This time we revisit a topic that we introduced in episode #7 — Rwanda’s extraordinary Congo Nile Trail. But while a hiking guide answered common questions about it then, we are now interviewing two brave travellers who did it by themselves. In January 2023 Martin Hicks from the UK and Ania Kolodziejczak from Poland walked its entire 220+ kilometre length pretty much unsupported. Joined by Enock Musabyimana who has been leading guests on the Trail for almost a decade, Miha and Kahiri explore the advantages and disadvantages of doing such a grand trek independently. What did they pack? What problems did they encounter along the way? And maybe the most important question: how many times did they get lost? This is a must-listen episode for anyone who dreams about exploring rural Rwanda in an unusual way.
HOSTS
Joe Kahiri is a Ugandan recording and performing artist and the founder of Qwela, a top Afro-fusion band. Passionate about creating a positive shift in mindset through artistic creation, he resides in Kabale (Uganda). Kahiri’s articles: https://experts.gorillahighlands.com/daily-dose/author/kahiri/
Miha “Rwebandira” Logar is an adventure/cultural tourism expert, podcaster and lecturer. A Gorilla Highlands co-founder, he is an Ugandan/Slovenian national who resides in Musanze (Rwanda). Miha’s articles: https://experts.gorillahighlands.com/daily-dose/author/admin/
OTHER PARTICIPATING GORILLA HIGHLANDS EXPERTS
Marcus Westberg is a multiple award-winning photographer and writer from Sweden whose work — covering conservation, wildlife and travel — appears regularly in the New York Times and other global publications. He lives close to Lisbon (Portugal). Marcus’s articles: https://experts.gorillahighlands.com/daily-dose/author/marcus/
BRIEF YET SPECIAL VOICES IN THE EPISODE
Jon Lee, the Voice of Santa Barbara: https://experts.gorillahighlands.com/daily-dose/author/jon/
Omugurusi Festo Karwemera, our Patron Saint: https://gorillahighlands.com/karwemera/
ADDITIONAL LISTENING AND READING
“SABA Episode #7 — Congo Nile Trail & Staring at the Muzungu”; https://experts.gorillahighlands.com/congo-nile-trail-see-africa-breathe-africa-episode-7/
Congo Nile Trail main page with expert advice; https://gorillahighlands.com/congo-nile-trail/
Congo Nile Trail stories on our blog; https://experts.gorillahighlands.com/daily-dose/tag/congo-nile-trail/
🖋️ written by:
Jens De Pauw was the SEE AFRICA BREATHE AFRICA editor in 2023, sent to do a 6-month Gorilla Highlands internship by UCLL in Belgium. He lost his heart to the region and keeps coming back, or at least tries to convince others to visit. Jens advocates for a more just world by working for several Belgian NGOs and spends his free time running, hiking and cycling from a small village near Brussels, EU. [bio updated: 2026-03-19]
📸 featured photo by:
Martin Hicks is an experienced independent traveller who loves hiking above all. He spent three months in East Africa in 2023 and trekked the whole Congo Nile Trail without a guide — but in the company of his partner Anna. Martin recently walked 630 miles across England and is forever dreaming of a return to Africa. To finance his adventures, he is a digital project manager in London, England. [bio updated: 2026-03-30]