingly and it serves as way to help back the local communities

ECOTOURISM PHOTOGRAPHY TOURS

We engage professional photographers and tourists who stay with us to teach photography to young people in the communities, accompany ecotourism photography expeditions, document the natural environment, as well as the cultural and historical assets of the area. This is the best way for us to leverage photography in promoting eco-tourism activities and raising awareness about conservation in the area.

These tours focus on working with the local community living around the volcanoes National Park and beyond in developing ecotourism, using attractions that are naturally found in their culture and tradition and connecting tourists to the nature and community using photography.

It also contributes to address challenges, such as the lack of employment and the degradation of the natural resources and environment caused by human activities by maximizing the benefits to the local communities living in the area.

 LOCAL HILLS HIKING

Rwanda, a country of Thousand Hills! What if you traveled local to experience more hidden germs that this beautiful land has to offer? At Virunga Ecotours we offer the best local hills hiking on the outskirts of Musanze and beyond. There is a lot to explore, experience and enjoy along these amazing trails. The cost for this activity is negotiated accordingly and we make sure that it benefits the local community. 

LOCAL BEER BREWERY EXPERIENCE (BANANA AND SORGHUM BEERS)

Rwanda, especially the Northern Corridor is well known for its staple foods: Banana and Sorghum. These two ingredients when mixed or not they make delicious and sweet-smelling and famous alcoholic/non-alcoholic drinks most liked by the local people living in the area. At Virunga Ecotours, we offer tours that give our guests a fortuitous memorable and lasting experience that introduces them to their (beers) processing, fermentation and tasting. The tours are always conducted in the fringes of Musanze city and beyond in the peaceful areas occupied by the local farmers. The guest get also a chance to experience the real daily life of a Rwandan and the communities living in the fringes of  the Virunga Massif   as they interact sharing the local food and the fine beers at the end of the tour.

The cost for this activity is always negotiated accordingly and we make sure that it benefits the local community we visited.

TRADITIONAL CONSTRUCTION EXPERIENCE

We help you learn about traditional Rwandan building techniques and experience rural village life during this flexible-length excursion with a local family. Discover the traditional methods used by Rwandans for brick making and fashioning rope from banana trees. After enjoying a simple but delicious lunch of local food you’ll spend the afternoon applying your new skills to build an animal shelter, fence or house. Finish your trip with a chance to shop for locally-made handicrafts. The cost for this activity is always negotiated accordingly and we make sure that it benefits the local community we visited. This chance to learn about Rwandan construction also covers a guide, lunch and transport to the village.

 MARVELLING ON THE RWANDAN LAKES AND RIVERS

Though landlocked, Rwanda still manages to be one of the lushest countries out there. Gorgeous views, plenty of hiking, an exciting capital, and several diverse ecosystems render this small East African nation incredibly unique. And for all those travelers looking for a proper beach-style vacation, boat cruises, fishing, walking around the Lakes and rivers, hiking on the Islands, canoeing and bird watching we offer them a one life vacation on Rwanda’s gorgeous lakes and rivers. The cost for this activity is always negotiated accordingly and we make sure that it benefits the local community living around the Lakes or rivers.

CULTURAL PERFORMANCE

Virunga Ecotours organizes a traditional and cultural performance for its guest to introduce them to the Rwandan culture. The most famous traditional dance is Intore, a highly choreographed routine consisting of three components - the ballet, performed by women; the dance of heroes/warriors, performed by men, and drums.

This experience done at our place or elsewhere, it gives a real image to our guest how Rwandan entertain themselves and how their shared cultural values notably unity, patriotism, social cohesion, resilience, hard work among others are manifested through their unique traditional dance.

The cost for this activity is always negotiated accordingly and we make sure that it benefits the local community members performing the dance.

AGRO TOURS

This a unique Rwandan experience for farmers and foodies alike! Escorted by our local guide, you’ll discover fantastic places, enjoy amazing plants, and meet passionate farmers and producers throughout the surroundings of our homestay and beyond. Learn how Rwandan people involved in agriculture far live and connect with their markets, check out innovation, compare notes and be inspired. From Tea plantations, coffee, pyrethrum, staple foods, banana plantations, superb experiences await as you discover a wonderful part of this part of the world rich in volcanic soil where farming, food and family traditions have been evolving over many years.

The highlights for this tour include connecting with local farmers and producers, visiting diverse farming and rural enterprises/cooperatives, Savoring magnificent food, Charming rural villages, Iconic landscapes including spectacular mountains, valleys and lakes.

The cost for this activity is always negotiated accordingly and we make sure that it benefits the local community.

 COW MILKING IN THE LOCAL FARM

In Rwandan culture, the cow is a sign of partnership, collaboration and togetherness. Cattle are a sign of riches and friendship, used in dowries and referenced in traditional dances where Rwandans dance with the whole body and stretch their arms upward as if they are horns of the cattle.

At Virunga ecotours we offer a tour in the farm of a local farmer to experience why Rwandans' predilection for milk is hardly a new fad. You will participate in cow milking, butter churning, and milk drinking in a local milk bar. You will also meet and interact with the local farmers to know more about cattle farming history in Rwanda.

The cost for this activity is always negotiated accordingly and we make sure that it benefits the local farmer.

 WELFARE OF DOGS

From mountain Gorillas to Elephants, Rwanda is home to some of the world's most iconic species. Thanks to the significant commitment towards wildlife and environmental protections Rwanda has shown to become one of the leading voices on the African continent.

The protection, however, of domesticated animals has not been prioritized and therefore lags behind the progress Rwanda has made in protecting wildlife.

People maliciously and without reasonable justification kill, mistreat or seriously wound livestock or domestic animals included DOGS.

Despite Rwanda's strong commitment to the protection of wildlife, there is limited concern and enforcement of the laws against cruelty to domestic animals. Education surrounding the welfare of domestic and companion animals is limited and remains largely unenforced.

People routinely engage in cruel activities, such as the poisoning of stray dogs due to their negative image in the country. This is at a time when dog breeding and ownership should take a lead and grow.

At Virunga homestay we advocate for the dogs rights and welfare. We engage our guests willing to partner with us in advocating for animal welfare and donating for this cause. This is also another way to raise our voice towards wildlife and animal protection.

 GASTRONOMY TOURS

Gastronomy Tours started with the idea to expand the concept of food tourism, a universal and very successful practice that brings food lovers close to their delights, and developing this experience with discerning food and beverages lovers so as to bring them close to producers of gastronomic delights.

The content of Gastronomy Tours is the result of extensive research, documentation, and meetings we have made with producers and businesses from our surrounding area, an ongoing project frequently enriched with new additions.

Gastronomy Tours is a unique guide designed to showcase those producers and businesses of gastronomic products like tea & coffee ,beetroots wines, juice ,bakery products, beers, etc which are open to visitors. It also helps food and beverages lovers to experience the local culture, customs, and traditions through the universal language of gastronomy, including an annual calendar of cultural events relating to gastronomy called ‘Umuganura” and a glossary to familiarize the visitor with gastronomic terms.