The future of gorilla tourism in Rwanda

Until April 1994 Rwanda was an obscure central African country, renowned for its endangered mountain gorillas surviving in the Parc National des Volcans. They formed virtually the sole basis of the Rwandan tourism industry which generated substantial foreign exchange, part of which was returned to finance gorilla conservation programmes. Today, the name Rwanda conjures up images of massacre and genocide consequent upon the 1994 resumption of a tragic civil war. In addition to overwhelming humanitarian considerations many people have feared for the future of the mountain gorillas whose plight was first publicised in the 1970s by the scientist Dian Fossey. Recent research shows that the gorillas have survived the war unexpectedly well and increased political stability has permitted research and protection teams to return to the Parc. However, in the meantime neighbouring Uganda and Zaire have built up substantial competing gorilla tourism industries. The resumption of gorilla tourism in Rwanda is vital to provide both conservation resources and local employment. This paper assesses its future potential as assessed by fieldwork completed by the writer during November‐December 1993 with subsequent additional information added until December 1994.