Goma is not everybody’s preferred destination. But if you happen to visit DR Congo, Goma — the capital city of the North Kivu province in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo — will be your first stop when entering from the Rwandan side.
Located on the northern shore of Lake Kivu, next to the Rwandan city of Gisenyi, Goma is home to many tourist attractions such as the spectacular Mount Nyiragongo, an active volcano situated around 20km from the city, as well as the Virunga National Park, home to the rare mountain gorillas. But many people will visit Goma because of its irrefutable beauty.
Over the festive season l had a chance to have a chat with a tour guide from Goma. 40-year-old Gilbert Makelele is the chief executive officer of Ghalgar Tour Company and CPNCK, a community coffee and cocoa co-operative that supplies free seeds to the communities around the Virunga volcanoes…
How did you join the tourism industry?
I started out as a businessman – specifically plying my trade in the mining industry – but things changed when l met Greg Bakunzi, the owner of Red Rocks Cultural Centre and Amahoro Tours (both companies operate out of Musanze in northern Rwanda), who introduced me to conservation, culture and tourism in general.
He told me about the opportunities in the tourism industry of DR Congo that were unfortunately not exploited. I immediately l joined the industry and l have never looked back. It’s 10 years now.
Bakunzi is also the one who encouraged me to open up the tour company and l have never regretted that step in my life.
How do you think Goma’s tourism industry has evolved over the past few years?
A lot of development has taken place in Goma in the recent past – from transport infrastructure to safari lodges and hotels. Also, many more people are now joining the industry, especially the youth. 10 years ago, for instance, community involvement in conservation stood at about 10 per cent but now it has skyrocketed to 60 per cent. Tourism in Congo is growing so fast that in 2017 the country was among the top 100 most visited destinations in the world. (We couldn’t verify this claim independently.)
What’s DR Congo’s star attraction and why?
Mount Nyiragongo is our top attraction because it has an active volcano, which cannot be found anywhere else in the region.
What is your most memorable moment as a tour guide operating in Goma?
My most memorable moment was the first time l climbed Mount Nyiragongo. I remember l got very tired but once l saw the volcano it was very beautiful that I forgot how long we had trekked to reach the top. I must say, I remember everything like it was yesterday!
What are the challenges you face as a tour guide in Goma?
The problem of insecurity in the country has for a long time been affecting the tourism industry because many tourists are risk-averse, but thank God things are getting better. The visa fee is also another challenge. Tourists to DR Congo have to pay $100 for a visa yet it’s relatively cheaper in other countries in the region.
The other challenges include not being able to spend enough time with our families as we are always in the field, as well as the problem of language barrier (DR Congo is a French speaking country).
How many people do you employ in your company?
I have a total of 10 employees, five women and five men, and am proud of each one of them.
As a successful tour operator, do you give back to society?
Oh yes. That is one of our greatest achievements that I am proud of. I regularly give local farmers around the Virungas free coffee and cocoa seeds as a way of keeping them busy so that they don’t engage in acts of poaching. But above all, this is one way of improving their lives. After the products are ready we sell them and bring back the money to the farmers. At the end of the day, we are both happy.
That aside, recently we arranged a meeting with the widows of fallen rangers and gave them 5,000 goats. Such meetings not only give us a platform to give back to the community, but also a chance to tell them about the importance of conserving the environment in which they live.
What are people’s biggest misconceptions about Congo?
That it’s a war zone and no one will come out alive. But there are others who look at the brighter side: that they will get a lot of money from mining once they come to DR Congo.
What destinations would you recommend to travellers to DR Congo?
Of course Mount Nyiragongo, Goma town, the Virunga National Park and some other hidden places. It’s always nice to visit areas that you don’t get to see very often.
Advice for anyone who would like to follow in your footsteps?
The industry is open and great opportunities await those interested in tourism. Just be ready to work for long hours. Also, you need to have perseverance and passion for people and wildlife because these are key in the industry. In the beginning, expect to get exhausted because of the long journeys but you will eventually get used to it.
