Rural Rwanda
When we think of Africa we often imagine deserts, famine and hunger, yet the small landlocked country of Rwanda has numerous rivers (some of which are claimed to be part of the source of the great River Nile), twenty three lakes and five volcanoes in what is known as 'the land of a thousand hills'. Rwanda is situated just south of the Equator, and is bordered by Uganda to its north, Tanzania to its east, Burundi to its south and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to its west.
Rwanda, which is slightly larger than Wales in size, is a beautiful country with the incredible beaches of Lake Kivu to the west and vast national parks where wild animals roam free, as well as the famous Rwanda gorillas making their homes in the Virunga volcanic mountains in the north of the country. Other lakes include the Burera, Ruhondo, Muhazi, Rweru and Ihema.
The east of the country is predominately savannahs with swamps and fertile plains, the centre features rolling hills that climb into mountains as you head west reaching Rwanda's highest point, Mount Karisimbi, which has its summit at 14,787 feet ~ the peak of Ben Nevis is just 4,409 feet above sea level by comparison
90% of those living in rural Rwanda are engaged in subsistence farming, mainly growing coffee and tea, however most holdings are around one half acre in size, making it difficult to grow cash crops, and these plots are becoming increasingly fragmented as the population grows and they are inherited by children, who may divide the limited land even further between them.
Take a virtual tour of rural Rwanda in this video and think again of Africa, its not all as presented in the media!
TAGS: Rural Rwanda, Tour Rural Rwanda, Rural Rwanda Pictures, Rural Rwanda Video, Rural Rwanda Footage, Rural Rwanda Countryside