Nyungwe Forest Lodge
We had often heard of Nyungwe Forest Lodge is a 5-star establishment. A 5-star establishment in Nyungwe National Park. How exciting. My wife and I decided we must go and try it out. And so we made reservations through Primate Safaris and drove to Nyungwe Forest.
The drive is not long from Kigali, it took us approx. 3 hours and most of the road is really good. We left in the morning and our plan was to be there for lunch. The lodge is just a few kilometers from the main road and the access road leading up to the lodge from the main road is also good. Definitely saloon car accessible if anyone does not have access to a four-wheel drive. Arriving at the lodge we were impressed by its beautiful surroundings. The lodge is built just on the edge of a tea plantation overlooking the extremely dense and beautiful Nyungwe forest. The area is so tranquil we almost felt like we were a million miles from civilization.
The lodge boasts 24 luxury rooms, of which 15 are King size bedded luxury rooms, 7 are twin bedded luxury rooms, and 2 are King bedded suites. All the rooms and suites are facing the forest and each has its own balcony. We opted for the King size bedded luxury room. The cost of one night at Nyungwe Forest Lodge for my wife and me was US$ 400 per night. We did inquire about the suite but at a price of US$ 600, we felt it was too high. Prices include lunch, dinner, breakfast, and selected beverages. We felt this price was extremely high and was definitely of what a 5-star establishment would normally charge but would Nyungwe live up to its star rating. Would it be worth it?
Upon arrival, we were given hot towels to clean our hands. Check-in was a breeze and we were immediately shown to our room. Our room was spacious and well equipped with more than sufficient amenities you would need at a forest lodge. We had a small balcony overlooking the Nyungwe forest but since the forest is so dense there is not much to see. The bathroom, I have to say was one of the most beautiful bathrooms I have seen in any hotel room. The bathtub was in front of a window overlooking the bedroom, a separate shower unit with a large shower head, a separate toilet enclosure, and his and her hand washbasins with a huge mirror. Overall the layout of the bathroom was superb and we were very impressed by the bedroom as well.
Once we were settled in we made our way to the main lodge where the dining area is. We had lunch on the verandah overlooking the lodge rooms, the tea plantations, Nyungwe Forest, and the mountains in the far distance. Lunch was mediocre. We were expecting much better for the amount we had paid and for the 5-star rating. I have eaten much better meals visiting quite a few safari lodges in Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania. After lunch, my wife had booked a spa treatment for herself. I opted for a swim and a nice cold drink by the poolside and my wife was going to join me after Health Review her spa, however, our excitement was short-lived. The solar heating for the pool was not working and the temperature was a bit too chilly for me to dive into the cold water. Due to the high altitude of Nyungwe Forest, the temperatures are generally low (1600m to 3000m above sea level). We were extremely disappointed the pool heating was not working and this was our first major setback at Nyungwe Forest Lodge. We did express our disappointment to the staff but there was not much they could do except apologize. This left me to take a small walk around the lodge to explore a bit more of what this lodge had to offer after which I retreated to the balcony in my room to relax and listen to the sounds of the forest while my wife went for her spa.
There are activities for people with more energy than us. The lodge offers trekking for Chimpanzee, Black and White Colobus Monkey, Grey Cheeked Mangabey, Blue Monkey, and Golden Monkey. There are also swamp walks, waterfall walks, bird-watching walks, cultural area walks, and various guided walking trails which can take anywhere from 1 hour to 7 hours. As I am not such a fan of the above options I opted out of the activities, however, I have heard from various sources that the bird watching walks are worth it. Apparently, there are over 275 bird species in the Nyungwe forest. This is bird watchers paradise. By late afternoon my wife was back from her spa which I am glad to say she would thoroughly recommend to anyone. The lady giving her the spa treatment had extensive experience in various treatments unlike many lodges/resorts/hotels which advertise spa treatments and you end up getting just an oily massage. The spa room itself is beautifully positioned overlooking the Nyungwe Forest.
In the evening we headed up to the main lodge dining area and as the weather was not permitting we could not eat on the verandah as we did for lunch. We opted for the main indoor dining hall. Before we went into the dining hall we sat in the lounge area and had a few drinks and went through the wonderful selection of Africa safari books they had. We ordered for dinner from the lounge and when our meals were ready we were politely ushered to the dining hall. Dinner again was mediocre. I was starting to get disappointed with the food as I am a food lover and I enjoy eating but I didn’t enjoy the lunch and dinner I had so far. Again the question of the 5-star rating comes into play and you wonder whether the food was actually representative of a 5-star establishment.
We had asked for the fireplace in our room to be turned on during the evening but we were told that if it is raining the smoke from the fireplace would not be able to exit the chimney properly and the smoke might end up back in our room. This again showed either a design fault or the staff member we spoke to not bothered to go to our room and turn on our fireplace in the pouring rain? I was hoping it was not the latter as the staff so far were very helpful. After dinner, we had a hot bath and the feeling of relaxation, once you are inside of a bathtub, was great. We rarely have a bath, much prefer a shower but having a bath in this modern-designed bathroom reminds you of why you go to a lodge. To relax and unwind. And this bathroom allows you to do just that.
The next day we were woken by the wonderful sounds of monkeys and birds near our room. Once again we felt a million miles from civilization and it was a great feeling. We had a wonderful, relaxing, lazy breakfast on the verandah after which my wife opted for another spa treatment and I sat about admiring the beautiful view from the main lodge. Again my wife enjoyed the spa treatment.
We then set off back to Kigali having had a very relaxing one night. Would I go there again? Not for this price. I felt there were not many activities if you are not a bird or chimpanzee fan and the solar heating for the pool not working is a major disappointment. Would I go back at half the price? Possibly would then consider. There are however quite a few lodges opening in Rwanda and I hear at much more reasonable prices so Nyungwe Forest Lodge might have its work cut out to attract clients. Nevertheless, it is a beautiful lodge in a superb location with great facilities, a great spa, and great staff. It just needs a few more activities and a solar heated pool and a more
reasonable room rate.
Msaada Development Agency
The Msaada development agency was established in England in 2005 to help the people of Rwanda to restore their dignity and their livelihoods that were destroyed during the horrific genocide in 1994 by establishing self-help income-generating projects. It funds agricultural projects that assist widows and orphans of the genocide to become self-sufficient. Msaada supports profit-making projects run by the Rwandans themselves, that fund a range of physical and psychological care and legal advice to widows and orphans still suffering from injustice and trauma after the dreadful events of 1994, and, primary, secondary, vocational, and university education for children who were orphaned by the genocide and who have no means of support.
Msaada involves the people themselves in solving their own problems and is guided by their capacity, skills, experience, and vision. Msaada enables families to make their own decisions on rebuilding their lives and in their fight for justice and against crushing poverty. Through Msaada’s school’s exchange program, they encourage understanding and co-operation between the youth of the UK and Rwanda, as well as raising awareness among communities in the UK of the evils of genocide and how they can assist those who have suffered it to overcome the dreadful consequences.
Msaada works with local organizations, AVEGA, a self-help widows’ and orphans’ association, and SURF, the Survivors’ Fund. Msaada’s Projects include The Subiruseke Vocational Training Centre. The charity funds the school to rehabilitate four widows’ homes each year that are in a poor condition. The trainees gain invaluable practical building experience. Msaada has also funded a youth recreational center at the school.
Msaada supports over 70 students with bursaries to attend The Excel Bilingual School, a local initiative, started by parents and teachers, to provide quality education with the emphasis on a high standard of English and French, to all the children of the Kigabiro Sector, without reference to ethnicity. Msaada is assisting over 100 young people to attend local state primary and secondary school. Msaada has paid for the construction of a science laboratory at Rwamagana Secondary School to improve the quality of education available to students there. The laboratory, while basic by Western standards, is the most modern facility of its kind in Rwandan schools. Msaada has also paid for audiovisual equipment at the school to enhance the educational experience.
Msaada assists with the running of a computer training center for young people to improve their computing skills at AVEGA Est. The Count D’Angerville Honeybee Project provides some 60 families in Nyarabuye with beehives to enable them to earn an income from the production of honey and wax. The project provides families with modern high-yielding hives which produce some 35kg of honey a year each. As well as providing
vitally important income, the bees also pollinate surrounding plants and crops increasing the yield for the entire community. Following the genocide, thousands of elderly people were left without any family, with horrific injuries, and unable to fend for themselves. Following heartrending pleas from AVEGA, Msaada agreed to provide the funds to sustain a number of these elderly disabled.
What people are saying about Msaada:
“I commend you on the outstanding work being done by Msaada. It may seem a drop in the ocean in a situation where there is great need but to those who benefit, your help is a Godsend.”– Archbishop Desmond Tutu
“Msaada’s extraordinary work is bringing a life-force of hope and stability to one of the most damaged societies on Earth. I give them all my admiration and support.” – Joanna Lumley, Actress
“We who care about what happened in Rwanda in 1994 owe it to those unfortunate people to let them know that some of us are willing to share their pain and to do something meaningful to help address it.” – Fergal Keane, Msaada founder
For more information, please contact:-
Msaada Development Agency
Website: www.msaada.org
Rwanda Shines in Conservation Where Her EAC Partners Falter
The government in Kigali stands out from amongst the partners in the East African Community through a number of things, but for the purpose of this article particularly in their stand on conservation and environmental protection.
Some years ago, when the ‘kaveera pest’ swept across all of Eastern Africa, Rwanda took an unprecedented step to ban the production, importation, and use of plastic bags, and following a short and sharp campaign the prohibition stuck and is in fact being enhanced yet more through an amendment to existing law. Other countries in the region bowed to the pressure of well-connected industrialists, looked to justify their diddling and dithering and while marginally amending their own laws as to the micron strength of plastic bags, the curse is still with us and pollute our environment as do the darned plastic bottles which are littered almost everywhere, turn caps and shrink wrappers included.
But the focus of this article is on wildlife conservation, protection of crucial ecosystems, water towers, forests, rivers, and lakes where Rwanda truly excels, said to be the envy of others but at the same time bringing global recognition to the country with positive ‘fallout’ in other areas of the economy and trade. President Kagame, an enlightened leader by any standards, has taken good advice to heart and his directives about environmental and conservation measures to his cabinet have been translated into action.
Re-forestation is now ongoing in Rwanda on a nearly unprecedented scale, closing crucial gaps between once-connected forest patches and this goes hand in hand with publicity and public awareness, and education campaigns, but also evictions were necessary to stop encroachment and keep wildlife habitats intact. Better agricultural methods are being employed to increase food production, instead of carving out more and more land from protected areas for that purpose, and the use of affordable electricity is being promoted, notably through a soon to be built methane gas the power plant, tapping into the gas trapped deep underneath Lake Kivu so that the use of charcoal and the
indiscriminate felling of trees can be reversed.
The country’s tourism successes speak for themselves, as the accolades Rwanda receives abroad draw even more visitors into the country, making the tourism sector the number one foreign exchange earner and breaking record after record in an almost unreal trend. The establishment of the Nyungwe Forest National Park a few years ago widened Rwanda’s tourism attractions and the success of this park – including its unique treetop walk – has fueled rumors that another forest national park may be in the making to provide more choices of itineraries and fulfill the country’s tourism vision to attract quality tourists who are staying longer and spend more money, making the ‘industry’ succeed in the long run for generations to come. However, in comparison much more needs to be done across the national borders, in Uganda, Kenya, and particularly Tanzania, where ‘the corridor of destruction has brought the global wrath of conservation and ‘green’ groups upon the government in Dar es, Salaam.
Mining concessions for gold and other precious minerals are located just ‘beyond’ the Serengeti’s borders towards Lake Victoria and need to be connected to Arusha and the coast by a new highway, which however threatens to cut the Serengeti National Park into two parts and is crucially thought to have a massive and irreversible impact on the great herds of wildebeest and zebra, which presently draw hundreds of thousands of tourists to Tanzania year after year.
The highway is also due to connecting to the planned soda ash extraction plant at Lake Natron, where again concerns and objections of leading experts are being tossed aside – here the imminent danger is the destruction of the sole breeding grounds of the lesser flamingo, which while presently appearing across Eastern Africa in their millions could soon be reduced to a few patches, making the ‘pink shores’ of the Rift Valley alkaline lakes only a distant memory. At the Tanzanian coast, the Tanga Marine Park at Mwambani is under threat as a harbor extension is being planned there, at exactly the spot where ancient, almost prehistoric fish are found and where only a few years ago a marine national park was launched.
In Kenya, just to give one example, the Nairobi National Park, a true gem right next to the capital city, is under growing threat. The ancient migration routes across the Athi plains are already all but gone, fenced off for pastures, farms and residential estates, threatening the crucially important DNA exchange with migratory animals. It is however the pressure for yet more land, which is the greatest threat for NNP in coming years, as the present population of an estimated 3 million inhabitants is expected to triple, eventually completely encircling the park and arguably snuffing the life out of it as we know it, turning it into a large ‘safari park’ similar to those in Europe and North America but fundamentally changing its essence and fabric.
No one can be sure what future governments in Nairobi will do and if not eventually the rocketing real estate prices will lead to degazetting in small portions, accelerating until nothing is left. A nightmare scenario – undoubtedly for all the friends of the Nairobi National Park. In Uganda, it is Mt. Elgon National Park which has become a hotspot but even Queen Elizabeth National Park or some of the game reserves like Pian Upe are under growing threat.
Land grab at Mt. Elgon, incidentally a crucial national water tower, is almost normal and it is only the threat of yet more landslides – a growing rip over a stretch of about 40 kilometers around the slopes of the mountain has opened up progressively more under continuous rains and ongoing illegal logging – is making it possible for authorities to stem the tide of invasions into the park. Uganda Wildlife Authority’s staff consider a posting at Mt. Elgon a real hardship assignment and several of their colleagues were in the past attacked and even killed while defending the park’s integrity and its wildlife.
At Queen Elizabeth National Park it is the fishing villages, well embedded along the shores of Lake Edward and Lake George, which have attracted a lot more people from ‘outside’, although set aside initially to cater for the original ‘habitants’ and their descendants only and cattle invasions have caused running battles between UWA rangers and the invaders, who in the process also regularly poison predators, causing a substantial loss of the lion and hyena population in the park through the use of highly poisonous chemicals banned in many other
parts of the world.
Conservation is never easy, always full of the challenge to keep growing populations reconciled with having protected areas set aside near where they live and percolate benefits to those who live nearby, derived from tourism and conservation income. But when tourism has become a key sector of the respective national economies, has attracted megabucks in foreign investments, is responsible for hundreds of thousands of direct and a multiple of that for indirect jobs across the region, the very foundation of wildlife-based tourism, an intact environment needs to be looked after at almost any cost, unless our governments are ready to sacrifice the sector on the back of ‘progress and development’, when the sanction ‘development’ at the expense of intact nature for which tourists travel from around the globe to our shores to see and experience it. Rwanda seems to have struck the happiest coexistence and balance of the two, in spite of being arguably the most populated country in East Africa in terms of people per square kilometer, and inspired leadership committed to these goals has much to do with it.
I do not deny that all of our East African leaders do spend a thought or two, at times at least, on the environment and the need to protect it at nearly any cost, lest we leave a burned earth behind for our children’s children. Yet, that is clearly not enough and they need to listen more to green advocates and conservation gurus, just as President Kagame apparently does, and not envy him his success to raise the New Rwanda from the ashes of the 1994 genocide. They need to emulate him and his actions and copy much of what makes Rwanda such a tourism and conservation success story today. The Land of a Thousand Hills, born out of the ashes of one of the darkest tragedies in recent human history, is always worth visiting, always worth the journey.
The Author
Prof. Dr. Wolfgang H. Thome
Twitter: whthome
Blog: www.wolfganghthome.wordpress.com
Gorillas in the Clouds in Bwindi Forest, Uganda
Every bend, from behind the medicinal smelling eucalyptus trees, in the doorways of ramshackle mud houses, and on the edges of the deep red earth farm fields, overflowing with flowering potato buds and stacks of thin poles waiting for climbing beans, pointed upright, heavenward, as if already in prayer for a good harvest year. Our used plastic water bottles are the ever-smiling kids’ prize, which may be used to hold liquid, but are just as likely about to be transformed into a plastic model car or other toys which will see years of use clambering up and down these impossibly steep green hills.
I caught a lift up the mountain skirting the Southern edge of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park with Mark Mwine, the always animated Regional Enterprise Officer with the International Gorilla Conservation Program (IGCP), a Rwanda-based NGO dedicated to saving one of the world’s most endangered great apes. The largest of all primates, only 720 of these magnificent and gentle creatures remain, clinging to life on the steep smoky slopes of the Virunga Volcano range straddling three East-Central African countries recently troubled by conflict and civil strife: Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
This region skirting Africa’s Great Rift Valley has seen a renaissance of peace and prosperity lately, with Rwanda rapidly becoming East Africa’s IT hub, and Uganda’s economy continuing to outperform the majority of those on the rest of the continent. Though the Congo lags, with its complex civil war still simmering, infrastructure and communications in Bwindi and neighboring Volcanoes National Park are good, and tourists have been flocking increasing numbers to witness Africa’s gentle giants in one of the world’s most spectacular settings – a true “gorillas in the mist” adventure.
“Working with communities is a challenge, but a challenge we need to manage in order for them to own conservation, and this can be achieved through access to tangible benefits from conservation activities,” explains Mark as we dodge fattened, braying goats and local mamas heading to the fields, tiny babies in tow secured snugly to their backs with slings made
from wildly patterned bright cloth. He is explaining one of the concepts underpinning Clouds, a newly opened luxury gorilla tourism lodge perched at the top of our mountain destination in the village of Nkuringo. Opened with little fanfare in September 2008, Clouds represents the next step in the evolution of gorilla conservation.
With support from IGCP and the African wildlife Foundation and building and management from the local Uganda Safari Company, Clouds is owned and operated by the Nkuringo community and surrounding villages.
“The Nkuringo Community Conservation and Development Fund (NCDF) includes 30,000 people in 23 local villages, and in addition to benefiting the local communities, it is designed to expose tourists to local people and culture” explains the eager NCDF coordinator Felix Byomuhangi in his simple office, which doubles as a craft shop, across the rocky road from the Bwindi National Park office near the mountain’s summit.
At this elevation, the sun dripped fields of plenty have slowly been swallowed by the clouds and mist, temperatures noticeably dropping several degrees. As the puffy grey sky threatens rain, Felix spells out what the aptly named Clouds Lodge brings to local people: a portion of each night’s stay goes to projects such as water tanks, schools, roads, sheep, cow and pig raising, potato farming, tree planting and a number of other relevant community projects. “The communities incorporate them into a five-year development plan. Lodge money goes into one pot, and the executive board, which consists of one elected member from each community, prioritizes which projects to fund.”
Read MoreZen Oriental Cuisine
Sushi
Sushi is a Japanese dish consisting of cooked vinegary rice which is commonly topped with other ingredients, such as fish or other seafood, or put into rolls. Sliced raw fish by itself is called sashimi, as distinct from sushi. Sushi that is served rolled inside or around dried and pressed sheets of seaweed (or nori) is makizushi.
Dim Sum
Dim Sum is a traditional Cantonese cuisine. They come in a variety of small, delicious, steamed, or fried buns, dumplings, or rice rolls which contain a range of fillings that include beef, chicken, vegetables, or prawn options. The size of a dim sum is usually small so it is always a good idea to choose a number of different varieties of dim sum when you place your order. Zen Restaurant serves a wide variety of dim sum and they range in price from 3,700-7,200 Rfw.
Zen Restaurant has a wide variety of different meals to choose from their menu and these range from starters to soups, salads to their signature dishes, sushi to dim sum, and noodles to rice – not to mention their delicious desserts.
The Starters on the menu range in price from 3,700- 11,200 Rfw and one can order meals like the Spicy Chicken Wings, Lettuce Wraps, or the Crispy Duck Rolls. The Soup on the menu ranges in price from 4,200-6,000 Rfw. As a lover of great-tasting soup, I ordered the Tom Yum Soup (mushrooms flavored with lemongrass, chili, kaffir leaves, and lime) for 4,200 Rfw and it was heavenly. It was spicy and delicious and I just couldn’t get enough (despite the fact that they served the soup in a big bowl that would have satisfied two hungry souls with ease). The Noodle and Rice dishes vary in price from 2,000-5,500 Rfw and their Signature Dishes from 4,800-19,000 Rfw – the latter will get you a Whole Lobster!
Once you’ve managed to get through one or two of the meals that are served and you find you have enough room to“spoil yourself” a little further, why not try one of the desserts on the menu. I ordered their Chocolate Mousse which was pure decadence – it was creamy, rich, and downright delicious. Zen is fully licensed and they have a good selection of wines and spirits, beers, and cold drinks. They also serve a variety of different teas and coffees – in my opinion, they serve the best African tea with Ginger I have ever had.
The waiters/waitresses at Zen Restaurant are attentive, well dressed, have a friendly manner, and have an even better understanding of what’s on the menu. They make you feel comfortable the minute you walk in. I thoroughly enjoyed my first visit to Zen Restaurant. I enjoyed their delicious food and their excellent service and I will definitely be going back. As a vegetarian, I was most impressed by how many vegetarian meals they had on offer, and for that reason alone, I will be going back.
For reservations/more information, please contact: Zen Oriental Cuisine, Just pass MTN
Centre, Nyarutarama, Kigali.
Mobile: +250 782588593.
Email: melaniecordero@zenkigali.com
Invasive Alien Plants (Congress Weed)
Many plant species have a strong ability to grow in similar situations but away from their native habitats. The result is that many plants are now found in places where they did not originate. This process of the global distribution of plants has been happening for millions of years. In the past 1000 years – as people have dispersed across the globe – this has speeded up, escalating still further over the past 300 years as modern world travel has developed.
Plants have been distributed as crop plants and ornamentals to foreign lands, often displacing the local flora with negative consequences. In many, if not most, cases of invasive alien plants that have originated from horticulture are plants selected by gardeners for the same qualities that make them potentially invasive. Some of these characteristics are rapid growth, early maturity, large quantities of seeds that are easily dispersed, the ability to out-compete other plants and diseases, and pest resistance.
Like many other parts of the world, Africa has also been affected by the global distribution of plants. With its diverse natural environment, Uganda provides habitats suitable for many species ranging in origin from the tropics to Mediterranean-type environments and deserts. These plants are termed ‘invaders’ because they spread and displace the indigenous plants. The question then is ‘Why are invasive alien plants such a problem?’ Apart from displacing the natural flora and therefore impacting negatively on biodiversity they also use more water than the better-adapted natural flora.
They also intensify wildfires should these occur. These negative impacts call for concerted action for the control of these invasive alien plants. Some of the most widespread offending species in random order are Lantana Camara (Lantana), Solanum Mauritianum (Bugweed), and Parthenium Hysterophorus (Congress Weed or Parthenium weed).
Parthenium weed (Parthenium hysterophorus) Common Names:
Parthenium Weed, Congress Weed, Bitter Weed, Feverfew, False Ragweed, Whitetop, Carrot Grass, Santa Maria, Karottenkraut (German), Camomille Balais (French-Reunion). Parthenium weed is regarded as one of the worst weeds in Uganda because of its invasiveness, potential for spread, and economic and environmental impacts. It has a serious impact on the pastoral industry, costing farmers and graziers in reduced production and increased management costs. Some people suffer severe allergic reactions to the plant or its pollen; prolonged contact can cause asthma, acute dermatitis, and respiratory problems. Parthenium weed is toxic to cattle, and meat from livestock that eats the weed can be tainted. It also threatens the biodiversity of native grasslands in Uganda.
Mature plants are normally about 1 m tall
Description
Parthenium weed is native to the subtropics of Central and South America. It is a fast-maturing annual with a deep taproot and an erect stem that becomes woody with age. It may eventually reach a height of 2m. Its leaves are pale green, branched, and covered with soft fine hairs. The small white flowers (4mm across) have five distinct corners and grow on the stem tips. Its large and persistent soil seed bank, fast germination rate, and ability to undergo dormancy make it well adapted to semi-arid environments. It also releases chemicals that inhibit the germination and growth of pasture grasses and other plants.
The distinctive branched leaves are covered with soft, fine hairs.
How it spreads
Parthenium weed can produce large quantities of seed, up to 100,000 per plant. More than 340 million Parthenium weed seeds per hectare can be present in the surface soil, compared to 120,000 native grass seeds. The seed is easily spread by vehicles, machinery, and animals, and in pasture seed, stock feed, and water. Most long-distance spread is in produce, vehicles, and farm machinery. It can also be spread by flooding and by animals.
Where it grows
Parthenium weed grows best on alkaline, clay-loam to heavy black clay soils but tolerates a wide variety of soil types. It aggressively colonizes areas with poor groundcover and exposed soil such as wastelands, roadsides, and overgrazed pastures. It does not usually become established in undisturbed vegetation or vigorous pastures – drought and subsequently reduced pasture cover create the ideal opportunity forParthenium weed to establish. A flooded country is also very prone to Parthenium weed.
Lifecycle stages
With the right conditions (rain, available moisture, mild soil, and air temperatures), Parthenium weed can grow and produce flowers at any time of the year. In a good season, four or five generations may emerge. In summer, if plants are stressed (e.g. due to lack of water), Parthenium weed can complete its life cycle in four weeks. Buried seeds have been found to last much longer than seeds on the soil surface, and a significant proportion can still germinate after eight to ten years. Parthenium weed is best suited to areas with an annual rainfall greater than 500 mm. Parthenium weed can flower all year round
Control Methods:
The aliens described here, and indeed many others, are invasive because they are difficult to control. Successful control measures have been developed but in many cases only after detailed research and good results can only be expected if attention is paid to detail. For example, some methods are specific to a particular weed or growth form.
Hand pulling
Hand pulling is effective where infestations are small and the invaders are shallow-rooted.
Mechanical removal
Ploughing the weed in before plants reach the flowering stage and then establishing pasture may be effective. Before crops are planted, Parthenium weed is normally ploughed in, or pre-emergent herbicides can be used.
Burning
Burning is not a useful control strategy for Parthenium. However, research suggests that burning for other purposes (eg woody weed control) will not result in an increased infestation of Parthenium so long as the pasture is allowed to recover before stock are introduced. Stocking of recently burnt areas known or suspected to contain Parthenium weed decreases competition, ultimately creating a more serious infestation. Permits may be required to burn, so check with your local council. While Parthenium weed is certainly something landholders should try and prevent invading their properties, it can be managed. Although it is unlikely to totally eradicate
Parthenium weed, we must live with it and manage it appropriately.
Cuttings
Nearly all invaders will coppice if cut once, but repeated cutting during the growing season causes depletion of root reserves eventually resulting in death. If the terrain permits the second and subsequent cuts can be done with a mower. Such treatment favors grass which will then be able to out-compete the weeds and assist in their elimination.
The problem of invasive plants is large, and it requires active public and private participation to combat this ‘growing’ threat. Agricultural landowners need to familiarise themselves with those species that pose a threat to their own land and eradicate them. The gardening public, in turn, should be aware of those invasive alien plant species that they may have on their suburban properties and remove them.
Key points
• Invading alien plants are a major conservation threat.
• Parthenium weed can germinate, grow, mature and set seed in four weeks.
• Parthenium weed is toxic to stock and contact with Parthenium weed, particularly its pollen, can cause allergic reactions such as dermatitis, hay fever, and asthma in people.
• The best way to prevent an allergic reaction to Parthenium weed is to avoid contact with it, especially breathing pollen from flowering plants.
• Pay close attention to property hygiene.
• Weed seeds are spread very easily by vehicles, machinery, stock, grain, and fodder.
• Use mechanical, chemical, and biological control and grazing to manage Parthenium weed.
• Control measures usually require a carefully planned and implemented program.
• Obtain advice on chemical control from your local herbicide representative.
• Follow-up operations are essential for complete success.
Mountain Biking And Bicycle Tourism In Rwanda
The Rwandans know about cycling! “Cycling in Rwanda” is not only about transport and taxi-vélos, but also a fully recognized and appreciated sport. Team Rwanda’s success on the international cycling circuit is unprecedented for an African country this side of the Sahara, and within Rwanda itself, there are many competitive cycling teams. However, what is new in Rwanda, is mountain-biking. Along with an ever-increasing quantity of foreign tourist mountain-bikers, there is a new generation of Rwandans who have access to mountain bikes and are spending their weekends and free time exploring their country.
Bicycle tourism is developing in Rwanda. There are locally-based tour operators providing guiding and logistical services to the local and international tourism markets. These tour operators offer tailor-made itineraries that range from half a day to over a month. Through an operator, tourists have the possibility of using a support vehicle to transport luggage that would otherwise be carried on the bike. A tour operator will also be able to propose excursions to sometimes otherwise overlooked places and activities. Probably Rwanda’s most famous mountain bike tour is the Congo-Nile Trail, which runs for 230kms on Lake Kivu’s shores between Cyangugu and Gisenyi. The trail follows the shoreline offering fantastic views of the lake, the Congolese mountains across the lake, the active volcano Nyiragongo, tea and coffee plantations, and the Rwandan countryside. By bicycle, this spectacular tour takes between 4 and 10 days.
An excursion to the relatively flat area of Gashora is ideal for those who would like to try out mountain biking for the first time, or for those who simply want to escape Kigali for a day or two. In the hills surrounding Gisenyi and Ruhengeri, there are also innumerable possibilities for mountain-biking, with or without the support of a tour operator. For those who prefer to go it alone, you will need to plan your route so that you arrive before nightfall, possibly noting the names of the villages that you will pass so that you can ask for directions if necessary. There is always someone to ask for directions or a fellow cyclist to follow to the next village.
So, even without a GPS or igh-precision maps, we can navigate our way through the maze of tracks and roads without too much fear of getting lost. However, it is always worth finding out in advance about the state of the track or road that you intend to take. A road that was good last year, may not be in the same state the year after, which can drastically change the amount of time needed to get to the final destination. Before you set off on your first bicycle adventure into the Rwandan countryside, there are certain considerations that need to be taken. Obviously, you need to own, hire or borrow a suitable bicycle. The bike must be in a good state of repair with fully functioning gears, brakes, and an oiled chain. A place to attach a water bottle or two is also highly recommended, if not essential. For those who plan to tour for many days, it is a good idea to carry a small repair kit and some essential spare parts. Remember that, in general, the rural bicycle mechanic does not have experience repairing geared bikes, nor does he have access to specialized parts. However, he can always repair a
puncture, if need be!
So, whether you plan to tour the whole of Rwanda by bicycle slowly with your panniers full, or test your limits with 1000 meter hill-climbs, or are searching for the exhilaration of downhill speeds of 60km/h, or just want some stress free exercise with a group of friends after a hard week’s work in busy Kigali, Rwanda has a mountain-bike itinerary for you!
Tom Tofield, 11/2011
Bicycle guide and director of Rwandan Adventures
http://www.rwandan-adventures.com
Gishwati: The Forest of Hope
The rising sun illuminates majestic Symphonia trees with bright red flowers, towering above the moist forest floor that is home to giant land snails and mud-colored frogs. Spectacular giant tree ferns, known as Ibishigishigi in the Kinyarwanda language, grow in clusters along the Pfunda River. This is Gishwati, where an international team of dedicated people is trying to save and restore 1500 hectares of African forest that almost disappeared.
From being considered hopeless, Gishwati has become the “Forest of Hope,” a place for testing
innovative conservation strategies that can be an international model for conservation in the 21st century.
There is a chimpanzee at the edge of the forest, looking out at a field of maize. The forest is small and the chimpanzee is hungry. If he goes out into the cultivated lands bordering the forest he can take some of the maize stalks and chew them, gaining valuable energy from the sugary juice. The chimpanzee also knows that people may chase him away if he dares to venture forth from his forest home in search of food. In the end, he takes the chance and moves into the field of maize. A local farmer, angered at the crop-raiding by both monkeys and chimpanzees, boldly runs forward and chases the chimpanzee from his maize fields.
This is a true story from Gishwati, where local people experience conflict with the forest’s primates over who eats the maize grown by the farmers. Now, in an innovative new approach seeking to reduce that conflict, we have helped local farmers switch to growing potatoes in the areas where they used to grow maize along the edge of the forest. Will this be a solution to the conflict? It is too soon to know for sure, but this is one example of how the Gishwati Area Conservation Program, known as GACP, is trying new approaches to save an African forest along with the chimpanzees and other wildlife that live there.
The Gishwati Forest Reserve is located in Rwanda’s Western Province, near Lake Kivu and less than a two-hour drive from the city of Rubavu (Gisenyi). It is also close to Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, home of the endangered mountain gorillas. Although Gishwati is now a small remnant of what once was a much larger forest, the “Forest of Hope” remains a significant part of Rwanda’s heritage. Along with Nyungwe National Park, Gishwati is part of the Albertine Rift, a biodiversity “hot spot” of global significance.
Gishwati has a history of deforestation extending over the past 50 years, related to the establishment of ill-conceived large cattle ranches and the re-settlement of refugees following the war and genocide. In one sense, the forest became another victim of the genocide. Other factors include the establishment of agro-forestry plantations of non-native trees in and around the forest and increasingly intensive cultivation of smaller and smaller plots for subsistence agriculture by local people. These factors, taken together, resulted in most of the forest being converted to other uses, including what has proved to be unsustainable attempts to cultivate steep slopes prone to erosion and catastrophic landslides. It was in recognizing these unsustainable practices and in seeking to reverse the decades of conversion and destruction of the forest that the Gishwati Area Conservation Program came to be.
Protecting and restoring the Gishwati forest is a goal personally endorsed by His Excellency, Rwandan President Paul Kagame. Sharing his aspirations are a committed group of Rwandans working with a support team from Great Ape Trust, based in the United States. The program began with a meeting in 2007 between H. E. President Paul Kagame and Great Ape Trust Founder and Chair Ted Townsend. The two men pledged to found a “national conservation park” in Rwanda to benefit the climate, biodiversity, and the welfare of the Rwandan people. The Gishwati Reserve was chosen as the site of the park-to-be. Since 2007 we have made significant progress, working in respectful partnerships with the national and local governments and with the communities surrounding the forest.
These accomplishments include a 67 percent increase in the size of the forest achieved through demarcation of legal boundaries and annexation of illegally occupied land. The chimpanzee population has grown from 13 to 15, with the birth of two infants in the past year. This is probably the first increase in the size of the chimpanzee community in 40 years. Local understanding and support for conservation have increased dramatically, as evidenced by a steep decline in illegal activities observed in the forest.
Eyes sparkling with excitement, hundreds of children gathered last September at the edge of the forest for a special celebration. Dancing, drama, poetry, and sports competitions all were dedicated to protecting Gishwati. “It was astonishing to watch the enthusiasm and to see how the children took real-life experience and their new knowledge of the environment and put them together,” says Dr. Benjamin Beck, Great Ape Trust Director of Conservation. Working with 13 schools and many local cooperatives, we are committed to a community-based approach to biodiversity conservation that addresses the needs and aspirations of Gishwati’s people.
Dr. Becksums it up eloquently. “We realize we cannot save chimpanzees without helping people and we can’t help people without saving chimpanzees.” Gishwati embodies the challenges of conservation in the 21st century, where natural landscapes have already been dramatically altered and urgent human needs must be addressed sustainably. We have mobilized a team of eco-guards to educate local people about the benefits and importance of protecting the forest. The six eco-guards monitor the forest through daily patrols as restoration work proceeds. Hired from the communities surrounding the forest, the eco-guards received professional training in Volcanoes National Park and carry no firearms.
They teach local people how together we can save the forest, for the benefit of both people and wildlife. In 2008 the “Forest of Hope” began research on the Gishwati chimpanzees to determine precisely how many chimpanzees remained, discover their travel patterns, how they used the forest, and what foods they ate. Working with a dedicated and skilled team of research and field assistants, the research program is employing many local people.
Later this year we anticipate welcoming visitors to Gishwati. This new eco-tourism program will bring economic benefits to communities around the forest and expand opportunities for both visitors to Rwanda and for Rwanda’s own citizens to enjoy the natural beauty of the country.
People who have visited the mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park or seen the chimpanzees or monkeys in Nyungwe National Park may also be interested in spending some hours on a guided hike through a portion of the Gishwati forest or in excursions to visit beekeepers, artisans, traditional healers or villages where the forest’s former residents, the Batwa, now live. This program to protect and restore the “Forest of Hope” represents the best aspirations for Rwanda’s future, including her people, forests, and wildlife.
For more information contact:
Email: pclay@greatapetrust.org, asetka@greatapetrust.org or nyiratuzam@gmail.com
Website: www.greatapetrust.org
Toyota Yaris (Sedan) Review by Tony Glencross
The Yaris is the perfect little car for the start-up family in Uganda. I tested the Sedan, but there is also a hatch
back type version available, plus there is a choice of manual or automatic 4 speed.
The dials and speedo can be found in the middle of the vehicle’s dash. I am sure this is a measure to make the cars more cost-effective to produce, as they can flick between left and right-hand drives, without major tooling changes for production lines, however, the experts from Toyota would be able to answer this question. However, that all said, I quite like the dials in the middle – it looks different and makes the car feel roomier – this is just a personal preference. For a small vehicle, the Yaris is very roomy and spacious (It has more passenger space at the back than my current double cabin) which is really surprising. I like to lounge back in the chair when I drive and I found that the Yaris provided me with more than enough space to do this. The boot (Trunk if you are American) is also roomy and I got both mine and my wife’s golf clubs into the boot with little effort, and then still managed to get the two golf carts in as well, albeit with the wheels off.
The car handles very well, although the test car I drove had a very tweaky steering (It seemed to react to the slightest touch). This may have been because of incorrect alignment, or just me being more used to a more difficult steering mechanism – however, I soon got used to the feel and had no problems with the drive. All cars take a pounding on Kampala roads (yes, even those huge Landcruisers) and the Yaris, with its decent suspension, you still feel the ribs and bumps on the roads, but it is greatly reduced. The ground clearance is high (for a sedan) so, the average pothole is no major task and they are easy to get around. The Toyota Yaris stands up to the conditions very well. On the safety side, the Yaris comes with ABS brakes (Anti-lock braking system), so braking is fast and secure. I was banging along Jinja Road at around 100KM per hour and slammed on the brakes to get a feel for the car’s braking capabilities. The car kept straight and it did not slide in any direction – ABS brakes should be standard on all cars on Ugandan roads. It has airbags on the front (driver and passenger), plus airbags and supports on the sides for the driver and the passenger. It has crumple zones (In an extreme accident situation, the car crumples and absorbs the impact, sparing the passengers).
Front three quarter view of a yaris
On the whole, the car is cool and if I was starting out in Uganda I would seriously consider this car, especially, as being new, you get that peace of mind of hassle-free driving and warranty for a good few thousand KM’s. The Yaris comes standard with ABS brakes, electric windows, airbags, seat belts, wireless entry and locking, air conditioner, radio cd, power steering with tilt, and sporty little mags!
The vehicle is available from Toyota Uganda in Kampala at an all-in price of 28,316 US dollars or 66,544,000/=
Ugandan shillings. Finance is available with a 10% deposit and monthly payments of $ 554 US dollars or 1,569,000/= Shillings (The interest rate for a dollar and shilling loan differ).
For more information, please contact: Toyota Uganda Limited
1 First Street, Industrial Area, Kampala
Tel: (031) 2301500. Fax: (041) 4346649
Email: sales@toyotaug.co.ug. Website: www.toyotaug.co.ug
Japanese Volunteer brings Innovation to Kibungo Cooperative
Mr. Noguchi, who has learned to speak in fluent Kinyarwanda, said: “They accepted me and welcomed me. I’m very glad to meet them and work here.” The Covepaki workshop, which doubles as the showroom, is a beehive of activity with artists, tailors, basket weavers, sign makers, and others working side by side. On show are the usual traditional and popular Rwandan baskets (Agaseke), traditional bracelets, chairs, pictures, and other ornamental pieces. When Mr.Noguchi arrived nearly two years ago he said he could see that the Covepaki team were very experienced at what they do, but he decided to take on the challenge of seeing if they could develop new products, using their existing skills and materials, to find a new niche in the market not yet filled by other cooperatives. At his initiative, Covepaki began printing brightly colored t-shirts, sourced from Tanzania, with
words in Kinyarwanda, such as ‘Amakuru?’ (how are you?), which are sold at the workshop and at Republika Restaurant in Kiyovu, Kigali.
Last year Mr. Noguchi also mooted the idea of making modern, simple box-shape lamps. He noted that in Japan there was a market for ethnic-style lamps and realized they could make something similar for sale on the Rwandan market. He said: “They have the skills in the cooperative and so I thought this is possible.” He and his colleagues at Covepaki have been experimenting with the technique and think they now have it down pat. They make the lampshades from banana fiber, which is pounded in a mortar, washed, and sun-dried. The frames are made from locally sourced bamboo and put together by local artists skilled with the material. The lighting fixture is made by Mr. Noguchi himself, from electrical items he can purchase easily in Kibungo.
This new line of lamps will be among the artistic products Covepaki will exhibit at the International trade fair to be held at the show grounds in Gikondo in Kigali from 26 August to 6 September this year. The second challenge Mr. Noguchi faced was to help the cooperative access new markets, as the cooperative relied, mainly on local sales and passing trade. He has worked hard to find new outlets despite tough competition from many other Rwandan cooperatives producing similar items for sale. He was particularly pleased to have secured space in the Akagera Game Lodge shop in December 2009 where Covepaki now regularly sells products to tourists giving them an additional regular but modest income. Mr. Noguchi is still looking hard for other markets, such as in Kigali’s supermarkets. And he said: “We need to secure space in other hotels to increase our sales.”
Despite some successes, Mr. Noguchi admits that it has been a struggle to make some of his ideas work. It has also not been simple for him to win over the active participation of cooperative members in his ideas. For example, it took the cooperative eight months to make the first lampshade. Ms. Cecile Mukamusoni, Covepaki’s accountant, said each member earns a profit of 50,000 Rwf from sales every month, which is a decent income for people living in the countryside. She commended Mr. Noguchi for helping Covepaki by teaching members customer care skills, developing new products, and finding markets for products.
He is happy to have achieved some advances for the cooperative members, but nonetheless, he wishes he could have achieved more during his time in Kibungo. Mr. Noguchi will return home to Japan in September this year and is excited about seeing his mother, sister and cat again. His experience as a volunteer has given the art history graduate, an appetite to buckle down to work, particularly in the business world. He wants to study business, work in Japan for a while to develop his skills, and then return to Rwanda to see if he can use his previous experience in the country with newly acquired business acumen to help develop small and medium enterprises.“This is my second country”, he said. “I took time to adapt, but somehow I have become Rwandan. “ Currently, 29 Japanese Volunteers are working in various fields such as education, rural development, and engineering in all the provinces of Rwanda through Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The number of volunteers is expected to reach more than 40 by the beginning of 2011. For more information contact:
David Sekyanzi, Mobile: +250 783 161340 Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Rwanda Office