Breaking Borders: Rwanda Pictures

Journalist Mariana van Zeller and chef Michael Voltaggio travel to Rwanda, where they receive a history lesson on the country’s 1994 genocide. Together, they experience the culture, people, food and wildlife of Rwanda.

By: Rani Craft Robinson

Episode: Gorillas and Growth in Rwanda

Shop This Look

Photo By: Ashley Gilbertson

Gorillas in the Mist

Roger Amani, a guide at Volcanoes National Park, leads local fixer Ayubu Kasasa, Michael Voltaggio and Mariana van Zeller to the Umubano ("friendship") group, a family of 13 mountain gorillas led by a silverback named Charles. It is, without a doubt, one of the most popular stops in Rwanda.

View of Rwanda from Volcanoes National Park

Roger Amani leads Mariana van Zeller and Michael Voltaggio out of Volcanoes National Park after spending time with the gorillas.

Selfies!

Michael and Mariana capture their excitement of being with the gorillas.

Potato Collection Inside Volcanoes National Park

Ayubu, Mariana and Michael gather potatoes grown in the soil of Volcanoes National Park. Michael will use them for the dinner at the end of the trip.

Fresh Corn!

Mariana, Michael and Ayubu taste freshly picked corn from a roadside stand in Kigali, the capital of Rwanda.

Women Drummers of Ingoma Nshya

An ensemble of drummers called Ingoma Nshya, which consists of Hutu and Tutsi women, performs for Michael and Mariana. It’s their official welcome to Rwanda. Ingoma Nshya promotes female empowerment, renewal and Hutu-Tutsi reconciliation.

Banana Picking

Michael breaks off bananas from a tree outside of Kigali. Bananas are one of the biggest food crops in Rwanda.

View of Kigali in the Distance

A beautiful view of Rwanda's countryside, with Kigali in the distance.

Touring Rwanda

Ayubu atop Mount Kigali with chef Michael Voltaggio and correspondent Mariana van Zeller in Kigali, Rwanda.

Nyamata Church

Nyamata Church, located about 20 miles from Kigali, is where thousands of Tutsis and moderate Hutus fled persecution in hope that the church would keep them safe, but most of them were killed there.

In Memoriam

On display are skulls and skeletons of the people who died in the church and the surrounding area.

Goat Meat

Michael shops for fresh produce and goat in Kigali’s central market, all for the final dinner.

Produce Market

Kigali's central market is packed with fresh produce.

Chef Michael in the Kitchen

It's the last day in Rwanda, and Michael is in the kitchen, preparing the final meal for his and Mariana’s dinner guests.

Dinner is Served

Michael's green papaya salad with green vegetables.

Michael's Twist on Coq au vin

Coq au vin topped with tomatoes and red wine.

Final Dinner in Rwanda

Mariana and Michael pose for a picture with their dinner guests, who include both Hutus and Tutsis.

Trending

Trending

Trending

Trending

Breaking Borders

Breaking Borders: Rwanda Pictures

Shop This Look

Gorillas in the Mist

View of Rwanda from Volcanoes National Park

Selfies!

Potato Collection Inside Volcanoes National Park

Fresh Corn!

Women Drummers of Ingoma Nshya

Banana Picking

View of Kigali in the Distance

Touring Rwanda

Nyamata Church

In Memoriam

Goat Meat

Produce Market

Chef Michael in the Kitchen

Dinner is Served

Michael's Twist on Coq au vin

Final Dinner in Rwanda