Rwanda is often referred to as “le pays des mille collines” meaning “the land of a thousand hills. It is bordered by Uganda in the North and Tanzania in the East. Burundi boarders it to the south and to the west, Democratic Republic of Congo. Rwanda is dominated by a chain of mountains that run from North to the South. They include the volcanoes of virunga mountains in the Northwest where Karisimbi reaches 14787 feet which hold the Akagera river in the valley, the interior highlands have hills and valleys, yielding to a low- lying depression west of the Congo- Nile divided along the shores of Lake Kivu.
All about Rwanda as a Tourism Destination
Tourism in Rwanda is considered to be the largest foreign exchange earner and it has significantly grown at a rate of 25% in the last years. The country has amazing discoveries that attract tourists from all over the world, which include the breathtaking landscapes, intriguing national parks, a rich and unique culture and wildlife wonders. Rwanda offers a diverse experience to everyone in this captivating country.
Make the most of your experience with our list of the top tourist attractions in Rwanda.
Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda as a Tourism Destination
Just a 2-hour drive from , located in the Northwestern border of Rwanda ,lies the Volcanoes National Park, a home of the world’s endangered mountain gorillas of over 700 gorillas. The park is one of the only four(4) places in the world where one can observe these giants in their Natural habitats apart from Virunga National park in Congo and Mgahinga and Bwindi Impenetrable National parks in Uganda. The name Volcanoes came after the volcanoes that surround the area. Besides gorillas, Volcanoes National park is a home for golden monkeys, a variety of birds, reptiles, antelopes among others plus a variety of plants that all combine to make a memorable experience for you while in Rwanda.
Akagera National Park in Rwanda as a Tourism Destination
Being one the oldest parks, Akagera was a forest reserve that was gazetted in1934 as a National park. The park lies in the Eastern part of Rwanda and was named after the Kagera river which flows in between Rwanda and Tanzania. The park is covered with the African savannah grasslands that are a home a variety of wildlife such lions, giraffes, zebras, hippos, elephants, rhinos, leopard and antelopes like the bushbucks, waterbucks, roan antelopes , impalas, elands among others.
Visitors to the park can engage in game drives, boat cruises along the Kagera River and lake Ihema. Birding is also an amazing activity one can engage in while in Akagera National park because of the variety of the bird species like the swamp flycatcher, egrets, crowned cranes, the red faced barbets , shoebill stock among many more.
Nyungwe Forest National park in Rwanda as a Tourism Destination
Located in the southwestern part of Rwanda, Nyungwe forest national park is one of the most protected montane rain forests in Africa . It is rich in biodiversity with a wide variety of animal species including 13 species of primates such as chimpanzees being the main attraction as there are over 400 individuals and tracking them happens daily.
More about Nyungwe Forest National Park
Other primates include L’Hoest monkeys, silver monkey, golden monkey, olive monkey among others. Also there are 75 mammal species mostly the small and nocturnal hence difficult to hunt. More than 300 bird species are in Nyungwe forest national park with about 27 Albertine rift endemics. Also16 are endemic and 121 are forest species such as the Barred long tailed cuckoo, chestnut owlet, rwenzori nightjar, kivu ground thrush, rwenzori batis, the white tailed blue -fly catcher among others.one can engage in chimpanzee tracking while on a safari in the park.
What to do in Nyungwe Forest National Park
Hanging out with primates isn’t the only thing to do in Nyungwe. The park is also home to the only canopy walk in East Africa, roughly a 90-minute hike from the Uwinka Visitor Center. You’ll walk across a 91-meter-long suspension bridge dangling more than 50 meters above the verdant rainforest, getting a dizzying view of the treetops and mountains in the distance. You can also engage in birding cultural encounters with the rich Rwandan culture.
Gishwati Forest National park in Rwanda as a Tourism Destination
Gishwati national park is 170 km from Kigali city which is approximately a 4 hour drive. It comprises two forest reserves that are Gishwati and Mukura reserves. It is the smallest park in the country sitting on a radius of 34 square kilometers. The park shelters around 20 chimpanzees alongside the golden monkeys, L’Hoest monkey, silver monkey, blue monkeys among others, it also has around 60 tree species and over 395 bird species. You can engage in various activities in the park such as golden monkey trekking, hiking, bird watching among others.
Lake Kivu in Rwanda as a Tourism Destination
Lake Kivu is Rwanda’s largest lake and 6th in Africa covering an area of 2700 km squared. It pours its waters into Ruzzi river that flows southwards to lake Tanganyika. It has a lively waterfront of sandy beaches mixed with resorts. Lake Kivu is also one of the safest lakes in Africa with no dangerous animals like crocodiles and hippos. The lake also has hundreds of islands with the most known being Napoleon Island. It is just outside Karongi which is a conservation area and home to one of Africa’s largest colonies of straw colored fruit bats. It has a lively waterfront, sandy beach, and stunning resorts including the Lake Kivu Serena Hotel. A few days in this peaceful town will leave you restored.
Congo Nile Trail
The Congo Nile Trail is a hiking and mountain biking trail along the Congo Nile Divide between Rusizi and Rubavu. This trial has 8 biking and 10 hiking stages where each stage takes one day to complete and there is accommodation at the end of each stage. The Trail passes through the wonderful scenery of Lake Kivu and the green Rwandan hills and 5 districts, Rubavu, Rutsiro, Karongi, Nyamasheke and Rusizi with 2 of Rwanda’s 5 national parks; Nyungwe Forest National Park and Gishwati-Mukura Forest National Park.
Kigali Genocide Memorial
Kigali Genocide Memorial is located in Gisozi, Rwanda, just outside central Kigali. These grounds are very important because they commemorate the Rwandan Genocide where over 250,000 people lost their lives. The center is a permanent memorial to those who fell victim to the genocide. In addition to that, it serves as a place where the bereaved buried their family and friends. Kigali Genocide Memorial includes three permanent exhibitions, the largest of which documents the genocide in 1994. Also, there is a children’s memorial, with life-sized photos. Accompanied by intimate details for example their favorite toys, last words in addition to how they were killed.
More about Kigali Genocide Memorial
Also, there is an exhibition on the history of genocidal violence around the world. The Education Centre, Memorial Gardens and National Documentation Centre contribute to a meaningful tribute to those who perished. It forms a powerful educational tool for the next generation. While heartbreaking, an expedition to Kigali Genocide Memorial grounds is an important part of being a responsible tourist in Rwanda.
Ethnographic Museum
This museum holds Africa’s best ethnological and archaeological artifacts in Rwanda. The museum is located about 130 kilometers south of Kigali in the Huye District. Museum holds seven galleries that will take you back to pre-colonial Rwanda. In addition, these galleries hold a collection of woven baskets and traditional garments made from animal hides. They also hold woven grass spears and bows, in addition to musical drums from hundreds of years ago, and old farming tools.
King’s Palace Museum
This palace is one of Rwanda’s eight national museums. More so its star attractions are the inyambo (sacred cows) and their staggeringly large horns. Throughout the day, traditional singers lull the cows into a mellow state by belting poems. A ritual that’s unique to Rwanda. It exhibits a replica of a king’s palace from the 15th century with a thatched roof. Moreso unmarried women run the royal hut, and fresh milk huts.
Visitors enjoy the Rwandan Traditional Royal home and the INYAMBO/ Royal traditional cows. They also enjoy Traditional dances before proceeding to the residence of King Mutara III Rudahigwa.