When global livestreamer and internet personality Darren Watkins Jr., popularly known as IShowSpeed, casually told a tour guide in Botswana's Okavango Delta that he planned to visit Rwanda for gorilla trekking, the moment travelled far beyond the conversation itself.
In his unmistakable rapid-fire style, Speed explained that Rwanda's dense forests would make live streaming difficult, but that he would still record a video.
The remark, spontaneous as it was, quickly ignited online conversations across Africa, particularly in Rwanda, where fans, creatives and tourism advocates began imagining what his visit could mean.
"I won't be able to stream it because there's too many trees," Speed said while in Okavango, contrasting the open savannah with Rwanda's forested landscapes.
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"But in Rwanda, we're doing gorilla sightings. I'll do a video." In a digital ecosystem where attention is currency, even an offhand comment from a creator with tens of millions of followers can shift narratives, spotlight destinations, and spark strategic conversations.
Also read: Global streamer iShowSpeed to visit Rwanda on Africa-wide tour
Speed's Africa tour, which has already taken him through South Africa, Eswatini and Botswana, has become more than a personal travel experience. It has evolved into a rolling cultural exchange, pulling millions of viewers into everyday African realities through humor, curiosity and unfiltered interaction.
Rwanda, expected to be among his upcoming stops alongside Kenya, finds itself at an interesting intersection of youth culture, digital storytelling and destination branding.
A new kind of cultural ambassador
Unlike traditional celebrities who arrive with scripted itineraries and tightly managed appearances, Speed's appeal lies in unpredictability. His streams capture raw moments: conversations with locals, spontaneous challenges, cultural misunderstandings, and genuine wonder.
For many young viewers across the world, particularly those whose exposure to Africa has been shaped by stereotypes, his tour offers a different lens.
In South Africa, Speed's interactions ranged from football conversations to street-level encounters that showcased urban energy. In Eswatini and Botswana, viewers watched him experience landscapes, wildlife and local customs with childlike enthusiasm.
Each country became part of a broader narrative: Africa not as a monolith, but as a collection of distinct cultures and experiences.
For Rwanda, which has invested heavily in rebranding itself as a premier tourism and investment destination, Speed's visit represents a unique opportunity.
The country's partnership-driven tourism strategy, anchored by the Visit Rwanda campaign and implemented by the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), has previously leveraged global sports, entertainment and culture to reach new audiences. Speed's arrival, though informal, aligns naturally with that approach.
Gorilla trekking and the power of curiosity
Mountain gorilla trekking remains Rwanda's most iconic tourism experience. While Speed joked about the difficulty of streaming in thick forests, the very mention of gorilla sighting introduced millions of young viewers to an experience many might not have considered or even known about.
Rwanda is home to a significant population of the world's remaining mountain gorillas, protected within Volcanoes National Park. Gorilla tourism is not only a conservation success story but also a major economic driver that supports local communities and environmental protection.
For a generation raised on short-form video and livestreams, seeing a creator like Speed express excitement, curiosity or even logistical frustration humanizes an experience often framed as elite or inaccessible.
ALSO READ: TikTok star Khaby Lame to name baby gorilla at Kwita Izina
Tourism experts note that modern travel decisions, particularly among younger demographics, are increasingly influenced by digital creators rather than traditional advertising.
Speed's acknowledgment that Rwanda offers something uniquely different from the Okavango, even in its challenges, feeds into that narrative of authenticity.
Ideas from the public: Rwanda pitches itself in real time
As news of Speed's expected visit spread, Rwandans took to social media to suggest activities that align with his personality. Isabelle Sindayirwanya, a content creator and tourism enthusiast, highlighted experiences that combine physical challenge with cultural immersion.
"He loves physical activities and learning new things," she wrote, proposing a visit to Bigogwe to learn traditional Rwandan high jump techniques, milking cows, brewing banana wine, and making imigongo. "The Nyungwe Zipline with a twist would also suit his energy, and I think he would genuinely appreciate a visit to the Campaign Against Genocide Museum."
These suggestions reflect a broader understanding of what resonates with Speed's audience: participation rather than observation, challenge rather than ceremony. They also mirror Rwanda's shift toward experiential tourism, where visitors are encouraged to engage with culture rather than consume it passively.
Journalist Richard Kwizera echoed similar sentiments, listing destinations that blend adventure, arts and everyday urban life. He pointed to the Canopy Walk in Nyungwe National Park, interactions with the Sherry Silver Foundation, a walk through Nyamirambo's vibrant neighborhoods, go-karting at BK Arena, cycling in Bugesera, and cultural performances by the Urukerereza Troupe.
"These are the places where Rwanda feels alive," Kwizera suggested, emphasizing that Speed's appeal lies in movement, spontaneity and human connection rather than polished spectacle.
Bigogwe, cows and community pride
Among the most enthusiastically received suggestions was a lighthearted challenge from Ngabo Karegeya, who invited Speed to Bigogwe for a cow-related competition. Known for its rolling hills and strong dairy culture, Bigogwe has increasingly become a symbol of rural tourism and community pride.
"Who wants to see Speed in a Bigogwe challenge with our cows?" Karegeya joked, tapping into Speed's love for competition while subtly spotlighting a lesser-known region. Beneath the humor lies a serious point: Rwanda's tourism story is no longer confined to Kigali or Volcanoes National Park.
Regions like Bigogwe represent efforts to decentralize tourism benefits and showcase everyday rural life.
Visit Rwanda and strategic visibility
While Speed's tour is largely organic, his visit to Rwanda is expected to involve coordination with RDB and the Visit Rwanda initiative. Rwanda has previously hosted high-profile figures, sports teams and artists as part of a deliberate strategy to position the country on the global stage.
What makes Speed different is his audience profile. His followers are predominantly young, global, and digitally native. They are not reading brochures or watching traditional travel documentaries.
They are watching live reactions, unscripted conversations and moments of discomfort or surprise. For Rwanda, successfully hosting Speed is less about controlling the narrative and more about trusting the experience itself.
ALSO READ: Why Visit Rwanda is targeting the US sports market
Tourism analysts argue that this kind of exposure, while unpredictable, carries long-term value. It places Rwanda in everyday conversations, gaming streams, memes and social media clips that circulate far beyond official tourism channels.
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Africa through a different lens
Speed's Africa tour has also reignited debates about representation. His streams often attract criticism and praise in equal measure, with some questioning whether entertainment risks oversimplifying complex cultures. Others argue that visibility, even imperfect, is better than absence.
What is clear is that Speed's presence has sparked curiosity. Viewers who may never have searched for Botswana, Eswatini or Rwanda are now asking questions about geography, wildlife, culture and travel. In that sense, his tour functions as an informal gateway.
For Rwanda, a country that has spent decades deliberately reshaping its global image, this moment is less about spectacle and more about continuity. Speed's visit builds on years of investment in safety, infrastructure, conservation and cultural preservation. The difference is that the message now travels through a 19-year-old streamer rather than a polished campaign video.
Beyond the visit
Whether Speed completes every suggested activity remains to be seen. What matters more is the conversation his visit has already generated. Rwandans are not just waiting to be seen; they are actively proposing, engaging and shaping how their country is experienced.
ALSO READ: Visit Rwanda signs new partnership agreements with NBA, NFL teams
From gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park to ziplining in Nyungwe, from cow challenges in Bigogwe to street culture in Nyamirambo, the picture that emerges is one of a country confident enough to open itself up to the unpredictable gaze of the internet.
As Speed himself acknowledged, Rwanda may not be easy to stream because of its forests. But in an age where depth increasingly matters more than clarity, perhaps that is precisely the point.
