We are back! To the beach! And in general!
Jambo from Essence of Africa, a trade fair on the eastern shores of Zanzibar. It’s happening in that building in the background.
For the next three extremely full days, Gorilla Highlands Experts will be showcasing the day experiences and treks of our region … but above all its people: our partners and tour guides.
Our photo journey of October (oh yes, every image was taken this month) begins with the new leaders of Echuya Forest in southwestern Uganda. Earlier this year, Uganda Wildlife Authority took over its management and is now assessing the conservation situation. Lawrence Kajura and Hassan Ssenyonga are Echuya’s main caretakers, and we visited them to share our long experience with the forest’s Batwa “Pygmies”.
Nearby, Lake Bunyonyi is the backdrop for our team trying on the brand-new print run of GHE t-shirts. Guests have been asking for a chance to buy them, guides would like extra pieces … and it’s quite handy to have a pile of them in the sweaty heat of Zanzibar!
Next comes Lake Mutanda, where Peter Harerimana’s family runs a coffee experience. We discussed how this cherished activity could grow into something more; they now offer visitor accommodation, for example.
The last stop in Uganda is Lake Kayumbu, where Edson Munezero, a church lay leader, hosts hikers on their way to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Some months ago we invested in a new swimming jetty, and he just took care of some additional repairs.
Rwanda opens with a fish feast at Lake Kivu. We have just added a new tour, Roz Carr’s Royal Circuit, and eating well in Gisenyi is part of the itinerary. Roxy Restaurant proved it can work wonders with the fruits of the waters.
In the same town, Cesar Niyonkuru has built a family home with what he earned guiding on the Congo Nile Trail. He is our top guide on the route and one of the mentors for GH Ambassador Training.
Our home, Musanze, is represented by Patrick Devuyst. Rwanda’s first chocolatier is a highly creative and proactive man, currently exploring how his business could become part of the country’s Formula One strategy.
The last photo is from behind the scenes: on Sunday night, less than two days ago, we were printing 50 reworked rate cards in Kigali. It’s a visually delightful document … but on its own, it’s just paper. What gives it meaning is every person in these photos: the forest protectors, the guides in fresh t-shirts, the coffee family, the lakeside homestay host, the fish masters of Roxy, the Congo Nile Trail expert and the chocolatier with boundless dreams. Over these three days, our real job is to introduce them to the world.
Wanna see what happens next? From now on, we will again be posting on social media and our website twice a week: every Tuesday and Friday.
🖋️ text and 📸 photography by:
ML Rwebandira is an adventure and cultural tourism expert, writer and multimedia producer who co-founded Gorilla Highlands Experts. Born as Miha Logar, he now combines his initials with “Rwebandira” to honour the Bakiga elder Karwemera, who gave him the name. ML’s most recent publication is the Pocket Treasure. A national of both Uganda and Slovenia, Rwebandira resides with his son Lan in Musanze, Rwanda. Click for his personality-infused quarterly newsletters. [bio updated: 2026-09]
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