Eastern Rwanda birding report

Marcell Claassen has kindly forwarded me the full report of his recent reccie around eastern Rwanda. Text is pasted in below but for the full report with photos, maps, full species list etc, check out his birding blog or contact him at marcell@elegantafrica.com:   Wednesday, 16 Sept 2009  My drive from Kigali to Lake Muhazi in the …

New Rfr 100 coin

The Rfr 100 note will only be in use till December 2009, presuming end of December. This is replaced by the Rfr 100 coin which is already in circulation. At least that gets rid of those grubby notes. People should watch out when getting change and somebody trying to offload the 100-notes on them – …

Birding news from Marcell Claassen

Hi Philip Mid-September I spent 5 days in the East of Rwanda at Lake Muhazi (2 nights) and up in Nyagatare (1 night). Then down in Kibungo for 2 nights. All for birding and recce for the Rwanda Bird Atlas. Sky Blue Hotel in Nyagatare now only have rooms in the new section ranging from …

RIP Titus the Silverback

One of Rwanda's most famous gorillas has died of natural causes - full BBC report here

Nyungwe by public transport

We went to Nyungwe to do a chimp-tracking and the waterfall-tracking. We stayed in the ORTPN-guesthouse Gisura. Very nice place with good food. We came by public transport (Sotra and Impala), they can drop you off at the guesthouse (and also pick you up). Notice that for the chimp tracking to Cyamudongo you need your …

Moriah Hills & Paradise Malahide

We stayed at the Moriah Hill Resort in Kibuye. It is modern hotel situated at a beautiful quiet bay at lake Kivu. Despite the fantastic view and the good food you can not compare this with Paradise Malahide in Rubona, next to Gisenyi. The latter is more romantic with fantastic views at the lake and …

Hotel Barthos, Butare

In Butare we stayed in a nice hotel called Hotel Barthos. The hotel is set near the University campus. The Sotra-bus for Kigali / Nyungwe stops even at the hotel. The outside from the hotel could have been designed by Gaudi (Art Deco). The rooms are big but quite simple (all have hot shower and …

Ubushobozi Project, Ruhengeri

Hi Philip! I'd like to submit a fantastic, fun, free, off the beaten path excursion in Ruhengeri, Rwanda for your review. Ubushobozi Project (www.ubushobozi.org) is a small, grassroots non-profit organization/association devoted to educating and training at-risk and orphaned teenage girls. In a stable, social and caring environment, the girls are taught sewing (and have become …

A.E.E. Guesthouse

A great Kigali budget place is the A.E.E. Guest House in Kabeza. The rooms are spacious, clean and a bargain at 5,000 Rfr per person based on two people sharing. The staff are also incredibly helpful and friendly. The location is Remera towards Kabeza. It is an ideal base if you want to either get …