After the two successful screenings in Chicago and New York, it was Kigali’s well-deserved turn to host the screening of the much anticipated travel documentary ‘Rwanda: The Royal Tour’ on Saturday.

One would have thought that after a Friday evening broadcast on Rwanda Television, the Saturday screening at Kigali Conference and Exhibition Village wouldn’t have attracted as many people but alas!

In fact, at some point Rwanda Development Board (RDB), which partnered with Rwanda Convention Bureau and Rwanda Events Group to organise the screening, had to stop accepting reservations after noticing that there wouldn’t be enough space to accommodate all the people who wanted to come.

The public screening of the documentary, in which President Paul Kagame takes American journalist and documentary producer Peter Greenberg on a tour across Rwanda to see different tourist attractions, was attended by hundreds of people.

From diplomatic corps to Mo Ibrahim Forum delegates and Rwandans from all walks of life who thronged KCEV, the former Camp Kigali, there was a general feeling of excitement and anticipation.

The screening began 30 minutes later than the scheduled time as organisers waited for the hundreds of guests who had registered to arrive and take their seats. The number of people was overwhelming.

The travel documentary, which showcases Rwanda’s astonishing turnaround from the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi to one of the safest and fastest growing economies on the continent, has been on the lips of many Rwandans, with many taking to social media to express how they feel.

The ease with which President Kagame guided Greenberg through different attractions across the country, from Mountain Gorilla trekking to the wild savannahs of Akagera National Park, left those who attended the screening in awe.

Together, Kagame and Greenberg went gorilla trekking through Volcanoes National Park, jet-skied in Lake Kivu, explored Nyungwe Forest National Park on an elevated canopy walkway and saw a variety of wildlife during on a safari through Akagera National Park.

The audience was amazed by the many humorous scenes, with the President often making jokes in the 55 minute documentary. They were also astounded by the president’s skills in the sport of tennis and basketball.

Emmanuel Hategeka, the Chief Operating Officer of RDB, thanked the Head of State for showcasing Rwanda in a beautiful manner and challenged the audience to visit the attractive destinations of Rwanda.

The Royal Tour series was created by Peter Greenberg, the CBS travel editor, who convinces heads of state to spend a week showing him around their countries while the cameras are rolling.

Rwanda is the first the first African country to be featured in The Royal Tour series.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw