On this IWMF Great Lakes reporting trip, I’ve been incredibly fortunate to see a wide swath of Rwanda, from Lake Kivu on the western border with DR Congo, to Rusumo Falls on the eastern border with Tanzania. I can attest that Rwanda truly is “The Land of a Thousand Hills,” an aspect that contributes to the country’s stunning vistas. The winding and changing landscape also presents practical challenges for those who rely on bicycle transport to go about their daily lives. People often hop off to walk their cargo-laden cylces up the highways. Some have taken to the (probably dangerous and likely illegal) practice of grabbing hold of buses and large trucks to catch a ride to the top before flying back down unaided on the other side. I have also seen riders cycling the inclines seemingly without a problem, which never ceases to impress me.

-Holly Pickett