#1000cupsofcoffee

Rwanda’s tourism is hit hard. It might be due to the world still thinking of the country as a hub for people killing each other, but it is absolutely stunning, and the population is incredibly friendly. Rwanda is luxuriant in vegetation, and the locals speak of it as the Land of a Thousand Hills. If you plan to visit, Sine recommends you to stay at the most adorable hotel, which is located by Lake Kivu. It’s got a sweeping view of the lake that has you think you are part of a magical dream for a second. When she went, they were only four people staying there. The price for one night was about 7 USD, which she explains was excellent value for money. As you may know, Rwanda was torn apart by genocide in 1994, which caused 90 % of the Tutsis living in this area to get killed. As such, the locals are still reluctant to eat fish from the lake, as they believe these live off the dead bodies of their loved ones.

Lake Kivu, Rwanda

Did you know that Uganda is among the leading coffee-producing countries in the world? In Kampala, the bustling and slightly chaotic capital, you should head to 1000 Cups of Coffee, a cute café, which serves the best coffee Sine has had in all of Africa to this date. Keep up with the latest news from The East African, while cars and motorcycles rush past you on the street outside. Sine recommends you to stock up on textiles and garments made by local tailors here too—their creations are available for purchase at the café.

Coffee Break at ”1000 Cups of Coffee”

While in Kampala, make sure to stop by the city’s night market—according to Sine, this is your number one source for a local (and insanely cheap) meal. You sit on plastic chairs while you eat off a barbeque, and it tastes tremendous. Visiting after dark makes you unable to inspect the hygiene standards of the stalls, which is probably a good thing after all, she tells.

Night Market in Kampala

The world’s longest lake, the Nile, flows north for some 130 kilometers from Jinja in Uganda. Don’t miss the chance to see this. Also, the Nile is home to White Water Rafting—the hardest type of river rafting for amateurs (Sine was told). Each raft takes about four hours, and you go back and forth between lazy floating and action-packed rafting. Keep your eye out for monkeys hiding in the trees by the banks of the lake.

The Nile, Uganda

White Water Rifting, Uganda

In terms of transportation, motos are the way to go in both Rwanda and Uganda! Moto-taxis are cheap and provide a fun and effective (yet terrifying) experience. According to Sine, simply jump onto the back of one, and trust your moto-driver, as he tears off recklessly through the crowds.

Moto Riding

Lastly, the kids in these countries… Cuteness alert level: High! Also, they (obviously) don’t mind having their photo taken:

Cute p1. I

Cute pt. II

Thanks a million to Sine!

Stay local, Julie