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The Flavours of Lake Bunyonyi: From Garden to Treehouse
How about this for a lunch spot … or up in a treehouse, legs swinging, lake views for days? Yep, that’s Edirisa on Lake Bunyonyi for you. Whether you’re a meat-lover, veggie, vegan, or have one of those “my tummy says no” diets, we’ve got your back. And if choosing from a menu sounds like…
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That Sweet Yellow Passion
Is there a better taste in the world than a glass of yellow juice freshly squeezed after a long hike? That first sip is life! This very tasty juice, which can be drank without sugar as it is often sweet enough already, originates from the passion fruit (Passiflora edulis). The common type found in the…
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Another Step Towards Peace in DR Congo
It never hurts to hope. If this declaration marks a step towards the “end a decades long fighting in eastern Congo”, its impact on our shared region could be profound. The signing follows last month’s USA-brokered peace agreement between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda.
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Historically Marginalised People: Ancient Culture on the Congo Nile Trail
Tucked along the Congo Nile Trail, just 7 km from Rubona (Gisenyi), is a chance to interact with the indigenous people of the Gorilla Highlands: the Batwa, in Rwanda also known as “Twa” and officially termed “Historically Marginalised People”. Because of the country’s tragic experience with the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi — a huge…
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His Community’s Story Spans Continents & Centuries
Is Zohran Mamdani the most famous Ugandan at the moment? In New York for sure! The article explores his Khoja merchant community that brought textiles, manufactured goods, spices and gems to East Africa — and even the Aga Khan Development Network. You may also like: Lake Bunyonyi’s Island of Death BBC about Bunyonyi: Successes, Failure…
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Can an Alarm Clock Be a Symbol of Love?
Most guests at Edirisa on Lake Bunyonyi wake up grinning, blinking at the sunlight and thinking, “Oi, what is that racket?” It’s not your alarm. It’s a cheeky dawn chorus, courtesy of the Cinnamon-chested bee-eaters. These feathered show-offs have taken up residence in the eucalyptus forest around Bunyonyi, and they’re not exactly shy about it.…
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Three Silverbacks, One Happy Gorilla Family
📁 GorillasIf you are advised by the Gorilla Highlands team, your gorilla tracking adventure in the Virungas will most likely introduce you to the Nyakagezi family in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Forget what old books or Google tell you, these friends of ours haven’t left Uganda for over a decade! They are usually found in the…
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Harvard Green Prize in Urban Design Goes to Rwanda Institute for Conservation Agriculture
RICA is expected to have a net-zero carbon footprint through landscape design, construction methods and the use of locally sourced materials. The project is completely powered by an on-site 1.5MW solar array that also supports a network of lake pumps, filtering stations, and irrigation systems.
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Packing Smart for the Congo Nile Trail: Gear, Tips & Luggage Transport
The Congo Nile Trail is a peculiar hiking/biking experience that doesn’t neatly fit into our previously published “What to Pack for Rwanda, Uganda and the DRC.” That’s why we’re devoting this article to what in particular you should have in your bag on the banks of Lake Kivu. First of all, unless you’ve decided to…
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Rutinda: Lake Bunyonyi’s Capital of Dugouts & Drinks
Lake Bunyonyi has a mini capital, and trust us, you won’t miss it! Rutinda — named after murutindo, which means “bridge” — is your springboard to all the coolest islands. It’s where you catch boats, stock up on crisps and secondhand fashion, print things you forgot existed, and possibly end up partying way past bedtime.…
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Naughty Beer of the Volcano Gods
“It tastes like wine!” has been the funniest remark from our guests when we’ve introduced them to the famous beer of the Virungas. This very nutritious sorghum drink is called obushera/ubushera and has a rather peculiar, bittersweet taste. It does not resemble wine! Sorghum is a cereal crop widely grown around our volcanoes. The planting…
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The Speed Trap of Boda Bodas/Motos
If you believe that you are safer because you’ve ordered your motorcycle taxi through an app, think twice. Yes, the risk of harm from the driver may go down — but to make a living, they still have to ride fast … You may also like: Smaller Twins Are Handsome Too Cyimbili: Fishing the Sunset,…
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Explosive No More: The Congo Nile Trail’s Clean Energy Stop
📁 HikingDo you know that Lake Kivu, right on the Congo Nile Trail route, holds a powerful secret? Beneath the lake’s tranquil surface lies one of the world’s largest reserves of methane gas — and Rwanda is using it in a groundbreaking way. Methane is a natural gas found underground and in deep lakes. It’s colourless,…
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History of Glory & Dignity
How do you, 100 years later, help Africa write its history of glory and dignity? Lumumba’s life was eventually cut short — he was killed for being ahead of his time — but what’s stopping us now? You may also like: Perfect Custodian When Lions Ate Letters His Community’s Story Spans Continents & Centuries SABA…
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The Quiet Revolution Under the Rusty Tin Roof
Our pupils had never seen mushrooms so massive! All because of the most hands-dirty Wheeling2help project ever … This big-hearted bunch of volunteers from Cyprus and Greece have truly found their home on the shores of Lake Bunyonyi! Their organisation backs Bufuka Primary School with scholarships, hot meals, learning materials and a good dose of…
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Smaller Twins Are Handsome Too
Three pretty sets of twin lakes can be found nestled on the Rwandan and Ugandan side of the Virungas, and we usually spin tales about the bigger siblings only — Lakes Burera, Kayumbu and Mutanda. The reason is that these lie directly on our trekking routes … But today we are correcting this omission with…
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How Safe Is the Congo Nile Trail in 2025?
In recent months there have been concerns about security in the area around Lake Kivu. News from DR Congo has cast a shadow over what are in reality the very peaceful Rwandan shores. As a team of people who live just minutes from the border and who have guided countless travellers along the Congo Nile…
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Missed These? Our Top 3 Posts So Far
3 fabulous territories, 2 short months, 1 astonishing region … What’s made our Top 3 moments so far?After two months of reporting across three distinct territories, we’re singling out some standout stories you won’t want to miss:The Virungas: a cow-fluencer transforms Rwanda’s Bigogwe Lake Bunyonyi: Batwa “Pygmies” feast with Greek volunteers Congo Nile Trail: the…
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