Rwanda Off The Beaten Path

 
by elsadran
 
  •   Off The Beaten Path
    by elsadran
  •   Off The Beaten Path
    by elsadran
  •   Off The Beaten Path
    by elsadran
  •   Off The Beaten Path
    by elsadran
  •   Off The Beaten Path
    by elsadran
 
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The journey on the lake Kivu road

by elsadran

They told me at the hotel that I didn't need to book a taxi for the early morning ride to the station. That was a little peculiar because I had to start at 6.30... Amazingly they were right. As soon as I stepped out of the hotel a passer-by asked me if I needed one. Ten minutes later I was at the bus station which was quite different from what we have in mind. It was spotlessly clean despite the all-night rain...I saw several shopkeepers putting on plastic gloves and collecting every little piece of litter that could be seen on the ground. They cleaned up everything.Finally after an hour , the bus for Kibuye arrived. Not even close to the good transporting means Rwanda is proud of, which can take you fast and safe...This was a small , desperately old van where every space had its purpose.... However we were not asphyxiatingly packed as in Uganda. We started in a very good mood as people...

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Gahini Secondary School

by nsbm

The village of Gahini is an uphill walk from the signposts on the mainroad. The ville is dominated by the Anglican Boarding School which encorporates 1500 mixed secondary school pupils, the dioceses compounds, hospital and church of course. The place was established inthe 1920's and many foreign teachers, doctors and clergy voluntarily reside and work here.Easy to visit once you identify your intentions at the school checkpoint. My guides son was at this school so it made it even easier to meet foreign staffers and tour the facilities....but its easy to visit independently as well as it gives you a view into the denominational boarding school custom of well-to-do Rwandaise

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Imbabzi Orphange, Gisenyi

by nsbm

Established by Mrs Rosamond Carr in 1994, the home was relocated from her longtime residence at Mugongo to Gisenyi during the troubles of 1994. The complex houses just over 100 boys and girls who will be relocated to Mugongo in November 2005 Rosamund's original flower farm founded in 1955.The children are delightful and place is positive. Mrs Carr a former New Yorker is always there and she knows her kids all by name. At 92 she is completely with it and does not miss a beat...she is hard to catch but is at the orphanage 24/7. The place is well connected internally and externally but all visitors of any ilk are welcome....all gifts are received and needed.....art supplies are always short if you want to make a token donation.Please visit if you are close... it will make the children's year and your life............Madame at Regina Hotel is a good introduction point and place to stay

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Gorilla tourism

by husain

While the war raged in Rwanda, the countrys popular Gorilla tourism industry, made popular by the famous conservationists Dian Fossey/ Jane Goodall , came to a halt.Some Gorillas even fell prey to human diseases from the post war situation. These very rare `silverback' mountain gorillas were being pushed further to the brink of extinction. However, some serious conservation efforts have resulted in the numbers rising and the future for this primate looks brighter now.The Gorilla sighting tours are becoming popular again in Rwanda's `Volcanoes National Park'. Tours can be arranged thru the Rwanda tourism board. (reservation@rwandatourism.com )On our trip to Rwanda, we often heard of this very tempting option, but a short trip with much work to do, meant that it was something we left to do another day...

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Roadside charcoal vendor

by retired_poppi

One occupation available to Rwandans is charcoal production. Families will harvest wood make charcoal to sell for cooking fuel. When several bags of charcoal are prepared, they are hauled to the nearest highway. One of the family members will guard it and act as the salesperson.

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Visit Goma in DR Congo

by Bonobo2005

An unforgettable and very impressive trip is a visit to Goma in DR Congo (formerly Zaire), the town just over the border at Gisenyi.This town is partly covered by lava since nearby Mount Nyiragongo erupted on 17/01/2002;***for all the details browse my DR-Congo- Goma page ***

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Ruhengeri - 5 volcanoes in 1 sight!

by Bonobo2005

Behind the big marketplace along the mainstreet in Ruhengeri is a small but steep hill from where you have amazing views. In the afternoon I decided to climb it to obtain a unique view as you not only overlook the town but also have the whole chain of 5 volcanoes in one sight. Just Fantastic!Again don't expect to be alone, all your moves off the beaten track will attract a lot of attention. But I didn't regard it as a hassle. I felt the people were just as enthusiastic as I was!

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Lake Burera and many lovely people

by Bonobo2005

Lake Burera is a beautiful lake at the base at Mt. Muhabura, close to the border with Uganda.Although my daytrip by far didn't work out in the way the Bradt Guide suggested, it was still a great day. From Ruhengeri I took a minibus to the border and got out in the settlement of Kidaho, where a sign directs you to the Lake. Immediately I attracted a lot of attention and during the 6 km walk to the lake some 20 children, soldiers, teenagers followed me while people working in the fields stopped and came to greet me. Of course some of them asked for money what I ignored (I always prefer to spend my money on local products or services), instead joking with them so that we were all having a good time.I asked (with handsigns) some children to show me around a bit once we got to the lake and gave them some coins. The scenery is absolutely beautiful with the mist on the Lake that is dotted with...

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Gorilla watching, one of the...

by cosmopolit

Gorilla watching, one of the few places to do it in Birunga National Park, depending which country not being at war at the time, if it does not work here try border beteween Congo (Zaïre) and Uganda up in the Ruwenzori mountains. See also my Zaïre travelogue.

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Go to the Colobus monkey...

by njm001

Go to the Colobus monkey conservation area in the mountains. The walks in this park are spectacular and the monkeys themselves are very energetic.Bring plenty of food as there is not much available there. You can catch a public bus from near Kigali market or hitchhike as we did on the way back.

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Reviews and photos of Rwanda attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Rwanda sightseeing.

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Off The Beaten Path: Cities in Rwanda
  1. Virunga Off The Beaten Path

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Prefecture de Kigali Off The Beaten Path  Prefegitura ya Gisenyi Off The Beaten Path  Prefecture de Ruhengeri Off The Beaten Path  Prefecture de Butare Off The Beaten Path 

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Questions and Answers

kikili profile photo

Q:  Hi I'm unsure f this is the right forum..but I iwsh to see the silverbacks in rwanda or uganda next march.. Which is a better... 

sphynxxs profile photo

A: Hi kikili, Rwanda is the better place to see gorillas, but no matter which country you go, there is no such thing as a budget option when it comes to seeing the... 

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