A few weeks ago, I entered a contest for travel bloggers and writers sponsored by Rwanda Tourism for a free, 6-day VIP tour of the tiny central-African country. Entry was simple, I tweeted their message just once. It was so simple, in fact, that after looking over the Facebook page with the contest rules, I didn't think anything of it.
Then, a few days ago, I saw that Kristin Luna announced on her blog, Camels and Chocolate, that she and Katie Hammel (new Editor at BootsnAll) won. I was happy for them, and buried my nose back in my laptop. And then, a few days ago, I received a tweet from Ben, who is representing Rwanda for the trip. Turns out they had an opening (Katie couldn't make it after all), and it was being offered to yours truly!
I am bouncing-off-the-walls excited to announce that I've accepted the 6-day tour of Rwanda!
That's right, there is no way I could pass up the chance to see endangered mountain gorillas in the wild, track chimpanzees, and learn about the tragic genocide that occurred there all too recently.
More specifically, the tour will include:
1. Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park and Nyungwe National Park
2. The cities of Kigali (capital) and Gisenyi
3. Gorilla trekking and bird watching
4. Rwanda ‘s newly launched boat on Lake Kivu
5. The canopy walk in Nyungwe and the Congo-Nile trail
The organized tour with myself, Kristin, and 3 other journalists will occur from March 20-26, 2007, however I intend to allow myself a few extra days in the capital city of Kigali to hopefully enjoy a homestay with the locals, and decompress before and after my flights on Ethiopian Airlines (via Addis Ababa).
While this is an amazing opportunity, I am having to cover the cost of airfare myself, which will run me $1,500 as of today. To help, I am appealing to all you fence-sitters who haven't yet made up your mind about joining my new course and community, Travel Blog Success.
Please read the reviews on sites like Indie Travel Podcast, Twenty-Something Travel, and Briefcase to Backpack and join the growing number of travelers ready to invest in a high quality blog!
Join now and I can assure you the money you spend will go straight toward a roundtrip flight to Rwanda. I'm not going to ask for donations, however I would love to work with you and your travel blog so that if you want, these types of exotic travel opportunities can be within your reach as well.
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PS – I am actively seeking corporate sponsors for this trip, and have a variety of advertising packages to offer.
That's awesome! A gorilla trip is at the top of my things to do list.
Yeah! Two Southerners unleashed on Rwanda! Think the gorillas are gonna know what hit them? =)
That is awesome. What a trip that will be. However, you the dates you listed put the trip at nearly 3 years ago. :)
Thanks “eagle-eyes” Eric for catching the date mistake!
Ooooh, I hate to break it to you but I'm originally from New York. Can't let that southerner comment slide. :)
It's going to be amazing!
Awww, come on! You should be happy to be an adopted Southerner =) Aren't you located in Virginia these days??
Yes, actually, I've lived in northern Virginia for the last 18 (gasp) years.
I'm actually looking to live in NYC or Washington, DC this year. Unless trip to Africa keep arising, that is.
That is fantastic. I was doing some reading and the country has made a huge turnaround since the 80s and 90s. Not many people know about it, so you'll be documenting it for a whole new audience.
Congrats!
Thanks Brian. The opportunity to visit Rwanda reminds me of when I went to Colombia.
Not many people saw it as a tourist destination, even as of 2009, and I ended up loving the country. That positive experience is part of why I'm especially excited to go to another country (hopefully) on the rise.
Oh, I am just SO happy for you!!! Congratulations!! I cannot wait to read all about it! Don't know if I can afford to do Travel Blog Success, but will definitely buy a few rounds of drinks on March 4. Again, many many congratulations!!!
I was anxious to hear what you were so excited about. Congrats this trip sounds great. Can't wait to read about what it's like.
It would also be especially interesting if you also write about what it's like to go on a PR trip too.
I'm not one to turn down a frosty beer. Looking forward to the next DC Travel happy hour already. :)
Super, super congrats!!!!!!!!!!!!! You'll love Ms. Luna. I traveled with her to Cuba and we had the most amazing time. :)
THAT IS SO EXCITING IT REQUIRES ALL CAPS! Rwanda is not a place I know much about so I look forward to seeing what you find there!
THAT IS SO EXCITING IT REQUIRES ALL CAPS! Rwanda is not a place I know much about so I look forward to seeing what you find there!