Rwanda is you next safari destination to check on if you are enthusiastic about East African safaris. Rwanda share borders with Uganda in the north, Burundi to the south, Tanzania in the south east and DR Congo in the west.

Having spend a decade in civil war and the gruesome 1994 Rwanda genocide, the country is fast recovering the unfortunate fast and is looking forward to uniting all people from different tribes and countries. Rwanda can ideally be classified as a fast growing state with facilities and infrastructure comparing to that from any European metropolis. You should not doubt this…come and see for your self.

Attractions in Rwanda

This small nation in east Africa is a real world of thousands of rolling hills mostly seen in the beautiful country side. Stunning Beauty of Rwanda extends to more than its undulating landscape, there is more to see from the rivers, lakes, mountain gorilla, golden monkeys and interesting people.

Virunga Volcanic Mountains

Virunga volcanos are the home of Volcanoes National Park where Rwanda’s famous tourist draw card-the mountain gorillas have found home. The volcanic mountains are popular tourist point for gorilla trekking in Rwanda.From the town of Musanze at the foot slopes, the majestic peaks of five of the 6 volcanoes; Muhabura, Bishoke, Mgahinga, Sabyinyo and Karisimbi are clearly seen. The forest slopes form a scenic landscape above which can’t wait to be explored on the gorilla Rwanda Safaris.

Trekking for the gorillas through the light mountain forest on the slopes of the Virungas is thrilling at the same time strenuous, lasting several hours on intense tracking.  There are a few golden monkeys and birds on the trails too. Meeting a gorilla family feeding and the young playing around can be memorable

Gorilla Permits can be arranged by a Rwanda travel operator in Kigali, or can be purchased directly through the Office Rwandaise du Tourisme et des Parcs Nationaux (ORTPN) / The Rwanda Office of Tourism and National Parks, at the headquarters in Kigali, or at their office in Musanze. Other National Parks in Rwanda include Nyungwe National park and Akagera National Park

Lake Kivu

Drive to one of the three resort towns of Gisenyi, Kibuye or Cyangugu on Lake Kivu, one of Rwanda’s fresh water valley lakes from the Albertine rift valley escarpment in Western Rwanda. The lake marks a natural boundary with DR Congo. Have a canoe or boat ride on the beautiful lake enclosed by terraced hill slopes and several rural fishing communities. There are a number of birds that visit the lake for example pelicans, malachite kingfishers and crowned cranes.

Kigali City tours

Kigali is the capital of Rwanda and is ranked as one of the cleanest cities in Africa. You’ll see these from the neat roads, pavements and dare not throw rubbish any way! Take a city tour to sites like the Franco-Rwanda cultural centre and the Genocide memorial site and museum.  South of Kigali is Nyamata Genocide Memorial and Ntamara Memorial another site to mark the ugly genocide period. Your Kigali Tour guide will give you brief history of this period and will be glad to explain how Rwanda is recovering steadily from the genocide.

National museum in Butare is another ideal tourist point on Rwanda safaris and towns. It is open 9h00 to 17h00 and requires a nominal fee of 3,000RFr as entry fees

Getting there

Rwanda is easily accessed from its neighbors, Uganda and Kenya and is ideally connected by both good roads and airstrips. A pass port is required foe entry in Rwanda with valid visas that extends up to 90 days.

All international flights arrive at Kigali International Airport, just 10 Km from central Kigali. International flights arriving in Kigali are with SN Brussels, Kenya Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, Air Burundi and Rwandair Express.There are two direct flights from Brussels by SN Brussels Airlines. Rwandair Express has introduced two flights a day from Nairobi and Entebbe, and two per week from Johannesburg. Rwandair also has daily flights to Bujumbura and 3 flights weekly to Kilimanjaro.With effect from January 9th 2009, Rwandair Express will fly thrice a week to Rubavu (Gisenyi-Rwanda) every Tuesday, Friday and Sunday.

Travelling around Rwanda is a smooth trip. You never expect to meet the traffic from your home town, the roads are very good and tarmaced. You can boat a public taxi, motrorcycle or hire a private car/vehicle to tour around Rwanda’s rural towns

Rwanda Hotels and Accommodation

Kigali Rwanda Hotels include the first class luxury Serena Kigali Hotel, Hotel  Milles Collines, Novotel Umubano, Royal Villes, Alpha Palce Hotel, Hilltop Hotel and Country Club and Gorillas Hotel. Other cheaper but standard Kigali Rwanda Hotels include Stipp Hotel Kiyovu, La Palisse Hotel, La Palisse Hotel, Hotel Ninzi Hill, Hotel Isimbi, and Hotel Le Garni Centre. Cheaper Rwanda Kigali Accommodation is available from Kiyovu Motel, Sky Hotel and Find self catering accommodation at Kacyrou Executive apartments, Royale Villas or from Aberdeen House

From the Gorilla trekking region near Musanze town you can try Rwanda accommodation at Kinigi Guest House, Fatima Pastoral centre, standard and/or up market options include Mountain Gorilla View lodge, Hotel Gorillas and Mountain Gorilla Nest lodge. Luxury is offered and available at Volcanoes Lodge, Gorilla Nest Hotel, Virunga Hotel and Silverback Lodge.

There is luxury accommodation from Kivu Sun, Stipp hotel and Gisenyi Palm beach hotel if you are visiting the area around Lake Kivu.  Other Rwanda Hotels and Accommodation options are available from many other towns.

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