Rwanda

[Pro Tour Punditry]

I have been mulling over a plan of sorts* for a few months, which involves a visit to Rwanda. I have looked at the costs of flights, and that's about it. The "plan" would be to travel and follow the Tour of Rwanda cycling race so a bit of proper planning would be required if/once it got to more than mulling it over, and it would be in 2018 at the earliest. I also know it's one of the smallest countries in Africa and is less than 1/3 of the size of Scotland**

Have any CCers visited? If so, any comments? - will I need "jabs", what "things" should I consider regarding travelling around, etc etc.

I shall obviously have a closer look and have a contact via twitterland if it moves to anything more than mulling it over but thought I'd seek personal experiences here.


*I frequently mull things over and nothing comes of it so this might be a load of old boll*cks and come to nothing

**interesting or what?

 

[Pro Tour Punditry]

I was there in April 1994 - not the best time to be there, and I've been back a couple of times since. Despite everything, Rwanda is a fantastic country.

You will need jabs - and malaria prophylaxis- but it's worth it.

Things to do? Visit Diane Fossey's grave, Go to Kimironko Market in Kigali. Obviously, go gorilla trekking (although Uganda is actually better for that). Visit Lake Kivu. Do the national parks. Visit the King's Palace at Nyanja. Chillax entirely... it's a very laid back place - in an oddly Germanic way.

Cheers Reg, looking at the Tour of Rwanda routes for the past few years they pretty much take in the entire country so I would be looking at working in some "tourist" stuff if possible but would be looking at trying to follow as much of the race as possible - given that it is a small country I was thinking that it would be possible to move around with relative ease, but have no idea about travel infrastructure so might be way off the mark and will maybe need to revise that and work in more "tourist" stuff along with less racing stuff. But looking at the main roads it looks as if it could be possible to work in both with relative ease as the start/finish towns are all connected.

2015 route

2016 route

 

[summerdays]

I've been close to the border... in Uganda in 1992. I loved Uganda, and often wonder what changes have occurred since.... we stayed with friends who were there working with a charity.

Go and experience it, I'm sure it would be fantastic!

 

[growingvegetables]

*I frequently mull things over and nothing comes of it so this might be a load of old boll*cks and come to nothing

Mistake #1.

Now the combined membership of CC will be on your case. We'll carry you kicking and screaming onto the ******* plane and manacle you in, if necessary.

You're going.

 

[Pro Tour Punditry]

Mistake #1.

Now the combined membership of CC will be on your case. We'll carry you kicking and screaming onto the ******* plane and manacle you in, if necessary.

You're going.

Mrs M usually knows when I am "mulling over" and when I might just get round to doing it.

Tonight she said "just make sure you come back you daft bast*rd" - she didn't stipulate that I had to be in one piece or alive...

 

[growingvegetables]

... she didn't stipulate that I had to be in one piece or alive...

We're not making any stipulations either.

 

[Hill Wimp]

Go for it.

It will make better reading than the usual trip to Europe.

 

[ianrauk]

Be silly not to.

 

[Globalti]

I went there before the war and found it a fascinating place. People are charming and hospitable. It's a beautiful country. I haven't been back since but I hear the government maintains a firm grip so there's good security and little corruption, at least at street level anyway. If you are staying in local hotels use mozzie repellant and coils to avoid being bitten. The accepted wisdom is to take prophylactic drugs but they are powerful so Europeans I know who live in tropical Africa don't bother, they just take steps to keep mosquitos out of their homes. Your medical insurance company will have something to say on that, no doubt.

 

[threebikesmcginty]

Do us all a favour and get a one way ticket.

 

[Crackle]

I get some great coffee beans from Rwanda. Can you bring me some back?

 

[Levo-Lon]

What an amazing trip to do..

 

[Debade]

Great advice from User. I was there 2008. In addition to Reg's suggestions visit the Holocaust memorial. Do not miss mountain gorilla trek. Expensive but once in lifetime! We did the trek in Rwanda.

We visited many countries iin southern Africa and at that time felt Rwanda was the safest. We actually saw women walking alone at night. A rare occurrence in the countries we visited

 

[Bimble]

Definitely go if you can; you'd regret it if not.

Can I have some coffee too if you're putting an order together?