Across the Virunga region stretching from the lush slopes of Volcanoes National Park to the vibrant communities of Kisoro, Goma, and beyond, women are often the hidden backbone of tourism. They manage homestays, prepare meals, guide visitors, tell stories, carry luggage, and care for both guests and nature. But too often, they are excluded from decision-making, training, and ownership in the industry they help sustain.

The Academy seeks to change that.

Inspired by pioneers like Virunga Ecotours ours and adapted for the cultural and ecological richness of the Virunga Massif, this initiative is more than a training program. It is a platform for dialogue, learning, and transformation. Through women-only workshops, leadership forums, practical skills training, and storytelling exchanges, the Academy gives women a seat at the table and the tools to lead.

It also creates space for important conversations:
What does it mean to be a woman in tourism?
How do we confront gender norms, cultural expectations, and economic barriers?
How do we raise the next generation of female leaders from the foothills of Mount Karisimbi to the shores of Lake Kivu?

At its heart, the Academy is about visibility and voice. When women are seen, heard, and supported, the ripple effect reaches far beyond the individual. Families become stronger. Communities become more resilient. And the entire tourism industry becomes more just, more inclusive, and more reflective of the diverse cultures it represents.

Through partnerships with local cooperatives, homestays, and conservation programs, Virunga Ecotours is committed to ensuring that women across Rwanda, Uganda, and the DRC are not just part of the tourism conversation they’re leading it.

This is more than an initiative.
It’s a movement.

And we invite you to walk beside us.