Some journeys are about reaching a destination. Others are about following a trail and seeing where it leads. This one began at the foot of Kanyinya Hill, where I veered off the tarmac and set out to follow the Nyabugogo River toward its confluence with the Nyabarongo.
On a previous trip to Lake Muhazi, I had traced the Nyabugogo to its source. Now I was witnessing another chapter in its journey as its waters poured into the Nyabarongo. There was something satisfying about connecting these two experiences and seeing the river’s story unfold at opposite ends.
Beyond the confluence, I continued along the banks of the Nyabarongo. The trail wound through the countryside, sometimes muddy and sometimes opening onto viewpoints that invited me to pause and take in the scenery. Across the water lay Kamonyi District in the Southern Province. On my side, the route took me through villages including Nzove, Musasa, and Rushashi, spanning parts of Nyarugenge, Rulindo, and Gakenke districts.
Over the years, I have explored different stretches of the Nyabarongo, pondered its mysteries, and connected the places and waterways it encounters along the way.
This was no polished tourist route. It was a trail through everyday rural life, with the river as my companion. Mud under my wheels was a reminder that some places reveal themselves only to those willing to venture beyond the familiar.
Somewhere in Gakenke District, I found myself on a hillside overlooking the river. From there, the Nyabarongo wound through the landscape, threading its way between hills and valleys. I paused to take in the view, wondering how much of its story remained hidden beyond the bends I could see.
Where had these waters traveled before reaching this point? What stories had unfolded along their banks? How many communities had depended on the river, crossed it, watched it rise, or built their lives around its presence? And how much more was there to discover about this waterway that so many of us take for granted?
I intend to explore and share more of my experiences along different segments of the Nyabarongo. Each journey will reveal another piece of the picture, bringing me closer to understanding the river and the places shaped by its passage.
One day, these explorations will come together in a booklet devoted to the Nyabarongo. For now, the journey continues, one stretch of river at a time.