Mass graves in Rwanda
Is a small country with one of the highest population densities in Africa. Most famous for the genocide that took place in 1994. During the ethnic conflict between the Hutu’s and the Tutsi’s millions of people were massacred.
Since that dark period, Rwanda has settled down to a state of relative calm in a surprising short time span. Known as Le Pays de Mille Colline (the country of a thousand hills) it will be a difficult place to cycle, but by then we should be suitably conditioned to cope with the terrain.
We intend to follow a route that goes roughly from north to south, although several detours will be required to allow us the chance to visit the places on our agenda. Which are:-
Park National Des Volcans: Described as one of the most beautiful sights in all Africa. This national park adjoins similar reserves in Uganda and the DRC. The backdrop in a chain of seven volcano’s with Karismbi at over 4,500m being the tallest of them all. The heavily forested slopes of bamboo and rain-forest are home to the rare mountain gorillas. If we haven’t managed to observe these animals in Uganda we may have an opportunity to do so here.
Gisennyi: Situated on the shores of Lake Kivu, this town is the place to go if you want to sample the best ‘beach’ resort that Rwanda has to offer. There are sandy beaches and the swimming is safe and free.
Park National Nyungwe Forest: Covering an area of over 970 sq kms it is one of the largest protected rain-forest areas in Africa. Some parts have the status as being the oldest on the continent. Within the forest are all types of primates with up to 400 monkeys in some troops alone.
