“I’ve never experienced anything like this before.”
Prior to the pandemic, Arsenal fan Richard Hall won a trip to visit Rwanda after taking part in the Visit Rwanda Champion’s Challenge. Find out what Richard and Mara got up to during their incredible 8-day adventure.
“When I won the Visit Rwanda Champion’s Challenge, not only did I win a trip to one of the most naturally beautiful countries in the world, with its thousands of hills and almost unrivalled biodiversity, but also to one of the safest and cleanest. I had known a little about Rwanda.
The sponsorship of Arsenal awakened my interest in a country I knew because of its tragic past, and as one of the few places in Africa you could visit the mountain gorillas – a dream I had had since I was a child since reading Gorillas in the Mist by Dian Fossey.” – Richard Hall.
Day 1
Kigali
Our trip started with a Go Kigali city tour of the capital, meeting locals in their day-to-day activities as we visited the market and met people in restaurants and coffee shops. We were pleasantly surprised by the quality and freshness of food here and during our trip, as well as the vibrancy and positivity of the people just 26 years since the Genocide took place. We visited the Kigali Genocide Memorial, something everyone should do to get a grounding in the history and learn how Rwandans are leading a ground-breaking national reconciliation programme.
Day 1
Our trip started with a Go Kigali city tour of the capital, meeting locals in their day-to-day activities as we visited the market and met people in restaurants and coffee shops. We were pleasantly surprised by the quality and freshness of food here and during our trip, as well as the vibrancy and positivity of the people just 26 years since the Genocide took place. We visited the Kigali Genocide Memorial, something everyone should do to get a grounding in the history and learn how Rwandans are leading a ground-breaking national reconciliation programme.
Day 1
Kigali
Our trip started with a Go Kigali city tour of the capital, meeting locals in their day-to-day activities as we visited the market and met people in restaurants and coffee shops. We were pleasantly surprised by the quality and freshness of food here and during our trip, as well as the vibrancy and positivity of the people just 26 years since the Genocide took place. We visited the Kigali Genocide Memorial, something everyone should do to get a grounding in the history and learn how Rwandans are leading a ground-breaking national reconciliation programme.
Day 1
Kigali
Our trip started with a Go Kigali city tour of the capital, meeting locals in their day-to-day activities as we visited the market and met people in restaurants and coffee shops. We were pleasantly surprised by the quality and freshness of food here and during our trip, as well as the vibrancy and positivity of the people just 26 years since the Genocide took place. We visited the Kigali Genocide Memorial, something everyone should do to get a grounding in the history and learn how Rwandans are leading a ground-breaking national reconciliation programme.
Day 2-3
History and Nature
We leave Kigali behind and hit the road to head southwest, via the King’s Palace Museum to the mountain rainforest of Nyungwe, one of the oldest and most important in Africa, yet little known. Staying at the spectacular One&Only Nyungwe House, with the rainforest surrounding us, we undertook chimpanzee trekking, a strenuous hike (but definitely worth it), and the Nyungwe Canopy Walkway – a leisurely (but high) walk over the jungle.
Day 2-3
History and Nature
We leave Kigali behind and hit the road to head southwest, via the King’s Palace Museum to the mountain rainforest of Nyungwe, one of the oldest and most important in Africa, yet little known. Staying at the spectacular One&Only Nyungwe House, with the rainforest surrounding us, we undertook chimpanzee trekking, a strenuous hike (but definitely worth it), and the Nyungwe Canopy Walkway – a leisurely (but high) walk over the jungle.
Day 2-3
History and Nature
We leave Kigali behind and hit the road to head southwest, via the King’s Palace Museum to the mountain rainforest of Nyungwe, one of the oldest and most important in Africa, yet little known. Staying at the spectacular One&Only Nyungwe House, with the rainforest surrounding us, we undertook chimpanzee trekking, a strenuous hike (but definitely worth it), and the Nyungwe Canopy Walkway – a leisurely (but high) walk over the jungle.
Day 2-3
History and Nature
We leave Kigali behind and hit the road to head southwest, via the King’s Palace Museum to the mountain rainforest of Nyungwe, one of the oldest and most important in Africa, yet little known. Staying at the spectacular One&Only Nyungwe House, with the rainforest surrounding us, we undertook chimpanzee trekking, a strenuous hike (but definitely worth it), and the Nyungwe Canopy Walkway – a leisurely (but high) walk over the jungle.
Days 4-5
Volcanoes National Park and Gorillas
Starting with a visit to the Dian Fossey research centre, we saw the conservation efforts that continue to this day to protect the magnificent mountain gorillas, which remain endangered but have a growing population due to the success of conservation and the safety they now enjoy. The trek to the gorillas was awe inspiring, visiting our cousins who share 97% of our DNA. We were lucky enough to visit the Susa family and a 39-year-old (same age as me!) Silverback weighing in at 200kg, as well as babies, females and juveniles! A dream fulfilled
Days 4-5
Volcanoes National Park and Gorillas
Starting with a visit to the Dian Fossey research centre, we saw the conservation efforts that continue to this day to protect the magnificent mountain gorillas, which remain endangered but have a growing population due to the success of conservation and the safety they now enjoy. The trek to the gorillas was awe inspiring, visiting our cousins who share 97% of our DNA. We were lucky enough to visit the Susa family and a 39-year-old (same age as me!) Silverback weighing in at 200kg, as well as babies, females and juveniles! A dream fulfilled
Days 4-5
Volcanoes National Park and Gorillas
Starting with a visit to the Dian Fossey research centre, we saw the conservation efforts that continue to this day to protect the magnificent mountain gorillas, which remain endangered but have a growing population due to the success of conservation and the safety they now enjoy. The trek to the gorillas was awe inspiring, visiting our cousins who share 97% of our DNA. We were lucky enough to visit the Susa family and a 39-year-old (same age as me!) Silverback weighing in at 200kg, as well as babies, females and juveniles! A dream fulfilled
Days 4-5
Volcanoes National Park and Gorillas
Starting with a visit to the Dian Fossey research centre, we saw the conservation efforts that continue to this day to protect the magnificent mountain gorillas, which remain endangered but have a growing population due to the success of conservation and the safety they now enjoy. The trek to the gorillas was awe inspiring, visiting our cousins who share 97% of our DNA. We were lucky enough to visit the Susa family and a 39-year-old (same age as me!) Silverback weighing in at 200kg, as well as babies, females and juveniles! A dream fulfilled
Days 6-7-8
Safari Adventure
If that wasn’t enough excitement, we then travelled by helicopter with Akagera Aviation to the east of the country in search of the Big 5! Rwanda, its people and its wildlife had been so generous to us so far and they didn’t disappoint here! A combination of day and night safaris from Magashi Camp by Wilderness Safaris and boat rides across Lake Rwanyakizinga saw us identify countless birds and mammal species including 4 of the Big 5 – elephants, lions, rhinos and buffalo (plus plenty of zebras, giraffes, impalas, hippos and crocs). Would the elusive leopard evade us on this occasion? A final night safari didn’t disappoint as we identified a magnificent male for several minutes, out on a hunt – a beautiful animal gliding along the plains in search of food
Days 6-7-8
Safari Adventure
If that wasn’t enough excitement, we then travelled by helicopter with Akagera Aviation to the east of the country in search of the Big 5! Rwanda, its people and its wildlife had been so generous to us so far and they didn’t disappoint here! A combination of day and night safaris from Magashi Camp by Wilderness Safaris and boat rides across Lake Rwanyakizinga saw us identify countless birds and mammal species including 4 of the Big 5 – elephants, lions, rhinos and buffalo (plus plenty of zebras, giraffes, impalas, hippos and crocs). Would the elusive leopard evade us on this occasion? A final night safari didn’t disappoint as we identified a magnificent male for several minutes, out on a hunt – a beautiful animal gliding along the plains in search of food
Days 6-7-8
Safari Adventure
If that wasn’t enough excitement, we then travelled by helicopter with Akagera Aviation to the east of the country in search of the Big 5! Rwanda, its people and its wildlife had been so generous to us so far and they didn’t disappoint here! A combination of day and night safaris from Magashi Camp by Wilderness Safaris and boat rides across Lake Rwanyakizinga saw us identify countless birds and mammal species including 4 of the Big 5 – elephants, lions, rhinos and buffalo (plus plenty of zebras, giraffes, impalas, hippos and crocs). Would the elusive leopard evade us on this occasion? A final night safari didn’t disappoint as we identified a magnificent male for several minutes, out on a hunt – a beautiful animal gliding along the plains in search of food
Days 6-7-8
Safari Adventure
If that wasn’t enough excitement, we then travelled by helicopter with Akagera Aviation to the east of the country in search of the Big 5! Rwanda, its people and its wildlife had been so generous to us so far and they didn’t disappoint here! A combination of day and night safaris from Magashi Camp by Wilderness Safaris and boat rides across Lake Rwanyakizinga saw us identify countless birds and mammal species including 4 of the Big 5 – elephants, lions, rhinos and buffalo (plus plenty of zebras, giraffes, impalas, hippos and crocs). Would the elusive leopard evade us on this occasion? A final night safari didn’t disappoint as we identified a magnificent male for several minutes, out on a hunt – a beautiful animal gliding along the plains in search of food
If you’re interested in seeing the natural world, culture and visiting some of the most majestic animals that we have on this planet, I would encourage you to Visit Rwanda. Rwanda offers a safe, secure and vibrant entry into Africa with great people and food to top it off.
