When I was invited to visit Rwanda–my first journey to Africa–I knew immediately that I had to go, but I wasn’t sure what to expect. As an adoptee of mixed race, I had grown up unsure of my biological background. In adulthood, an ancestry test revealed my African roots, and Rwanda was noted as one of the African countries of my ancestors.
Sure, the wildlife watching was a big draw–gorilla trekking has been a dream since I first watched Gorillas in the Mist back in 1988, and I had heard that Rwanda was one of the best places to see the “Big Five” without the crowds. But I also wanted to see if I felt a connection with the culture, and the people. Would they recognize me (and accept me)?
The 10-day journey took me to all four corners of the country, where I stayed in 6 different hotels, explored 3 national parks, and visited several communities and cultural sites along the way. I spotted the Big Five at Akagera National Park; took a guided walk through the ancient Nyungwe forest, crossing a series of suspension bridges where I spotted some of the over 300 bird species that habitate the area (and some primates too); I stopped in Gisakura for an immersive tea experience with IVOMO, a social enterprise created with the purpose of promoting cultural and community-based tourism; I stopped in various communities to connect with the local culture, and yes, I trekked with gorillas too, in the same place where Dian Fossey had conducted her research and connected with the species many years ago.
I came home brimming with stories to share (links to my published work below), but there are so many more reasons to visit Rwanda. Interested in learning more and possibly going yourself? Read my stories below, and who knows, I may have more to share soon.
Beyond Gorilla Trekking: I Went to Rwanda to Connect With My African Roots (Fodor’s Travel)
Roasting Resilience: Nadine Umutoni’s Coffee Mission (Canadian Geographic)
Don’t Skip Kigali Before Heading Out on a Rwandan Gorilla Trek (The Globe & Mail)
I Got Up Close to Gorillas in Rwanda (Zoomer Magazine)
Want to see more of my adventures? Be sure to follow me on Instagram, X (Twitter), and Facebook for a peek behind the scenes.
