When I pulled into Nyungwe Nziza Ecolodge, it felt like stepping into a familiar place that had quietly blossomed in my absence. Several new wooden cabins had been added to the mix, their fresh timber scent mingling with the cool mountain air. The lodge was alive with the hum of conversation and the easy laughter of travelers savoring their stay. Perched on the edge of Nyungwe National Park, it’s perfectly placed for those who crave both comfort and adventure.
That evening, dinner gave way to the warm glow of a crackling fireplace. I found myself in the company of seasoned wanderers—some fresh from a Turning Pages book club session earlier in the evening. Our circle became a crossroads of worlds, where stories of mountain treks, remote villages, and once-in-a-lifetime encounters leapt to life in the firelight.
If you’ve been reading my chronicles for a while, you are probably aware of an initiative known as Turning Pages. But for newcomers—this is more than just a book club. It’s a traveling celebration of words and wanderlust, designed to foster a love of reading while exploring remarkable corners of the continent. Each gathering is a tapestry woven from the voices of travel enthusiasts from all walks of life.
The next morning, I laced up my boots and wandered toward the park’s edge. One side of the trail was guarded by a dense, ancient forest, its canopy a cathedral of green. The other unfurled into manicured tea plantations, their rows glistening with dew. The air was cool, tinged with the earthy scent of damp soil and leaves. With each step, I felt a quiet restoration, echoing Mary Davis’s words: “A walk in nature walks the soul back home.”
Most of my time in Nyamagabe was spent in Kitabi Sector—a place where nature, heritage, community, art, and agro-tourism all share the stage. My visit was too brief to embrace it all, but that morning walk, and the serenity it gifted me, became a memory I’ll carry long after the road dust fades.
Nyamagabe marked the first stop of my journey through the Southern Province. With only seven districts left, the finish line was finally in sight. From here, I took the road less traveled to Nyaruguru—ready for whatever stories awaited beyond the next bend.