Places That Changed Us: Rwanda

While other countries are struggling with deforestation and species loss, Rwanda is restoring lost species like African lions and white rhinos, both of which thrive in the country’s Akagera National Park. The focus on eco-friendly tourism is one of the best in the world, with nationwide bans on plastic bags and programs to take fourth-grade students on gorilla treks, ensuring Rwandans are exposed to the country’s treasures from an early age.

Photo: Suzie Dundas

A juvenile mountain gorilla in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda. Photo: Suzie Dundas

Photo: Suzie Dundas

Photo: Suzie Dundas

Photo: Suzie Dundas

And speaking of gorillas: I can’t recall a more profound wildlife experience than my trek in Volcanoes National Park. The one hour I spent with the endangered mountain gorillas – including the moment I could smell a silverback gorilla’s earthy, grass-covered fur as he checked me out – was one of the most humbling experiences of my life. I’ve never felt so lucky or privileged than when I was sharing air with intelligent creatures, and it’s hard not to feel like you’ve passed some kind of test when a baby gorilla tries to play with you and the mom nearby decides you’re not a threat, letting it happen.

And then, of course, there are the landscapes. Rwanda’s lush rolling hills, shrouded forests, and volcanic vistas feel almost otherworldly. Trekking through the misty mountains to see gorillas in their natural habitat was surreal, humbling, and stunning. But Rwanda feels like more than just a beautiful destination. The country is a powerful story of resilience and renewal that doesn’t shy away from its past, but isn’t defined by it, either. It’s a place that changes how you see the world and what a nation can achieve when it provides opportunities for growth and training, takes care of its environment, and embraces, rather than maligns, the diversity of all its citizens.