Why do most people talk about backpacking year in year out? What is the appeal?
What is so amazing about hauling a backpack around the world, getting to meet lots of people while trying some things you never thought you could do?
Try Rwanda. The country is a backpacker’s paradise, and an amazing way to have a whole new experience. It has several backpackers’ hostels like the evergreen Red Rocks Intercultural Centre in Musanze. Do not worry about transport since it is insanely cheap. In Rwanda, every backpacker’s hostel has its own unique setting. Red Rocks prides itself as a place of great ambience, serenity in a cool countryside atmosphere where you are going to meet great locals and learn the country’s amazing culture and history by the fireside. Meet other international travellers here too and just have great fun!
Conservation volunteering
Through the noble act of volunteering, you not only get to visit a wonderful country but also make a positive contribution to the host community. Our volunteering opportunities and programmes include, but are not limited to: community work, health and education programmes. These are available throughout the country. Through the Red Rocks volunteer programmes, you not only develop your own skills but have an opportunity to visit amazing attractions and cultural sites.
Whether teaching in a local school or helping in a reserve, volunteering is a great way to meet Rwandans outside the tourist industry, understand their lives and challenges and often make friends for life.
There are many short-term opportunities available whether hiking Bisoke volcano, or trekking Golden Monkeys and other species. Volunteering with Red Rocks for a few days or months is a great way to meet amazing people and learn about other cultures.
How did Red Rocks start?
In 2011, Greg Bakunzi, the owner of Amahoro Tours, set up Red Rocks Rwanda as a social enterprise for the residents of the Musanze area (adjacent to Rwanda’s mountain gorilla habitat) to benefit from gorilla tracking tourism. The community and the environment are at the very heart of everything Red Rocks do.
As ideas developed and people started getting excited about Red Rocks, Greg says “I decided it would be better to have one big box which enables everyone that was interested to try and develop his / her initiatives together. This is when I came up with the idea of registering a non-profit organisation, by the name of Red Rocks Initiatives for Sustainable Development.
Making an enquiry? If you call any businesses listed in this Travel Directory, please mention Diary of a Muzungu sent you.
