The women and girls left Kigali as travelers. These tourists returned home feeling like queens. This is the story of how Explore More Tours Honors Women by turning a simple weekend into a powerful tribute to the mothers, daughters, and sisters who build this nation every day.
Explore More Tours Honors Women not just with words, but with action. Through this journey to the north, they showed that celebrating women means creating moments they will never forget.
The Idea That Started It All: How Explore More Tours Honors Women
Jean Pierre Hakizimana, runs a small tourism company called Explore More Tours. His friends call him Peter. In early 2026, he sat in his office thinking about International Women’s Day.
“Every year, people post nice messages online,” he said. “Happy Women’s Day. We love our women. But after the posts, nothing changes. I wanted to do something real.”
So, he planned a two-day trip to the north of Rwanda. Hakizimana invited women, girls, and couples from all over the country. Men and young men were also welcome, because he believes celebrating women is a job for everyone.
The chosen dates were March 7 and 8, 2026.
Explore More Tours Honors Women: Following a Brave Woman
The bus departed Kigali early in the morning. Inside were women, girls, plus some men and couples. These travelers came from cities and villages across Rwanda. Some were teachers. Others were farmers. A few sold vegetables in the market. Many stayed home to raise children, while others work in different sectors.
Their first destination was Kinigi, in Musanze District. Here stands the Ellen DeGeneres Campus, a beautiful center that protects gorillas and teaches visitors about them.
However, the women did not come only for the gorillas.
Inside the campus, they learned about Dian Fossey. This American woman came to Rwanda alone in 1967. She lived in the forest, sleeping on the cold ground and climbing volcanoes to find gorillas. Her mission was clear: protect them from illegal hunters. Sadly, on 26th December 1985, she was killed in her cabin high in the mountains. Yet her legacy remains strong. Today, because of her, the gorillas of Rwanda are still here.
Explore More Tours Honors Women: The Lake That Joins Three Districts
From Musanze, the group moved to Burera District. This is where you find the Twin Lakes, Burera and Ruhondo, which also touch a small part of Gakenke District.
Arriving at Lake Ruhondo, a boat waited. Though made of wood, it has an engine to make it run fast. Carefully, everyone climbed in.
As the boat moved slowly across the water, the lake was so clear you could see around. All around, green and steep hills surrounded them, and a few children on shore waved as the boat passed.
The Boat Captain, who has worked on this lake for many years, pointed to the far shore.
“You see that place? That is Musanze District. But we started in Burera. One lake connects three districts. Like a family, different people, one home.”
Hearing this, the women smiled, and his words stayed with them.
For nearly forty minutes, they floated on water that felt peaceful and holy. On the boat, some women talked, while others sat quiet, and a few put their hands in the water, watching it run through their fingers.
One woman admitted: “I am afraid of deep water. I never learned to swim. But here, with all these women around me, I felt safe. When do we ever feel that safe in normal life?”
Explore More Tours Honors Women: The Moment That Made Them Cry
After the boat ride, the group went to a hotel near the lake. Here, they rested and talked while the sun began to set behind the hills.
Then, something happened that no one expected.
A Surprise That Touched Every Heart
Without warning, the men in the group stood up. In their hands, each man carried a flower. Then, one by one, they walked to every woman and every girl sitting in the beautiful garden chairs. With gentle care, they bent down slightly and handed over the flowers.
In soft voices, they said, “Happy Women’s Day. You are precious. We love you.”
One woman, around 50 years old and from Kigali, could not hold back her tears when a young man gave her a flower and spoke those words.
Later, she opened up about her feelings: “I am an adult. I have lived through hard times. No one has ever knelt to give me anything. No one has ever told me I am precious. But today, I feel like a queen.”
A Cake Shared in Joy
After the flowers, they brought out the cake. It had white frosting and pink letters that read: “Happy Women’s Day.”
Every person received a piece. As they ate together and smiled at each other, something changed in that garden area. The atmosphere grew warmer, filled with unspoken appreciation.
Words That Came from the Heart
One woman was asked to speak on behalf of the group. Slowly, she stood and took the microphone.
With a full heart, she said, “I want to thank the people of Explore More Tours. You thought of us, you gave us flowers, and you made a cake for us. Our hearts are so full we cannot hold it.“
But she did not stop there.
With honesty and courage, she continued: “Let me also speak truth. Our children are in trouble. Some drink too much. Others take drugs. Many have no work and no hope. We celebrate today, but tomorrow we must fight for them. Women built this country. Now we must save our young people.”
A Standing Tribute
For a moment, the garden area went quiet. Then, everyone clapped. The applause lasted for a long time, a powerful tribute to her brave words.
When Women Dance, They Remember Who They Are
After the speeches, music filled the garden area. It was Women’s Day music, the kind that makes you move.
Soon, women got up and danced. On the floor, some moved like they had danced their whole lives. In contrast, others danced like they had never danced before. In the end, none of that mattered.
One woman who came on this trip alone shared her feelings: “When I dance, I forget everything. First, I forget the hard work. Then, I forget the loneliness. Finally, I forget my worries. In those moments, I am just happy and I really appreciate Explore More Tours.”
Before long, men and girls joined the dancing too. For a few hours, everyone forgot about everything except being together.
This is exactly what Explore More Tours Honors Women looks like, creating spaces where women can forget their worries and simply be happy.
What They Carried Home
On Sunday afternoon, before boarding the bus back to Kigali, people shared what the weekend meant to them.
One woman spoke up with passion: “Men should do this more. They should take their wives somewhere, show them love, and give them flowers even on the normal working days, not just on Women’s Day. Happy women make happy homes. Happy homes make a strong Rwanda.”
The Man Behind the Vision
Before everyone left, Jean Pierre Hakizimana stood at the front.
“Some people think tourism is for the rich,” he said. “That is not true. Tourism is for everyone. The only problem is that some people still think it is not for them. I want to tell you: come with us. Visit your country. You will come back different.”
He made a promise.
“This is not the last time,” he said. “We will keep creating space for women. We will keep celebrating them. Not just on Women’s Day, but every chance we get.”
Where Explore More Tours Takes You
Across Rwanda, Explore More Tours visits beautiful places. In the north, guests explore Volcanoes National Park, the Ellen DeGeneres Campus, and Dian Fossey’s grave. Adventurers can also hike volcanoes like Muhabura, Kalisimbi, Sabyinyo, Bisoke, and Gahinga.
For those seeking peace, the Twin Lakes – Burera and Ruhondo offer peaceful boat rides. Meanwhile, further south, Akagera National Park and Nyungwe National Park provide wildlife and forest adventures. If relaxation is what you need, Lake Kivu and Napoleon Island are perfect.
Although they often visit Musanze and Burera, Explore More Tours also goes beyond Rwanda’s borders, taking travelers to new adventures.
Every destination reflects how Explore More Tours Honors Women —by creating journeys that celebrate, uplift, and bring women together in Rwanda’s most beautiful places.
Why This Story Matters for Rwanda
Instead of just posting “Happy Women’s Day” online, Explore More Tours did something real. They took women to beautiful places, gave them flowers and cake as signs of love and care, and most importantly, made every woman feel not just celebrated, but truly precious.
When you support women, you build a nation.
Join the Next Journey
If you want to be part of something like this, Explore More Tours welcomes you with open arms.
Call & WhatsApp them on (+250) 726811220
(+250)788771883 for booking.
Visit their all social media platforms.
>>Come and see Rwanda. Come feel proud. Come celebrate the women, girls and men who make this country great.
For collaboration or to share your own story of faith and inspiration, contact us at globalvibenews@gmail.com or Call/WhatsApp us on +250 783443274.
