Southern/East African Trip 2019

Day 48 & 49 – 26 th & 27 th July 2019 We left Kigali for Volcanoes NP after breakfast and arrived at Kinigi Guest House just after lunch – a fabulous road all the way.   Because we’d have an early start the next morning, we decided to stay in rooms instead of camping.   Wow, three nights’ accommodation on the trot – we were really spoiling ourselves 😊. You can imagine the excitement in the morning - time to see the Gorillas!!!   The briefing at Volcanoes NP HQ took place at 07h00, however the entourage consisting of our group of four, two porters and our guide commenced the trek at 10h00.   They don’t call them Mountain Gorillas for nothing – a steep hike of around 5 km’s and although I had to stop to rest and get my breath several times, I was ably assisted by the porter on the very steep and rugged terrain.   During the return down the mountain we couldn’t believe that we had actually climbed all that way up, although it did take half the time going down than wha

We left Busisi around 08h15 and arrived in Benaco at 16h00.   It took us close on three hours to do the last 60 km’s due to the very badly potholed road.    Thank goodness we would only have another 18 km’s from Benaco to the Rusumo Border Post.   Unfortunately, this is the only way in and out of Rwanda from/to Tanzania, which means we have this rotten road to contend with on the way back. Unfortunately I cant show you haw bad the road is because the wifi link here is to weak to upload pictures. Our night in Benaco at the Starmax Motel was a truly “African” experience (Richard and Lynn – even more so than our stay at the “Lodge” in Kanga, Botswana!).   Amos, the Manager was extremely friendly.   The rooms were clean, but the en suite left a lot to be desired – French toilet, shower and basin the same cubicle.   The town was experiencing a power outage for the last three days already, so there was no water either.   Thank goodness we are totally self-sufficient in our c