A Thousand Hills and A Million Smiles

Africa » Rwanda
October 18th 2016

Published: October 19th 2016

Curving hillside roads, waving kids, contagious smiles, vista views, a palate of greens, and everywhere people walking, walking, walking. On their heads they carry anything from feed for their cows to logs used in construction. And this is just a scratch on the surface of the sights and delights we discovered during our 1-week visit through Rwanda. Lured by the challenge and thrill of trekking... Read Full Entry

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Schroeder family

Shanghai Sheri

In 2006, our family began what we thought was a 3 year adventure of living and traveling in China. But like Gilligan, our 3 year tour turned into something much longer and deeper than we expected. This was just the beginning of our cultural travels and blogs. 3 years turned into 6 years and included a time of residence in South Korea as well. The kids have all transitioned into and out of college leaving us as empty nesters, but not empty of ambitions to continue to explore the world. Come along with us as we seek to expand our understanding of this marvelous world in which we live! ... full info

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Lake Kivu

Beautiful lake, beside which, we enjoyed a scenic and peaceful lunch. Mountains in the distance are in DRC.

Our 4x4 and driver

Once off the main roads, this vehicle was put to the test over nearly impassable back roads leading to deep forest trekking start points.

Appreciation

More roadside travelers

Sabyinyo

Morning view from 5 Volcanoes boutique hotel where we lodged to visit Volanoes National Park

Gorilla naming site

This location, with Sabyinyo volcano in the backdrop, is where the annual naming of the baby gorillas takes place. A child is selected from the local village for each of the new gorilla babies. The baby will receive the child's name and the child will stand holding a sign with that name on it. Thousands attend this festive celebration.

Morning mist Volcanoes National Park

Emmanuel and Ben

These 2 boys have become pen-pals since meeting them when taking this photo

Typical home construction

Golden monkey taking a break from chowing bamboo

Hauling potatoes

We saw many bikes like this loaded down with multiple heavy sacks of potatoes, often struggling to wheel them up steep hills and over rough terrain in effort to bring them to daily market.

Pampering

After trekking, we were greeted at our hotel with juice and hot towels. Attendants would remove and clean our muddy boots, gaitors, and trekking poles and return them spic and span by the afternoon.

Pre-trekking entertainment

Traditional dancers set a joyful mood prior to embarking on our treks.

Local dancers Volcanoes National Park

Gathering site

This is where the daily trekkers meet in the morning before assignment to a group. Each day, up to 10 groups with no more than 8 people each are allowed to trek to an assigned gorilla family.

Rain forest trail

Up, up, up we trek to the level on the volcanoes where the bamboo grows and gorillas hang out

Mama and 6 month old baby

She looked me in the eye and did not register even an inkling of threat even though I sat within about 7m of her baby.

Silverback

25 years old and one of 2 silverbacks in the family we visited.

Lounging together

After eating, this is what the older gorillas mostly were doing

Jousting

These "black back" males beat their chest and batted at one another in playful practice

Here he comes again!

The independent 3 year old coming at us.....

19th October 2016

Ake Och Emma
Ake Dahllof and Emma Holmbro

Thanks for your blog entry
Thank you for writing about Rwanda. I couldn't agree with you more when you say that Rwanda is a much better travel destination than people in general might think. We loved it when we were there. It was clean, safe and relatively easy to get around. Good roads, the food was good and the accomodation was above expectation as well. /Ake

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