Hakizimana Touriste

Protecting Mountain Gorillas and Virunga

Hakizimana from Rumangabo

About Me

21 Feb 2009

I was born in Rumangabo, Virunga’s HQ on 28th August 1979. I am married to Beatrice Vumiliya and we have a son named Jonathan.

My career as a Ranger started in 2003 but I was actually introduced to environmental conservation from a very young age. My father was a Gorilla Guide for tourists back in the good days when we had tourism in Virunga. I remember I would always rush out from school so that I could see and follow the tourists. This is how I got my nickname “Touriste”.

My father could talk for hours about amazing gorilla stories, buffalo encouters… you name it. All this is what made me absolutely want to become a Ranger in ICCN. I was so proud of my father that at all costs I wanted to be just like him. He loved his job, and I dreamed about having the same job as him night after night.

Love and loyalty are two principles that I have inherited from my father – and both help me to overcome difficulties and challenges. I don’t think I could have possibly had a better life elsewhere, than right here, being a Ranger and working in conservation in Virunga.

hakizimanat
  • Age: 29
  • Town: Rumangabo
  • Supporting gorillas from 22 Feb 2009

ABOUT ME Field Team

I was born in Rumangabo, Virunga’s HQ on 28th August 1979. I am married to Beatrice Vumiliya and we have a son named Jonathan. 

No administration fee is taken for the funds that are transferred through us so that the financial support, net only of bank fees, can go where it was intended in its entirety.
This website was funded by the European Union and the Prince Bernard Nature Fund.
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