Blogs from Rwanda, Africa

I travel quite light, if not very light compared to those who schlepp mega suitcases around every airport. Apart from my riding gear i have a small bag, 40 x 40 x 25 cm that contains all I need. I can’t fit my bag into the top box without dividing things into three pieces of luggage, two plastic bags and my bag. Had I checked it out before I left I’d brought my own luggage, but the again it’s a German bloke who owns the company and he should know that you need some luggage space, but sadly the only one to blame is myself. I left with a slight drizzle that soon stopped, Thank you Dog for that. I navigating using my phone and maps.me and as usual the app or as in other cases ... read more

It was a special moment, I stared at Ubumwe open mouthed with awe. He looked me in the eye, decided I was boring, and turned away to munch his fistful of nettles. I’ve bored a few people over the years, but I’d never had a 500lb mountain gorilla decide I was dull. It’s all David Attenborough’s fault. When she was eleven years old my wife saw him rolling in the grass with these wonderful animals and a dream was born. That inspiration, allied with a judicious tax rebate, got us to Rwanda after an amazing safari in Kenya. We viewed the trip as a once in a lifetime experience (to justify the expense of it) and booked with Steppes Travel who gave us a first class, hassle free, experience. After we landed in Kigali we were ... read more

Rwanda. Les Pays des Milles Collines. The Land of a Thousand Hills. A gross underestimate, as every which way you look there must be a thousand hills in sight. Lush green fields and forests cover every inch. We've only flown less than a thousand miles but it's as if we've changed continent. We arrived at Kigali Airport at midnight, fully expecting the usual airport nightmare, but were instead greeted by a clean and modern terminal. The visa on arrival was quick and easy, the bags came out straight away, and a well-dressed taxi driver with a nice car greeted us at the door, offering the exact price I was expecting to take us into town. Green and clean, there was not a piece of rubbish in sight. This was not the typical African experience we'd had ... read more

Up early again. 0530 knock on the door wake up call. Quick shower, dressed and packed for our day out with Jason Dunstall.....The Silverbacks are calling us. Breakfast, pack a snack box and into the car for our exciting day. Still unsure what to expect but the day is clear and not too hot. What do you wear for such a day. Well ours started at the breakfast table where one of the staff fitted our long gaiters we had hired from the lodge. Lucky for us as it was a bit trickier that I thought. Strapped in and out to our waiting car. Back down the rocky road and off to the park headquarters where we have to register and be allocated to a group of 8 people all eager to see these mountain gorillas. ... read more

Get a sleep in this morning as we don’t have to leave until 1200. Late breakfast and we get a late check out - 1100. Meet a couple who had wanted to go to the shops to but some Safari desert boots thatbthe guide and some of the drivers were wearing. Had been given instructions on where to go, hir an Uber and it should be easy. I made the mistake of asking when they were going. Oops. WW4. End result was they spoke to the concierge, and came back. All sorted they said, the bus is coming 20 minutes early as it goes past the shopping centre and they can drop in and get the boots. Hmm, was that a question or a statement. Chris gets the hackles up a little and asks a few ... read more