Renowned Belgian Television presenter and ‘Undercover’ movie actor, Tom Yvo Adrien Waes, on January 13, visited ‘Ibere Rya Bigogwe’, a cultural tourism site situated in Nyabihu District in north-western region of Rwanda.
Tom Waes celebrated for his roles in ‘He Geslacht De Pauw’ and SM-rechter’ as well as the 2019 hit series ‘Undercover’ expressed his excitement after a working visit and exploring the picturesque landscapes of an emerging tourism site ‘Ibere rya Bigogwe’ (Mountain breast).
In a video shared by Alexis Ngabo Karegeya, the Chief Executive Officer of Ibere Rya Bigogwe tourism company, Tom Waes shared his excitement, inviting his colleagues from the 'Undercover' movie to join him in this hidden paradise.
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He said: "I feel amazing and I think everybody will see this movie; they have to come. And I will not say anything, it’s a surprise,” said Tom, adding that "you are above my expectations [telling Ngabo]. The way you talk, the way you sing with your friends, the milking with the cows. It was all amazing.”
In 2015, Tom won three prizes in the World Media Festival for his Reizen Wales travel documentary, Wauters vs Wales show and The Blacklist; a TV series program dedicated to the children.
Speaking to The New Times, Ngabo Karegeya, said he felt blessed for hosting Tom and his team of tourism and adventure documentarists.
He said: ‘I was so happy to welcome such a celebrated person like Tom Waes and exceed his expectations.
"The community welcomed him with traditional dances, offering fresh milk, and roasted maize. However, Tom Waes found excitement in the backstory of ‘Ibere rya Bigogwe’ and self-inspiring journey from the start,” Ngabo shared.
Ngabo reflected on his own humble beginnings, acknowledging the unexpected success and reach of his initiative. He said: "When I began, I didn’t expect this initiative would reach this far.”
Speaking on how people discover Ibere rya Bigogwe site, Ngabo highlighted that his engaging content’s visibility primarily stems from his social media platforms, particularly X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram channels.
He said that Tom Waes and his team learned about 'Ibere rya Bigogwe' through these channels and Rwandans abroad who connected them to him.
Ngabo revealed that the team was on a working visit, filming a documentary about adventure and tourism and that Tom Waes assured him of gaining recognition in far countries.
Karegeya’s ‘Ibere Rya Bigogwe’ tours involve diverse cultural activities like hiking, visiting Bigogwe cows, drinking fresh milk in traditional cups (Inkongoro, udukebe, ingare), learning to milk cows, understanding Kinyarwanda words and traditional practices like Kwivugira inka (Cow praising).
Additional experiences involve playing traditional games like urukiramende (high jump), kunyabanywa, traditional dances including ikinyemera, and savoring traditionally cooked food.