What are the best Places to Visit in Rwanda
What are the best Places to Visit in Rwanda: Dubbed the land of a thousand hills, Rwanda is one of the most riveting destinations that should never be missed by any nature-loving tourist on an African adventure.
Due to its small size, one wouldn’t expect much from such a country but the moment you step into Rwanda, you will be impressed beyond words and have everlasting memories of your trip. From the exceptional mountain gorillas, genocide sites, big five animals to bird species, Rwanda is just magical.
No amount of words can describe the beauty of this small East and Central African country and thus it is more satisfying to take a trip to explore some of the wonders that make tourists fall in love with the country. What are the best places to visit in Rwanda? Well; below are the exciting places to visit;
Volcanoes National Park
Not making Volcanoes National Park the first destination in Rwanda is a disservice to its honor and beauty. The road trip of 2-3 hours through the rolling hills and tarmacked road leads you to the 160 square kilometer Park, the former home of Dian Fossey (the American primatologist that spent over 18 years conserving the giant apes that were at the time facing extinction).
Because the Park is home to the endangered mountain gorillas, it is the best place and number one reason why thousands of tourists visit the country. In addition to the mountain gorilla trekking which is obviously the star activity of the show in the Park, Volcanoes National Park boasts of a number of breathtaking attractions that include the endangered golden monkeys, several bird species, the famous Dian Fossey graveside, and many others.
Akagera National Park
Many times tourists think that the only thing to do in this country is gorilla trekking but there is more to Rwanda than just mountain gorillas within the Volcanoes National Park.
Akagera National Park, Rwanda’s only savannah Park can definitely not miss on this list due to its abundant wildlife and bird species as well as spectacular beauty. Akagera was established in 1934 and is currently home to the continent’s largest Protected Wetland and undeniably the last remaining habitat to several savannahs adapted species in the country.
Its vast 1122 square kilometers of land offer shelter to roaming famous wildlife species such as big five animals (elephants, buffaloes, lions, rhinos and leopards), antelope species and giraffes among others while the different ecosystems are habitat for the country’s highest bird species in addition to jaw-dropping activities including birding, boat cruises, game viewing, nature walks, fishing and many others that await tourists.
Nyungwe Forest National Park
Situated in the south-western corner of Rwanda, Nyungwe Forest National Park is another of the country’s treasures and so far the largest remaining enclave of Tropical Montane Forest in the African continent extending for over 1000 square kilometers.
This Forest Park is rich in diversity comprising of over 75 mammal species including over 13 primate species, more than 300 bird species, several butterflies and tree species that will blow your mind.
This Park is an exceptional place to enjoy chimpanzee tracking, hiking (there are over 13 interesting hiking trails extending for 130 kilometers), monkey tracking (for the Rwenzori colobus monkeys and grey-cheeked mangabeys), the extraordinary canopy walk and bird watching.
Lake Kivu
Are you looking forward to relaxing and unwinding during your African safari? If yes, then Lake Kivu with its white sandy beaches, cool lake breeze, and turquoise water is where you have to be. You don’t have to go to the Caribbean or Costa de Sol when Rwanda is just a stone throw away from whichever destination you wish to visit in Africa.
This destination is obviously the best place you can chill after your hectic gorilla trekking, golden monkey tracking or chimpanzee tracking adventure. Not only that, coffee tours, watersports (like kayaking and surfing), swimming, biking, and hiking are some of the exhilarating activities any tourists to Lake Kivu should expect.
Rwanda’s mysterious genocide sites
When you think of countries that have gone through painful pasts, Rwanda cannot miss on your list but memorial places have been turned into wonderful tourist sites in honor of victims of the 1994 Rwandan genocide. These sacred sites are some of the places where several innocent lives were sacrificed and still have bones, clothes and many items of the victims.
A terror that lasted 100 days left painful memories lasting forever and thus these sites include Gisenyi genocide site, Nyanza memorial site, Bisesero memorial site, Murambi Genocide site, Nyamata memorial site, Gisozi memorial site, Kigali memorial center, Nyarubuye memorial site, and Ntarama genocide site. Visit these sites and learn the history that shamed the unity of the country and prepares to shed some tears if you are faint-hearted.
Iby’Iwacu cultural village
Leaving Rwanda without enjoying the cultural experience is a mistake you ought not to commit because it’s from here that you will be immersed in some of their interesting traditions. Situated within Musanze district on the outskirts of Volcanoes National Park, the Iby’Iwacu Cultural village is a boiling pot that allows you to have an insight to the ways of life of the three tribes of Rwanda including their traditional dances, delicious dishes, dressing, and many others.
Tourists that visit this site are taken through the various cultural activities of the Banyarwanda that include banana beer making, farm activities, cattle rearing, mock hunting, traditional feed preparation, preparation of traditional medicine, millet grinding and many others.
In addition to these wonderful places that can be visited in Rwanda, there are things you must not miss on your itinerary and they include tasting the mouth-watering brochettes (fish, chicken, beef, and pork) as well as tasting some of the World’s finest Gourmet coffee found in Rwanda.
Conclusively, Rwanda the land of a thousand hills is not just a destination but Paradise offering not just beauty but extraordinary safari experience for every nature-loving tourists. With places like Volcanoes National Park (for the mountain gorillas and golden monkeys), Nyungwe Forest National Park (for the chimpanzee and other 12 primate species), the Akagera National Park (for the big five animals), Lake Kivu (for chilling and unwinding) and Iby’Iwacu Cultural village (for typical cultural experiences), Rwanda is definitely the best African destination to visit for memorable safari experiences.