Month: January 2024

A lot of people want André 3000 to release a rap album, whether solo or as an OutKast reunion with Big Boi. André 3000 really wants to do that as well, but it doesn’t seem like that’s happening soon. Instead, he’s offering his loyal fans a pretty awesome consolation prize.

On Tuesday, January 16, André 3000 announced New Blue Sun: An IMAX Live Experience. For those unaware, he released New Blue Sun in mid-November. The purely instrumental album allowed him to flex as a flutist and was widely received positively.

“New Blue Sun: An IMAX Live Experience,” 3 Stacks captioned his Instagram announcement. “Cinematic Album Listening Event & Live-Stream Q&A 01/23/24.” According to the post, it is a one-night-only event on Tuesday, January 23, and it will include “a conversation with André 3000.”

The IMAX website offers the following synopsis:

“Join André 3000 in celebrating the release of his genre leaping debut solo album, New Blue Sun with an album listening cinematic experience and live Q&A. Directed by Terence Nance, witness André’s fusion of improv creativity and musical exploration in vivid detail and unparalleled sound quality through the IMAX Live Experience, blending captivating visuals and instrumentation.”

You can also search for tickets at participating IMAX theaters, including AMC The Grove and AMC Burbank 16 in the Los Angeles area as well as AMC Empire 25 and AMC Lincoln Square 13 in New York City.

Hosts: Who needs ‘em? Awards shows have had trouble with them for the last handful of years. The Oscars have been such a mess that after trying three hosts, they threw up their hands and brought back the guy who presided over the infamous La La Land one. Only two weeks ago the Golden Globes got dragged when emcee Jo Koy all but bombed during his opening monologue. As for The Daily Show, Trevor Noah stepped down all the way back in late 2022, and the show has been doing more or less just fine. In fact, they’re going to keep things as they are, with one major difference.

Days after Noah’s last run won the topical late night comedy show an Emmy, Deadline is reporting that they’re going to stay host-less throughout 2024, an election year. That doesn’t mean they’re going to keep bringing back week-long celeb hosts, like Sarah Silverman, John Leguizamo, Charlamagne Tha God, and Chelsea Handler. Instead, they’re going to stick with their correspondents.

“This plays into the idea that the show’s permanent host or hosts could already be on staff,” Deadline reports, “a proposal that has been floated within Paramount.”

The Daily Show has already been subbing in their usual team when not going with celebrity guests. For instance, both Desi Lydic and Jordan Klepper have each torn into Tucker Carlson while sitting in at the main desk. The show’s other two correspondents include Ronny Chieng, Dulce Sloan, and Michael Kosta. All of them will presumably take turns lording over the show. (Too bad they didn’t just give it to the since-departed Roy Wood Jr.)

So pour one out to the idea of famous comics and performer sitting where the likes of Noah, Jon Stewart, and Craig Kilborn have once presided. It’s been fun seeing folks like Leslie Jones, Wanda Sykes, D.L. Hughley, Kal Penn, Al Franken, and Desus Nice put their stamp on the show. Ditto seeing returning alumni like Hasan Minhaj and Michelle Wolf. Still, given what a creative crapshow this year will likely be, surely The Daily Show needs some form of consistency, which is to say a revolving door group of five.

(Via Deadline)

Around the December release of her album Think Later, Tate McRae explained to Uproxx what her mindset was when making it. “I fell in and out of love,” the “Greedy” singer said. “I turned 20. I started paying attention to what felt right in the moment rather than overthinking every decision I made. I used to overanalyze everything, even while I’ve always had a fifth sense. I realized, over the course of writing this album and living life, that trusting my gut is always the right choice — even if it means facing consequences later.”

Unfortunately, everybody else is still overanalyzing everything she does, as has been the fate of every young pop star since the beginning of time.

Are Tate McRae and The Kid Laroi Dating?

We don’t know, but they at least ate dinner together this week. Of course, when you are two of the hottest names in pop, you’re not allowed to just grab dinner without consequences. According to the likes of People and Pop Crave, The Kid Laroi, 20, and McRae were spotted exiting Giorgio Baldi in Los Angeles on Tuesday, January 16.

People also contextualized the new dating rumors, as excerpted below.

“Earlier this month, both performers vacationed in Mexico and were filmed dancing with friends in a clip that’s since been shared by fans to social media.

Eagle-eyed fans also spotted similarities in settings of photos from the vacation posted to social media by both the “Greedy” singer and Laroi — as well as McRae posing for an Instagram selfie in a shirt that looks eerily similar to one the “Stay” artist wore on the trip.”

The Dallas Cowboys will not make a coaching change this offseason. According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, Dallas has made the decision to bring back head coach Mike McCarthy, who has established himself as one of the best regular season coaches in the league but has yet to advance past the Divisional Round during his four years at the helm.

McCarthy’s future was up in the air in the aftermath of a shocking Wild Card loss to the Green Bay Packers. Despite entering the game with real aspirations of making a run in the NFC, the Cowboys got ran off of their own field, as the team went down 27-0 and went on to lose, 48-32, after a pair of late touchdowns made the final score look slightly more respectable.

All of this came on the heels of yet another stellar regular season under McCarthy. After going 6-10 during his first year in Dallas, the team has gone 12-5 in each of the last three years. But this has not translated into postseason success, as the team has accrued a 1-3 playoff record with McCarthy at the helm.

With McCarthy returning, the attention in Dallas now turns to defensive coordinator Dan Quinn’s future, as he’s been linked to a number of head coaching vacancies around the NFL.

Chefwillco/TikTokChef Will Coleman is getting a lot of attention on TikTok after sharing his 6-to-1 grocery shipping method, which has an incredible number of benefits. It makes shopping easy, promotes a healthy diet, eliminates food waste, reduces mental labor, saves money and enhances your creativity in the kitchen.

Chef Will Coleman is a video personality, writer and food stylist.

He lays out his simple shopping method in a video with nearly 1 million views. “We’re all trying to save money this year, and my 6-to-1 grocery shopping method … is super, super simple … you grab six veggies, five fruits, four proteins, three starches, two sauces or spreads, and one fun thing for yourself,” Coleman says.

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The shopping strategy runs counter to the way most people shop: starting with a list or a recipe and then picking up what’s required to make the meal. With the 6-to-1 method, you get the food and then use your creativity to create your own recipe.

My 6 to 1 grocery method makes shopping cheaper and easier! 

@chefwillco

My 6 to 1 grocery method makes shopping cheaper and easier! Let me know how you like this grocery shopping method. #6to1method

In a follow-up video, he noted that 6-to-1 is more of a ratio than a specific number of foods one can buy. It can fluctuate based on the number of people around your dinner table.

“So if you want to shop for more, a group of 5 or 6, you just grab more of that item,” Coleman said. “Maybe instead of grabbing one bag of kale, you grab 2 or 3 to make it stretch. You can do that for every single ingredient.”

The grocery shopping method helps people save money because it directs them to purchase healthier and more affordable items.

“It’s designed in a way to cut costs because when you’re shopping in the store, some of the higher ticket items are prepackaged or processed items,” Coleman told People. “Fruits and vegetables are usually on the lower end of things and they can stretch beyond one meal. You can be way more creative about what you’re putting out in the kitchen, and of course, it’s healthier as well.”

Prioritizing foods that don’t come with elaborate packaging also cuts down on waste.

Many people who saw the video weren’t exactly sure what each food category meant, so he explained it further in his FAQ video.

@chefwillco

If you’re looking to use the 6 to 1 grocery shopping method and are curious if it’ll work for your family, then this video is for you.

Vegetables can be frozen, fresh, prepared, or salad mixes.

Fruits aren’t just apples and bananas but cucumbers, avocados and bell peppers, too.

Proteins are more than meat. Beans, yogurt and eggs are also great sources of protein.

Starches include rice, potatoes, pasta and bread.

Sauces and spreads such as pesto, salsa, garlic spread and hummus can really tie your meal together.

Another important aspect of the 6-to-1 method is getting people out of their culinary comfort zones. You’ve got a fridge full of all this yummy fresh food. Now, what can you do with it? “My goal is to get everyone cooking and everybody loving food, whether you’re a chef or not,” he told People. “I’ve always experimented when it comes to how I approach food and how I share food.”

Last March, Jamie Lee Curtis made matinee concerts the hill she’s winning to die on — specifically, rock matinees.

“I am gonna just say this now as a taunt and as a suggestion: U2, do a matinee,” Curtis said at the 2023 Film Independent Spirit Awards. “Coldplay, do a matinee. What about a 12-noon concert, Coldplay? What about it? Bruce Springsteen, do a f*cking matinee! You’re old! Why wouldn’t you let me come see you, Bruce Springsteen, in your glory days — pun intended — and do it at noon or 1 o’clock? 2 o’clock! 2 o’clock matinee! Theater in New York, 2 o’clock! I will come and hear your five-hour concert, Bruce, at 2 o’clock, and I’m gonna be home and in bed by 7:30.”

On Tuesday, January 16, Green Day (and Jimmy Fallon) held an afternoon matinee — sort of — by randomly performing in a New York City subway station. Curtis was upset that nobody thought to invite her, Hollywood’s Foremost Matinee Enthusiast. The Oscar winner reposted a video of Billie Joe Armstrong singing “Basket Case,” writing, “Are you effing kidding me?! Green Day @GreenDay played a matinee in the subway in New York City when I was IN New York City and nobody mentioned it? I’ve been making this case for matinee rock shows for a long time. #BummedButThrilled.”

Other people posted videos from Green Day’s random concert — again, involving Fallon playing the tambourine for some reason, showing them performing “American Idiot” and “Basket Case.”

Green Day has yet to acknowledge Curtis’ FOMO, likely because they are in full-on promotional mode ahead of their album, Saviors, arriving on Friday, January 19, and their subsequent tour.

Trump fans love when the big guy gets mad. They love when he hurls insults, when he attacks journalists (or inspires others to do so), when he vows revenge on his endless list of enemies. (Do these same people like when he doesn’t understand how magnets work, forgets about World War II, and can’t get the sitting president right? Oh, probably.) This week the former president is back in court, despite not having to be there. And of course he’s acting like a petulant child again, even if only jurists and journalists are there to see it.

Trump was back in the hometown that hates him Wednesday for the second defamation lawsuit brought on him by E. Jean Carroll. He’s already a predictably unruly presence in a courtroom, but this may have been him at his worst. During the trial’s second day, which found Carroll taking the witness stand, Trump, per Politico’s Erica Orden, was muttering so loud that the jury could hear it.

Among his remarks was that Carroll, who’s long accused Trump of sexually assaulting her in the ‘90s, “suddenly gotten her memory back.”

According to NBC News, Trump could also be heard telling his lawyers the trial was a “witch hunt” and a “con job.”

After Judge Lewis Kaplan denied one of his attorney’s objections, Trump also reportedly slammed the table and appeared to call Kaplan a “nasty guy.”

Even before Lunch Kaplan was forced to reprimand that frontrunner for the 2024 GOP presodential ticket:

“Mr. Trump has the right to be present here. That right can be forfeited, and it can be forfeited if he is disruptive” and “if he disregards court orders,” U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan told Trump and his attorney after the jury had left the courtroom. “Mr. Trump, I hope I don’t have to consider excluding you from the trial. I understand you are very eager for me to do that,” the judge said.

“I would love it. I would love it,” Trump responded.

“I know you would because you just can’t control yourself in this circumstances, apparently. You just can’t,” the judge shot back before an exasperated Trump threw his hands in the air. “Neither can you,” Trump said.

When Trump returned to the courtroom after break, posts from him again emerged on his rinky-dink Twitter clone, torching Kaplan as “abusive, rude, and obviously not partial,” as well as a “seething and hostile Clinton-appointed Judge.”

Trump’s antics may wind up getting him barred from the courtroom, but surely this is what his die-hards want him to do. Perhaps more sensible Republican voters may eventually think otherwise, though if they haven’t, in the year of our Lord 2024, seen through the dictator guy yet, they probably won’t now.

(Via NBC News)

Hannah Waddingham is doing pretty well for herself these days. The English actress has been around for ages, even doing her British thespian duties by appearing on Game of Thrones. But it was Ted Lasso, in which she plays Rebecca Walton, that’s finally made her a big star. Now she has an Emmy and other trophies, plus a plum role in The Fall Guy. Heck, she even co-presented Eurovision’s grand final last year. But had she listened to a not very prophetic drama school teacher, she might not have had the nerve to go for it.

“I had one drama teacher that said to the whole class: ‘Oh, Hannah will never work on screen because she looks like one side of her face has had a stroke,’” Waddingham recalled during a recent appearance on the BBC Radio 2 podcast Michelle Visage’s Rule Breakers, as caught by Decider.

Though the comment “gave [her] a complex for years,” luckily it didn’t deter her. “I thought, I will do,” she recalled thinking. “Come hell or high water, I will work on screen.”

And so she did. In fact, she worked a ton, juggling both stage work — her theater credits include Spamalot; Kiss Me, Kate; and the Sondheims Into the Woods and A Little Night Music — and lots of TV.

“I used to knacker myself senseless,” she recalled. “I used to be doing a [theater] show at night and I used to literally take anything to get myself on screen.”

But look at her now!

(Via Decider)

The cinema hasn’t always been kind to pop stars. Madonna has some big screen hits, but she also has Shanghai Surprise, Body of Evidence, and the remake of Swept Away. Mariah Carey would probably prefer people forget Glitter, while not even Oscar-winning thespian Cher could save Christina Aguilera’s Burlesque. Luckily Jennifer Lopez was a big time movie star before she sold hit records. What’s more, music movies, like The Eras Tour, are once again popular. In short, the time is right for JLo’s movie version of This is Me…Now.

On Wednesday, the full-length trailer for the film, which accompanies her forthcoming ninth album, went live, and it’s not a concert movie, nor is it a “visual album” like Beyoncé’s acclaimed Lemonade film. It’s…a semi-normal movie? About a thinly veiled version of her? In which her friends accuse her of being a sex addict? And it features narration from Neil deGrasse Tyson?

All that is true, and it’s possible this Amazon Prime film — which the trailer boasts is from the “heart, soul, and dreams” of its star — could be hubris unbound. It could also reveal some genuinely surprising aspects of Lopez’s life and personality.

For one thing, the film’s Lopez is shown shuffling through multiple husbands, as she has in real life. (Though four honestly isn’t too many.) That’s not very surprising. But what is is a scene where her own friends hold what looks like an intervention, accusing her not of marrying too often, but of being a straight-up sex addict. Later in the trailer we see her in what appears to be a Sex Addicts Anonymous Meeting.

“This is her own story in her own words,” the trailer boasts. Prime Video, meanwhile, refers to it as a “narrative-driven cinematic odyssey, steeped in mythological storytelling and personal healing.” There are lots of fantastical, expensive-looking musical numbers that appear to delve into aspects of her life.

And there’s also the world’s most famous astrophysicist and movie ruiner Neil deGrasse Tyson, heard musing about the cosmos on the film’s narration track. May he not try to poke logic/science holes in a film featuring his voice.

Also billed in the Mad Libs cast are Fat Joe, Trevor Noah, Post Malone, Keke Palmer, Sofia Vergara, Derek Hough, and her current husband, Ben Affleck.

Will this be another Lemonade, winding up on snooty film critics’ lists and taught at the academic level? Or will it be a Crossroads? The world will find out on Feb. 16, when the This is Me…Now film drops, two days ahead of the album itself. You can watch the trailer in the video above.

(Via Entertainment Weekly)

Why does travel always feel like a dream once it’s over? It took until we touched down on the tarmac at LAX for it to hit me: my short time in Rwanda — “The Heart of Africa” — had come and gone. The “pinch me” moments flooded my memory: sitting face to face with a family of mountain gorillas in the jungle, picking my way across a teetering suspension bridge over one of Africa’s oldest rainforests, watching lions prowl through tall grass in the savannah…

And now, just like that, I was some 10,000 miles away. The memories already fading, like I was viewing them through the mist at Volcanoes National Park.

Of the more than one million international tourists who visit Rwanda annually, almost 92% arrive with permits (or at least plans) to meet endangered mountain gorillas. These primates (with whom we share a staggering 98% of our DNA) are enjoying a population upswing — in large part thanks to Rwanda’s sustainable tourism infrastructure. But beyond this once-in-a-lifetime wildlife encounter, Rwanda’s unique artistic and cultural heritage is reason enough to visit the central African nation. Couple that culture with the sheer raw beauty of the land and the kindness tourists often report… Speaking personally, Rwanda is the most extraordinary place I’ve ever been.

If you’re dreaming of a life-changing trip and wish to encounter some of the world’s rarest animals, read our Rwanda guide, below.

PART I — Welcome to Rwanda

First, let’s talk money. Roundtrip flights from the U.S. to Rwanda start (conservatively) at $1k. For hikes, safaris, and primate treks, you’ll need national park entry, which averages around $75. Many also require a guide at an extra fee.

As for gorilla trekking permits, those are $1,500. If you’re picking up what I’m putting down, a trip to Rwanda won’t be cheap. These once-in-a-lifetime experiences come with a price tag. But your tourism dollars are an essential part of wildlife conservation and community upliftment projects. My gorilla trek, safaris, and hikes in Rwanda were all the more enjoyable knowing this.

As for accommodation, Rwanda boasts some of Africa’s most luxurious eco-lodges. But you can also visit on a moderate budget and stay in eco-villages or participate in voluntourism. Most hotels, restaurants, and tourist places in Rwanda take US dollars, but the national currency is the Rwandan Franc (RWF). The exchange rate is typically honored at $1USD to $1,000RWF (though, in reality, it fluctuates around $0.80USD to $1,000RWF).

You’ll want Rwandan Francs on hand for tipping, coffee runs, and roadside souvenir shops.

Getting Around

After flying over 20 hours to Kigali, I was grateful to receive my first, “you are very welcome here” from a smiling immigration officer. And I did feel welcome. My tour guide, Didier, said it again while opening the door to an army green safari car — my wifi-equipped chariot for the next 11 days.

If you’re familiar with operating 4WD cars in African countries (like my editor Steve on his legendary road trip across Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, and Mozambique), you can rent a car in Kigali and tour the country yourself for about $50 a day. But in my experience, having a certified driver/tour guide was invaluable. Didier seamlessly answered every question thrown at him while adjusting the wifi router, taking charge of winding cliff-side roads, and playing the most vibey hiphop/R&B playlist of all time (along with some tracks he loved that were new to me).

Not to mention, getting picked up from the airport in a safari car is pretty sweet. This list compiles all the certified guides and tour groups through Rwanda Tours and Travel Association.

Rwandan Food

In all honesty, my time in Rwanda was hyper-focused on nature exploration. I ate a lot of boxed lunches in the car. Glamorous, I know. Still, I was able to try some insanely good traditional Rwandan cuisine during many hotel buffet dinners.

Some favorites:

• Igisafuria (a hearty meat and veggie stew).
• Mizuzu (fried plantain).
• Stewed beans.
• Isombe (stewed cassava leaves almost like sauteed spinach)
• Grilled tilapia.
• Sambaza (the surprisingly delicious tiny fried fish of Lake Kivu).
• And, of course, chapati (a soft pita-like bread).

You can’t find a bad cup of coffee in Rwanda, and Urwagwa, the nation’s famous banana beer, is a must-try. Sorry in advance because you will love banana beer but will be hard-pressed to find it anywhere else. Tropical fruits like tree tomato, avocado, and purple passion fruit are plentiful, and local yogurt, cheeses, and meats are divine.

The capital city, Kigali, has the widest selection of restaurants by a long shot. My Kigali native friend and Youtuber Chey (cheymuv) nominates the family-owned Repub Lounge as her favorite spot for dinner in Kigali. Over at @checkoutrwanda, my buddy Freddie recommends hitting Biryogo car-free zone for classic Rwandan street food bites.

You can also check out this website for some of the best restaurants in the city. If you’re looking to party, Kigali also has a booming nightlife scene.

PART II — The Capital: Kigali

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On the way to my hotel on night one, I was shaken by viewing Kigali’s city streets. There was zero trash. Like none… I’m sorry, but LA, SF, and NYC could never!

Rwanda is the first nation I’ve been to with a ban on plastic bags. And there’s no other country in the world with a monthly community clean-up day. It’s no surprise that Kigali holds the title of Africa’s cleanest city.

Kigali Genocide Memorial

If you’ve got just a day or two in Kigali like I did, there’s only one imperative “to-do” — visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial. Familiarizing myself with the history of Rwanda’s tragic 1994 genocide felt important as a foreign traveler. It helped expand my understanding of the turn-around the country has made and better grasp the resilience of the Rwandan people.

The Genocide Memorial is a place to pay respect and learn. Entry is free, though there is a suggested donation of $20. I purchased a “Ubumuntu” (“to be human” in Kinyarwanda) pin in the gift shop as part of my donation. If you’ve got more time in the capital, check out:

• Nyandungu Eco-Park: Birdwatch, meander walking paths, or bike around this pristine nature reserve in the heart of the city.
• Rwanda Art Museum: Get a sense of Rwanda’s culture through its art, from past to present.
• Inema Arts Center: This art center offers dance classes! Rwanda’s traditional dance is very unique and captivating to watch.
• Caplaki Craft Village: This market can be a bit hectic, but it’s the best place to buy handmade artisanal crafts and souvenirs.
• Niyo Art Gallery & Café: A vibey gallery to hang out in and appreciate works of art made by locals.
• Kimironko Market: Local markets are always a great peek into local life.
• Rwanda Clothing: Handmade, custom-tailored threads made in Kigali.

Where to Stay in Kigali

The Radisson Blu Kigali (like all Radisson Blus) is a modern and reliable stay. You can count on your room to have the non-negotiable amenities you’ll need after a 20+ hour flight: slippers, a waffle robe, and room service. I don’t blame you for ordering some American comfort food at 11 pm, I know I did. Nothing quite hits the spot like chicken and mashed potatoes after flying.

My room also had an unbeatable view of the Kigali Convention Center, which comes aglow each night in colorful lights to represent the Rwandan Peace Basket.

The Kigali Serena Hotel was a fabulous stay as well and had a fun tropical vibe to it. Both hotels have a gym and spa, a pool with plenty of chairs to lounge on (though I preferred the pool at Serena), on-site restaurants, and outstanding breakfast spreads. Nightly rates start at $200 for each.

PART III — Nyungwe National Park

Despite hiking just three of the park’s 15 trails, I witnessed some of the most inspiring nature scenes of my life in Nyungwe National Park. This is the largest expanse of forest in the country, and just this year became UNESCO-protected. To get there from Kigali, you’re in for a four-and-a-half-hour drive…

Let it set the stage for a number of long drives in Rwanda! But I promise your eyes will be glued out the window the whole time…

Southwestern Rwanda’s hillsides are patterned with rice farms and rolling green tea plantations. You’re about to step foot in one of Africa’s oldest rainforests! I spent just two days in Nyungwe, but you could easily spend three or more. The Nyungwe National Park entry fee is $100. Please make your National Park entry reservations and primate trekking permits in advance, friends.

TIP: Chimpanzee trekking at Nyungwe is a great alternative to gorilla trekking if you’re trying to save some cash.

Ndumbrare Waterfall

The trek to Ndumbrare Waterfall was gorgeous. The first bit is through tea estate pathways, where colobus monkeys hide out and peer down at you from the trees above. From flat grasslands begins the slow descent into the jungle, where thick, moss-covered vines hang overhead. You’ll know you’re getting close the more humid it gets. After about an hour and a half of hiking, the Ndumbrare Waterfall welcomed us with a cool, shimmering mist.

I spent time taking in the peaceful atmosphere and snapping photos of the gushing 50-foot falls. There’s a freshwater spring in the rock alongside the waterfall where I (somewhat hesitantly) drank the purest water of my life. It was a surreal experience.

The Ndumbrare Waterfall hike is $55 and includes a guide. You can book the 1 pm like me or the 9 am, for which you’ll need to leave Kigali early (like 4:30 am).

Gisakura Tea Estate

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Returning from the Ndumbrare Waterfall hike led us back through the Gisakura Tea Estate, where a group of young women in colorful Kitenge dresses were harvesting tea leaves. One of the women, Jenny, signaled for me to join her in the sea of green. She fastened a traditional woven basket around my waist then showed me which leaves were ripe for harvest, then how to toss them into the basket for safekeeping.

This experience with Jenny (pictured above) is one of my most cherished memories in Rwanda! Be sure to give a tip after taking photos or joining them in the harvest.

IVOMO Tea Experience

Near the exit of the park is the IVOMO mini museum and storefront. This social enterprise creates jobs for local women and helps provide clean drinking water to surrounding communities, among other hugely important objectives. Pop in to support and learn about the history of tea in Rwanda with Rick. Various tea experiences are offered at IVOMO starting at $30. Don’t leave without buying some Rwandan green or black tea, an African paper bead necklace, or a headband or cinch bag sewn from traditional textiles.

All the goodies here are crafted by local women from the community!

Canopy Walkway

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While you’re in Nyungwe National Park, I highly recommend doing the Canopy Walkway. This narrow aerial bridge rises some 200 feet above the forest floor, which my guide said contains remnants from the age of dinosaurs! Crossing the second expanse of the three-part bridge, a brilliant sunset in the east while red-tailed monkeys swung from the trees alongside.

The vista was mind-blowing. Unless you’re afraid of heights, this is a must-do while in Rwanda. The Canopy Walkway hike is offered at $60 per person and includes a guide. The first tour begins at 9 am, but I suggest taking the last at 3 pm and trying to catch the sunset from the bridge.

Where to Stay Near Nyungwe National Park

If you plan on bouncing between Nyungwe National Park and Lake Kivu, the Mantis Kivu Marina Bay Hotel ($145) is a great lodging option. Every single room has a balcony with a view of the surrounding area, the perfect place to savor morning coffee before a big day. If you have any free time (I was hard-pressed to find much, there’s so much to see in Rwanda!) spend it relaxing by the pool.

If you have the budget (or lack thereof) book a stay at One&Only Nyungwe House, set right on a tea plantation. One&Only has two locations in Rwanda, and from the looks of the infinity edge pool, tea lounge, and forest spa… One & Only Nyungwe House is worth every penny (starting at $1,600 per night). For a budget-friendly option, the Nyungwe Nziza Ecolodge has quaint tea-view cabins for $65 a night!

PART IV — Lake Kivu

Rwanda is home to one of Africa’s seven Great Lakes: the massive Lake Kivu. Lake Kivu stretches over 1,000 square miles and is divided between Rwanda and the DRC. I insist you spend at least one day getting to know the lake — which, by the way, has no hippos or crocodiles!

There’s truly something magical about Lake Kivu. But there’s also something downright spooky about it, too. Bubbling beneath the depths of Lake Kivu is a toxic concoction of gasses that could cause a large limbic explosion (basically a big champagne pop) in the case of powerful seismic or volcanic activity. But fear not! Just don’t venture into the center of the lake, which is easy since the lake looks about as large as the ocean!

Boat Tour on Lake Kivu

Boat along Lake Kivu’s glassy surface, see the famous swimming cows and peer out beyond the layers of smoky-colored hills in the distance. A boat ride on Lake Kivu is not just relaxing, it’s a great way to travel to your next hotel along the lake! You can book a Lake Kivu boat tour through your hotel, or choose a tour operator here.

If weather permits (unfortunately it didn’t for me), definitely opt for a kayak excursion on the lake!

Kinunu Wonders Coffee Tour

Rwanda has almost half a million small coffee farms, making it the the 9th largest producer of arabica coffee in Africa! One morning on Lake Kivu, I set out by boat to Kinunu Wonders, producer of “Boneza” coffee. As the boat puttered up to shore, the tranquil charm and brilliant fragrance of coffee blooms awoken my senses. The tour was highly insightful and enjoyable. This particular plantation is home to an original manual washing station, a processing room, and a small guest house. At the end of the tour, you’ll sample the coffee and have the opportunity to take some home with you – do!

Your loved ones will thank you for bringing them a taste of Rwanda.

Where to Stay on Lake Kivu

The southernmost hotel I stayed in on Lake Kivu was the aforementioned Mantis Kivu Marina Bay Hotel, moving north along Lake Kivu, I stayed in a different hotel each night. The stunning Cleo Lake Kivu in Kibuye was the most elegant of my stays in Rwanda. To my suprise, I was randomly given a villa, which knocked my socks off, but all the rooms (starting around $350 a night) have inane lake views.

Night two on Lake Kivu was at the ’90s style Lake Kivu Serena Hotel in Rubavu (previously known as Gisenyi) on Lake Kivu’s northern shore.

Playing cards with the girls while sipping “Kivu Sours” on the cushioned lounge chairs by the lake was so fun. And I found Serena Hotel’s food to be better than Cleo’s!

Rates for Serena Hotel start at $190 a night. If you liked the tranquility of Kinunu Wonders, they have charming guest rooms for rent at a super reasonable $30 a night. Near Kinunu Wonders in Boneza, I had a fabulous lakeside lunch at a beachfront bed and breakfast, Rushel Kivu Lodge. After chilling on the property, watching people play volleyball on the sand, and walking the shoreline, I would recommend a stay there wholeheartedly.

Prices are around $130-180 a night.

PART V — Volcanoes National Park

Just one hour north of Lake Kivu lies Volcanoes National Park is Rwanda’s section of the Virunga Mountain range. The Virunga Mountains are a chain of eight volcanoes bordering Rwanda, the DRC, and Uganda. Living in this UNESCO-protected biosphere is most of the remaining population of mountain gorillas on the planet!

Since Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park contains five of Virunga’s volcanoes and over one-third of these impressive primates — gorilla trekking remains the pièce de résistance for many travelers in the “Land of a Thousand Hills.” It’s also a conservation success story leading the way in sustainable eco and wildlife tourism.

Gorilla Tracking

Anticipation rose as temperatures dropped the higher we climbed on the slope of Mount Bisoke. We began in the village below, where I coupled with a porter and was given a wooden walking stick. We then started up the zigzag path toward the base of the mountain, passing family farms and homes where white goats manicured surrounding grass and local children yelled: “hello!” to which we yelled back “muraho!” (hello in Kinyarwanda).

A small set of stairs some 45 minutes up marked the entrance to the national park.

We huddled up to go over expectations, “friendly grunts,” and gorilla do’s (slow movement) and don’ts (camera flash, intimidating eye contact). Over two hours we climbed a rainforest floor piled in fallen foliage, layered in endless root systems. The trees towered higher than any I’d ever seen, and the worms were the size of snakes.

Finally, the moment came: our tracker confirmed the Susa gorilla family was nearby. My nerves surged and morphed into excitement. There’s nothing with which I can compare the sensation of peering into the eyes of a gorilla; seeing a mother shield her baby from rain under the cover of her thick black hair; or watching a teenage gorilla peel back sticks like string cheese.

It was an hour I will never forget.

You can apply for the gorilla trekking permit here. Some quick facts about gorilla tracking in Volcanoes National Park:

• There are 12 gorilla families all living in different parts of the park
• Which family you trek to depends on your desired hike intensity (I chose a higher level of intensity, but would’ve been keen on having an easier hike should there be a next time)
• There are 96 permits per day, each costing $1,500
• Each group is eight people at most
• The gorilla families will see one group of humans for just one hour per day
• The gorillas are monitored for safety and health by trackers almost around the clock
• Much of the trekking permit funds are allocated to conservation and park maintenance
• You will wear a face mask for the safety of you and the gorillas (mostly the gorillas, who are susceptible to human illness)

Gorilla Guardians Cultural Village

In nearby Musanze, this non-profit creates cultural tourism jobs to former gorilla poachers, who once played a major role in the decimation of Rwanda’s gorilla population. Walking into the Gorilla Guardians Cultural Village, I was welcomed by a circle of powerful drummers and Intore dancers wearing traditional Rwandan textiles.

I shot a bow and arrow while learning about Rwanda’s archery and hunting heritage, visited the medicine man who treated me with some much-needed aloe vera, watched sorghum be ground into powder to create Rwanda’s famous Banana beer (yum!), and role-played a traditional wedding!

The donation for this experience is $20, and in my opinion, well worth it, especially considering the direct positive impact these tourism jobs have on the environment and local community.

Dian Fossey Museum

The journey of Rwanda’s commitment to gorilla conservation was sparked by the work of the late Dian Fossey, a San Francisco-born zoologist who spent 20 years living alongside the mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park. She is credited for bringing awareness and study to these impressive primates way back in the 1960’s! I highly recommend doing a tour at the Dian Fossey Museum while you’re in Volcanoes National Park.

The information is intriguing, but also, the experience is also interactive. You are suggested to contribute a $20 donation for entry.

Where to Stay in Volcanoes National Park

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Trust me when I say that you’re going to want a cushy place to land and a hot shower post-primate trek. For me, that haven was the Virunga Inn Resort & Spa, tucked beneath the volcano mountain slopes. Its modern cabins are immersed in nature and a haven to retreat back to ($763). Hit the small gym was for a quick morning workout and enjoy the on-site restaurant. I thought the food was delicious and the staff was super friendly. The Virunga Inn has gators for your gorilla trek outfit (sexy), and will take your hiking boots for a cleaning post-trek.

The best budget option is the peaceful Fravan Eco-Resort By Apogee, for around just $50 a night you’ll have close access to the Volcanoes Park Headquarters. The hotel of ultimate opulence? The One&Only Gorilla’s Nest ($3,700) or Bisate Lodge (starting at $1,930). Both have more amenities than you may need (the Gorilla’s Nest even has a helipad), plus some of the most sublime volcano views in the area.

PART VI — Akagera National Park

Eastern Rwanda’s Akagera National Park is Central Africa’s largest protected wetland, and the only “Big 5” park in Rwanda! You can even see Tanzania from the eastern edge of the park! The drive from Kigali is a quick 2.5 hours and a decent 5 hours from Kinigi (Volcanoes National Park area). But you’d be remiss not to have a safari at the top of your Rwanda itinerary!

The park entry fee is $100 for international visitors and offers the options for a self-driven game drive for a $10 vehicle entry fee. You can also hire a driver for your car for $40 per day, or hire a car and driver for $280 full day, $180 half day. The boat safari is a great way to get out and see Rwanda’s Lake Ihema, rates are just $35 for a daytime trip and $45 for the sunset tour. You can pre-register for your safaris at this link.

Big 5 Game Drive

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I was honestly not prepared for the animals I saw during my safari at Akagera! From my cozy seat in the safari car, I saw hundreds of huge cape buffalo, dozens of cute-but-deadly hippos, many dazzles of zebra (yes, a group of zebras is called a dazzle!), tons of impala, and a handful of giraffes, lions, and elephants.

A dream come true for a girl who always wanted to be a zoologist when she was little.

The game drive is long, like 4-5 hours, and gives you the chance to see many of Akagera’s 8,000 animals. Be sure to wear something comfy and pack extra batteries for your camera gear! You’ll need it. As with all national parks in Rwanda, 10% of profits go right back into supporting the animals, the integrity of the park, and the surrounding communities.

Boat Safari on Lake Ihema

My afternoon boat safari experience was laid back and relaxed. That is, until, we budded right up to the edge of an island where a massive Cape Buffalo was taking a nap. Like literally 15ft from this massive, horned animal. But the tour guides know what they’re doing and just how to maneuver the boat to get you up close and personal.

The boat safari is a quick hour or so and scoots around a few of the different islands in Lake Ihema in the southern part of Akagera National Park. There was no shortage of chonky hippos lazing in the water, a few rhinos walking the grassy areas, and many incredible bird species, including a Goliath heron. These beasts have a wingspan of 6-7.5 feet!

Where to Stay in Akagera National Park

Mantis Akagera Game Lodge is the only luxury in-park lodging in Akagera National Park. It is 100% worth the price, which is a consistent $120-175 year round. The pool deck is the place to be, chilling with a drink in hand and conversing about your best animal sightings of the day. The rooms are spread out around the property, which is surrounded by gorgeous views of Akagera’s raw savannah.