Rwanda, the country known as “the land of a thousand hills” is located in East – central Africa. It lies 121 Km South (75 miles) of the equator in the Tropic of Capricorn, 1416 kilometers (880Miles) west of the Indian Ocean and 1250Km (777Miles) east of the Atlantic Ocean, literally the heart of Africa. Rwanda is bordered by Uganda to the north, Tanzania to the east, Burundi to the south and the Democratic Republic of Congo to the west. The country has a temperate climate, with two rainy seasons (February to April, November to January). Average temperatures range from 16-22 degree Celsius. Anyone visiting ‘the land of a thousand hills’ is in for a multitude of surprises:
First is the personal safety, peace, security and stability enjoyed by both citizens and visitors of the country. Second there is the beauty of this nation. The landscapes in this green country are truly breathtaking. Many visitors to Rwanda have remarked that the physical beauty of the country is without an equal on the African continent. Rwanda has five volcanoes, twenty-three lakes and numerous rivers, some forming the source of River Nile. Spectacular volcanoes and dense tropical forests dominate the north of the country, while gentle hills and valleys, calm lakes and turbulent rivers in both savannah and dense tropical vegetation dominate the rest of the country. The high altitude forests of the Virunga volcanic mountains, in northern Rwanda are home to the world’s largest number of endangered mountain gorillas. Numbering in the hundreds, the gorillas live in protected areas, free from poachers.
As you think on the things to do while on a safari in Africa, Rwanda should be on the top of your bucket list and the following 10 activities should be part of your list;
- Exploring the city of Kigali
Many travelers spend only a night in Kigali before going to the countryside for gorilla trekking and other attractions in the wild, missing out on the vibrant culture, cuisine, and sightseeing in Rwanda’s capital city. Plan to spend at least a few days here at the beginning or end of your trip. You can actually plan to pass all your stay in Kigali and enjoy the best that this safe and clean city has to offer you.
Stock up on bespoke clothes from swirling patterned textiles and experience the energetic atmosphere at Kimironko Market, Kigali’s largest marketplace. The warehouse space is like a maze, with surprises around every corner. Then, check out Kigali’s creative scene at Inema Arts Center, a gallery that showcases the works of up to 10 local artists in residence. Make your way to the Rwanda Art Museum at the former Presidential Palace. It displays some of the finest contemporary pieces from Rwanda and nearby regions. You can also see debris from the presidential aircraft that crashed in 1994. When you’re ready to refuel, savor an authentic Rwandan cup of joe at Question Coffee Cafe. Check out the cafe’s specials menu to see what experimental caffeinated concoctions the baristas have recently come up with. They’re known to infuse some coffee beverages with unexpected local ingredients, like tree tomato. Wind down with a succulent meal at one of Kigali’s great restaurants. Le Panorama Restaurant at Hôtel des Mille Collines offers dazzling views of the city, along with a diverse menu of local and international favorites. For an even more romantic setting, head to Fusion Restaurant’s al fresco dining room at The Retreat hotel. It overlooks a twinkling pool and serves up homemade pastas, flavorful starters, and fresh seafood.
While in Kigali, you may also visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial. Rwanda has come a long way from the devastating genocide, but the impact of this relatively recent history has left its mark on the lives of everyday people and generations to come.
Tourists can learn about this horrific event at the Kigali Genocide Memorial. The haunting museum dives into the timeline that led to the 1994 genocide, bringing the horrors to life through halls of photographs, artifacts, and information. The main exhibit hall wraps around poignant sculptures and features stained-glass windows that cast a hopeful glow on the space. The memorial continues with another permanent exhibit on the history of genocide around the world and intervention efforts from international communities, helping to put the Rwandan genocide into context. The museum also includes an emotionally charged Children’s Room dedicated to the youngest victims of the genocide. It keeps their memory alive through oversize portraits of the children, some of whom were just infants when they were killed, and personal details about the victims, like their nicknames and favorite books. While heartbreaking, visiting the Kigali Genocide Memorial is an important part of being a responsible tourist in Rwanda. Give yourself time to contemplate the experience and have a moment of silence for the 250,000 victims interred at this site at the memorial’s Gardens of Reflection.
You may also visit the Camp Kigali Belgian Memorial, Richard Kandth House Museum, Go horse riding, Bird watching at Umusambi Village or Nyandungu Urban Wetland Eco-tourism Park. Kigali has also got many other good restaurants and bars, cultural events and games among many other things that can be special to you. Plan to spend more days in Kigali to catch every details in deep.
- Gorilla Trek
Without a doubt, the number one thing to do in Rwanda is gorilla trekking at Volcanoes National Park and Rwanda is the best place to do your gorilla trekking trip in the world. Sharing a border with Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, this national park in Rwanda is home to a growing number of critically endangered mountain gorillas. Experts estimate that there are about 600 gorillas in the parka significant increase from around 240-250 individuals in 1981. To visit one of the 18 mountain gorilla families that have been habituated to humans, you’ll need to obtain one of the limited number of daily trekking permits for $1,500. The easiest way to do it is through a reputable tour operator, who can also arrange transportation from Kigali to the park headquarters.
The trekking experience typically lasts between four and eight hours, most of which is spent hiking through mystical bamboo forests, wild meadows, and swampy areas. Guides from the national park service will eventually lead you to one of the habituated gorilla families. You’ll spend an hour observing the creatures as they eat, care for their babies, and interact with one another. Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is largely considered a safe activity. The gorillas are mostly apathetic to their human visitors. Armed guides, who use a bunch of clicking sounds to communicate with the gorillas, keep guests safe from potential dangers, making the experience one that you’ll never forget. Porters are available at the base of the trails in Volcanoes National Park. It’s worth hiring one for the day they’ll carry your bags and help you avoid slipping down the muddy paths.
- Classic Safari in Akagera National Park
No trip to Africa is complete without a game drive. Tourists can scratch the itch to go on safari just two-and-a-half hours away from Kigali at Akagera National Park. Managed by the African Parks organization, Akagera and its biodiversity have made an incredible recovery from near decimation after the 1994 genocide. The 1,140-square-kilometer expanse (one of Central Africa’s largest protected wetlands) now boasts all of the Big Five animals, along with an abundance of birds and antelope. You’ll need to have a lot of luck to spot a lion or rhino conservationists are still working on boosting their populations, and for now, there aren’t that many at Akagera. However, you’ll have no trouble spotting zebras, hippos, Nile crocodiles, elephants, and giraffes on a self-drive safari. The landscape itself is just as spectacular as the animals that live here. You’ll see the environment make a glorious shift from savannah plains to wetlands and lakes.
- Nyungwe National Park
One of the most important forest conservation areas in all of Africa, Nyungwe Forest National Park contains a spectacular array of biodiversity, including 1,068 plant species, 322 species of birds, and 75 types of mammals. Most tourists come to this rainforest to track chimpanzees, which have been habituated to humans by park rangers. This animal encounter is a fraction of the cost of gorilla trekking, yet no less memorable.
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. Got a fear of heights? Skip the canopy tour and instead walk along one of the park’s 15 hiking trails for an invigorating adventure that doesn’t fight gravity.
- Cultural, Historical Museums and People
If the country’s impassioned conservation efforts don’t convince you that Rwandans have a reverence for animals, a visit to the King’s Palace Museum certainly will. The star attraction at the museum (one of Rwanda’s eight national museums) 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. The museum itself is just as interesting as the four-legged creatures out back. It showcases a replica of a king’s palace from the 15th century with a thatched roof, royal hut, and fresh milk hut traditionally run by an unmarried woman. Tourists can also explore the colonial-style home that was once the royal residence of King Mutara III Rudahigwa in the mid-20th century. The interior design is particularly striking, blending Rwandan patterns with European-style furniture (some of which was actually owned by the king). Other museums will also introduce you to the best of Rwanda, its history and the best people to meet.
- Lake Kivu
After all your outdoor adventures, you’ll be ready to kick up your feet and there’s no better place to relax in Rwanda than at Lake Kivu. The 2,700-square-kilometer, emerald-green oasis, surrounded by misty mountains, is Rwanda’s largest lake. Soak it all up from Rubavu, a resort town on the northern tip of Lake Kivu. 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. Experiencing lake kivu in karongi will leave you speechless with outstanding views of the islands and bats at the Napoleon islands.
Do not miss the best of the land of thousand hills. The country is now open and gorilla trekking activities are ongoing. Choose the best safari package for you and your loved ones today.
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