Nkotsi is a small village located in the south-western side of Musanze, a town in the Northern Province of Rwanda. It is one of the villages part of Volcanoes National Park, internationally recognised UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and home to 30% of global population of mountain gorillas. Gorillas’ sighting is the main tourism attraction of Rwanda, but the offer must be diversified in order to assure tourism as a sustainable source of income for the population.

That is why Nkotsi brings together communities around the Virunga Mountains to promote community sustainable development, involving local people in programs which improve their livelihood through Environmental Conservation, Arts & Culture, Education, and Community Health & Food Security Initiatives.

The village does not only preserve the culture and indigenous knowledge but also is a place where tourists can come and experience in first person the heritage transmitted from generation to generation. These initiatives create employment opportunities for women and youth through arts and culture experiences focused on conservation and skills sharing through workshops.