Rwanda is a hidden gem of flora and fauna as a few people know about it but whoever visits this amazing country only has special remarks for it. Many people around the world do not know much about Rwanda due to the fact it is a young nation and not that politically prolific. But let’s try to make the world know Rwanda. Rwanda is a small country located in the east African region bordered by Uganda in the North, Tanzania in the East, Burundi in the South and Democratic Republic of Congo. It is a country that lies near the equator and this makes it a tropical country that receives rain and sunshine throughout the year.
When you turn to the touristic part of Rwanda, it is like any other African country in terms of the experience it offers to its visitors which is sand, sun and wildlife. The experience is always different in Rwanda as it has different unique wildlife that cannot be seen anywhere else. The millions of tourists that explore Rwanda have had a once in lifetime experience and many have returned to Rwanda for more encounters of the amazing wildlife, climate and its hospitable people.
Rwanda is the place to be for every ecotourist due to the fact that it has the most sought after animals in Africa the mountain gorillas that are inhabit in the north east of the country at volcanoes national park situated within the Virunga ranges. Rwanda has nearly a third of the world of these huge primates and it is best place to watch the mountain gorillas in their natural setting. Mountain gorillas are very intelligent animals that have 98.8% DNA similar to mankind and this implies that they have lots of traits similar to mankind. The most intriguing of the traits are the social characters of relating among each other and the ability to use tools like sticks to gather food and also to build shelter. Coming close to the great apes on a gorilla safari in Rwanda is an exhilarating moment and it is the closest mankind can get to nature.
Away from the gorillas, Rwanda also has other wildlife to enjoy on a vacation. Rwanda is a home to 13 different species of other common primates namely the chimpanzees, red tailed monkeys, black and white colobus, blue monkeys and the grey cheeked mangabey to mention but a few. These are found in Nyungwe forest national park in the southwest of the country. Amongst the common primates chimpanzees take the top notch of excitement. Chimpanzees are also apes like mankind and are the closest relatives of mankind. These are arguably the most intelligent animals in the world next to humans. When a visitor meets the chimpanzees in the wild, he/she can never fail to get mesmerized as these small apes have lots of interesting social displays like the ability to use tools like stones and tree branches to gather food.
In addition to the above Rwanda also possesses the common big animals that is the elephants, zebras, buffalos, giraffes, lions and antelopes and these can be viewed on game drive round Akagera national park located in the southeast. These common animals have interesting to watch in their natural setting as they move and run around the savannah plains looking for survival. These animals are photogenic and every traveler would like to have a photo of these beautiful wild animals.
Rwanda also has other attraction to watch on the vacation like the architectural marvels in the city of Kigali and also its culture by encountering different cultural communities and centers. Rwanda is a country where wildlife grinds with traditional culture and any traveler interested in wildlife and authentic African traditional culture, Rwanda is the place to be on your vacation.
Things to See
The Mountain Gorillas
For starters, Rwanda is a home to the endangered species of mountain gorillas which are located in the forested Virunga ranges in the north eastern part. It has a third of the population of mountain gorillas in the world. The world has less than 900 mountain gorillas and Rwanda has about 320. The mountain gorillas are one of the most popular tourism products in the world due to the lifetime experience one cultivated on the encounter. These animals are so special as they are so intelligent and one may thinks that they are real humans the way they relate socially within their families. They have so much respect for the silver back the alpha male gorillas and everything around the family rotates around him. They also have the ability to use tools like tree branches and leaves to build their homes and also gather food. Words cannot explain the real gorilla safari experience unless someone physically visits the mountain gorillas in the bamboo forests of the Volcanoes National Park in northern Rwanda.
Rwanda Primates
Moving away from the gorillas, Rwanda has the largest montane forest in East Africa Nyungwe forest. This a forest that inhabits 13 different species of primates the most notable ones are chimpanzees, red tailed monkey, black and white monkeys and grey cheeked mangabey. These primates are amazing to track as they are so playful and also very intelligent in the way they do their day to day activities the chimpanzees in particular. While in this amazing forest, the visitor is able to encounter beautiful bird species and butterflies that color up the sky. Another unique attraction in this forest is the canopy walk, here the visitor trek around the forest on an 50 meter elevated trail from the ground and have the opportunity to have a good aerial view of the forest.
Unique Culture
Rwanda’s authentic traditional culture is worth to experience. This can be encountered by visiting the different traditional and historical sites of Rwanda like the genocide memorial centre, the market place, the presidential palace, museums and also the cultural villages like Iby’iwacu. Getting to know more about Rwanda and mix and mingle with the traditional cultural of Rwanda gets one close to nature. With meeting the mountain gorillas, the primates in Nyungwe and mixing and mingling with traditional culture one gets to know mama nature more.
Places to Visit
Volcanoes National Park
Volcanoes has a wealth of adventure after you’ve trekked with gorillas: hike the Dian Fossey Tomb Trail or explore the Musanze caves.
The “Parc National de Volcans” (or PNV as it’s known by locals) lies along the Virunga Mountains, with 8 ancient volcanoes, which are shared by Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Just a short two hour drive from Rwanda’s capital of Kigali, the park is a central location for exploring some distinctly Rwandan experiences. While a visit to the mountain gorillas is often at the top of a bucket list, the dramatic landscape also offers thrilling hiking and visits to the fascinating golden monkeys.
Lake Kivu
Enjoy lakeside sports at Lake Kivu – Rwanda’s coastal adventure hub! Wind-surfing, swimming, or boating.
If you’re surprised that Rwanda has a beach – you’re not alone. Rubavu (also known as Gisenyi) is a waterfront town located on the shores of Lake Kivu, one of Africa’s great bodies of water. At only an hour away from Volcanoes National Park, Rubavu is a great way to unwind after trekking with the gorillas and golden monkeys.
Nyungwe Forest
Located in the South West corner of Rwanda, Nyungwe National Park is an untouched natural rainforest that is filled with exciting biodiversity.
This majestic rainforest is filled with nature and wildlife experiences for you to emerge yourself in. Hiking or even biking the beautiful terrain, trekking to the famous chimpanzees, experiencing the canopy walk, witnessing beautiful birds, relaxing by waterfalls are just a glimpse of activities that Nyungwe offers.
Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre
Kigali is the dynamic capital at the heart of Rwanda.
The people of Rwanda embrace peace and reconciliation. They are committed to fight the ideology of genocide. The memorials found throughout the country are moving testimonies in memory of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and the people who lost their lives. Inaugurated on the 10th anniversary of the Rwandan genocide, the Kigali Genocide Memorial at Gisozi is where 259,000 victims have been buried. This memorial also serves to educate how the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi took shape and examines genocide in the 20th century.
Akagera National Park
A stunning National Park where the past has been revived
Akagera National Park is located in the north east of Rwanda along the border with Tanzania. It is named after the Akagera River that flows along its eastern boundary and feeds into a labyrinth of lakes of which the largest is Lake Ihema. The forest fringed lakes, papyrus swamps, savannah plains and rolling highlands combine to make Akagera amongst the most scenic of reserves anywhere in Africa. It has exceptional levels of biodiversity and forms the largest protected wetland in central Africa.
Congo Nile Trail
The Congo Nile Trail is a trail along Lake Kivu that extends from Rubavu, continues through Rutsiro via the Karongi, Nyamasheke districts and ends at Rusizi District.
227 km (141 miles) of beautiful landscapes, including rolling hills and clear waters. The entire trek can be completed in a 10- day hike. However, the trip can be done in sections if travelers do not have the time to complete the entire trail. Trails give stunning views of the Lake Kivu coastline and offer adventurous travelers an exciting way to discover Rwanda.