A Pattern Progress

Rwanda’s focus on development makes it a fascinating destination

- Keri Harvey

Tiny, landlocked Rwanda is Africa’s rising star. It’s beautiful, verdant and protects rare primates and wildlife. It’s also the safest, cleanest, greenest country in Africa, where things keep going right.

Without fanfare, Rwanda is quietly building itself into a prosperous, self-sustaining nation with world-class infrastructure, connectivity, tourism facilities, sound conservation practices and community development.

“We have eradicated slums and nobody in Rwanda goes hungry,” smiles Primate Safaris head driver guide Alex Kagaba as we drive out of the capital, Kigali. We’re headed to Akagera National Park in the east, but the entire route is flanked by food gardens.

“We feed ourselves,” says Alex. “I also have a small farm where I grow fruit and vegetables, and keep cattle. It just makes sense. Rwanda doesn’t need to import fresh produce at all, and we export tea and coffee.”

With plenty of rain, fertile soil and cow manure, crops flourish in this hilly country, often called the ‘Little Switzerland’ of Africa. Alex explains that many farmers keep their cattle in kraals in order to collect the manure efficiently for their food gardens, because it’s such a precious commodity. “Rural Rwandans had no idea there was a global recession 10 years ago, because they were eating so well,” jokes Alex. As we make our way around the country for a week, stories of success will emerge numerous times a day. On so many levels, Rwanda is a living example of Africa gone right; an inspiring benchmark.