Ibere rya Bigogwe – Full day cow and hiking experience

The Ibere rya Bigogwe full day cow and hiking experience is quite exciting and unique. Meet at the Rubavu-Nyabihu Border Office on the main road. On the main road, your guide will meet you at the Ibere rya Bigogwe office. The arch that separates the districts of Rubavu and Nyabihu makes it simple to find the office.

Hiking to Ibere rya Bigogwe
Your guide will begin the day’s activities with a briefing. You will begin your journey toward Ibere rya Bigogwe after the briefing. Large rock formation known as Ibere rya Bigogwe is a well-known landmark in the region. You pass through the towns surrounding Bigogwe as you begin the journey. You will arrive at the base of the rock after 20 minutes of hiking. The ascent up the hillsides continues as the trail ascends to Ibere rya Bigogwe’s summit.

The hike is a little steeper and harder here, but it does go through a forest. You will arrive at the summit of the rock after another hour of hiking. You get a beautiful view of the surrounding area from here, and you can see Mount Karisimbi in Volcanoes National Park and Mount Nyiragongo and Mikeno in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. You can see all the way to Gisenyi town in clear weather. At the peak, there is a meditation spot that is frequently utilized by locals to pray. Listen to the legend of how this rock earned its name while eating some cheese and fruit.

Additionally, your guide will explain some indigenous flora and their customary applications. To get back to Bigogwe town, hike.

Visit the farms by motorcycle (by car if you have your own)

It’s time to head for the farms after the hike to Ibere rya Bigogwe. You will ride a motorcycle behind someone to the farms in the same manner as people in the area. As you leave the main road behind and ascend the hills, the scenery is spectacular. Most often, one of the better vantage spots is visited for a photo stop. It takes about 30 minutes to travel. A helmet is offered.

Explore the green hills of the farmlands
Your guide will introduce you to the cowboys and farms once you arrive there. You will don the bright shuka or rumbiya that cow keepers often wear, and you will also receive an inkoni, the stick that all livestock keepers carry. Learn about the history of Bigogwe’s lush highlands, cow-related legends, and traditional Rwandan lifestyle. Some of the most lush and green hills in Africa can be found at the farms.

Lunch
At Bigogwe, a typical lunch is served al fresco on a hillside.

observing the cows being milked and savouring the fresh milk

In Bigogwe, milking is done by hand in customary cans or ibyansi constructed of wood or bamboo, such as inkongoro.

Take a manual milking tutorial from the cowboys and try it out on your own. You can have a special “Bigogwe Cappuccino” straight from the cows after the milking.

Take the cows to drink water
Cows require a lot of water. They travel to the river twice a day to get a drink. Join the cowboys and help them move the cows to the river so they may drink by waving your inkoni (stick) and blowing soft whistles. As the cows drink, observe the cowboys as they sing and whistle for them.

Cowboy games
The cowboys observe the cows all day long. The cowboys have a lot of idle time while the cattle graze.

Ibere rya Bigogwe

The cowboys created a variety of customs and pastimes. The most popular games include Igisoro, a traditional game played with dried seeds on a wooden board, Kunyobanwa, or stick combat, and URUKIRAMENDE, or high leap. Watch the cowboys as they master these games, then give it a shot.

Traditional songs for the cows
The cowboys sing to the cows as they rest after feeding and milking them. These traditional songs, known as Kwivugira inka, have been handed down through the years. The cows’ names are repeated throughout the songs, which often feature cow legends.

Traditional ghee production

Take a motorcycle out of the farms (or car if you have your own). Watch as women create Ikimuri or ghee the old-fashioned way.

Ibere rya Bigogwe

The traditional method for making ikimuri involves revolving a huge calabash, or igisabo. Discover the process and attempt to create your own Ikimuri.

back to main road, then leave
It’s time to part ways for the time being. You can stop by the store and café before you leave for some traditional crafts souvenirs and snacks.

Extra info / What to bring