Intore dancers in traditional dress performing at Iby'Iwacu Cultural Village near Volcanoes National Park

Heritage · Kinigi, Musanze District, Northern Province

Iby'Iwacu Cultural Village (Gorilla Guardians Village)

A community tourism project near Kinigi founded with former poachers, now known as Gorilla Guardians Village

Ambient sound · similar settingChicks and a cockerel in a village yard

Photo: DDUGGAN12 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Discover Iby'Iwacu Cultural Village (Gorilla Guardians Village)

Iby'Iwacu Cultural Village, nowadays usually called the Gorilla Guardians Village, sits in the Kinigi area close to Volcanoes National Park. It was created so that people who once hunted in the forest could earn a living from visitors instead, and it now presents aspects of traditional Rwandan life through performance, demonstrations and conversation.

It is a staged experience rather than an everyday village: the thatched houses and royal hall are reconstructions, and the programme is designed for visitors. Taken on those terms, it is an enjoyable and informative afternoon after a gorilla trek, with energetic Intore dancing and drumming, demonstrations of grinding grain, brewing banana beer and traditional medicine, and the chance to try your hand at archery.

Don’t miss

01Intore dance and traditional drumming performances
02A reconstructed royal hall with stories of the Rwandan monarchy
03Demonstrations of banana beer brewing, grain grinding and traditional healing
04Trying traditional skills such as archery
05Conversations with former poachers about life before and after the park

History & culture

The story of Iby'Iwacu Cultural Village (Gorilla Guardians Village)

The village was founded in 2006 by Edwin Sabuhoro, a former tourism warden in Volcanoes National Park. After helping rescue a baby gorilla from poachers in 2004, he concluded that much of the poaching was driven by poverty, and he used his own savings to help groups of poachers start alternative businesses. The cultural village grew out of that effort, employing former poachers and other residents as performers, guides and craftspeople.

According to National Geographic, admission income was originally split between the employees and a community fund, and media reports describe it as a non-profit, community-focused site with revenue going to local people. These accounts come largely from the project itself and from press coverage, so the scale of its impact on poaching is difficult to verify independently; what is clear is that it remains one of the best-known community tourism projects in the area.

Local life & traditions

The village reflects a wider shift in the communities around Volcanoes National Park, where tourism has become a major source of income. Many families here farm small plots on volcanic soil, and the village gives some residents paid work as performers, guides and artisans. Rwandan dance, drumming and storytelling are a living tradition, performed at weddings and celebrations as well as for visitors.

Things to do

Experience it like a local

Most visits last a couple of hours and follow a guided circuit through the village, mixing performances with hands-on activities. Visitors may be invited to join the dancing, try grinding sorghum or shooting a bow, and hear explanations of customs, food and family life. Some programmes include a staged royal wedding or a walk through the surrounding community, and overnight stays have been offered.

Lonely Planet advises calling ahead before arriving. Programmes and prices change, so confirm details through your tour operator or directly with the village.

When to go

The village can be visited year-round, and afternoons work well after a morning gorilla trek. The dry seasons from June to September and December to February are the most comfortable for outdoor performances; in the rainy months, showers are common in the afternoon, so bring a light rain jacket.

Plan your visit

Travel tips

Call or book ahead through your operator so a programme can be prepared.
Treat it as a cultural performance and education centre rather than an ordinary village.
Ask before photographing individuals, and consider buying crafts directly from the makers.
Admission has been reported at different levels over the years, so confirm the current price before you go.
Comfortable shoes are useful, as the grounds are grassy and can be muddy after rain.

General guidance from our specialists, not official information.

Around Iby'Iwacu Cultural Village (Gorilla Guardians Village): food, markets & places to stay

The village is in the Kinigi area, a short drive from the Volcanoes National Park headquarters, where lodges and guesthouses are concentrated. Musanze town, about 13 km from Kinigi, has restaurants, markets, banks and wider accommodation options. Transport is usually by private vehicle or motorcycle taxi from Kinigi or Musanze.