Chase the 'Gorillas' in Rwanda National Park
Source: Worldwide Tourists
Mountain Gorillas in Rwanda. Provided by the Rwandan Embassy in China.
Lake Kivu in Rwanda. Provided by the Rwandan Embassy in China.
Rwanda is widely regarded as one of the cleanest and safest countries in Africa, renowned for its diverse and stunning natural landscapes and impressive human culture, attracting tourists from all over the world.
Rwanda's 8.9% of land is designated as national parks, and it has reached cooperation with multiple international partners to protect endangered species. Just in the eastern Akagera National Park, you can admire the 'Big Five' of Africa – lions, elephants, leopards, rhinos and hippos. Riding a boat through the lakes in the forest, you can also encounter mysterious blue monkeys, colobus monkeys and gazelles, and have a 'forest encounter' with 99 bird species never discovered in Rwanda.
The volcanic national park in northern Rwanda is particularly representative. The undulating Virunga Mountains, home to the critically endangered mountain gorillas, designated by the World Wildlife Fund. For animal lovers and research experts worldwide, it is a must-visit place. Rwandan guides usually divide visitors into groups of 8, hiking into the Virunga rainforest to track mountain gorillas, and beforehand, there are strict regulations: the distance must be maintained at more than 7 meters, flashlights are strictly prohibited, and viewing time is limited to 1 hour… Under the strict management and protection of the Rwandan government and guides, the number of mountain gorillas is constantly increasing.
In this country, it's not a good choice to just look at the scenery through the car window. In local tourist guides, there are often 3 ways of playing: hiking, kayaking and mountain biking. Lake Kivu, located in the southwest of the volcanic national park, is the largest lake in Rwanda and the sixth largest in Africa. Tourists can walk along the lake, ride mountain bikes or paddle kayaks on Lake Kivu. If you're tired, you can rest on the lakeside beach in Rubavu town, have a cocktail or local coffee, and close your eyes in a lounge chair, feeling the cool breeze from the lake, and enjoy the quiet tranquility of merging with nature.
Vibrant natural landscapes have also fostered colorful cultures. In Rwanda, dance is an important pillar of social culture. Rwandans express their emotions and commemorate special days through dance: harvests, victories, new life, weddings, etc. In Rwandan tradition, dancing is a big deal, and different dance styles reflect a person's identity and upbringing. Group dance activities reflect the unity and harmony of society. Dance forms are different in various regions of Rwanda, and the most famous is the historic Intore dance.
The Intore dance was originally performed by soldiers for the royal palace, 'provided' dances. This dance is characterized by elegant movements and exciting drum accompaniment, and is now very popular at weddings and festivals. Male dancers wear skirts or short skirts, wear wigs made of grass, hold shields with hand-painted patterns and spears, and jump and twist to display strength; female dancers wear dresses and hang a ribbon on their shoulders, showcasing their charm with graceful and elegant movements. Yin and Yang, movement and stillness, two dance styles are organically integrated together, plus the undulating drum music… Rwandans' Intore dance continues to be danced, and this is how Rwanda's cultural essence is vividly passed down.
(Overseas Net Ren Tianze compiled)
People's Daily Overseas Edition (2020-02-24, Page 08)
