I always thought I was fairly acquainted with my country, however, I am not. Warmly known as “the land of a thousand hills”, Rwanda is small but fast-growing, and whereas many of us grew up here, we are yet to discover what this green nation has to offer. When people talk about adventure, crossing oceans or climbing mountains is what comes to mind, however, doing something out of the ordinary, or getting out of your comfort zone can be just as thrilling. And if you’re going to seek adventure, what better way is there than to start at home? Do locals take as much time to discover the beauty of their own country, or are we going to sit at home and say; “that is for tourists”? Instead of getting comfortable watching chimpanzees only on Nat Geo Wild, why not head to Nyungwe Forest in the southwest and see these fascinating animals for yourself? Beds might be comfortable, but where’s the adventurous spirit that will have you camping in tented villages in Akagera National Park in eastern Rwanda? Just imagine it — a night under the stars and moon. Some will say that a warm bath has ‘healing powers’, but this isn’t about the tub in your house. This is about Mother Nature. Going by indications from people who’ve visited the Gisenyi hot springs, referred to as ‘magic waters’, the ‘healing power’ theory might just hold water. Visiting the hot springs for a cure is not news there — they attract lots of visitors all through the year. One of those visitors should be you. Beauty lies in what we accomplish as a nation; 24 years after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, we’ve accomplished quite a lot. One weekend, sign up with a local tour agency and treat your family to an adventure on the road — don’t stick to one place, go to as many places as you can when you get the time. Go see gorillas or have breakfast with chimpanzees, visit the national museum and be informed about the history of the country. Take an adventure around the beauty that is Rwanda. editorial@newtimes.co.rw
