With wildlife as rare and spectacular as Rwanda’s mountain gorillas, it is understandable that many tourists come to the land of a thousand hills primarily
to trek these endangered creatures in their stunning natural habitat. Yet, more and more visitors are discovering the wonder and value of traveling outside the borders of Rwanda’s national parks. From bustling city markets to moving memorials, there are many opportunities to engage with Rwanda’s welcoming people, participate in local traditions, and learn about the country’s painful history and promising future. However, there is arguably no better way to experience these things than to participate in a tour of the Millennium Village.                        More

There’s no doubt about it, Rwanda’s majestic great apes get the gorilla’s share of tourists visiting Volcanoes National Park. Especially in the high season, which runs from June through August, trekkers must book months ahead to secure one of each day’s highly-coveted 56 mountain gorilla permits. However, there’s plenty more to see and do in Volcanoes National Park besides going gorilla trekking. If you’re spending more than a few days in the area, or you want to experience the park’s beauty but can’t afford a $500 gorilla permit, consider a day trip to visit the
Dian Fossey site or to hike to Mt. Bisoke’s crater lake.
Dian Fossey Site
If the hike to the site of Dian Fossey’s researchcenter and grave teaches you anything it’s thatFossey was one tough lady.                                                               More

As Felix details the minutiae of the NCDF’s committees and general assembly, my mind starts wandering to gorillas and tomorrow’s tracking adventure. Surrounded by bright red flaming lily trees, floating yellow billed kites scanning the fields for a tasty rodent meal, intensely terraced hillsides abutting thick jungle and 360 degree views of the ghostly extinct volcanoes jutting up abruptly from the valley floor, I wonder what the muscled mounds of black fur are doing today. Perhaps crossing a ravine in search of some favorite food like spiny nettles, or lazing by a stream at the forest’s edge.                          More

What is Homeopathy? By Petra Behnsen
Homeopathy is a natural, holistic system in medicine based on the principle the law of similars. Homeopathy literally translated means “homoios”= similar, “pathos”= suffering. The use of homeopathic remedies is based on the discovery that a natural substance is capable of curing the same symptoms it can cause.
For example:
A person suffering from insomnia in conventional medicine would be prescribed a remedy to relax in order to fall asleep, following the Law of Opposites.Homeopathy might look at the remedy „coffea“ (coffee), which in most healthy persons causes
insomnia but taken in highly diluted dosage stimulates the body’s own healing mechanism following the Law of Similars, like cures like.                                       More

Saturday morning, June 13th, 60 cyclists lined up at Remera Stadium, in Kigali, to compete in the two day, three stage race, Tour of the Volcanoes. This race kicked-off the week long festivities for Kwita Izina - the annual naming ceremony for new born gorillas. There were cyclists from several different cycling clubs around Rwanda as well as the Rwandan National Cycling Team, and teams from Burundi, Tanznia, Uganda and Kenya.
The cyclists started in Kigali, racing the 116km to the entrance of Volcanoes National Park in Kinigi. Abraham Ruhumuriza, from Team Rwanda was first across
the line, followed by Nyandwi Uwase and Nicodem Habiyambere. After a short rest, the cyclists prepared for the final stage of the day 85km from Kinigi to the shores of Lake Kivu in Gisenyi. Nyandwi Uwase, entered his hometown first across the finish line.                                                                                                                          More

Rwa Makondera (Rwandan Horns) Children’s Dance Troupe is a project from Ivuka Arts Studio that aims to launch Rwandan art to global heights by bringing Rwanda’s traditional dances to an international audience.After seeing children beg for money on the streets of Kigali each day, Ivuka Arts Founder Collin Sekajugo was moved to help these youngsters by teaching them a skill that could help them earn an income. He quickly recognized that a dance troupe could be just the thing, providing not only skills but also a much-needed sense of belonging for these
marginalized youths.RwaMakondera brings together children from disadvantaged backgrounds and places them in an artistic community that nurtures their talents and gives them a platform for self-expression, By training under caring adults who take a genuine interest in their wellbeing, these youngsters are given a renewed sense of hope and possibility for their future.                                                           More