From my base at Rutete Eco-Lodge, I set off with no grand plan—just a curious urge to see where the hill behind Rwinkwavu would lead me. I headed toward Rwinkwavu Hospital but didn’t make it all the way there. Just before reaching the Rwinkwavu Community Library and Learning Center, I took a right turn and veered off the tarmac. The paved road gave way to a dusty trail that began to wind upward, tracing a quiet route behind the landmarks that define this small town.
With each step, I felt the rhythm of Rwinkwavu slow me down—in the best way. Children playing along the roadside waved and greeted me with wide smiles. Adults going about their day offered nods, warm salutations, and short conversations that reminded me how deeply rooted kindness is in this part of Rwanda. The climb wasn’t steep, but it invited me to pause often—both to catch my breath and to take it all in.
As I ascended, Rwinkwavu unfolded behind me. The rooftops, the popular Akagera Road, and the patchwork of cultivated fields painted a picture of rural life shaped by resilience and progress. What struck me most was the transformation happening on top of the hill. Just a few years ago, this hill was barren and dry. Today, it’s draped in a lush green forest, a quiet testament to Rwanda’s reforestation efforts.
I’ve seen this greening drive in different corners of the country—an ambitious, collaborative push by the government and its partners to restore landscapes and protect the environment. But here, standing at the top of a once-dry hill now bursting with life, it felt more personal. More powerful.
My short hike had turned into a journey of reflection—a gentle reminder that change, like climbing a hill, happens one step at a time.
The urgency of Rwanda’s reforestation efforts becomes even more apparent when you consider regions like the Eastern Province, where Rwinkwavu is located. Unlike the misty mountains of the North or the fertile hills of the West, this area is predominantly savannah—drier, more exposed, and historically more vulnerable to soil erosion and land degradation. Greening these hills isn’t just about aesthetics or climate goals; it’s about restoring ecological balance, protecting livelihoods, and building resilience in communities that have long contended with environmental strain.