When the name Rwanda is mentioned, it evokes memories of the 1994 horrific Rwanda genocide that brutalized the country. But today the country is known for its stability and steady growth. Tourism is one of the key contributors to the economy.
Rwanda is the smallest country in East Africa, bordered by Uganda in the north, Burundi in the south, Tanzania in the east, and the Democratic Republic of Congo in the west. Kigali is the capital city of Rwanda, located in the heart of the country. The capital city serves as the country’s business center, port entry, and international airport.
Rwanda is also known as the land of a thousand hills because of its surging hilly and mountainous terrain that gives a lush green view, blanketed with the rain forest in the west and massive fields and valleys. Rwanda is a greatly naturally endowed country, despite being landlocked, and a great hideout that you would wish to visit more and more on your holiday.
Rwanda has a number of unique tourist spots such as the 3 famous National parks, Volcanoes National park, Akagera National park and Nyungwe National park. And other tourist sites include the national museum, Genocide memorial sites, the old King’s palace at Nyanza, craft villages, Lake Kivu and its surrounding towns Gisenyi and Kibuye.
There are lots of other things that can make your visit to Rwanda have everlasting memories for you. Now we look at some of the best places you can visit while you are on your holiday in Rwanda. Whether you are considered a fully tailor-made Rwanda safari or a self drive Rwanda safari in a 4×4 car, these places are highly recommended.
Volcanoes National Park
Volcanoes National park being one of those three top destinations in the entire world for gorilla trekking, it has become a peak tourist site in Rwanda. It is situated in the Northwestern part of Rwanda, a UNESCO world heritage site and home to over 10 gorilla groups with about 150 habituated members.
The rain forest has a lot more to offer such as the African bush elephants, golden monkeys and other primates, mammals and birds complementing the mountain gorillas which are the major attractions in the Volcanoes National park and Rwanda in general. The Virunga is a special land and exceptional place with deep history and breathtaking landscapes.
A touching moment between a mother mountain gorilla and her baby in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park 🦍💚. Gorilla trekking here offers rare encounters like this—intimate, emotional, and unforgettable.
📍 Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda
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The virungas is made of extinct volcanoes like the Sabinyo, Karisimbi, Muhabura and Bisoke. Feel free to hike these volcanoes on your itinerary, the experience will be worth it.
Go for the gorilla trekking experience which has seen millions and millions of people in Rwanda throughout the year. The price of the gorilla trekking permit in Rwanda is 1500 dollars per individual. This verifies how this experience is so highly sought out.
This is also where Diana Fossy did much of her conservation work with gorillas and also created a research center called the Karisoke research Centre where she was later buried after being killed by the angry poachers. Take a visit to the Diana Fossy center and learn more about her gorilla conservation work in Rwanda.
If you wish to be surrounded by primates, the forests and nothing but nature, Volcanoes National park is the great place to have your holidays.
Akagera National Park
This is the largest National park in Rwanda found on the border of Rwanda and Tanzania. The park is mainly savannah and a little swampy on the edges of River Akagera which flows through the park.
During the genocide in 1994 and return of the refugees to the country, Akagera National park was raided, cut down for human use and animals poached for human consumption and sale. Later in 2000s, the park was restored to her former glory, showing a return of 18 black rhinos, in 2015 lions were introduced to add to the existing zebras, elephants, buffaloes, leopards, antelopes, hippos, crocodiles and many more near the banks of the river.
Nyungwe Forest National Park
A remarkable wonder of Rwanda, a misty rain forest that has been preserved and kept in its natural form. Nyungwe forest is home to the biggest number of chimpanzees in Rwanda, colobus monkeys, mangabey bees and over 300 bird species. The major activity in Nyungwe forest National park is chimpanzee trekking. There are 2 chimpanzee communities, in Uwinka and Cyamdungo sections of the forest where you get to see them in their natural habitat.
Lake Kivu
Lake Kivu is located right on the border of Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo in the Albertine rift valley. Lake Kivu is also the biggest Lake in Rwanda.
The green waters are dotted with island like the Napoleon island and Amahoro island which reflect beautifully with the surrounding mountains. The drive to the lake is a meandering scenic route through the hills and cultivated mountains.
There are 3 major towns around the lake like Rubavu which sited right on the shores of the lake. Here you relax and chill throughout the day as you explore around the lake. Kirongi is covered with many eucalyptus trees and it stands out to be the best beach resorts.
Kigali Town/Capital City
Kigali is declared to be the most beautiful city in Africa by the United Nations and undoubtedly the cleanest city in East Africa. Learn about the culture of the Rwanda people, local markets, check out the historical sites like the museum of National history, the Kigali genocide memorial center, state house museum, Kigali convention center, camp Kigali memorial the first modern building on which the city was built. All these sites come with fascinating history. The night life is as colorful as your day.
A stunning monument of traditional Rwandan dancers and a drummer in Kigali, symbolizing Rwanda’s deep-rooted cultural identity and artistic expression.
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National Museum of Rwanda
Created in 1987, the National museum of Rwanda is located in Huye district in the southern province of the country. It is considered the best museum in East Africa. There are 7 galleries, items categorized in history.
There are artefacts that present the county’s culture and her story from the beginning. With an informed site guide, you get to learn the different aspects of Rwanda that speak so much to where the country is socially, culturally and politically.
The Genocide Memorial Sites
Rwanda is a country rich in history and most prominently the 1994 genocide that led to close to a million people dying. There is quite a number of memorial sites where you get to learn about all this history and be part of this reach culture. These sites include; Kigali genocide memorial where all the names of the victims were written on the walls.
