Rwanda is a modern nation with a fast growing economy. It is ranked the third most competitive country in Africa by World Economic Forum 2016 Competitiveness Report and is rated one of the cleanest and safest countries in Africa.
Kigali is a capital city of Rwanda with easy reach offering cultural and natural treasures. Take advantage of a range of experiences in discovering remarkable Rwanda – venture into Rwanda’s national parks to track the endangered mountain gorilla on the endangered mountain gorilla on the slopes of the Virunga Volcanoes, enjoy a big 5 safari in Akagera, rated amongst the most scenic national parks in Africa, and learn about the rich biodiversity in Nyungwe, the largest protect mountain rain forest in Africa.
The Cultural Heritage Corridor, community tours, tea and coffee plantations, adventure experiences and the shores of Lake Kivu await you.
The delicious local cuisine, unique culture and arts, combined with breath-taking natural beauty are waiting for you to come and experience taste of Rwanda’s warm hospitality and wonderful people.
You will quickly learn what makes Rwanda remarkable and why it is the most popular tourist destination. I explored Rwanda the Land of a Thousand Hills and a million smiles.
Visited the Kigali Genocide Memorial in Gisozi
When visiting Rwanda, it is impossible not to see and learn about the impact of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi.
While this is a remarkably moving experience, it is at the same time surprisingly uplifting, as I experienced first-hand how the people of Rwanda have moved forward together positively and are an example to the world of a success story in peace and reconciliation.
Rwanda is committed to fighting the ideology of the genocide. The memorials found throughout the country are moving testimonies in memory of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
Inaugurated on 10th anniversary of the Rwandan genocide, the Kigali Genocide Memorial is where 259,000 victims have been buried. This memorial also serves to educate about genocide around the world in 20th Century
I did Kigali City Tour in Rwanda
When visiting Rwanda, you will be pleasantly surprised by many little things such as the cleanliness of the streets and the standards of many of the roads, but most of all I fell in love with the warm smiling people.
The ‘Land of a Thousand Hills’ compact size is no secret; this means minimized travel time that allows visitors to explore the natural and cultural attractions, one hill at a time.
Found in 1907 as a small administrative outpost with limited linkage to the outside world, Kigali is today Rwanda’s rapidly growing vibrant capital city and a modern metropolis. Kigali offers a range of three to five star accommodation options.
One of best things about Kigali city is that it is safe to wander the streets and explore the city by foot.
You can immerse yourself in the local art, fashion and culture scene as you shop for souvenirs, sip some of the best coffee on the continent grown right here in Rwanda or taste their excellent local cuisine at a rooftop restaurant with breath-taking views of the city.
If you are looking for nights there are many options in clubs and bars with great music, beer good food and happy crowds.
Visited the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda
In the heart of Central Africa, so high up that you shiver more than you sweat, wrote the eminent primatologist Dian Fossey, are great, old volcanoes towering almost 15,000 feet, and nearly covered with rich, green rain forest the Virunga’s.
Situated in the far northwest of Rwanda, Volcanoes National Park protects the steep slopes of this magnificent mountain range home of the endangered mountain gorillas and a rich mosaic of montane ecosystems, which embrace evergreen and bamboo forest, open grassland, swamp and heath.
Within the boundaries of Volcanoes National Park are Buhanga Eco-Park, an ancient forest holding Rwanda’s most intriguing folklore and Musanze Caves, formed 62 million years ago after last estimated volcanic eruption and after your gorilla safaris in Rwanda do not miss to visit these mentioned places and the Iby’wacu cultural village that is made up of the once gorilla hunters and now Eco – warriors.
Volcanoes National Park is named after the chain of dormant volcanoes making the Virunga Massif: Karisimbi being the highest at 4,507m, Bisoke with its verdant Crater Lake, Sabyinyo, Gahinga and Muhabura.
Trekking the endangered mountain gorillas through the mysterious intimacy of the rain forest, alive with the calls of colourful birds and chattering of the rare golden monkey, is only one of the truly unique experience of a life time I did enjoy in Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda.
Hiking, canoeing, mountain biking and village experience offer something for everyone to enjoy too if you decide to take a safari to Rwanda in Volcanoes National Park. I enjoyed this safari with my travel consultant Jackie who organized for me this trip!
I visited Nyungwe National Park Rwanda
Within the Great Rift Valley lies Africa’s Largest protected mountain rain forest, Nyungwe, acclaimed for its rich biodiversity, endemic species and showcasing the only canopy walk in East Africa reaching 70m above the forest floor and spanning 200m in length.
Located in the south-western region of Rwanda at an elevation of over 1600m, sounds and sights collaborate to create a magical experience as you journey through the majestic rain forest.
Nyungwe National Park holds the source of Africa’s great rivers, feeding the Nile River in the east and the Congo River in west, and is known as the most endemic species rich area in all of Africa.
This park boasts ecosystems from rain forest, bamboo, grassland, swamps, and bog habitats.
It is home to orchids among 1,000 other plant species, habituated chimpanzees and 12 other primates including 400 strong troops of the Black and White Colobus monkey, and 75 different species of mammals.
It is a birder’s paradise with over 310 species of which 27 are Albertine Rift endemics including the Rwenzori Turaco, Rwenzori Double-collared Sunbird and Graurer’s Swamp Warbler.
A piece of paradise found its home inside the remarkable Nyungwe Forest, I did trek the chimpanzees and did the canopy walk, which all was a magical experience never to forget in my life.
For those who have never visited this park I recommend you to come and explore the beautiful trails, trek chimpanzees, bike, bird watch, learn about the tea plantations and community cultural villages which gives a bird’s eye view of one of the world’s remarkable natural treasures.
I Visited Akagera National Park in Rwanda
Akagera National Park is located in the north-eastern region of Rwanda, 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.
Founded in 1934, with an area of 2,500km, it is the largest protected wetland in central Africa and the last remaining refuge for savannah adapted animals and plants in Rwanda.
Akagera National Park is home to lions, leopards, servals, hyenas, jackals and giraffes, large herds of buffaloes, zebras, rhinoceros and several antelope species.
Elephants congregate around the lakes that are inhabited by more than 800 hippos as well as Africa’s largest freshwater predator, the Nile crocodile.
Embark on an authentic day or night guided African savannah and rolling highlands safari, or experience forest fringed lakes on a boat ride in one of the most scenic reserves in Africa.
If you are lucky you may even come across the secretive blue monkey, bush baby or sitatunga swamp dwelling antelope.
Akagera is an important birding area with nearly 500 species of which 99 are not found in any other Rwandan national park. Of note are the rare and elusive shoe bill, the Red-faced Barbet and the exquisite Papyrus Gonolek.
