Top Places to Visit in Rwanda
Top Places to Visit in Rwanda: Rwanda is a small, landlocked country in eastern Africa, bordered by Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Despite its tragic history, marked by a genocide that led to the deaths of about 1,000,000 people, Rwanda has united its people and is now considered one of the safest countries in Africa. The nation has focused on rebuilding and has become an example for its neighbours. Rwanda’s economy heavily depends on tourism, and the government has worked to promote the country as a leading tourism destination in Africa. Infrastructure for tourism has been improved, and the Rwanda Development Board has marketed the country internationally.
Rwanda offers tourists stunning natural beauty with over 1,000 hills and 5 volcanoes. It is known for its mountain gorillas, with a third of the world’s population located in Volcanoes National Park, attracting over 100,000 visitors each year. Gorilla safaris are popular in Rwanda for their accessibility. Other activities include chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest National Park, big 5 viewing in Akagera National Park, and nature walks and birding in Gishwati-Mukura National Park. Tourists can also explore the capital city, Kigali, for cultural and historical tours and enjoy relaxation at Lake Kivu for swimming and picnics after park visits.
Top Places to visit on a Rwanda safari
Volcanoes National Park was the first national park in Rwanda and part of the larger Virunga National Park in Congo. Located in the northeastern region, it is famous for being a last refuge for endangered mountain gorillas. Tourists can see gorillas in their natural habitat there. Dian Fossey, a well-known primatologist, conducted her research and conservation efforts in the park from 1965 to 1986, raising its global profile. Visitors still go to her tomb and the Karisoke Research Centre.
Besides mountain gorillas, Volcanoes National Park is home to a variety of other wildlife species such as buffalo, forest hogs, serval cats, forest elephants, primates, and several bird species. Additionally, the Golden monkey trekking is another famous adventure activity within Volcanoes National Park, where visitors can combine gorilla trekking and hiking of one of the famous volcanoes, including Mount Karisimbi and Mount Bisoke.
Akagera National Park
Akagera National Park is one of the top places to visit in Rwanda which is unique as it allows tourists to see all the big five mammals: lions, elephants, leopards, buffaloes, and rhinos, along with giraffes, zebras, elands, and warthogs. The park features savannah grasslands, woodlands, swamps, and lakes, including Lake Ihema and Lake Shakani. Visitors can enjoy a two-hour boat cruise on lake Ihema to see hippos, crocodiles, and birds. Other activities include nature walks, sport fishing, and bird watching.
Nyungwe Forest National Park
Nyungwe Forest is one of Africa’s oldest tropical rainforests, known for its tall trees and thick vegetation. It is home to 13 species of primates, with chimpanzees being the most popular among tourists. While tracking chimpanzees, visitors can also see 12 other monkey species, such as Angola Colobus, Potto, Red-tailed, vervet monkeys, Black and white colobus monkeys, and olive baboons. The forest offers an amazing canopy walk, 50 metres high, allowing tourists to see the park and its wildlife from above.
Gishwati-Mukura National Park is Rwanda’s newest national park, created in 2013 by merging Gishwati and Mukura parks. It aims to diversify tourism with various primates, including chimpanzees and different monkey species. The park also has unique bird species. The government plans to promote it as a primate and birdwatching destination before fully opening it.
Other Places to visit in Rwanda
Genocide memorial sites
Rwanda has suffered two terrible genocides, one in the 1960s and the better-known one in 1994. These events caused the deaths of many people, and many were forced to leave their homes.
To prevent similar events from happening again, the government has created genocide memorial centres around the country. These centres teach people about the genocides and warn future generations against discrimination and tribalism.
At the memorials, visitors can see pictures of victims, weapons used in the killings, and mass graves, especially those associated with the insurgence of the 1994 genocide. Documentaries explain how the genocides started and their consequences. Visiting these centres is a chance to learn and honour those who died. Some of the sites include the Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre, Nyamata Church, Murambi Genocide Site, Nyanza Genocide Centre, and Ntarama.
The Congo Nile trail-Top Places to Visit in Rwanda
The Congo Nile Trail is 227 kilometers long and is one of East Africa’s best biking and cycling trails. Travellers can walk or ride a motorcycle on the trail, which runs along Lake Kivu from Gisenyi to Ruzizi district. It allows tourists to explore the Rwandan countryside, see local life, enjoy beautiful hills, observe primates in Nyungwe forest, and experience life together as they interact freely with the neighbouring communities in a developing country.
The Virunga Conservation Area has 8 volcanoes, 5 of which are in Rwanda: Gahinga, Bisoke, Karisimbi, Sabinyo, and Muhabura. Karisimbi is one of the most popular and most exciting and takes 2 days to hike, while Bisoke takes 1 day. Hikers enjoy stunning views of the surrounding parks and mountains from the summits, such as Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park in Uganda and Virunga National Park in the dEmocratic Republic of Congo.
The scenic Lake Kivu
Lake Kivu is the largest body of water in Rwanda and is important for tourism and trade with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). It is located in the western part of Rwanda and serves as a route for exchanging goods between the two countries. The lake has fishing villages that provide jobs for local people. Tourists can swim, relax on beaches, take boat rides, go island hopping, and visit fishing villages to meet locals. Many travellers visit Lake Kivu to unwind before or after exploring the beauty of Rwanda’s national parks.
