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Kwita Izina | Rwanda Gorilla Naming Ceremony

Rushaga-Gorilla-Trekking in Uganda

Kwita Izina 2022: Gorilla Naming Ceremony in Rwanda

Kwita Izina 2022

Prepare to witness one of the most significant celebrations of nature in the world and meet Rwanda’s brand-new baby gorillas! The 18th edition of Kwita Izina is here!

In a ceremony called Kwita Izina, Rwandans name the newly born baby gorillas in front of everyone attending the ceremony in accordance with a long-standing custom.

The 18th anniversary of Kwita Izina is scheduled for September 2 this year.

In the ceremony at the Volcanoes National Park‘s foothills, young gorillas born in Kinigi, Musanze, will receive their names.

We surely give these magnificent animals the value they merit by giving them names.

The ceremony is an occasion to honor the local community that surrounds Volcanoes National Park, the habitat of these young gorillas, collaborators in research, veterinarians, and the committed rangers and trackers who look out for the gorillas.

A total of 354 newborn gorillas have been named since the yearly flagship tourism event first began in 2005.

Over Rwf 7.9 billion has been spent on supporting 880 community-based projects in the initiative under the tourism income sharing program, according to the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), ahead of the 18th edition of Kwita Izina.

The government ensures that 10% of all park income is handed back to the communities as part of a strategy to encourage investment in the areas surrounding the nation’s national parks. The income sharing has climbed from 5% to 10% since the program’s start in 2005.

The start of this year’s events sees a contemporary craft market erected with money from tourism unveiled in the rural Cyarubare Cell, which is part of the Kabare sector of Kayonza District, in Eastern Province, on the outskirts of Akagera National Park.

Be aware that a number of programs, such as the tourism income sharing scheme, have been implemented to improve the quality of life for park residents.

According to RDB figures, the tourism industry made $168 million in income in the first half of this year.

With Rwanda having welcomed more than 512,000 foreign visitors in the previous year, inbound tourism revenue has climbed by 25% from $131 million in 2020 to $164 million in 2021 despite the challenges of COVID-19.

The African Wildlife Foundation and the Rwandan government are collaborating to find a solution to the rising number of endangered mountain gorillas and to increase the size of Volcanoes National Park, a $255 million project (approx. Rwf260 billion).

To improve the park’s habitat functioning, the project will increase the park’s area by 37.4 square kilometers (or 3,740 hectares), or around 23 percent.

Kwita Izina 2023: Quick information about Mountain Gorillas.

  • There are more than 1,000 members of the mountain gorilla population.
  • DR Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda are where their natural habitats are.
  • They typically stand 1.8 meters tall and weigh 170 kilograms.
  • Because they often eat rough fibers and consume a diet of around 30 kg per day, their bite force is 1300 psi.
  • The average gorilla lives 35 to 45 years.
  • These lovely animals and humans have 98% of the same genetic material.

Key ideas to keep in mind:

  • According to the Rwanda Development Board, gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park brought in $11 million (or roughly Rwf11 billion) in the first half of 2022. (RDB).
  • During that time, 6,200 gorilla permits were sold, generating the necessary funds. Each license might cost up to $1500.
  • Due to lockdowns and other restrictions brought on by the Covid-19 outbreak, the park made $6 million in 2021 and $5.9 million in 2020. Since it was $21.9 million in 2019 before the epidemic, this represents a sharp decline in revenue.

Contact us to book your ride from Kigali Airport to the Kwita Izina ceremony now.

Can You Use a Rental Car for a Driving Road Test?

Rwanda Self drive Tours, 4x4 Car Rental Rwanda

It’s a classic Catch-22 situation: You need a car to learn how to drive and take your road test. But you can’t drive a rental car because you haven’t got a driver’s license. Borrowing a car from friends or family is one option. Using a rental car for a driving road test is off the table, with one exception.

Why You Can’t Rent a Car for Your Road Test

There are basic rental rules that make it impossible to use a rental car for a driving road test. Certain states may allow it for the road test itself, but rental car companies don’t. Rental car companies require primary and additional drivers to have valid driver’s licenses. A learner’s permit is not good enough. Some rental car companies have specific clauses that specifically prohibit using a rental vehicle for a road test.

Ask Go Self Drive for a Quote on a Cheap Car Rental

Here’s an example of how this situation might get very messy. Washington, DC’s DMV allows rental cars for driving tests if the test-taker is listed on the contract as an authorized driver. But Budget specifically states in its contract that student drivers can’t rent a car for their tests. Enterprise and Alamo also don’t allow student drivers with learner’s permits to drive their vehicles. So a state or jurisdiction may technically allow you to use a rental car for the test. But you’ll have to find a car company willing to let you drive with only a learner’s permit. Based on the major brands’ policies, the chances are slim to none.

Secondly, there is always a minimum age for renting a car. Depending on how old you are when you take your road test, this might be an additional hurdle to using a rental car for a road test.

Rental car companies require drivers to be anywhere from 18 to 21 to rent a car, and they typically charge anyone under 25 a young renter fee. But again, even if you do meet the rental company’s age requirements, you’ll still run into the above-mentioned issue of needing a full driver’s license.

Car Rental Policies About Driving Tests

All the major car rental companies spell out their basic rental rules on their websites, and some brands explicitly discourage student drivers from trying to use a rental car for a road test.

Let AutoSlash Track Your Car Rental for Price Drops

For example, Budget says: “No, you cannot rent a car for your driving test because only licensed drivers are able to rent vehicles. You’re not quite there yet! Additionally, you need to be at least 21 to rent a vehicle at most Budget locations, which disqualifies many new drivers…Budget requires all renters to hold both a valid driver’s license and a working credit card. Additionally, if you’re looking to rent a car from Budget, you must be 21 or older in most states. Because of these requirements, you can’t take a DMV driving test with a rental car. These requirements help reduce the liabilities, like accidents or misuse of a rental vehicle, associated with renting to unlicensed or underage drivers…If you do qualify to rent from Budget, you are financially responsible for the car, so you should not allow an unauthorized driver to operate the vehicle or to use the car for a DMV driving test. A budget does allow you to add a second driver to the rental agreement. However, the second driver must be over the age of 25 and present a valid driver’s license.”

There’s An Exception for International Drivers

While using a rental car for a driving test is generally not possible, there is one exception. If you are taking a driving test in the U.S. but already have a valid license from another country, then you can rent a car using your international license for your driving test.

Rental car companies may have differing policies on whether you need an International Driving Permit (IDP) to rent, but it may be a good idea to avoid any hassles. An IDP may be required if your home country’s license is written in any language other than English, especially for licenses that do not use the Latin alphabet.

First time business traveller in Rwanda

Safari Activities

First time business traveller in Rwanda -what they need to know

If you are the first time business traveller in Rwanda, you should be in position to know different things about how business is done in Rwanda to really be successful. Like any other first timer, you  always start out by being panicking and not being sure about the expectations but as times goes on, everything becomes clear. It is so easy to conduct business in Rwanda as long as you know what to do. Here are some of the things you need to know and do in order to enjoy your business life in Rwanda:

Keep all the documents

Business is done by law and you should have all the papers that support your business. In case, you are coming for a business, you should know all the documents that you shall definitely need to make it a success and always ensure that you prepare and pack those documents in order to have a smooth business operation in Rwanda. If you lack some document and it is required, you shall face some issues and you might end up not fulfilling your intended goal. Just make sure, you have all the documents. For the basics, you need to have a company ID and some other document that support the existence of the company.

Know the purpose of coming to Rwanda.

Business is done in several ways. As a first timer business traveller, you could have to make a partnership with a local company, sell a product with a local company, establish the local presence of your company, and others. Knowing what is expected of you shall enable you to make prior preparations as a way of ensuring the success of the business. Make sure that you prepare to succeed. They say that success comes to those who are prepared. Be among those that are prepared to succeed.

Know the name of the individual/ company to visit

You should know the individual or company to contact you want to do business with. You should have a clear focus. Sometimes, people make mistakes because they tend to be generalists, you have to have a clear target company or individual that you want to do business with and ensure that you fully contact them before even coming to Rwanda such that they give their time or schedule a meeting according to their best timing.

Be confident.

Confidence is a principle thing in business. You should be confident enough to meet with the individuals or companies and talk to them about the business. Make sure you make prior preparations about the kind of questions you might expect from such people such that you really know how to proceed and be the best of who you can be.

Prepare good clothing and all the necessary accessories.

You should dress decently when in Rwanda and prepare the necessary clothing and accessories that you feel that you shall need for your business. Be ready for success by having everything in place.

Learn some few local words if necessary.

People always feel the connection if they notice that you can speak their language. Speak some words to cement your relationship. Though this is not a must but it could one of the tools for your success. If you need help as regards to car hiring and safaris in Rwanda, choose Go self drive Rwanda

Rwanda Safari Tour Vehicles

self drive rwanda, Rwanda Safari Tour Vehicles

Rwanda safari tour vehicles services with Go self drive Rwanda

Journey to and from the destination should be enjoyed just as much as any other part, with the safari vehicle being the environment in which notable parts of the day unroll.

Travel Advice in Rwanda

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Please take a look at some of the travel advice and maybe one or two can be helpful information in deciding your car rental travel to Rwanda.

Travel Advice in Rwanda: When to go to in Rwanda.

Rwanda  is a completely an immense continent with safari and great apes encounter opportunities available across thousands of miles, so the best time to travel in Rwanda is all year around, depending on your specific destination.  It’s best to travel in the dry season, since safari destinations are in the regions with not very good roads that may be slippery in the rainy seasons. However the rainy season, which is also the low season gives you a totally different experience on its own. Cool weather, clear air and have the most incredible discounts on self drive car hire and gorilla tracking permits.

Visas and Vaccines

Of course, you’ll need a passport to travel to Rwanda, you will need a visa too; the visa can be obtained from here at the airport or obtained in your home country. Apply for a visa at least two months before your departure date. For a self drive in Rwanda an international driving license is also needed for you to access the roads. A certificate of yellow fever vaccination is required when issuing you the visa.

Accommodation and roads

Our well pre – arranged self-drive trips give you the freedom of a road trip without the frustrating uncertainties, like getting lost or spending precious time trying to finding a place to sleep each night.. There are many lodges almost every where around the country even in the designated game parks that offer a wide range of prices. From budget, mid range and high end accommodations. Whichever your choice will be. Our well selected lodges under the pre arranged tour packages give you the true essence of adventure.

Medications for Travel

Find a doctor who specializes in travel health care and tell him or her about your Rwandan travel plans, you’ll need to get certain immunization before heading to,Rwanda like yellow fever which is compulsory. Malaria is common here, but there is no vaccine for the disease. You can protect yourself from malaria by taking an anti-malaria treatment or avoiding mosquitoes or use a mosquito-repellent spray and mosquito nets. Other vaccinations you may need include hepatitis A, hepatitis B and typhoid.

Staying Safe

you may imagine that hungry crocodiles or parks of tree climbing lions of ishasha. It is much safer to follow the guidelines of the park rangers on when and what to do while there. To be on a safe side. Most danger zones are marked with signs.

Staying Healthy

Safaris can be physically strenuous and mentally taxing. Travelers to Rwanda are not at risk for dehydration while on safari because it’s not too hot , your body may not be accustomed to the hot sun and dry air of the bush and you may not even realize that you’re becoming dehydrated. Drink lots of water and make sure it is bottled and not tap water.

Insurance

Since you will be in a remote location and will probably be spending a significant amount of money on a safari; travel insurance is virtually a necessity on a Rwandan safari. Though, not compulsory. Be sure to look for emergency medical coverage and financial protection when booking your policy.

Rwanda Car rental & travel advice-Tipping culture

Tipping in  Rwanda is not a standard practice at local hotels and restaurants, however if you decide to, it will always be much appreciated. Its normal to tip 5-10% at tourist oriented restaurants. Guides and drivers should always be tipped.

Get the best advice from the best rwanda car hire experts. book with go self drive rwanda.

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