Drive to Musanze and Canoe trip - 6th June

Waking up in Rwiza village 

Well my first thought was the aches and pains from the hiking yesterday. My back has seized up as has my left calf muscle - considering we’re meant to be doing the Dian Fossey walk tomorrow that could be interesting. 


Ben walked down to the side of the lake to watch the fishermen come back in, whereas I watched it from our balcony. Last night they went out in dribs and drabs, but this morning they came back altogether - a very impressive sight of around 12 lots of the three boats that they tie together, and again, they were all chanting as they row. 



Last nights goat was a bit chewy, (no worse than badly bbq’d pork) but very flavourful. Again served with chips - we are going to eat a lot of chips this holiday I think! 


As we left we have out some of the exercise books, pens and pencils we brought with us and the. Hold ten were so excited! If you do visit Africa, don’t take them sweets or money - stationery, shoes or sports stuff would be the most appreciated! 


Drive to Musanze

The road from Kivu to Musanze was the most affected by the wet season with many landslides. Driving the road meant dodging the piles of rubble and at some points, boulders the same size as the car. 

The nearer we got to Musanze the more life we saw. We passed people pushing their bikes up and down hills, laden with bananas, beer, potatoes or corn. (Or any other number of random things).

Musanze is busy and full of life. There are many schools around with children running after the cars to say hello! 



Kingfisher tours canoe trip 


Kingfisher (who we rented the car through) run canoe trips down the local river for a 3-4 hour afternoon of fun. They meet you at a cafe in Musanze centre, and then drive you to the start point. 

Our guide was Renson, who was brilliant. He was very knowledgeable about the canoeing and also about the bird life we saw on the way down the river.

There was a very small element of rapids (pro tip: the front seat is the best seat for this part) but it felt safe. Later on there is a fast flowing bit of water which you really need to be able to steer through, but it was okay and Renson gave us a pep talk before hand. 



There’s one tiny section where you get out and walk and it’s very muddy so either take water shoes that you don’t mind getting filthy or just embrace it and go barefoot! 

You are then met again at the end to go back to your start point at the cafe. It was. Great afternoon. 

We are now staying in the garden place hotel, for two nights. They have arranged early breakfast for us tomorrow ready for the volcanoes National park in the morning. 


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