Digital Superman under Rwanda’s Famous Breast
Article from the series: Attractions of Rwanda, western Uganda and eastern DR Congo
“Cows are everything to me. They are my siblings, my comfort zone, my love. They raised me, fed me, and shaped who I am,” says Alexis Ngabo Karegeya.
His passion for cattle is contagious, and it’s turned him into a fascinating guide for visitors to the lush pastures of Bigogwe. Found on the southern side of the Virungas, his homeland allows guests to live like ancient cowboys, camp far from civilisation, and hike through breathtaking landscapes.
But first, there was Twitter. … No, first, there was a scholarship!
A patriotic rural boy, Ngabo once dreamed of joining the army. Then his high secondary school exam scores earned him government support to study business administration in Kigali. He had never left the Western Province before or encountered people who had never heard of Bigogwe. He found it maddening.
Then came the pandemic. Bored at home in March 2020, he opened a Twitter account to share stories and photos of his cattle-keeping people. He named it after a famous local mountain, shaped like a woman’s breast, that towers over the road to Rubavu: Ibere rya Bigogwe. It was just for fun — no plan, no tourism business in mind.
He had no training, no capital, and no connections. But people inspired by his posts didn’t care. They wanted to visit. In May 2021, fresh out of university, Ngabo registered a tour company.
“Influencer” may be an embarrassingly overused word, but in Ngabo’s case, it fits. With nearly half a million followers across X, Instagram, and TikTok, this digital Superman has inspired hundreds to visit Bigogwe, convinced the Bank of Kigali to back him with a small loan, and persuaded the government to grant land for the project.
Today, Rwandans remain his core audience, but foreign travelers are catching on. On a plot next to a water facility with basic toilets, Ngabo’s team of five welcomes guests with shepherds’ games, fresh milk, local snacks, and deep immersion in Bigogwe’s traditions.
His cows look on approvingly, some proudly wearing a crown of massively long horns. In 2024, after 50 years of absence, Ngabo returned the royal Inyambo cattle to Bigogwe to complete his guests’ experience. The total cultural package.
photos by Miha Logar and Ibere rya Bigogwe
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