Rwanda has presently become one of the most visited destinations in Africa, which receive the highest number of travelers from all parts of the world. Despite the horrific past, the land of a thousand hills has transformed into a must visit country offering lots of travel activities and attractions to do and see. The revered natural beauty, breath-taking sceneries, stunning greenery, hospitable people and wondrous wildlife offer you with memorable experiences. Safaris to Rwanda to see mountain gorillas, trek chimpanzees, cultural visits and bird watching reward you with a memorable experience. Also, the ease of access and direct connections to Kigali international airport from different tourist regions make Rwanda a best destination to visit with no difficulty.
Volcanoes national park
Located in northern western Rwanda, Volcanoes national park is a first stop center for most Rwanda safaris. The national park is a home to 10 habituated gorilla families hence the best place for gorilla watching. Also, Volcanoes National park covers Rwanda’s share of the Virunga conservation area bordered by Congo’s virunga national park and Uganda’s Mgahinga gorilla national park. A singe gorilla permit in Rwanda costs $1500, which makes it a luxury gorilla safari destination. Besides gorillas, the national park is a home for the endangered golden monkeys, which are also ready for trekking. A hike to the top of any volcano and to the graveyard of Dian Fossey is a not miss on your Rwanda safari to Volcanoes national park. Do not miss visiting Musanze caves and a boat ride on bulera and ruhondo twin lakes.
Nyungwe forest national park
Nyungwe forest in southwestern Rwanda is a best-preserved montane forest in central Africa. The national park comprise of rain forests, bamboo, grassland, swamp and bogs which favor the habitation of various animal and bird life. Chimpanzee trekking and canopy walk are the most done activities, which attract thousands of travelers into this rain forest. In addition to chimpanzees, Nyungwe forest is a home to common chimpanzees, Ruwenzori colobus, L;Hoest monkey, silver monkey, olden monkey, Hamlyn’s monkey, red-tailed monkey, Dent’s mona monkey, Vervet monkey, Olive baboon and grey-cheeked mangabey among others. Also, the forest is a home to over 300 bird species 27 of which are endemic to the albertine region. Expect to see birds like blu-headed sunbird, Masked Mountain Alpalis, Mountain Sooty Boubou, Stripe-breasted tit, red-collared mountain babbler, Rwenzori Batis, yellow-eyed black flycatcher, Rwenzori Turaco and regal sunbirds among others. A hike to kamiranzovu waterfall is surely worth doing.
Akagera national park
This is a home to the big five game, the only savannah national park in Rwanda. The park was garzetted in 1934 to promote game viewing safaris in Rwanda and diversify tourism products in this land of a thousand hills. Akagera national park is named after Akagera River that flows through it. The national park is one of exceptional treasures that nature has blessed Rwanda with. The wild animals you should expect to see in Akagera national park include African buffalos, giraffes, zebras, leopard, hyena, lion, cape bushbuck, bohor reedbuck, Topis, Oribis, water-bucks, Impalas, lions, elephants, rhinos, hippos, duikers and raon antelopes among others. Wild animals in Akagera NP are best seen in game viewing done in the morning and evening hours.
Kigali city
Kigali city is an exceptional city worth visiting. Unlike other cities, Kigali is the most clean, and city ranked as the most organized city in Africa. A city tour in Kigali take you to various tourism in tourism spots which include Kigali genocide memorial center, presidential palace, kimiranko market, Nyamata church, Inema Art Centre, Niyo Art Gallery and Yego arts studio among others. Also visit the Kigali convention center, the number one center for meetings, conferences, incentives and events in Africa.
Lake kivu
Located on Rwanda’s border with Democratic Republic of Congo, lake kivu the best relaxing area not to miss on your Rwanda a safari. After tiresome gorilla trekking, relax at the beaches, sun bathe, enjoy fresh fish and go for swimming to chill off all the fatigue. A boat rides on lake Kivu reward you with great views of the Rwanda rolling hills, fishing villages and is also a best place for bird watching. Lake Kivu is Africa’s eighth lake spreading over 2,700 square kilometers with maximum depth of 475 meters. The top activities to do on lake kivu include swimming, chilling, watersports, coffee tours, beach visit, Orphanage visits, Hiking and biking around the lake among others.
Gishwata Mukura National Park
This is Rwanda’s newly formed national park situated in Rubavu Nyabihu district in the northwestern province of Rwanda. Gishwta Mukura national park was established in 2016 to complement and diversify tourism products in this land of a thousand hills. The park is managed under the joint partnership of the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) and Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA). The mot done activities in Gishwta Mukura national park include bird watching, primate watching and forest walks among others. The park is a home to over 70 tree species, primates and about 84 bird species that make it a best birding spot in Rwanda.
Twin lakes
A boat cruise on Bulera ad Ruhondo twin lakes is a not miss on your Rwanda safari. The twin lakes are locates at the base of Mount Muhabura on the outskirts of Musanze close to Rwanda Uganda border. The lakes are separated by 1km wide strip of land and were formed as a result of volcanic activity, which blocked river Nyabarongo River that was flowing towards the northern part of Rwanda. You will meet local people canoeing to their gardens in the nearby villages, share with them making your safari more memorable.
Enjoy local activities
There are many options for you to try out your hands on in Rwanda. A variety of activities are available for you to explore that range from visiting the handicrafts workshops around the country to a basket weaving challenge, participate and learn to cook traditional food or stretch your muscles as you play cricket or football with a local club. When the last Saturday of the month gets in the country, you can take part in the famous communal work of “umuganda” and get involved to clear bushes, construct roads and fences, set up homes for the elderly, plant trees and many more community development projects. You can also get entertained as you attend a lively cultural dance performance or split in one of the local marathons organized to promote peace, unity and fitness. You can also choose to visit one of the local tea and coffee plantations around the country and experience the harvesting and processing of the leaves and coffee seeds. Lastly but nor least joining the colorful the popular international ceremony of gorilla naming “Kwita Izina” is a dream come true for every Rwandan visitor.
Genocide memorials
Visit one of the genocide memorial sites around the country and learn about the deadly tragedy that befell this beautiful nation in 1994 and all its gruesome facts. Take a closer look at some of the recovered skulls and other skeletal parts of the slain victims of one of the world’s deadliest tragedies. The genocide sites in Rwanda include Kigali genocide memorial site, Nyamata genocide memorial site, and Nyanza genocide memorial site among others. A visit to any genocide site reward travelers with extensive understanding of what caused the genocide, which people were against who and how it ended. Also, a tour to genocide sites help you appreciate how Rwanda has improved to become one of the leading travel destinations in claimed safe for travelers.
In general, Rwanda the land of a thousand hills is naturally gifted with all beauties. Enjoy Rwanda safaris for game for gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National park, Chimpanzee tracking/canopy walk in Nyungwe forest, game viewing in Akagera, Kigali city tour and a free time on the shores of lake Kivu. A visit to these places makes a complete Rwanda safari package rewarding you with a memorable travel experience.
