Rwanda is part of the scenic countries in which the Great Rift Valley escarpment stretches and is bordered by Uganda, DR Congo, Burundi and Tanzania. Rwanda is popularly referred to as the land of a thousand hills as seen from its mountainous landscape with the most prominent from being the volcanic mountains from North western area. Other mountains include amongst others still active Mountains Nyamuragira and Nyiragongo. Although it is a small country, it is rated as one of the most beautiful safari destinations not only in Africa but also in the world!

Tours in Rwanda

The small country is part of the East and Central Africa great lakes region and has a number of celebrated crater lakes that attract many visitors from all over the world. They include Lake Ruhondo, Lake Burera, Lake Mugesera, Lake Kivu, Lake Muhazi and Lake Ihema, all making a border with DR Congo. Popular activities on the lake include swimming, canoeing and fishing. Enjoy and relax at the beach with family and friends under the setting sun and cool breeze from the lakes.

Kigali city tours are part of many Rwanda safari and tour packages. The city is compared to any European metropolis because of its clean and picturesque streets and building. It is notably nothing like a typical African capital city. The Genocide Memorial Centre and museum in Kigali commemorates the 100 days of genocide in Rwanda in 1994 and is surely a site that will hold the Rwanda people together for the next decades. Other memorial sites include Murambi Genocide Memorial Centre, Gisozi Genocide Memorial Centre and Nyamata Genocide Memorial. Other interesting sites in Kigali, Rwanda include parliamentary building, Franco-Rwanda cultural centre, crafts and gifts shops.

Rwanda National Parks are possibly the most visited tourist destinations compared to other attractions. Although few, the parks lie on the slopes of the mountain ranges and are enclosed in lush beauty of dense bamboo rain forests, untouched for several decades. Sights from these parks include mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, giant elephants, impalas, deer, zebras, buffaloes and giraffes. Parc National des Volcanoes in North West, Nyungwe Forest National park from the south west and Akagera are the most popular national parks. Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is particularly the main draw for tourists, researchers and naturalist from around the world.

Akagera National Park is a beautiful wildlife park bordering Rwanda and Tanzania and is crossed by the Kagera River. The low altitude park is embedded in dense acacia woods, lush savannah and a big swamp on the banks of the river. Common sights here include elephants, hyenas, buffalos, zebras, lions, giraffes, leopards and other animals.

Nyungwe Forest National Park in south western region is a lush rainforest park commonly visited by chimpanzee tracking tourists. Other types of monkeys in Nyungwe national park are the L’hoest’s monkey, bush baby, silver monkey, golden monkey, owl faced monkey, red tailed monkey, grey-cheeked mangabeys, dent’s Mona monkey, galagos, crowned monkey, vervet monkey, and olive baboons. Its one of the best bird watching destinations in Rwanda with more than 300 species of forest birds
and 26 of the Albertine endemic birds. Some of the birds include strip-breasted tit, red-collared babbler, red throated alethe, archer’s ground robin, Kivu ground thrush, woodland warbler and many others.

Gorilla trekking in Rwanda

About 60% of the surviving population of mountain gorillas in the world stays in the volcanic mountain forests that border Uganda, DR Congo and Rwanda to the North west. More than 6 families are found in the Virunga mountains of Volcanoes National Park. They’re within the 3 main dormant volcanoes of Visoke, Mikeno and Karisimbi. These slopes are engrossed in dense vegetation and thick forest which gives sufficient foods to the endangered animals. They reside in secure family groups precisely where the silverback (males) will be the head from the members of the family. These apes have long, darker hair as compared to other species from the primate’s family. Tracking gorillas in Rwanda will require that you look for these giant apes as they continue on their trails for food throughout the forests. You are however required to have Gorilla trekking permit if you intend to partake of this adventure.

Rwanda is a gorilla friendly environment and is known for the annual gorilla naming ceremony ‘Kwita Izina’ where the new born apes that way up to 1.8kg on birth are given special names. This is one way to raise awareness, fundraise for protection and conservation of the mountain gorilla and their habitat that have been threatened with extinction from poaching and political conflict over the years (1992-94). Witness the rich Rwanda culture as these ceremonies have dancing and celebration, attracting many renowned international artists, celebrities, donors  and conservationists.

The gorilla tracking experience is often strenuous and long with 2-6 hours of fruitless trekking. Expert ranger guides lead and cut through the overhanging plants on the trail but finding the silverback family or black family can be something worthwhile and thrilling. You are often required to keep 7m away from the gorilla as you stare and take their pictures for utmost 1 Hour. Follow each and every instruction from your guide to prevent confrontation and attacks from the agitated gorillas.

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