Internet in Rwanda

It’s time to bust a myth around the quality of internet connection in Rwanda. I held on to my belief that it’s awesome for as long as I could (it certainly used to be very good – in the About me tab you will read that it was faster here than in South Africa – well, it really was, two years ago). Well, it’s time to stop fooling myself and face reality: it’s not that awesome at all.

New (crazy) prices of gorilla trekking permits

Yesterday the Rwanda Development Board announced new tariffs for gorilla trekking in the Volcanoes National Park. They doubled the price and don’t offer discounts to residents anymore. Actually, this is a fixed price for everyone, including Rwandans! Smart move, or have RDB shot themselves in the foot?

In the land of green lemons and powerful bosses: things that can surprise you in Rwanda ;)

I once wrote about things I was getting used to in Rwanda, and I think I am indeed already used to them 😉 But this doesn’t mean there aren’t other things which I still find strange or surprising. Nothing big mainly, but still. Like lemons 🙂

Kwibuka23 – remembering the Rwandan Genocide

It’s eerily quiet this morning. The only sound is birds signing, a rooster crowing somewhere in the distance, and rain lightly tapping on the roof. No cars, no people walking around, no voices. The only human noise I’ve heard so far is the neighbours’ little child crying.

Today Rwanda commemorates the beginning of the Genocide in 1994. Over the 100 days that followed, over 800,000 people were slaughtered. 

Killing dogs in Rwanda (updated)

I am a member of a Facebook group for expats in Rwanda, and it’s a great forum for literally anything – if you want to buy or sell something, get a pet, need tips about hotels, restaurants or things to do in the country and the region, look for advice on best internet provider, or just want to find friends. People also share their experiences of everyday life in Rwanda, including stories of best croissants they ever tasted, best massage and manicure in town, cool events they’ve attended, but also less cheerful stories of burglaries or thefts, bad customer service, etc. A few days ago a member posted that their two pups had been poisoned at night and died. The discussion that ensued made me want to scream…