| Amakuru (hello
in Kinyarwanda dialect)
2009 began with fantastic trip to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Leaf Life got underway and we planted well over a 100 trees! Uganda
was followed by a quick visit to see where the “other half” live
in the Virunga National Park, Rwanda.
Rwanda is truly “the land of a Thousand Hills,” home
to the “other half” of approximately 200 Mountain Gorillas
which live and survive in the Virungas. It’s a quick 1½ hour
drive from Kigali, Rwanda’s capital, to where the gorillas
live and the drive is stunning as you climb up through endless hills
of bananas and Irish potato plantations.
Highly recommended reading:
“Shake hands with the Devil” by Lt. Gen. Romeo` Dallaire
(The failure of humanity in Rwanda)
Gorilla news: three, five and seven day journeys are now on offer
to magical Rwanda.
Please contact me for a suitable itinerary and quote.
Kwaheri (goodbye)
|
Approaching the park, I was surrounded by five massive cloud capped
volcanoes which rose before me like mystical giants.
Safe amongst them are Rwanda’s famous gorillas and gravesites
of Dian Fossey and her beloved Digit.
The highlight of my trip was meeting Francois, tracker to the late
Dian Fossey. What an honor to be guided by one of the greatest of
all time. A trip to Rwanda would not be complete without a visit
to the Gisozi Genocide Memorial.
XA! nini Rwanda everyone …...when
are we going to Rwanda?
| RWANDA FACT FILE: |
| • |
Rwanda is a polythene free country!
For environmental reasons, plastic bags have been banned. |
| • |
On the last Saturday of every
month, all Rwandan’s take to their neighborhood streets
and clean-up. By example, even the President, Paul Kigame
cleans his area. Kigali is the cleanest city I have seen
in Africa let alone the world! |
| • |
Primus is the local beer. |
| • |
Parc National des Volcans is
home to seven habituated gorilla families as well five picturesque
volcanoes. |
| • |
Gorillas indulge in over 200 plant species in
the Park with bamboo shoots being their favorite. |
| • |
Francois, the late Diane Fossey’s
tracker is an active guide in the park today. |
* All pictures copyright Lisa Marsden |
