Exploring a Thousand Hills: Ruhondo, RW

The thick air in Ruhondo makes every movement feel like a heavy cardio session. I wondered. Am I out of shape? But, it’s not that. It’s the fact that we are over 5,000 feet above sea level. It’s the fresh air— views of the lakes, sights of the Virunga volcanoes, the beautiful stories along the journey from Kigali as we pass through the hills, going both off road and highways.

Driving around Rwanda is a unique experience. One way or another, having even just the basic knowledge of car mechanics and physics makes the biggest of difference. Our car of choice is a 2007 Nissan Patrol. It’s my friend Olivier’s car. After a heavy night of drinking and a morning full of regrets. We needed an escape. Somewhere we could clear our minds, get away from the busy Kigali life, and recover. The air is cool. The night stars are as clear as ever. It’s paradise.

It’s not just the lake. Ruhondo is land that was created by volcanic activity. Lava flows blocked rivers which formed this land. It’s surrounded by steep hills and volcanic soils. Fish farming is common among locals. Mostly tilapia. As with most African countries. But we’ve been told you can also find mussels and crawfish.

There are many activities to do here, as the tourism sector grows. Including canoeing, kayaking, and guided gorilla tours as you hike up the mountains and volcanoes. But we didn’t come to do none of that. We came to reset. But next time I’ll be back, those are definitely things I’d want to try.

We stayed at My Hill Eco Lodge. It’s a lovely place. The staff are friendly. And the views from the rooms are stunning(I will be back to do a in depth review).This was a last minute trip, and we were lucky to find this hidden gem. And I don’t exaggerate when I say “hidden”.

Here’s the thing: you don’t get the full experience in a day. Or even a weekend. This town doesn’t want to be understood. It wants to be explored. Sure— you’ll be out of breath a lot of the time. Finding this place was no joke. The gps wasn’t working, but it made the trip more fun. It was dark. And at some point the patrol got stuck. It took myself, two of friends, and a kind local to help us figure out how we would continue with our journey.

Roadtrips aren’t just about getting to your destination. It is the moments you experience along the way. The kind locals you meet. The food you eat. The different cultures you experience.

Ruhondo is a town that doesn’t ask for your approval. It’s not waiting for you. You show up, you get swept in, or you don’t. Either way, life keeps moving.

And honestly, that’s the beauty of it.