Just returned from a weekend trip to Rwanda. Suffice it to say that nearly 30 hours on buses (28 to be exact) was still worth the quick trip to visit a long-time friend in Kigali (thanks for the hospitality, Clay). I got into Kigali on Friday afternoon, Saturday took another bus to the town of Gisenyi in western Rwanda, on Lake Kivu, which is bordered by Goma, a town in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which we did NOT visit (though if I had, I probably would not put on the blog as it is not the most advisable--but I want that stamp in my passport), and then bussed back to Kigali that evening, then hopped the bus back to Kampala on Sunday at mid-day. Whew. I think US cross-country airplane rides will seem like nothing after all these bus trips. Unfortunately, as I only had a very short time in Kigali, I did not go to the impacting genocide memorial or Hotel Rwanda. But I did see the Hotel Rwanda from the street, and plan to visit both on my next visit, which will happen, to Kigali and Rwanda.
I have included some pictures from the trip. There is a huge, active volcano which is amazing (and unfortunately could not get good pictures of due to the bus ride), and we also passed the mountain range where Dian Fossey did her research on gorillas, that was later turned into the book / movie "Gorillas in the Mist." Rwanda is the land of a thousand hills, and it is beautiful. For all you backpackers, put Gisenyi on your list, because not only is it somewhat affordable, but it is beautiful.
Lake Kivu, Gisenyi, Rwanda
Land of a Thousand Hills
The aforementioned mist in which Gorillas reside.
*All photos are copyright John M. Napier unless otherwise indicated.*
Lake Kivu, Gisenyi, Rwanda
Land of a Thousand Hills
The aforementioned mist in which Gorillas reside. 
