
03/05/2025
RWANDA MOUNTAIN GORRILLAS
By the 1980s, mountain gorillas in Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park were nearing extinction, with fewer than 300 individuals remaining due to poaching, disease, and severe habitat loss. Today, that number has more than doubled, with over 600 gorillas living in the region—an achievement largely attributed to targeted conservation efforts bolstered by sustainable tourism.
One of the most powerful tools in this transformation has been Rwanda's commitment to community-based, conservation-oriented tourism. Tourists drawn to the unique opportunity to observe mountain gorillas in their natural habitat generate critical revenue that supports ongoing conservation efforts and creates tangible benefits for surrounding communities.
At the heart of Rwanda’s approach is the understanding that local people must be engaged and benefit directly from conservation. The Rwanda Development Board, in collaboration with organizations like the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, has implemented models of tourism that reinvest in both the environment and the communities that border protected areas. In particular, gorilla tourism contributes about 1% of the country's GDP, a significant figure for a small landlocked country with limited natural resources.
The annual Kwita Izina gorilla naming ceremony stands as a symbol of the link between conservation and tourism. Since its inception 20 years ago, the event has not only raised awareness about the importance of gorilla protection but has also helped forge a sense of national pride and global visibility for Rwanda’s unique ecological heritage. The ceremony draws attention to each new gorilla birth, showcasing how every individual counts in the species' recovery.
Community-based tourism programs have proven essential to creating a culture of stewardship. Through Rwanda’s Tourism Revenue Sharing Programme, 10% of revenues from national park tourism are allocated to fund local infrastructure and development projects. These funds have supported schools, healthcare centres, clean water systems, and roads—linking conservation success directly with improved quality of life for thousands of people.
A significant example of how tourism infrastructure can be harnessed for broader conservation goals is the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, opened in 2022. Built near Volcanoes National Park, the campus serves not only as a research and education hub for scientists and conservationists worldwide, but also as a visitor and learning centre for tourists and local residents. It was constructed using local materials and labour, providing employment for thousands while promoting sustainable building practices. The site also underwent ecological restoration, transforming degraded land into a vibrant habitat now hosting more than 50 bird species and over 320,000 native plants.
However, the success of gorilla conservation through tourism is not without its challenges. As gorilla numbers grow, so do their spatial needs, leading to territorial clashes among gorilla groups and increased proximity to human settlements. Recognizing this, the Rwandan government has initiated the Volcanoes Community Resilience Project, which aims to expand Volcanoes National Park by 23%. This expansion is not only critical for providing more space for gorillas but also for mitigating potential human-wildlife conflicts.
Importantly, this project integrates the welfare of communities that live around the park. Those affected by the expansion will be supported with new housing, access to services, and livelihood alternatives such as eco-tourism and conservation agriculture—ensuring that tourism continues to play a central role in both environmental protection and community development.
In the wider landscape surrounding the park, a Conservation Development Plan will target over 13,000 hectares with the goal of integrating sustainable tourism with ecosystem restoration and community resilience. This includes promoting small-scale tourism enterprises, guiding services, and cultural experiences that allow local communities to benefit directly from the growing interest in Rwanda's natural heritage.
As Rwanda commemorates the 20th anniversary of Kwita Izina by naming 22 baby gorillas, it also reflects on how sustainable tourism has reshaped its conservation landscape. The country’s experience illustrates that with careful planning, equitable benefit-sharing, and local empowerment, tourism can become a powerful engine not just for economic growth, but for ecological recovery and community resilience.
Rwanda’s model continues to inspire conservation strategies around the world, showing how the tourism sector can harmonize with nature rather than exploit it—safeguarding endangered species while securing livelihoods for generations to come.
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