Rwanda is known as the “Land of a Thousand Hills”, although as I travel along its steep, winding roads on our five-hour drive from the capital, Kigali, I begin to think this must be an understatement. Vast rainforest-covered mountains frame lush green-tea plantations that rise and fall in the distance as far as the eye can see; the countryside looks pristine, with not a speck of rubbish in sight. Our driver, Anaclet, explains that plastic bags and packaging have been banned since 2008 and that once a month, there is a mandatory clean-up day called Umuganda—a source of great national pride that has helped unite the country in the wake of its recent tragic history, healing communities that had been ripped apart by genocide.
Emerging from a backdrop of seemingly never-ending wilderness, we arrive amid torrential rain at our first destination: One&Only Nyungwe House, an eco-retreat nestled at the edge of Nyungwe National Park. After being welcomed into the main lodge with a dark timber interior and a roaring fire, we are soon sipping delicious iced tea on the terrace while colobus monkeys play beside us, their black-and-white tails flashing through the bushes. The resort’s 22 rooms are arranged around the edge of the property and have four-poster beds (warmed during the turn-down service by a hot water bottle), wood-burning stoves, and private balconies overlooking the jungle. It’s easy to stay cocooned in my luxury wooden cabin or just lie by the infinity pool sampling the array of botanical gins, but I’m here for adventure. So the next day, after trying my hand at archery, spear-throwing, and tea-picking at the resort, I set out with the group to explore the forest beyond.
Denne historien er fra June 2021-utgaven av Harper's BAZAAR Singapore.
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Denne historien er fra June 2021-utgaven av Harper's BAZAAR Singapore.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
The Great Unknown
It's a fresh chapter for Thai actress Nuttanicha "Nychaa" Dungwattanawanich as she strikes out on her own.
FINDING XANADU
Adventure, magic and freedom await in the land of the blue sky, Mongolia.
TALKING POINTS
From the worlds of Art, Culture, Travel and Design.
TIMELESS LUXURY
In Hosanna Swee and Tom Chng's stunning apartment, an eye for detail and love for horological collectibles reveals an elegant and minimalist escape.
PRIM FOR PRIMETIME
Chanikarn \"Prim\" Tangkabodee reminisces on her journey from a child actor to a superstar in-the-making.
INSPIRATION
The suave music artiste is no stranger to the world of fashion. In fact, he describes fashion as the forefront of his and his family's personal expression, as well as a form of manners.
WELL, SUITED?
As attitudes towards dress codes shift, is the suit about to exit our closets?
DARK HORSE
In his next role and what is easily his most challenging character to date―actor Brian Ng wants one thing from you: your hatred.
THE POWER OF PERETTI
In a hidden village of Sant Marti Vell in Spain, where Elsa Peretti lived, loved and created enduring symbols of design and beauty for Tiffany & Co., Kenneth Goh traces and marvels at her 50 years of legacy.
REDEFINING ROYALTY
Chaumet's Charles Leung talks to BAZAAR about the beauty and the resilience of the 244-year-old French jewellery brand in a new era.