Rwanda is a country of contrasts, nicknamed the “Land of a Thousand Hills.” Here tourists can witness a unique combination of wild nature, cultural experiences, and large numbers of primates, birds, and amphibians. The country’s popularity is largely connected to wise policies and initiatives from local authorities who have managed to focus on developing this region. From this overview, you can learn which attractions and places in Rwanda should be on every tourist’s “must-visit” list.
Kigali – Rwanda’s Bustling Capital
Getting acquainted with any country should begin with the capital, and Rwanda is no exception to this rule. Kigali is quite a noisy and very colorful metropolis, where visitors can immediately notice cleanliness and order. To learn more about the country’s tragic history, it’s recommended to visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial, where you can trace the country’s gradual recovery after difficult events.
After this, it’s recommended to head to the local Kimironko market. Here you can see and purchase textiles and various handmade items from Rwandan craftsmen. To get the most interesting information about Rwanda’s capital, you can take a guided walking tour, where a guide will tell you about this area’s successful ecotourism development, culture, and local residents’ customs.
Kigali’s cultural center is also considered a must-visit. The list of fantastic places includes the Inema Arts Center and Ivuka Arts Studio, where tourists are also offered the opportunity to participate in various workshops.
To learn more about progressive gender equality policies, you can visit the Nyamirambo Women’s Center. The country’s government actively emphasizes popularizing women’s rights in society. Rwanda is the world’s first country where the majority of parliament members are women.
Relaxation at Lake Kivu
Lake Kivu is another unique place among tourists who can enjoy clear water and choose leisurely beach recreation. In this area, sandy beaches perfectly combine with well-developed resort infrastructure. The lake shores feature three complete resort towns offering vacationers hotel networks and numerous historical mansions for comfortable accommodation.
The lake is part of Africa’s Great Lakes list. Popular entertainment for tourists includes kayaks, canoes, and boat trips to Napoleon Islands, known for huge bat colonies. For lovers of more active and extreme recreation, windsurfing, car rides along local settlements, and meeting village residents are offered.
Kivu is called the only lake in all of Africa without crocodiles, hippos, and other dangerous wildlife. Therefore, tourists can relax with children, enjoying wild nature’s beauty, sandy beaches, and clean freshwater.
Akagera National Park – True African Savanna in Rwanda
In the country’s eastern part lies Akagera National Park, where you can go on wildlife safaris. The park’s area covers about 1,200 km². During walks, tourists can get better acquainted with all African savanna features and see such animals as:
- elephants
- water buffalo
- hippopotamuses
- giraffes
- zebras
- crocodiles
- spotted hyenas
- antelopes
- numerous colorful birds
The territory is quite diverse – there are rivers and lakes here. The convenient location (low altitude above sea level) allows every tourist to visit the park, regardless of personal physical fitness. Groups of ornithologists are often encountered here, as the park has officially registered more than 480 bird species.
Volcanoes National Park – Rwanda’s “Tourism Jewel”
This park is located in mountains at 1,700-4,600m altitude and situated in the “heart” of Central Africa. The total area is 125 km².
On first visit, tourists immediately admire the majesty of 5 inactive volcanoes completely covered with tropical forest and shrouded in misty veil. But the main attraction of this place isn’t the volcanoes (despite the park’s name), but local residents – gorillas. Only a few hundred remain on the entire planet, so they’re marked as an endangered species. Besides gorillas, you can also encounter golden monkeys in the park, considered a rare species in Africa.
Climbing up the park trail, tourists can personally feel vivid ecosystem changes: evergreen and bamboo forests are arranged in tiers, with spacious green meadows and swampy areas along the way.
Nyungwe National Park – Example of Pristine Nature
In southwestern Rwanda lies Nyungwe National Park, where you can get better acquainted with all features of Central Africa’s mountain tropical forest. The park’s area is 970 km². Here are several large-scale biogeographical zones, so flora and fauna diversity will certainly attract every guest’s attention. Additionally, various animal populations that are already on the verge of extinction live in the territory.
An important park “highlight” is walks on suspension bridges (canopy), offering stunning views of the Congo and Nile rivers. The territory houses numerous birds: more than 280 bird species, 26 of which are found exclusively in the Rift Valley. An equally important park feature is the primates living here. Among them are about 500 chimpanzees, also on the verge of extinction.