Rwanda, the lush and rolling “land of a thousand hills,” is a nation that, in spite of its traumatic past, exudes optimism and rebirth. Twenty years after the genocide, Rwanda has emerged as Africa’s comeback kid thanks to incredibly successful initiatives to eradicate poverty, promote peace, and clean up the streets while returning the region to its due position as a site of renowned natural beauty. Scenery seekers will not be disappointed with Rwanda’s many places to visit, which provide breathtaking views, amazing animals, and lush vegetation at every turn. Here is our guide to the most gorgeous places to travel in Rwanda and its national parks.
You will adore exploring the local way of life and visiting well-known tourist destinations in Rwanda. You can explore some of the top activities in Rwanda among other things to do in order to make your trip worthwhile. Activities available on a Rwanda Safari include touring Rwanda’s attractions and stopping at noteworthy locations.
The mountain gorillas are one of the primary attractions of Volcanoes National Park, and many tourists prioritise going gorilla trekking. Other attractions in the park include golden monkeys (Cercopithecus mitis kandti), the twin lakes of Burera and Ruhondo, the Dian Fossey Grave, the Virunga Volcanoes, and community and cultural visits. Together, these components form an all-inclusive safari package in Rwanda that will leave you with cherished memories.
Major Places to Visit in Rwanda.
Kigali City
Kigali City is among the top attractions in Rwanda that travellers shouldn’t miss. Most of the attractions are reachable from the city, including national parks with chimpanzees and mountain gorillas. Kigali was named the most attractive city in Africa by the United Nations. It’s one of Africa’s cleanest and safest places to be. The city is a serene travel destination due to its fantastic weather. A tour around the city of Kigali offers a comprehensive overview of Rwandan history. Take advantage of the opportunity to visit the Kimironko Market, where local vendors proudly display their wares, which range from colourful fabrics to finely carved keepsakes.
While a visit to the Rwanda Art Museum, housed in the former Presidential Palace, is highly recommended, the Inema Arts Centre is a well-known craft centre. In addition to its rich history, culture, and food, Kigali City offers short treks in the surrounding greenery and on Mount Kigali, which provides breathtaking views from its summit. Spend some time strolling around the town’s streets or the Nyamirambo Women’s Centre to take in the charm and flavour of native Rwandan cuisine.
Volcanoes National Park
This 160 square km national park is surrounded by Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo on the northwest of Rwanda. It is around two hours’ drive west of Kigali Town, at a distance of 105 kilometres. The well-known and unusual critically endangered mountain gorillas are protected in this park. You may get up close and personal with these Giant Apes (mountain gorillas) by visiting this park. Enjoy amazing Rwanda gorilla safaris at the Volcanoes National Park, which is home to ten habituated gorilla families spread over the park’s several areas, when you explore the Land of a Thousand Hills. In addition to the mountain gorilla, the park is home to over 75 different kinds of mammals, including spotted hyenas, elephants, buffaloes, giant forest hogs, and bushbucks. More than 180 different kinds of birds may be found in the park, 26 of which are unique to the Virunga and Rwenzori mountains. In addition to the animals, there are additional attractions including Mount Karisimbi, Mount Bisoke, and the tomb of Dian Fossey.
Akagera National Park
This national park is situated near Rwanda’s Tanzanian border in the northeastern region of the country. Its total size is approximately 1,122 square km. It is roughly 135 kilometres (two hours and thirty minutes) distant from Kigali Town. One of this park’s many interesting attractions is its network of lakes, which includes Lake Ihema. Because of the abundance of wildlife, including Savanna elephants, buffaloes, antelope species such waterbucks, topi, Oribis, roan antelope, and elands, among others, this savanna park is well-known for its game viewing opportunities. This amazing national park is home to spotted hyenas, giraffes, leopards, and zebras. Additionally, over 525 bird species have been identified in this park, including the shoebill stork, over 44 raptor species, and endemic species found only in the Albertine Rift, such as the Handsome Francolin and Rwenzori Turaco. Take a thrilling and rejuvenating game drive in the Akagera National Park to let your adrenaline run wild.
Nyungwe Forest National Park
The 1020 square kilometre Nyungwe Forest National Park is situated on Rwanda’s southwest frontier, sharing borders with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to the west and Burundi to the south. It was founded in 2004 in an effort to diversify Rwandan tourism and lessen its reliance on gorilla tourism. A 4-to 5-hour journey will get you to the park from Kigali town. This park is home to approximately 300 species of birds, 16 of which are peculiar to the Albertine Rift. It also harbours 75 species of animals, including 13 primate species, such as chimpanzees (of whom there are over 400 in the park). Visitors to this park are likely familiar with attractions such as the interesting canopy walk. The Ngabwe route, Bigugu trail, Kamiranzovu marsh trail, Isumo waterfall trail, Source of the River Nile trail, Karamba birding trail, Imbaraga trail, Rukuzi trail, and Iirebero trail are just a few of the hiking paths found in Nyungwe Forest. This park also offers bird watching and primate safaris.
Kigali Genocide Memorial
The Genocide Memorial Centre in Kigali, the country’s capital, is definitely something you should see before leaving the city and visiting any of Rwanda’s well-known national parks. The remains of over 250,000 persons who were ruthlessly slaughtered by Interahamwe (Hutu fundamentalists) are kept in the museum. The centre is set up in three sections: one for adults, one for children died in the genocide, and a third for learning about genocides that have happened around the globe. You will discover a great deal about events leading up to, including, and including the 1994 genocide while visiting the site. Although the experience can be rather moving, the exhibits’ primary goal is to educate people, especially the next generation about the atrocities of genocides and ensure that they never occur again.
Iby’iwacu Cultural Village
This cultural community is located in Musanze district, close to Volcanoes National Park. The Hutu, Tutsi, and Batwa tribes of Rwanda exhibit their practices in a cultural hamlet known as “Treasure of our home” (Iby’iwacu) in Kinyarwanda. They provide eight different traditional dances (such as Intore, Ikembe, Amakondera, and Ingoma) as well as a variety of enjoyable tourist activities for guests to enjoy. Visitors can engage in a variety of fascinating activities, such as touring the former king’s palace, making pottery by the Batwa people, going on community walks, and visiting traditional herbalists and clinics. The Iby’iwacu Cultural Village is a place where ecology and culture meet.
King’s Palace Museum
This Nyanza palace was the residence of King Mutara III Rudahigwa until his death. Located approximately 88 kilometres south of Kigali City, the Belgian government built it in 1932. This museum provides insight into Rwanda’s 200-year regal past and functions as a cultural centre. Views from the museum overlook the King’s customary home in Rwanda. Most of the museum’s traditional materials and relics were destroyed, and some were seized, during the 1994 Rwandan genocide. To try to restore it to its original 19th-century state, certain traditional components were added. Among these elements are traditional cows, known as “Inyambo” in the area because they symbolise Rwandese culture.
Lake Kivu
Lake Kivu’s sandy shoreline is a popular tourist destination in Rwanda. Around Lake Kivu, in the villages of Gisenyi and Kibuye, sits this magnificent watershed. Here, leisure, relaxation, and peaceful surroundings are the norm. A refreshing swim in the lake is delightful, and other activities available to visitors to Lake Kivu include canoe rides and kayaking. Hiking trails near Lake Kivu include the stunning Congo Nile Trail, which consists of rocky paths through bright forests and solitary dirt tracks for those who would rather stay on land. For something a little less strenuous, guests could like going on a picnic or taking a tour of a tea or coffee plantation.
Kimironko Market
A easy method to get a sense of the lifestyle that people lead in a new place is to visit their primary market. Everyone shops at Kimironko Market for inexpensive fresh produce, meat, and fruits. A wide variety of items are on offer. Simply visiting the many stalls, customers pick what they desire. An expansion of the market focusses on high-quality used suits, purses, shoes, and clothing. Kimironko is the place to go if you’re looking for good local fabrics or Kitenge at a reasonable price.
Popular Tourist Activities in Rwanda
Gorilla Trekking
Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda is arguably the most well-known location for animal conservation. Every year, hundreds of foreign visitors come to the park especially to see the mountain gorillas, in addition to other popular activities. In the park, there are ten habituated gorilla groups, and only eight people can track a particular group on any one day. Before gorilla trekking starts, the Volcanoes National Park administration gives a briefing at seven in the morning. From there, visitors are escorted by armed Rangers as they follow many gorilla groups. A gorilla trek is among the most amazing travel experiences that can be had in Africa. A gorilla viewing permit in Rwanda costs $1,500 per person.
Chimpanzee Trekking
Rwanda’s Nyungwe Forest is home to one of the continent’s oldest afro-montane forests. Thirteen different species of primates, including chimpanzees, call this South Western woodland home. One of the last remaining habitats for Angolan Colobus and Golden Monkeys is Nyungwe Forest. There are more than fifteen pathways for nature walks available to guests while they explore the woodland. If you don’t like taking nature hikes, you can choose for the highly well-liked canopy walk or go chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe Forest. You will be rewarded with incredible sights of birds, primates, butterflies, plants, amphibians, and reptiles, regardless of the specific activity you register for.
Golden Monkey Tracking
Rwanda is home to one of the final habitats for golden monkeys. These magnificent primates inhabit the Virunga mountains of Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as well as the Kahuzi Biega National Park in the former. Golden monkeys are under stringent protection because they are considered an endangered species. Despite being their natural prey, people pose the greatest threat to eagles. Travellers love golden monkeys because of their stunning gold coats, gregarious nature, and endangered status. In Rwanda, a briefing is held at 7:30 a.m. to start the golden monkey monitoring process. Trekking with primates is less strenuous than trekking with gorillas because they don’t venture too deep into the woods. Golden monkey licenses in Rwanda cost $100.
Bird Watching
Rwanda is an excellent area to go bird watching, with over 640 species of birds, 30 of which are native to the country. In Rwanda, birdwatching excursions are conducted at the Volcanoes National Park, Akagera National Park, Nyungwe National Park, and the area surrounding Lake Kivu. Other places to go birdwatching include the suburbs of Kigali, a number of smaller lakes, wetlands, marshlands, and farming plantations. The main species to be mindful of are those that are indigenous to the Albertine Rift and Virunga regions. Akagera’s marshes and wetlands are excellent locations to observe the intriguing Shoebill stork.
Wildlife Game Drives
It’s easy to forget that Rwanda is a great place for traditional wildlife safaris and game drives with all the attention about mountain gorillas. Akagera, spanning 1,085 square kilometres, is the sole savanna park in Rwanda. Despite being founded in 1934, the park suffered a great loss of fauna during the genocide in 1994. The park served as a path of escape for thousands of citizens who were fleeing to neighbouring nations in search of safety. Many people decided to reside in the park after the genocide, which resulted in unchecked poaching and encroachment. Wildlife increased and extinct species were reintroduced when the government and African Parks Network joined together to maintain the park.
Canopy Walk in Nyungwe Forest
Rwanda’s Nyungwe Forest is home to one of Africa’s top canopy walk paths, in addition to chimpanzee trekking and nature hikes. 2010 saw the introduction of the forest canopy walk as part of an initiative to broaden the nation’s tourism offerings. With a height of 50 meters, the canopy walkway provides an overhead perspective of the forest and its inhabitants. Because the walkway sways left and right as one goes from one place to another, finishing the trek will require some confidence. If you are afraid of heights, you should know this ahead of time.
Visit Coffee and Tea Plantations
Some of Africa’s best coffee and tea are exported from Rwanda. While coffee has earned numerous international accolades for quality, tea is actually the nation’s top export. The country’s high altitude, favourable climate, and rich volcanic soils all contribute to the success of coffee and tea plantations. Tours of coffee and tea plantations can be arranged for visitors who are curious about the cultivation and processing methods of these two cash crops. During the excursions, visitors may see how the labourers plant the crops, harvest, sort, clean, dry, and prepare them for consumption.
Hiking Mount Karisimbi
Mount Karisimbi is one of Africa’s highest mountains, reaching a height of about 4,500 meters. Situated in the Volcanoes National Park, the peak is one of the eight volcanoes that comprise the greater Virunga mountains in the Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda. It takes two days to walk up Mount Karisimbi. The trek is challenging, but the views of the Nyiragongo volcano, the Virunga hills, and the national parks of Uganda and the Congo are beautiful. Hiking Mount Karisimbi in the Volcanoes National Park is usually paired with trekking with gorillas and golden monkeys.
Best Time to Visit Rwanda.
Rwanda is a place that offers a variety of experiences, such as safaris, tracking golden monkeys, and gorilla trekking. It also has a rich history, which is worth learning about when visiting Kigali. It’s crucial to plan your vacation when there will be less tourists and the best weather to maximise your Rwanda safari experience. There are two dry seasons that run from December to February and June to September. With clear sky and no precipitation, this is the perfect time of year to visit. March through May and October through November are the two rainy seasons, during which there are more showers and thunderstorms. For gorilla trekking, June through September and mid-December to early February are the ideal times to travel. These are the lengthy and short dry seasons, respectively, which make it perfect for gorilla tracking.