The Duke of Mecklenburg, visiting the country in 1907, noted:

The population is divided into three classes - the Watussi, the Wahutu and a pygmy tribe, the Batwa, who dwell chiefly in the bamboo forests of Bugoie, the swamps of lake Burera, and on the island of Kwidschwi on Lake Kiwu.

The Watussi are a tall, well-made people. Heights of 1.80, 2.00 and even 2.20 meters are of quite common occurrence, yet the perfect proportion of their bodies is in no wise detracted from ... The primitive inhabitants are the Wahutu, an agricultural Bantu tribe, who look after the digging and tilling and agricultural economy of the country in general. They are a medium-sized type a people ...

Rwanda is certainly the most interesting country in the German East African Protectorate - in fact in all Central Africa - chiefly on account of its ethnographical and geographical position. Its interest is further increased by the fact that it is one of the last Negro kingdoms governed autocratically by a sovereign sultan, for German supremacy is only recognized to a very limited extent. Added to this, it is a land flowing with milk and honey, where the breeding of cattle and bee-culture flourish and the cultivated soil bears rich crops of fruit. A hilly country, thickly populated, full of beautiful scenery, and possessing a climate incomparably fresh and healthy; a land of great fertility, with watercourses which might be termed perennial streams; a land which offers the brightest of prospects to the white settler.

Rwanda has made a huge impression on us. For a lot of people Rwanda is only a synonymous for the 1994 genocide and still many believe it is a country unsafe to travel due to the war. But Rwanda is so much more. We will not dwell too much into a genocide discussion, as it is something that we foreigners can not understand in all painful details, though sometimes so easy to judge; it is something that definitely international community and politicians shall put to their agendas. It is also a Rwanda's internal affair. The above description of Rwanda by the Duke of Mecklenburg, if you also read between the lines, might put some light on it.

Rwanda is a country of thousands of green hills, lush vegetation, great lakes, volcanoes, tea fields, amazing wildlife and it is a country that is fun to travel in. We are not sure whether to mention gorillas as wildlife, as for what we have seen these creatures are so ... - can not find a word - human like. Tender, funny, intelligent, lazy, caring, ... all good that can be described as human characteristic is also what describes gorillas. It was so amazing to see them face to face. Looking at them, listening to them (how they sneeze and cough).

Some WILDLIFE photographs are here.

The truth about baboons in Akagera national park is this. There are many baboon families in this park, but the most interesting is the one that dwells near Akagera game lodge (good hotel). These smart primates of course prefer hotel food and do not care much for grass and other staff that can be found in nature. Who could resist cookies, bananas, bread and like. That is why the family is growing. They figured it out the food actually comes from restaurant kitchen, and window there is often busy. Their greediness (or hunger) resulted also in some accidents. One of the bravest baboons entered the kitchen and when exploring the pots, oil spilled over it's hand (or leg), which resulted in amputation. The good thing is the rest of the family takes good care of this disabled baboon.

Now you know it, and there is no reason to ask any further questions about baboons.

RWANDA WILDLIFE photographs are here.