A Personal Journey Through the Land of a Thousand Hills. Discover Rwanda!
Traveling to Rwanda was such a revelation. Geographically referred to as the ‘Land of a Thousand Hills,’ this small country in East Africa provided me with an interesting experience of marveling at incredible scenery, meeting friendly people, and exploring the local culture. The very first time I arrived in Rwanda, particularly in Kigali the capital city, I realized it was going to be quite a different experience.
Kigali: This story aims to outline a city that has the aesthetics of the developing world and the architectural design of the developed world or vice versa.
What struck me the most upon my arrival in Kigali was a high level of cleanliness and tidiness. It is located on a series of ridges and valleys, so it is possible to see magnificent views of the surrounding landscape at all turns.
The first place that I visited was the Kigali Genocide Memorial. It was rather a serious yet constructive visit to comprehend how the Rwandan modern history has been constructed.
While the memorial focuses on the genocide that occurred in 1994, it also points to the restoration and reconciliation process that Rwanda has been undergoing since then.
While strolling around Kigali, I saw local markets and it was very heartening to see the rich Rwandese culture. Some of the markets observed included; The Kimironko Market which was a beehorn of fresh produce, fabrics, and other various items.
Here, I tasted brochettes (meat skewers) and sambaza (fried fish); these are among the mouth-watering Tanzanian food I wasn’t ashamed to lick my fingers. The subjects were accommodating and genuinely interested in telling me their stories, which made me feel very welcome.
Hiking Trails at the Beauty of Volcanoes National Park
From Kigali, my next stop was the Volcanoes National Park , which hosts the world’s famous mountain gorillas. The experience getting there was a fun one on its own as we traversed through narrow roads with hillsides terraces and small village-like settings.
The park is in the Virunga Mountain range and is a conservation area of wildlife and the most beautiful scenery that I have been privileged to encounter.
Trekking in the mountains to find the gorillas was definitely the best experience that I had on my trip.
Next day, accompanied by a number of guides and porters, we headed off very early in the morning. It has never been easy to trek through a forest but the experience was something I would not trade for anything.
We came within view of a family of gorillas after a few hours into the hike. It was rather inspiring to observe these beautiful animals in their environment that they originated from.
The animals, unique in their intelligence and in their ability to express emotions and engage in friendly communication, made a significant impression on me.
Lake Kivu: A perfect break from the chaos of everyday life
As much as gorilla trekking was exciting, I equally needed to relax and Lake Kivu was a perfect fit for it. This large lake located on the border of East and Central Africa is considered one of the African Great Lakes.
It provides some of the serene and beautiful environments to enjoy the beach. I spent my time in Gisenyi, a captivating town that borders the lake on the northern eastern side. It was at this place that I could go for a boat ride and visit different islands and of course, watch the sunsets.
There are several things that I will never forget when I was in Lake Kivu, and one of them was when we visited the coffee plantations. Among many things Rwanda is famous for coffee and to see it from picking to roasting to brewing was a great experience.
The farmers who were around me were very dedicated with their work and I came to learn about the coffee which I drink in the morning.
Nyungwe Forest National Park: Nature’s wonderland
From there, I proceeded to Nyungwe Forest National Park which is one of the largest afro-montane rainforests in the southwestern region of the country. Nyungwe is one of the world’s richest ecosystems and is known to contain thousands of plant and animal species.
The best option on the territory was the canopy trail – a hanging bridge between trees at quite a significant height, which was rather thrilling and allowed looking at the forest from a bird’s perspective.
I also visited several trails where I went for waterfall hikes as well as observed other animals like the colobus monkeys and different forms of birds. The calm environment complemented with the vegetation and concession made Nyungwe ideal for any nature loving enthusiast.
Cultural Immersion in Butare
Huye which is also referred to as Butare is believed to be the cultural centre of Rwanda. It hosts the National Museum of Rwanda which houses a wide range of historical and ethnological artefacts. The museum gave a rather detailed perception of Rwandans’ past and present existence as a nation and people.
In Butare, I saw traditional dances and listened to traditional music. It was impossible not to be captivated by the energy and the rhythm of the Intore dancers. This experience enriched me as it enabled me to learn more about the culture of Rwandans in terms of pride.
Reflections on Rwanda
My visit to Rwanda was eye-opening. The country has all types of terrains ranging from the hills and forests to the lakes, which are very beautiful. What left a lasting impression on me was the people of Rwanda and their tenacity and spiritedness. They have overcome adversity, and have established a country that is unified, progressive, and hopeful.
It is encouraging to see Rwanda practice environmental conservation through the national parks as well as clean cities. This reception and treatment I received was outstanding and made me feel very welcomed every time I interacted with them.
Touring Rwanda is not just moving from one point to another but from one soul to the other. It is creative, curative, and a source of various opportunities for exciting experiences. I departed Rwanda with sadness in my heart, with dreams of the next time I will return to this country of a thousand hills.
Pros and Cons of Visiting Rwanda
Just like everything in this world, Rwanda, as a tourist destination has its positives and negatives on the following: So here are the things that you should know when planning to go to this piece of East African paradise.
Pros
Stunning Natural Beauty
Diverse Landscapes: First of all Rwanda is famous for the beautiful scenery ranging from the spectacular hills to the quiet beaches of Lake Kivu. The geographical landscape of the country is wonderfully beautiful and alternatively oriented.
Wildlife: Although Rwanda is one of the few places in the world that can boast of hosting the critically endangered mountain gorillas, it is a remarkable destination to see wildlife especially in the Volcanoes National Park.
It is also possible to view diverse animals such as chimpanzees and the big five game; lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, and buffalo in Nyungwe Forest National Park and Akagera National Park respectively.
Rich Culture and History
Cultural Immersion: There is a diverse and strong cultural identity that is reflected in Rwandan arts such as traditional dance, music, and other artifacts. There are the National Museum of Rwanda in Butare or many cultural villages where one can get acquainted with the customs and traditions of the country and people.
Historical Sites: The Kigali Genocide Memorial together with other genocide memorials in different regions of Rwanda provide the tourists and visitors with the most crucial and emotional insight into the history of the Rwanda’s genocide and its way to reconciliation.
Cleanliness and Safety
Clean Cities: For instance, Kigali, the capital city, is seen to be very clean and well structured as an urban area. The city has a number of natural reserves and clean roads thus making Rwanda one of the countries that embraces environmental conservation.
Safety: This implies that Rwanda is one of the most secure nations in Africa for tourists. The government takes security issues seriously, so the levels of crime are low.
Eco-Friendly Initiatives
Conservation Efforts: Rwanda is one of the few countries that are very much concerned with sustainability and protection of the environment thus making it a perfect place for tourist who are keen on the protection of the environment. Measures taken towards conserving fauna and thereby encourage eco-tourism are seen in many a national park and wildlife reserve.
Warm Hospitality
Friendly Locals: The people of Rwandans are well-known for their welcoming nature, open hearts, and warm spirits. Many people who visit this region agree with this statement since everybody in this region is friendly, hospitable and willing to tell a lot of interesting stories.
Cons
High Costs for Gorilla Trekking Gorilla trekking is a fascinating exercise and adventure that any tourist would never wish to miss even if they had to spend an arm and a leg for it.
Expensive Permits: Among the key activities to engage in while here, gorilla trekking is very expensive and requires participants to part with a considerate amount of money. Expenses: The permits can be very costly, and this makes this particular adventure a bit costly in terms of the money required.
Limited Nightlife and Entertainment
Quiet Evenings: Aside from Kigali, Rwanda does have many nightlife attractions. In terms of entertainment, especially in accessing nightclubs and lively entertainment joints, the country may appear relatively sleepy in a way than other tourists’ favorite holiday destinations.
Infrastructure Challenges
Developing Roads: While the large urban areas as well as areas that attract a lot of tourists have very good road networks , there are some roads around the rural areas that have gravel surface and this becomes very rough during the rainy season. This can make movements within the country somewhat erratic and slow depending on the situation ahead.
Language Barrier
Limited English Proficiency: English is also an official language in this country but the level of its usage is lower especially in rural areas. It is also advisable to be conversant with the French and Kinyarwanda language though one can hire a translator or carry along some French phrases to use incase of a survay ride.
Seasonal Weather Variations
Rainy Seasons: Rwanda has only two rainfall periods: the first one starts from March to May and the second one is between October and December.
Hiking during such moments can also be slightly difficult due to the inundated nature of some of the roads and sometimes there may be interference with activities.
Restricted space and the need to accommodate a large number of people in the facility and accommodate their needs and resources may offer restricted accommodation choices in some areas.
Accommodation Variability: It is important to note that the accommodation offerings differ from the basic hotel and luxury accommodations in Kigali and interesting tourist destinations, they can be scarce in rural areas. This is because many places of interest are likely to be fully booked during those specific seasons of high customer traffic.
Conclusion
Rwanda as a country has a lot of attractions and is a stunning country to visit for any tourist. Its scenic beauty, colourful history and friendly citizens make it an enticing destination.
However, the huge costs of some activities, poor infrastructures, and language issues are some factors to be taken into consideration when planning out your journey. In all, for anyone looking for a challenging yet fulfilling travel experience, Rwanda is indeed a place to visit.
