Summary: From his travels in Africa Joseph has come to expect much more than grand savannahs where herds of wildebeest and prides of lions roam. Yet, Rwanda expanded even those expectations. No larger than Maryland, Rwanda is a small chunk of Africa shoehorned in between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Tanzania. With its verdant hills, jungle wildlife and some of Africa’s highest peaks it’s been called, “a tropical Switzerland at the heart of Africa.” And the wild soul of the country lives in Volcanoes National Park—a sanctuary for most of the world’s mountain gorillas. The base of Joseph’s gorilla trekking adventures was the Virunga Safari Lodge. The eco-friendly lodge, which sports solar panels and eco-plumbing, is set on a stunning hillside with a panoramic view of the Virunga volcanoes and the lakes Ruhondo and Bulera. In keeping with a general effort in Rwanda to ensure that tourism benefits the local communities, the resort’s eight stone “bandas” (traditionally-design accommodations) are locally-built and a nearby school is funded in part by the guests’ dollars. During this pod cast Joseph’s speaks with resort manager, David Magezi about the resort, their community involvement and gorilla trekking activities. To learn more, visit VolcanoesSafaris.com
