Rwanda is a relatively stable East African country, and easily accessible from Kenya and Uganda. It is relatively easy, safe and simple to travel around. It is landlocked, surrounded by Uganda to the north, Tanzania to the east, Burundi to the south, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west.
Rwanda is not only the land of a thousand hills, but also a country rich in flora and fauna and stunning natural beauty in its scenic rolling and breathtaking green savannah. The country hosts some rare species of animals like the silverback mountain Gorillas as well as unique birds and insects in the tropical forest of Nyungwe.
It’s been over a decade since the civil war and genocide of 1994 that devastated this tiny country, and it’s come a long way. Shake off your memories of war and expect a warm and friendly welcome to a beautiful country.
Top Highlights
- The most popular adventure activity carried out in Rwanda is gorilla tracking. Tourist taking gorilla tours in Rwanda feel happy and joyful to see their wish come true – watching the mountain gorillas in the natural forest of Volcanoes National Park.
- Visit the Lake Kivu Region and enjoy a leisurely holiday at Rwanda’s beast beaches. Within the islands there are many other attractions.
- The Volcanoes National Park is not only home to the mountain gorillas but also other primates. Don’t leave the park without tracking the golden monkeys, the rare primate that can only be seen in PNV and Mgahinga.
- Pay tribute to the works of Dian Fossey by visiting the Karisoke Research Center. Visit the Tomb of Dian Fossey a gorilla idol in history featured in the famous “Gorillas in the Mist” movie. For Mountain climbers and hikers, Bisoke and Karisimbi volcanoes wait each day for your visit and tap what they have for you.
What is the Best Duration for a Rwanda Holiday
Though most travelers prefer to take shorter Rwanda Safaris, there are many exciting trips that are offered by different tour operators. Some tour offers also combine visiting the most popular attractions in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
- A 1-2 days volcano hiking tour to these lovely volcanoes is rewarding and allow tourists to deepen their hiking experience as they explore the beauty of the land of thousand hills and views.
Top Things to See
Wildlife
Akagera National Park is the main wildlife park where game viewing can be done. Rwanda has a wide variety of wildlife. These include the endangered mountain gorillas, herds of elephant and buffaloes, Giraffes and zebras milling in the savannah, more than a dozen species of antelope which include the chestnut-coated impala, the diminutive oribi, the ungainly tsessebe, the secretive bushbuck, the statuesque Cape eland etc.
When to visit Rwanda
The country can be visited at any time of year. The dry season range from mid-May to mid-October and this season is easier for tracking mountain gorillas. Peak season for gorilla tracking is July and August, traveling outside this time means it is easier to arrange a permit.
Things to Do in Rwanda
There are lots of things to do in Rwanda. Here are the some of the most popular adventures you can engage while on holiday in Rwanda;
- Gorilla Trekking: This is the most popular tourist activity that pulls travelers to Rwanda. The Volcanoes National Park in the northern part of the country is the favorite to travelers looking for gorilla trekking tours in Africa. Trips from short day tours to 2-7 days gorilla treks can be booked from listed local tour operators.
- Golden Monkey tracking – The Volcanoes National Park hosts some of the rare primates; the endangered golden monkeys. You can track these elusive monkeys on your next trip in Rwanda.
- Genocide Memorial tours – There are several genocide memorial sites including the Kigali Genocide Memorial, Nyamata, Ntarama, Gisozi and more.
- City tours – there are two major cities; Butare and Kigali. There are several attractions in these cities including museums, art galleries and natural monuments.
- Bird watching
- Boat cruise
- Dian fossey
Places to Go
Looking for where to go in Rwanda? Rwanda being a natural heritage country in East Africa is globally known for its rainforest, mountains, culture and lakes and the cleanest historical city of Kigali that shows a great introduction of Rwanda to all country visitors. Surprisingly, Rwanda is counted among the smallest countries in Africa but with the most outstanding beauty that is only experienced by those who visit year round. Its rich culture is a favorite for many travelers to Africa since history never fades.
A beautiful country Rwanda is truly loaded with unbelievable gorgeous places like Lake Kivu in Gisenyi, Volcanoes national park in Ruhengeri, Nyungwe forest in Musanze, Virunga Mountains, Virunga volcanoes, Akagera national park among others. There is no doubt that Rwanda is stacked with iconic hilly scenery, natural lakes, primates, wildlife and all make your Rwanda safari tour one in million.
There are lots of destinations you can visit in Rwanda, the land of a thousand hills.
Most Popular Paces to Visit in Rwanda
- Virunga Mountains for Gorilla Tracking/Trekking in Parc Des Volcans
- Genocide Memorials site,
- Dian Fossey’s Remains-Karisoke Research Center,
- Akagera National Park
- Nyungwe forest National Park
- Musanze Cave
- Gisenyi city
- Virunga Mountains
- Kinigi City
- Ruhengeri Town
- Lake Kivu
- Kigali city
Volcanoes National Park
Brought into light by Diany Fossey an American primate conservationist who died at work saving mountain gorillas in volcanoes national park which is the prime tourist attraction of Rwanda today, Mountain gorillas in Volcanoes national Park are one of the top tourist attractions in Africa that make it worth exploring the bamboo jungle forest and its surroundings in Kinigi. Volcanoes national park is a beautiful place to track gorillas, conveniently located and would recommend it to whoever wants to see gorillas in their natural habitat. Since its fabulous history of gorilla trekking experience says it all, it’s strongly considered to be the finest for luxury gorilla safari tours in Africa. The park also provides best chances of tracking golden monkeys, hiking Bisoke and Karisimbi, Gahinga one of Rwanda’s most rewarding volcanoes.
Lake Kivu
For the romantic best views of the lake and sunset in Rwanda, Lake kivu is blessed with all you have ever imagined with calm relaxing environment with a beach fan area to make your stay more excellent. The beautiful and elegant lake has been used as a wonderful venue for beach holidays, after safari relaxation, weekend gateways and for Africa honey moon vacations. The lake is popular to foreigners and locals but most visited by foreigners who seek a new environment and fan adventures. A walk in the sand or boat ride makes you discover different islands on the lake as well as other lake impressive features. If done in the evening, trust me your heart will melt in nature catching up with sunset on the lake.
Nyungwe Forest
Perched out in the southwestern part of Rwanda, Nyungwe forest is known destination for chimpanzee trekking and nature. You can truly enjoy about 270 species of birds flying here and over 13 primate species including chimpanzees, Silver monkeys, red monkeys, baboons etc. Apart from chimpanzee tracking, Nyungwe forest offers many exciting tour adventures but the canopy walk is one you shouldn’t miss because it takes to all the park corners in just a minute. Along with the interesting park stories, explore the primate capital in Rwanda on your Rwanda holiday.
Mountain Virunga & Virunga volcanoes
An elegant a place and home of most Rwanda best tourist attractions especially rewarding treks and hikes –gorilla tracking. Volcanoes national park is found in these mountains and it’s the base for Rwanda tourism. Impressive views follow you all the way even at the lodge of your residence. what a beautiful place to explore in Rwanda .Tourists love it when they go up and back in just 6- 7 hours, If you love nature, this is your place to be.
Kigali, it is evident that the capital can provide you with such a wonderful city tour.
Rwanda is located in central and eastern Africa. Located a few degrees south of Equator, it shares its borders with Uganda to the north, Tanzania to the east, Burundi to the south, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west.
Rwanda, a small landlocked country with so many beautiful hills! has various / several tourist attractions to any one traveling to Africa may be for tourism, visiting, exploring, studying and research purposes and for many more other reasons. Among Rwanda’s beauty, you will be able to enjoy her endangered mountain gorillas, wildlife (chimpanzees, golden and colubus monkeys, etc.), birding, relaxing and chilling out places, cultural visits to the indigenous local tribes of Rwanda, (where you can see how different African cultures do survive in their world), as well as the Historical sites and information that is especially good for the explorers, i.e. The 1994Genocide between the Hutu and Tutsi tribal groups of Rwanda. In its tourism services, Rwanda can offer / provide you with volcanoes mountain climbing, hiking and biking, wildlife adventure for the wild (chimpanzees, mountain and lowland gorillas’ trekking, colubus and golden monkeys’ tour, and so much more.
Rwanda a small landlocked country is located in east Africa and among today’s leading ecotourism destination for primate and wildlife safaris. The country was in the early 1990’s affected by genocide that claimed many people’s lives! However today, Rwanda is among the safest and leading safari destinations on the continent. Below is important information one may need to know while planning for a trip to this beautiful country.
Also known as the “land of a thousand hills'” Rwanda is an amazing upcoming safari destination in Africa. This magnificent land gives its visitors the grandeur of Africa, the greatness of travel vacations the continent of the dark with great tourism opportunities and great East African hospitality. This geographically endowed country draws vacationers from all over the world and provide them amiable ambiance for their memorable holidays in Rwanda. There are several expertly-tailored travel packages for memorable holidays in this country.
Best Holidays in Rwanda
There are numerous theme based holiday packages for memorable holidays in Rwanda. You can choose a right holiday or tours package in Rwanda and make your vacation memorable – an experience of lifetime.
Wildlife Holidays– Rwanda is rich in its flora and fauna with several wildlife sanctuaries, national parks, and bird sanctuaries. It attractions wildlife lovers, wildlife adventure enthusiasts and vacationers from all over the world and offer them a mesmerizing experience of Rwanda vacations blending with thrills and excitements. Akagera National Park, Nyungwe National Park and Volcanoes National Park are the famous wildlife parks of Rwanda. Gorilla Safaris / Primate Safaris are unique ways to explore Rwanda wildlife and attractions. Mountain Gorillas remain the country’s prime wildlife attraction.
Cultural & Heritage Holidays – For non-nature lovers, Rwanda has several cultural and historical treasures with countless activities covering Architectural heritage, festivals, traditional music, dancing, crafts and folklore. Cultural tours in Rwanda treat holidaymakers to a feast of unique cultures. The Tour also incorporates the cultural aspects. Being there in the lap of culture and heritage is something, which makes things all the more significant and worthwhile for the traveler. The country attracts a large number cultural buffs and heritage lovers. There are a number cultural and heritage sites in Rwanda attracting travelers and vacationers from all over the world. Traditional dances and music are particularly amazing in their unique style and movement of the performers. On your Rwanda tours and holidays you will certainly love to explore its cultural wonders.
A Taste of The Hills – In a country of enchanting and captivating landscape, travelers are left wanting. Beautiful scenery and geographical charm in Rwanda are exceptional, hence the name, Land of a Thousand Hills”. Mountain climbing and hiking tours are common attributed to the hilly topography. Rwanda holiday travelers enjoy trekking and trekking by watching the beauty of the hills and the forests. There are several tour guides and agents to make arrangements and packages for enjoying mountain trekking.
Getting There
Rwanda can be accessed by both road and air transport. By road its very possible if some one is traveling from Uganda, Burundi and Tanzania. There is a well-coordinated road transport network from the above-mentioned countries to Rwanda. Tourists traveling overseas can get to Rwanda by air using various air carriers that operate at Kigali Kanombe international airport. Rwanda also has a national carrier (Rwanda air) that operates in different parts of the world.
Best Time To Visit
Rwanda is a tropical country with 2 main seasons – the dry and wet season. The country can therefore be visited at any time of the year. Tourists going for primate safaris (especially mountain gorilla tracking) are however encouraged to visit the country during the dry season from around December to February and from June to October because it’s when its very easy to move through the forested mountains to get to the primates in their natural habitats.
Where To Stay
Rwanda has a fast growing hospitality industry with a number of accommodation facilities ranging from lodges, inns, motels, hotels, and cottages among others. These are evenly distributed all over the country and in the different wildlife destinations (national parks). These employ well skilled hospitality workers who are always ready to attend to one’s needs.
Accommodation facilities in national parks usually provide great scenic views of the surrounding environment.
There are also a number of restaurants and eateries that prepare both local and international cuisines using locally grown ingredients.
What To Pack
This usually depends on the activity that a traveler is going to do in Rwanda. Tourists going on primate safaris like chimpanzee tracking and mountain gorilla trekking are recommended to at least go with 2 long sleeved shirts, 2 short sleeved shirts, 2 or 3 pairs of trousers especially those that can dry quickly, a water proof jacket, a rain poncho, hand gloves, strong hiking shoes, insect repellant, binoculars, a good camera, sunglasses, a sweater and some other personal necessities that may be of great personal use.
Tourists should also ensure to get their yellow fever and malaria certificates early enough. Those who come from countries that Rwanda requires visas should also endeavor to apply for the visas on line early enough. Tourists who have plans to visit Uganda or Kenya should ensure to apply for the east African tourist visa that gives access to Uganda and Kenya.
Important To Note
A Rwandan franc is the wide spread currency commonly used in Kigali and all parts of the country. Tourists should therefore have some little change in Rwandan francs. Foreign currencies especially dollars are accepted the large shopping centers and hotels especially in Kigali. Transactions can also be done by credit cards like master cards however these are also accepted in few places like hotels in Kigali.
Tourists should avoid moving with valuables along the streets at night as they can be robbed.
