How rewarding! A week ago our office team spent a full day on Uganda’s notoriously terrible roads of Kisoro, preparing the ground for three Slovenian ladies about to embark on a three-day hike. Today we hosted them for lunch in Musanze, Rwanda, hearing their impressions. It all went swimmingly!
But let’s start with the most important part: Papa and Mama Abby, the new caretakers of Bukerahe Parish, transferred there by Church of Uganda. Andreja Širca, Petra Bradeško and Sabina Širca had no idea they would became their very first guests.
The hosts impressed, as expected. Both have experience with preparing food and snacks, speak good English and are naturally welcoming. As a bonus, they have two irresistible children — Abby (6) and Lenny (3) — that visitors will fall for.
Edson Munezero (33) and Generous Cyimpaye (27) met at a prayer conference after their lives took a religious turn. He had wanted to be a nurse; she had hoped for university. But school fees became an obstacle — as they tend to when your father is no longer alive (Edson’s story) or simply not a good man (Generous’s).
Arriving at their home on a stunning escarpment above Lake Kayumbu, you will notice this couple is more urban than other hosts, with a satellite dish and a solar-powered screen. Edson’s explanation: before he got a TV, Abby spent all her time at the neighbours’, watching theirs.
Our trekkers, however, do not expect TV time when they descend from Echuya Forest, their priority is a refreshing swim. We built a jetty at Kayumbu years ago, then repaired it several times, but in 2026 the water levels rose dramatically … We spoke to Laban Byaruhanga, an expert from Lake Bunyonyi, and within days a new deck was erected, fancier than ever. The Slovenians got their well-earned dip.
Our work didn’t end at Kayumbu. We met Yuventine Ochor, responsible for tourism at Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, to ensure authorities would be informed when our hikers moved near the park. We also checked on Amajambere Camp, where the ladies were to sleep — relieved to find it still managed by Bamboo Ecotours, with everything as expected.
The ladies hiked uninterrupted and had a good night before their Mt Sabinyo climb. Mission accomplished.
📸 photography by:
Edson Munezero became a trekking homestay host through the circumstances of his work: he was sent by Church of Uganda to lead one of its most remote churches. The youngest of 11 children, Edson dreamed of becoming either a medical or a religious professional — it was God’s will that he ultimately followed the latter path. He serves at Lake Kayumbu, Uganda. [bio updated: 2026-05]
Levi Ayebare was previously the man in charge of setting up Gorilla Highlands Experts tented camps on the Ugandan side of the region. These days, Levi is our tour guide and chef at Edirisa on Lake Bunyonyi; he lives nearby in the village of Bufuka, Uganda. [bio updated: 2026-03]
Sabina Širca is a software developer whose main thrill is to explore the hidden corners of our world, with a backpack on her shoulders and a camera around her neck (well, recently rather with a phone in her pocket). Her goal is to capture the magic of the moment for the sake of those who couldn’t trek with her. She adores unspoilt nature, authentic local life and mountain peaks, so her hiking in our region had only one imperfection: it was too short! Sabina can also be found tending her vegetable garden in Ljubljana, Slovenia. [bio updated: 2026-05]
🖋️ text and 📸 photography by:
ML Rwebandira — formerly known as Miha Logar — is an adventure and cultural tourism expert, writer and multimedia producer who co-founded Gorilla Highlands Experts. His most recent publication is the Pocket Treasure. A national of both Uganda and Slovenia, ML resides with his son Lan in Musanze, Rwanda. Click for his personality-infused quarterly newsletters. [bio updated: 2026-05]