What are the best tourism locations in Rwanda : Known as the land of a thousand hills,What are the best tourism locations in Rwanda : Known as the land of a thousand hills, Rwanda is one of the most remarkable countries in the world thanks is one of the most remarkable countries in the world thanks to its stunning scenery and warm, friendly people offering unique experiences.
This beautiful small country is blessed with extraordinary biodiversity, with incredible wildlife living throughout several habitants – volcanoes, montane rainforest and sweeping plains.
Epic Scenery
Rwanda’s dramatic vistas are endless, with fresh perspective around every corner.
Thanks to an excellent road network linking What are the best tourism locations in Rwanda : Known as the land of a thousand hills, Rwanda is one of the most remarkable countries in the world thanks tourism sites and destinations, it is easy to explore Rwanda’s beauty.
Visitors to Rwanda can rest assured the country is safe as well stunning, What are the best tourism locations in Rwanda : Known as the land of a thousand hills, Rwanda is one of the most remarkable countries in the world thanks was ranked the 9th safest country in the world by the World Economic Forum.
Vibrant Culture
Rwandans are not only warm and friendly, but also respectful, thoughtful and committed to the idea of progress, starting at the grass roots and running all the way to the top.
From the ancient Kingdom to the modern day, creativity is something to be celebrated, weather through traditional dance, unique architecture or works of art.
Travelers from all works of the world come to Known as the land of a thousand hills, Rwanda is one of the most remarkable countries in the world thanks to catch a glimpse of the magnificent gorillas, yet there is so much more to see and experience
Culture & Heritage
Today Kigali City is cosmopolitan enough hosting two fashions festivals every year, and for fashionistas and those involved in style, they offer a fantastic opportunity to see the cultural fusion of western and Rwanda styles that the country’s finest designers negotiate and create daily.
Kigali Fashion Week takes place every July, and hosts dozens of international, local, and upcoming young designers, while the Rwanda Cultural Fashion Week showcases even more local and international talent every September.
Kigali Cultural Village
This is a traditional market space where local artisans and food vendors exhibit and trade their goods, the Kigali Cultural Village also hosts events, workshops, festivals and music.
Museums & Art Galleries
Rwanda’s museums and galleries make for an interesting insight into artefacts dating back to the olden days to contemporary art which makes What are the best tourism locations in Rwanda : Known as the land of a thousand hills, Rwanda is one of the most remarkable countries in the world thanks and its people who they are.
Rwanda has several sites dedicated to showing the history of the country, these include
- King’s Palace
- Ethnographic Museum
- Kigali Genocide Memorial
- Rwanda Art Museum “Formerly What are the best tourism locations in Rwanda : Known as the land of a thousand hills, Rwanda is one of the most remarkable countries in the world thanks Art Museum”
- Kandt House Museum
- Museum of the Environment
Responsible Tourism
Rwanda is committed to safeguarding the existence of its many iconic species within the four National Parks.
Rwanda works hard to ensure that there is sustainable harmony between its people, tourists and the environment, with a clean and green mindset. Use of plastic bags was banned in 2008 as a way of making the country the cleanest in Africa and this has been achieved thanks to the efforts throughout every community.
10% of the income derived from gorilla tourism, safari and other tourist permits, as well as park fees, is spent in partnership with local communities to change lives for better.
The Great Rift Valley
The west of Rwanda forms a branch of the Great Rift Valley known as the Albertine Rift, this region has many unique, endemic species and bursting with life.
This region is home to chimpanzees, golden monkeys and other primates living alongside hundreds of brightly-colored birds, orchids and butterflies.
Rwanda Tourism Activities
Tea Plantation Experience
Tea is one of Rwanda’s largest exports introduced in 1952, the fertile volcanic soil and temperate climate make for perfect tea growing conditions. The majority of tea in Rwanda is cultivated on large plantations, with a small contribution from tea cooperatives and private growers.
Tea plants can be seen covering the rolling hills, their rich green a striking contrast to the blue skies, dirt roads and sunshine creating a spectacular scenery.
There are a number of tea factories open to public, enabling visitors to discover how tea is harvested and processed.
Tea Plantation tours in Rwanda take place in a variety of locations across Rwanda, with the major ones being around Nyungwe National Park – Gisovu and Gisakura.
Safari
Rwanda is an-up-and-coming safari destination, with central Africa’s largest protected wetland in the Akagera National Park in the eastern border of the country with Tanzania.
Akagera National Park covers just 1,122 km² with forest fringed lakes, papyrus swamps, savannah plains and rolling highlands making it amongst the most scenic of parks in East Africa.
In Akagera, it is not uncommon for visitors to spend an entire day without seeing another vehicle, offering impression that its just you and the wilderness.
Akagera National Park is home to the Big Five – lion, elephant, rhinos, cape buffaloes and leopards thanks to the reintroduction of seven lions in 2015 which bred successfully and doubled in number within a year, and 18 Eastern black rhinos in 2017.
Other notable plains game in Akagera National Park include hyena, side-striped jackal, topi, zebras, waterbucks, roan antelope and eland. Other antelopes are duiker, oribi, bohor, reedbuck, klipspringer, bushbuck and impala.
There are also primate species in Akagera National Park including olive baboons, vervets, blue monkeys and bush babies often seen on night drives.
Akagera National Park is an important ornithological site with 525 bird species including the prehistoric shoebill, countless water birds inhabiting the wetlands and savannah species.
A boat trip on Lake Ihema situated in the south of Africa, offers a delightful opportunity to see hippos and Nile crocodiles, as well as countless birds nesting on the island at its centre.
Bird watching
Rwanda is one of the best birding destination in East Africa and a birder’s haven with 703 species, 29 Albertine Rift Endemic, diverse habitats and the best montane birding in Africa.
Most birds in Rwanda focus their attention on Nyungwe National Park in the west of Rwanda and Akagera National Park located in the east. However, good birding can be found across the country and even close to Kigali.
Nyungwe National Park is a tropical montane rainforest is home to 322 bird species as well as 13 species of primate and numerous endemic plant species- 29 species. The main attraction is the Red-collared Babbler, other bird species include Rwenzori Turaco, Handsome Francolin, Rwenzori Nightjar, Grauer’s Warbler, Regal, Blue-headed and Purple Breasted Sunbirds, Congo Bay Owl, Albertine Owlet and Shelley’s Crimsonwing, Rockefeller’s Sunbird, Grauer’s Swamp Warbler and Neumann’s Warbler among others.
Akagera National Park – the only savannah park in Rwanda with rolling hills, lakes, wetland and woodlands is home to over 490 bird species that have been observed in the park.
The park offers a comparable experience to others in the region, but its compact nature means you can access the different habitats easily and build a good bird list.
The range restricted Red-faced barbet is the most sought-after bird and is easy to find around Akagera game lodge and Muyumbu Campsite. Other range restricted species in Akagera include Northern Brown-throated Weaver; Papyrus Gonolek; White-Winged Swamp Warbler, Carruthers’s Cisticola, White-collared Oliveback, and Grey-crowned Cranes among others.
A boat trip on Lake Ihema will give great views of many of the water bird species and a good chance to see the African fin-foot.
Other amazing birding spots in Rwanda include Volcanoes National Park, Gishwati – Mukura National Park, Lake Kivu, wetlands (Akanyaru Wetlands and Nyabarongo Wetlands) and Kigali City.
Primate Tracking
Rwanda is renowned for its gorillas in the Volcanoes National Park, but the country is also home to chimpanzees, golden monkeys, L’Hoest’s, Owl faced, Dent’s, blue and vervet monkeys, olive baboons and nocturnal potto and bush babies.
Gorilla trekking is a unique opportunity to see gorillas in their natural habitat, encounters with gorillas as they go about their daily lives are carefully managed and unforgettable. With expert trackers and guides leading small groups of tourists up bamboo-covered slopes to spend a precious and awe-inspiring hour just a few feet away from the gentle giants.
Mountain gorilla families open for gorilla trekking in Rwanda are Susa, Igisha, Karisimbi, Sabyinyo, Amahoro, Agashya, Kwitonda, Umubano, Hirwa, Bwenge, Ugyenda and Muhoza.
Chimpanzees are found in the Nyungwe National Park and the smaller Gishwati Forest, tracking starts early, at 5.30 am and can last anything from one hour to several hours depending on where the chimpanzees are. Visitors spend a maximum of one hour with them once they are found.
Golden monkeys in Rwanda are found in Volcanoes National Park as well Gishwati Forest, in Volcanoes there are two groups which can be tracked, one on the slopes of Mount Karisimbi and the other in the bamboo forest on Mount Sabyinyo.
Golden monkey tracking departs from the Kinigi headquarters once each day.
Other amazing Rwanda safari activities include canopy walk, canoe trips on Lake Kivu and Kayaking.
