Supermodel treks Gorillas

Renowned Czech-born model, Veronika Varekova, who has been in the country on a 5-day visit trekked the Mountain Gorillas three times. In an interview with The New Times, the Supermodel who was in Rwanda on a fact-finding mission, expressed how she was ‘mesmerized’ by the beauty of the country and vowed to continue to be Rwanda’s ‘ambassador’ by encouraging other people to visit and experience Rwanda’s beauty. “I have been here for the last five days and I had a wonderful time in the capital Kigali, as well as the Volcanoes National Park. During my time here I visited the Gorillas three times and stayed at the marvellous Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge and I was very impressed by what I saw,” Varekova said. The 32 year old Varekova who featured on the cover of the 2004 Sports Illustrated Magazine also visited a number of communities around the Volcanoes National Park and pledged to be Rwanda’s Goodwill Ambassador abroad, adding that “it is not probably the last time I will be coming to Rwanda.” “I was very amazed by how the Silverback Lodge is constructed and that the local community benefits from the proceeds of the Lodge, they actually have ownership of the Lodge. “This is one of the positive projects that impressed me and my experience in Rwanda’s has been wonderful.” Born in Olomouc, Czech Republic, at 19 years, the super model moved to New York City, USA. Initially, she wanted to attend the Parsons School of Design, though she chose modelling instead and was signed by Next Model Management. Varekova has appeared in the swimsuit edition a total of six times: 1999-2002, 2004, and 2005. She appeared on the cover in 2004. She regularly featured in Victoria’s Secret and became the face of NIVEA. She has contracts with Chanel and Pantene. She joins the list of other notable figures that have trekked the Gorillas including Jack Hanna, Bill Gates and Ted Turner among others. Ends