The city of Arusha in northern Tanzania recently hosted the inaugural Global Land Rover Festival, an event that organisers think will set the Guinness World Record for the longest parade of Land Rovers.

The last event to claim the world record for the longest parade of Land rovers was held in Bavaria, Germany and attracted 632 trucks.

Among the attendees in the Arusha event was Rwandan off-road enthusiast Moses Ndahiro, who travelled from Kigali to Arusha with three friends to witness this historic event.

Ndahiro is an IT engineer at the East African Science and Technology Commission (EASTECO) and has always loved big cars.

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The festival, held from October 13 to 16, showcased 1,034 Land Rovers from around the globe, surpassing the previous record of 632 vehicles set in Germany in 2018. Attendees enjoyed classic and modern models, including Defenders, Range Rovers, and Freelanders.

Organised by the Arusha regional commissioner’s office which is led by Paul Makonda, the event featured an exciting lineup of activities, including safari adventures, automotive exhibitions, and family entertainment, while promoting tourism in Tanzania&039;s northern corridor, particularly Arusha National Park, Mount Meru, and the breathtaking Mount Kilimanjaro.

Reflecting on his experience, Ndahiro described the festival as an inspiring gathering that not only celebrated off-road adventures but also highlighted the economic opportunities tied to automotive events.

He noted the temporary exhibitions that created avenues for local businesses to thrive.

"I learned about the event through Paul Makonda, who offered full support even to foreigners. He referred to us as 'my visitors,' which assured us of a free pass to the event. The goal was to break the Guinness World Record, and it provided an excellent opportunity for networking while promoting tourism, benefiting those in the tourism and hospitality sectors,” he said.

Ndahiro emphasises the potential for a similar event to be hosted in Rwanda, saying, "Such a festival would enhance Rwanda’s tourism appeal and strengthen its image as an international destination for unique experiences.”

As Rwanda continues to solidify its position on the global tourism map, events like the Land Rover Festival present untapped opportunities to combine adventure tourism with business, potentially boosting the country’s international standing.

He believes that if Rwanda were to host the festival, its national parks—such as Akagera and Volcanoes National Park in Kayonza and Musanze districts, respectively—along with scenic locations around Lake Kivu in Rubavu District, could offer thrilling safari adventures, attracting participants and visitors worldwide.

Ndahiro and his club of land rover owners in Rwanda are exploring the possibility of hosting their own festival soon, recognizing that it could benefit hospitality businesses and other sectors.

However, they are still few with only 20 members but despite this, their efforts show promise as they actively work to mobilise more enthusiasts, which could lead to the formation of a larger association.

"The organisers of the Tanzania Land rovers festival encouraged me to organise the event locally, suggesting the name 'East Africa Land Rover Festival,' which could become a major event. Personally, I would love to see it happen in Rwanda. We are eager to collaborate with the Rwanda Development Board and security services,” he added.

A deep connection with Land Rovers

Ndahiro’s connection with Land Rovers began during childhood, inspired by his father who owned one. His admiration for the brand grew further when he moved to Arusha for work and encountered Land Rovers more regularly.

In 2019, driven by his passion for the vehicle, he decided to buy one despite initial reluctance from the owner.

"It’s a fantastic car—unique, iconic, comfortable, and economical. As an off-road vehicle, it can go anywhere. My love for it intensified because I want to transition into tourism. I’m obsessed with them, and now I have three. Don’t ask me about any other brand,” he said.

According to Ndahiro, Land Rovers excel in off-road adventures, consuming relatively little fuel and easily overcoming obstacles. However, their rarity in Rwanda poses challenges, with expensive and hard-to-find spare parts complicating maintenance.

He estimates that only about 300 Land Rovers are in Rwanda, primarily due to their high cost. However, he suggests that purchasing used models and renovating them could be a viable option.

Most owners are adventurers or nostalgic enthusiasts, further cementing the Land Rover's place in Rwanda's automotive culture.