Pages of Discovery: Exploring Rwinkwavu, Courtesy of Royal Crown Hotel

Today’s Turning Pages book club session unfolded at Royal Crown Hotel, a premier hospitality destination in Kimironko, Kigali, known for combining elegant comfort with exceptional service to create memorable guest experiences. The hotel graciously hosted the session, providing a welcoming setting that complemented the spirit of thoughtful conversation and leisure-driven storytelling.

The session brought together travel enthusiasts for a relaxed yet insightful discussion centered on the book Visit Rwinkwavu. It attracted three in-person participants and seven virtual attendees, including foreign tourists planning future visits to Rwanda. True to the spirit of Turning Pages, the conversation was intentionally casual—less formal moderation, more listening, and ample space for participants to share perspectives on travel and discovery.

Every participant had read the book beforehand, allowing the discussion to flow effortlessly. Rather than directing the conversation, I took a step back and allowed participants to shape the dialogue. This approach proved effective, as several questions about Rwinkwavu were addressed by participants themselves—some of whom have deep, firsthand knowledge of the area.

Among the contributors was a Rwinkwavu-based tour guide, a member of the local community who regularly guides visitors through Akagera National Park and surrounding communities.

Together, participants traced the genesis of Rwinkwavu in the 1930s, reflected on its present-day identity, and examined its development trajectory. Those who had never visited added the sector to their bucket lists, while others—who had previously driven past it en route to Akagera—expressed intentions to return and explore it more deliberately.

A particularly notable moment came when a participant raised a question never before asked in these sessions: an interest in investing in Rwinkwavu. As an informal ambassador of the sector, I was able to connect him immediately with the appropriate local authority present.

By the end of the session, Visit Rwinkwavu had done more than introduce a destination. It sparked curiosity, reshaped travel intentions, and opened doors to deeper conversations about place, people, and possibility—precisely what Turning Pages is designed to achieve.