Rwanda with Professional Safari Guide, Gordie Church (Safaris Unlimited – Africa) ~ by Sue & Bear
Our trip to Rwanda with Gordie Church created memories of a lifetime. We travel frequently and we can’t emphasise enough how Rwanda is wonderfully clean and safe. It is truly, “The Jewel Of Africa”. We have traveled to Kenya, Botswana and Zimbabwe with Safaris Unlimited, but Rwanda now holds a special place in our hearts. This nation is, “The Land Of A Thousand Hills” and that beauty is reflected in the care the people take in their country. It is immaculately clean – from Kigali to rural villages, the streets are hand swept daily and the land is deeply cared for. Rwandans are unfailingly polite, kind, and hard-working. From its people, to the lush landscapes – it was the adventure of a lifetime.
The Rwandan People
The Rwandan people have suffered greatly from the 1994 genocide and have slowly re-built and improved their country with great pride. A visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial is a must and provides a good foundation for exploring the country and understanding its recent history. Since the genocide, all citizens work one day a month doing community service during their “Umuganda”, which translates to “coming together in common purpose to achieve an outcome”. Our visit to this genocide memorial (for there are many all over the country) was remarkable and unforgettable. Our guide was a young survivor of the genocide, allowing us a firsthand experience. We walked away with a loss of words and a full heart for the attitude of forgiveness the Rwandan people live-by. Our driver told us, “we are no longer Hutus or Tutsis, we are all Rwandans”.
Akagera National Park
With Gordie, as our exceptional guide, we visited Kigali, Akagera National Park, Nyungwe National Park and Volcanoes National Park. On our drive from Kigali to Akagera, we got a first look at the beautiful countryside that is Rwanda – lush and green. We stayed at the well-appointed Magashi Camp on Lake Rwanyakazinga. Our tents were comfortable and staff welcoming and warm. We enjoyed our game drives with a guide who was a local village success story. We continued to witness the pride of Rwandans in their country. Our excursions were excellent – allowing us to view a recent lion kill, rhinos (even a baby rhino), elephants, giraffes, Cape buffalo, zebra, hippos, crocodiles and abundant bird life. We also enjoyed a night safari and a boat trip on the lake which culminated in sundowners on the shore.
Nyungwe National Park
From Akagera, we took an hour long helicopter ride to The One & Only Nyungwe House, which allowed us to see the country from above, witnessing miles upon miles of green hills and tea plantations. The One & Only did not disappoint! The staff is friendly and helpful, the grounds and room beautiful, and the food is outstanding! While at this resort, we enjoyed a tea tasting and participated in an educational tea demonstration, learning how tea is harvested, dried, and produced. We enjoyed the Canopy Walk on a long suspension bridge and trekked to visit the busy chimpanzees. Nyungwe is impossibly beautiful, lush and was truly a remarkable and memorable experience for us!
Volcano National Park
Driving to our final destination, Singita Kwintonda Lodge in Volcanoes National Park, we enjoyed more of the stunning countryside. Singita is unparalleled by any lodge we have traveled to – with perhaps the most spectacular view ever! The lodge looks over the Virunga Massif at a 7,000 foot elevation. Our room was beautiful and spacious, complete with living room, bedroom, huge bathroom/closet/dressing area, outdoor fireplace and private plunge pool. The staff is extremely well-trained and friendly. The hotel provides everything necessary for both the Golden Monkey trekking and Gorilla trekking (boots, jackets, gaiters, waterproof pants, backpacks, etc). Both treks were outstanding, with the gorilla trekking being much more challenging than the golden monkeys. We loved the treks and experiences, and are forever thankful to the guides and porters for their help navigating the slippery, steep hills. Again, the Rwandan people made the hike easier for us by reminding us, “pole-pole,” meaning “slowly-slowly”. While in the Kinigi area, we visited the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund museum and the local Women’s Centre. The women at the centre entertained us with dancing and teaching us crafts (basket weaving, sewing, wood carving). We were able to purchase beautiful local crafts to take home.
Traveling with Private Guide ~ Gordie Church
Gordie has been our professional safari guide for each of our three trips to Africa. Each trip was without a glitch, every detail handled brilliantly. Gordie, born, raised and living in Kenya, seemingly knows every plant, bird, geography and history and is like traveling with a personal encyclopaedia. He is not only extremely knowledgeable about all things Africa, but his sense of humor and wittiness is quite entertaining! Dinners with Gordie were always a particularly fun, educational experience. The private guide experience in Africa removed the stress of traveling, and allowed us to sit back and enjoy the trip. In considering future visits to Africa, we would always choose Safaris Unlimited, and hire Gordie as a private guide, knowing that our experience will be first rate in every way!
