Travel to Rwanda in the Summer with Sam

Join Samantha Reynolds, on an immersive 9-day educational and cultural journey to Rwanda, designed for leaders, community builders and wellness advocates. Experience the heart of this remarkable country, where resilience and transformation have redefined its landscape since the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi.

With Sam’s extensive knowledge and personal connection to Rwanda, gained through years of advocacy and development work, you will acquire invaluable insights into the nation’s journey of recovery and growth. Engage in meaningful discussions, connect with local innovators, and explore how the lessons learned can inspire your own community-building efforts.

Itinerary

Program Fees

• Program Fee $5,300 shared accommodation | $6,300 single supplement

• Early Access (pay in full by 12/31/24) $4,800 shared accommodation | $5,750 single supplement

Learn more about fees and fundraising opportunities here.

Accommodation

KIGALI

MARRIOTT KIGALI HOTEL

Akagera

AKAGERA GAME LODGE

Rwamagana (outside of kigali)

AGAHOZO-SHALOM YOUTH VILLAGE

About Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village

NON-PROFIT THAT EMPOWERS AND HEALS ORPHANED TEENS

We will be staying at the Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village for two nights, a visionary community founded by the late Anne Heyman in 2008, a model for holistic healing and transformation. Just 1.5 hours outside of Kigali, learn and experience the Village’s profound impact on the youth and community at large. Sam will share her insight and personal experience working at ASYV from 2013-2014, where she was an assistant to the Executive Director, working with foreign dignitaries and large donors and above all, a mentor to 16 teenage girls. This community is a model for all to learn from and take back the experiences and insight to their own communities.

Founded in response to the orphan crisis caused by the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi in Rwanda, Agahozo-Shalom is a place where "tears are dried" (from the Kinyarwanda word "agahozo") and where vulnerable youth can “live in peace” (from the Hebrew word "shalom"). ASYV was modeled after Yemin Orde, an Israeli youth village established in 1953 to care for orphans of the Holocaust. You can find out more about our history and our founder, Anne Heyman, here.

• IT TAKES A VILLAGE TO TRANSFORM A CHILD. Through healing, education, and love, the Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village empowers orphaned and vulnerable Rwandan youth to build lives of dignity and contribute to a better world.

• A VISIONARY MODEL FOR HOLSTIC WELLBEING. ASYV is focused on restoring hope and opportunity to teens affected by trauma in Rwanda. The model works because healing, care, family, and education are embedded in all aspects of the Village. Their main pillars rest on the following: Parental Wholeness, Formal Education, Health and Wellness, and Life Enrichment Applied Programs.

• HEALING HEARTS & MINDS. When teens first enter ASYV, their priority is to heal them by resolving their trauma through "Tikkun Ha’lev,” or repairing the heart in Hebrew. They do this by providing them with love, stability, sustenance, and health care. Once our students' hearts have begun the healing process, we encourage them to develop a passion, take on leadership roles, and participate in the community, so that each teen can further recover from their personal trauma. The students are guided by the principle of "Tikkun Olam," or repairing the world. Through their work improving ASYV and local communities, our kids learn how to be held accountable, build confidence, think critically, and find empowerment and joy in doing for others. Tikkun Olam initiatives include teaching at the local elementary school, providing food and clothing to genocide-survivor widows, and constructing waterproof floors for at-risk community members.

ACCOMMODATION

Visitors stay in Guest Houses or at the new Intore Learning Community (ILC). Each room has simple furnishings with full or bunk beds and shelves. The Village provides sheets, a pillow, a light blanket, a small towel, and a permethrin-treated mosquito net for each bed. You are welcome to bring your own sheets and towels from home — and they always appreciate donations of sheets, towels, and blankets. The shared bathroom has hot and cold water. The Village has free wi-fi throughout, though outages can be frequent.

Optional Gorilla Trekking

2 NIGHT / 2 DAY OPTIONAL GORILLA EXTENSION - Extra Fee

Rwanda is the premier destination for the mountain gorillas and we highly recommend adding this part of the trip on to your journey. As an optional add-on, you can extend your trip by two days or more to visit the mountain gorillas, an incredible once-in-a lifetime opportunity to encounter these magnificent creatures found only in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Rwanda, and Uganda.

Gorilla permits are highly limited and only a certain amount are issued per day, meaning you have a greater chance of securing a permit if you book well in advance. Please note that gorilla permits cost an extra $1,500 and are limited and regulated by the government. Your reservation is only guaranteed through full payment and is non-refundable. There are no guarantees that space will be available should you decide to book at a later time. Mountain gorillas are extremely rare and as such, only a handful of permits are allowed each day. The in-country agency we work with will make every effort possible to get the permits in advance.

If you’d still like to visit Volcanoes National Park, there are other hiking tours available including the Golden Monkey trek and the Dian Fossey tour, both of which are significantly less expensive. Details can be found on the Rwandan Tourism Board.

Our in-country travel company and expert guide, David, will help you tailor your experience as needed, should you decide to upgrade your accommodation, stay longer, or travel beyond Rwanda to visiting countries.

Meet Our In-Country Guide

David's remarkable journey in the travel industry has garnered recognition from prestigious local and international tourism brands and organizations. In August 2021, he was honored to participate as a distinguished panelist in insightful discussions about emerging tourism trends, sustainable tourism practices, and the industry's response during and post-COVID-19. His role as a representative of the East African Chapter at one of the esteemed We Are Africa Live Webinars underscored his profound insights into the realm of travel.

What truly sets David apart is his exceptional expertise in East Africa's safaris. His vast knowledge extends far beyond the typical realms of African wildlife and cultures. David's engaging personality and knack for storytelling bring these experiences to life in a uniquely captivating way. When you embark on a safari with David, you're guaranteed to be inspired and awestruck, creating memories that will last a lifetime. In the hands of David, your journey to Rwanda promises to be an unforgettable adventure, filled with expert guidance, personalized attention, and a deep appreciation for the beauty and wonder of this remarkable country. Sam has been working with David for the past four years to bring this trip to life.

Learn more

Please fill out the details below for the 2025 Rwanda tour. An additional interview may be conducted to determine readiness. We will send you a separate form and deposit link. Please note deposit is non-refundable.

Questions?

Embark on this extraordinary educational and cultural immersion with Samantha Reynolds for your own Journeys for the Soul, where you'll gain profound insights, cultivate personal growth, and forge unforgettable connections in the heart of Rwanda. Contact Sam at sam@journeysforthesoul.com to learn more.

FAQ’s

Photo Gallery

Note: SAM REYNOLDS LLC is registered with the State of Florida as a Seller of Travel, Registration ST42185. Please read the Tour Terms and Conditions.