Rwanda enchants with its irresistible allure! Situated in the heart of Africa, this compact gem boasts a distinctive position, serving as a crossroads for the continent's eastern, western, northern, and southern realms. This strategic nexus fosters extraordinary diversity, transforming Rwanda into a captivating tapestry of cultures and landscapes that beckon exploration.
Get to know Rwanda
Discover the enchanting wonders of Rwanda, an extraordinary destination nestled amidst rolling green hills and majestic volcanoes. Embark on an unforgettable Rwanda Safari, where captivating encounters with the endangered mountain gorillas await in the renowned Volcanoes National Park. Immerse yourself in the rich biodiversity of the region, housing a third of Africa’s bird species and a diverse array of primates.
Rwanda’s allure extends beyond its natural beauty, as visitors can delve into the poignant history of the nation at the Kigali Genocide Memorial, a solemn tribute to the events of 1994. Explore the juxtaposition of Rwanda’s stunning landscapes and its resilient people, known for their warm hospitality.
For a more extensive primate experience, craft your adventure by combining awe-inspiring gorilla encounters with thrilling chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest National Park. Alternatively, witness the playful antics of golden monkeys in the Volcanoes National Park, adding an extra layer of magic to your journey.
Embark on a captivating Rwanda Safari and create indelible memories amidst the breathtaking landscapes, endangered species, and heartfelt narratives that define this remarkable destination. Unveil the secrets of Rwanda’s natural wonders and cultural resilience on an exploration that transcends the ordinary.
"In all my travels , I have never seen a country's population more determined to forgive , build and succeed than in Rwanda- Rick
Quick Facts
- Home to around 12 million people, Rwanda’s diverse communities contribute to the nation’s cultural richness.
Rwanda produces high-quality coffee beans, and coffee plantations offer tours for enthusiasts to witness the coffee-making process.
Explore Rwanda’s vibrant culture through events like the annual Kwita Izina, a gorilla-naming ceremony celebrating conservation success.
- Visa to enter Rwanda, and the application process is generally straightforward. Many nationalities can obtain visas upon arrival or online, simplifying entry procedures for a hassle-free start to your Rwandan adventure.
Where to go
AKAGERA NATIONAL PARK
The ideal complement to the primate-oriented wildlife-viewing offered at Volcanoes and Nyungwe National Parks, Akagera is a classic savannah reserve that has undergone an ambitious recent rehabilitation programme to become a fully-fledged Big Five safari destination. As with Rwanda other national parks, the setting is spectacular: a chain of low grassy mountains that slope down to a tract of undulating most savannah hemmed in by an extensive wetland comprising a dozen lakes, extensive papyrus swamps and a labyrinth of channels fed by the meandering Akagera River.
Having suffered heavily from poaching and encroachment since the 1990s, Akagera was placed under the dynamic stewardship of the non-profit African Parks Network in 2010. Since then the boundaries have been fenced, the range of tourist activities has been expanded to include guided walks, boat trips and night drives, and an ongoing programme of reintroductions has resulted in the return of lions and black rhino, meaning that all the Big Five (a list that also includes buffalo, elephant and leopard) can be seen. Other wildlife is also abundant, and the birdlife is truly fantastic, making Akagera a superb add-on to Gorilla tracking in the Virungas.
NYUNGWE NATIONAL PARK
Sprawling magnificently across the elevated ridge that divides Africa’s two largest drainage systems, the Nile and the Congo, the 1,015km² Nyungwe Forest National Park protects East Africa’s largest tract of montane rainforest in Eastern Africa. The park is a remarkably rich centre of biodiversity, with more than 1,050 plant species recorded, among them 200 varieties of orchid, along with 85 mammal, 310 bird, 32 amphibian and 38 reptile species. The main attraction for most visitors is the opportunity to track a habituated group of chimpanzees, but the park is home to a dozen other primate species, most conspicuously the acrobatic Ruwenzori colobus and striking L’Hoest’s monkey. Nyungwe is also highly alluring to birders, since it supports all but two of the 29 Albertine Rift Endemics that occur on the eastern rift escarpment, along with the dazzling great blue turaco, which is often seen in small flocks flapping clumsily across a road or forest clearing. It is also the site of East Africa’s only suspended canopy walkway.
LAKE KIVU
Shared between Rwanda and the DR Congo, beautiful Lake Kivu extends for 2,370km² across the floor of the Albertine Rift, and hemmed in by a steep terraced escarpment that rises up to 1.5km above its surface. Ranked among the world’s 20 deepest and 20 most voluminous freshwater bodies, it is lined with pretty fishing villages and a trio of larger ports in the form of Rusizi, Karongi and Rubavu. The latter in particular has long served as a popular weekend retreat for residents of Kigali, and as the most northerly point on the Rwandan lakeshore, it also forms a great place to chill out after tracking gorillas in nearby Volcanoes National Park.
VOLCANO NATIONAL PARK
KIGALI
Established in 1907, Kigali, once a modest administrative center during the colonial era, emerged as the capital of newly-independent Rwanda in 1962. Its strategic central location played a pivotal role in this selection. Over the years, Kigali has transformed into a modern and impeccably organized highland city, gracefully spanning altitudes of 1,300-1,600m across picturesque hills. Today, Kigali is home to a thriving population exceeding one million. Notably, due to a longstanding nationwide ban on plastic bags, the city has earned the distinction of being Africa’s cleanest city. In 2008, Kigali proudly became the first African town to receive the UN’s annual Habitat Scroll of Honour award. Serving as the primary gateway to Rwanda, Kigali is equipped with the country’s sole international airport. Its central location also positions it as an ideal hub for exploring the surrounding regions
WESTERN RWANDA
Rwanda’s main tourist attractions are concentrated in the far west of the country, and are mostly associated with the Albertine Rift, the well-watered arm of the Rift Valley that runs along the Congolese borders with Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and Tanzania. The dominant geographic features of western Rwanda are Lake Kivu, a vast inland sea set on the Rift Valley floor, and the range of magnificent volcanic mountains known as the Virungas. Further south lie two important relicts of the lush montane forest that once covered most of the Albertine Rift escarpment: the immense Nyungwe Forest National Park, which extends over an area of 1,015km², and the altogether more modestly proportioned Gishwati-Mukura National Park, which was gazetted in 2016.
Suggested Rwanda Safaris
Highlights Of Rwanda- 11 Nights Safari
