Before departure, I passed by Mantis EPIC Hotel & Suites for lunch. After placing my order, I walked down the stairs to the swimming pool area. A few guests were swimming, but I figured out how to take a photo without violating their privacy.
When I returned to the restaurant, I grabbed my packed chicken wrap and left for Kigali. Speaking of Kigali, the capital is now closer to Nyagatare than ever, thanks to the completion of the Nyagatare - Rukomo highway.
From Rukomo, travelers heading to the Northern Province and beyond proceed to Base, while Kigali-bound ones join the Gatuna - Kigali highway (NR 3). Rukomo and Base are found in Gicumbi and Rulindo districts respectively.
The new route is quite scenic, snaking through picturesque hills. Whilst the installation of speed limit signs and cameras is not complete, the S-shaped spots were enough to keep my speed in check.
Nyagatare - Rukomo
In Nyagatare, the terrain is relatively flatter. At some point, while navigating the Gicumbi segment of the journey, I was cruising at an altitude of over 6,000 feet above sea level. Gicumbi hills record lower temperatures than the eastern prairies.
I am not an engineer, but I guess it costs much more to build roads on the most mountainous parts of the country. I remember seeing people moving mountains, literary, when the road was under construction — excavating, digging, crushing rocks and laying layers upon layers of concrete material.
Ground breaking comes after conducting technical studies, planning, budgeting and procuring a contractor. Long story short, a lot of head-scratching takes place before the yellow machines are sent to the field. Moreover, the roads we traverse require regular maintenance and landslide management.
As mentioned earlier, Gicumbi hills are characterized by lower temperature levels. On a rainy day, fog can affect visibility. Before embarking on this road trip, ensure your front and rear wiper blades are working. Detect any possible air conditioner/heater malfunctions and fix them before departure.
High elevation in Gicumbi
As I shifted gears on the smooth tarmac, I couldn’t stop marveling at those green hills I am obsessed with. The breathtaking landscape is food to the soul of every sightseeing enthusiast. It is the scenery that makes the journey as intriguing, or even more intriguing, than the destination.
It took me about an hour to reach Rukomo. This village is strategically located. Apart from easing the east - north flow, the junction channels traffic between Kigali and Uganda via Gatuna.
Another newly constructed road connects Rukomo and Kiramuruzi through the Muhazi Belt. The new artery provides a convenient solution for tour operators who transfer their clients from the Akagera National Park to the Volcanoes National Park regularly. In another development, the construction of a shortcut from the volcanoes to the Giswati-Mukura National Park & Biosphere Reserve, through the manicured hills of Bigogwe, is picking up steam.
The Rukomo - Base road spans the distance of 50 kilometers. In a bid to make the twin lakes easily accessible, two other projects have been launched. One will open up Lake Ruhondo through the Kigali - Musanze highway and the second one will link the Rukomo - Base road and the Musanze - Cyanika one via Lake Burera.
Rukomo roundabout
As I made headway toward Kigali, I saw trucks ferrying cows to the city. The sight of depressed cows, aboard slaughterhouse-bound trucks, made me consider becoming a vegetarian. Hopefully, we won’t trade places with livestock in the afterlife.
Those who use bicycles to deliver milk and other products were paddling back to Gicumbi. Riding a bicycle from Kigali to Gicumbi is an uphill battle. Luckily, they face the challenge during their return leg, after unloading the goods.
I spent more than two hours on the way. It would have costed an additional hour to drive to Kigali via Kayonza. The new route saved me time and fuel. Obviously, it will also help to decongest the busy Kayonza - Kigali highway.
Elsewhere, an extensive network of new roads is taking shape. Vitz owners will be able to drive to every part of the country in a near future. As I keep running circles around the land of 1,000 hills, I will keep you posted. Stay tuned.
Rukomo - Kigali