RobertMitchell

Yesterday I sent the second of my deposits for July 2007 safaris in Kenya, Tanzania, and Rwanda and secured travel insurance. We will be using Roy's Safaris in Tanzania and their affiliate in Kenya and R&N Xplorer in Rwanda. We will spend roughly a week in each country.

I thank members of this board for asking questions I had thought of and some I hadn't thought of and the responses provided by other members.

I discovered Wayne's East Africa Journal and since it was very close to the trip I envisioned I sent him many emails with questions which he graciously answered and he provided me with a DVD of his trip.

All that is left is securing airfare, making final payments and waiting until July 2007

waynehazle

You are quite welcome Robert! I am honored

July 2007 may seem like a million years away, but it will be here before you know it. I can't believe that 3 weeks more will make it a year since my trip.

Finding this board has been such a great find, and I certainly hope to be able to make the LA get together and meet some of you.

By the way Robert, I advise lots more reading. Check the trip report index and read some of the incredible reports.

Travel Africa & Africa Geographic magazines are great reads.

Even if you have seen them already, Out of Africa, Ghost & the Darkness, Gorillax in the Mist, Hotel Rwanda. Also track down SOMETIMES IN APRIL, another movie on Rwanda that is ultimately better than Hotel Rwanda.

And of course every Natioanl Geographic special you can find

Lucia78

Shooting Dogs is also recommended---about the Rwanda genocide. Though it's not out in the U.S. You can find it in the UK.

You're going to have a great trip!

matnikstym

Shooting Dogs is available from Netflix in the U.S.

Lucia78

Really? We couldn't get it through them. Were you able to?

matnikstym

I added it to my queue and said release date unknown. it's in my saved folder

jules39

We watched Sometimes in April last week and thought it was excellent (even though I was choking back the tears through most of it) Highly recommend it. I have few books I have bought in prep for our trip to Rwanda in Feb but have not read any yet. I tend to go to Amazon or the like and do a search and have found some great pre reading for past trips so I continue to do that.

By the way Wayne we too have booked our gorilla trip through R&N after reading your report. I was concidering another company but have all the same stuff with R&N for less money so Thank you for making me aware of them. We go in Feb so there will be a report following then!
J

waynehazle

Jules39,

I wish you the very very best on your trek. How many days will you be in Rwanda? Are you just going for gorillas or will you see more of the country? See if you can request Richard as your guide. Imelda just had him also. He is a great great guy.

Soon R&N Xplorer and Africa Point will have to start giving me some kinda kickback

nige

Hi Robert , thinking of using R and N Xplorer next year for gorilla trekking in Rwanda and Massa Mari safari. I see that your going this month so could you give me some feedback please . hope you have a great time
Nigel

jill_h

Nigel, We have just returned from the Rwanda gorilla trek and used R&N Xplorer by way of WayneHazel's input (yes WH you should get kickbacks!). We really only needed a driver, but when they said they could take care of hotel, permits, etc., we were IN. They did a very fine job and I would definitely recommend and use them again. Have fun!!!

jules39

Nigel we used R&N in Feb for gorilla treks in Rwanda. They did everything we asked and everthing went very smoothly. If you click on my name you will find my trip report which may have some interesting info for you.

Happy travels J

waynehazle

And as much as I like seeing my name in lights and I like seeing R&N getting business, real start of the show here is the Land of a Thousand Hills itself.

When it comes to landscape and countryside, Rwanda is by far my favorite place ever.

This Sunday 60 Minutes just re-aired a segment on several women who survive the genocide by hiding in a bathroom... for MONTHS. Amazing stuff. One day Rwanda will not be so defined by the genocide but it is an important part of the history to read about. Please visit at least one genocide memorial whether in Kigali or somewhere else.

And of course enjoy the gorillas (and bring warm jammies in stay at the Gorilla's Nest )

jules39

Wayne you are so so right. Rwanda is stunning. My only regret about our vist there was that we did no have long enough. And yes the genocide is an unfortunate part of what makes Rwanda today what it is so a visit to a memorial is a must. We went to the one in Kigali and also stopped at a small one in a village. Obviously no displays etc at the one in the village, it was an open air place where some victims were buried. Very moving. Helps you get perspective on things.
Happy travels
J

Lucia78

I would highly recommend trying to visit one of the memorials outside of Kigali. While Gisozi is moving, it is modeled after the Holocaust Museum in Washington D.C. and is more of a museum. Kibuye's Church is very moving as it was been rehabilitated by the survivors. Murambi is incredibly upsetting, but so important. Basically, there are 5 large memorials and many many more throughout the country. Most of the memorials show remains and bones, so no one can deny what happened.

waynehazle

I would love to hear from someone who has been to Murambi since it opened.
When I was there in 2005 the visitor's center was still being worked on. So pretty ALL we saw were the rooms of bodies and clothing.

waynehazle.com/eastafrica/rwanda/roll36/index001.html
First two pics are not Murambi

nige

Thanks for the feedback on R and N safaris. I've taken the plunge and booked safari in Kenya ( Masai Mara)and gorilla trekking in Rwanda . Trip planned for Oct 08 to catch annual migration . cant wait....and keep the stories coming ..great to read !
Nigel

going_2_africa

"Shooting Dogs" was released, in theatres, in the U.S. as "Beyond the Gates." The dvd release date is September 18, 2007.