Top 8 places to visit in Rwanda: Rwanda is called the land of hills because of its surging hilly and mountainous terrain that gives a lush green view blanketed with the rain forest in the west and massive fields and valleys. She is a greatly naturally endowed country despite being landlocked and a great hideaway that will make you wish to visit her more and more.
1. VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK
Being one of the three spots in the entire world where you can see Mountain Gorillas, Volcanoes has become a peak tourist site in Rwanda. Situated in Northwestern Rwanda, this is a UNESCO World Heritage site and home to 10 Gorilla groups and approximately 150 habituated gorillas.
This is where Dian Fossey did much of her conservation work with gorillas.
The rain forest has a lot more to offer such as African bush elephant, golden monkey, and several other primates, mammals and birds among others can be seen complementing the main attraction. The Virungas is an exceptional place with a deep history and breathtaking landscapes.
The Virungas are skirted by extinct volcanoes like Sabyinyo, Gahinga, Muhabura, Karisimbi and Bisoke. Feel free to add hiking these volcanoes to your itinerary, it will be worth it.
The price of a gorilla trekking permit in Rwanda is now $1500 per individual and adds up to more than 90 permits per day. This verifies how this experience is so highly sought out.
If you wish to be surrounded by primates, the forests and nothing but nature, Volcanoes National Park is a great place to spend your holiday.
2. LAKE KIVU
Lake Kivu is located right on the border of Rwanda and DRC in the Albertine Rift Valley. Kivu is also the biggest Lake in Rwanda.
The emerald green waters are dotted with some islands (Napoleon Island, Amahoro Island) and reflect so beautifully with the surrounding mountains. The drive to the lake is a meandering scenic route through the hills and cultivated mountains.
There are three major towns around the lake like Rubavu which is nestled right on the shores of Kivu. Here you can relax and chill in the evening after spending the day exploring the lake. Karongi is covered with eucalyptus trees and it stands as one of the best beach resorts.
There is a lot to do around Lake Kivu such as kayaking, mountain biking, hiking, cycling and enjoying local town life.
3. AKAGERA NATIONAL PARK
This is the largest National park in Rwanda found at the border of Rwanda and Tanzania. The park is mainly savannah and a little swampy on the edges of River Kagera that flows through to Burundi.
Following the genocide of 1994 and the return of refugees to the country, this park was raided, cut down for human use and animals poached for human consumption and sale. Later in the 2000s, Akagera was restored to her former glory, showing a return of 18 Eastern black rhinoceros in 2017, lions introduced back in 2015 to add to the existing zebras, elephants, buffalos, leopards, spotted hyenas, bushbucks antelopes as well as hippos and crocodiles near the banks of the river.
You will get to see other primates like baboons, vervet and blue monkeys, and over 500 bird species. While in Akagera National Park, you can take part in any of the following activities;
- Sport Fishing
- Boat rides/cruises on Lake Ihema
- Game drives to see animals
- Community visits
- Bird watching
4. NYUNGWE FOREST NATIONAL PARK
A remarkable wonder of Rwanda, a misty rain forest that has been preserved and kept in its natural form.
Home for primates like chimpanzees, mangabey bees, colobus monkeys and over 300 species of birds. The major activity in this area is chimpanzee tracking, there are 2 chimp communities in Uwinka and Cyamdungo sections of the forest where you get to see them in their natural habitat.
You get to explore and hike the trails of the forest as well as the amazing only canopy walk in East Africa, a 91-meter-long suspension bridge that hangs 50 meters above the rainforest. Taking this canopy walk is a thrilling experience with a panoramic view of the entire green foggy top of the forest.
5. KIGALI
Declared the most beautiful city in Africa by the United Nations, Kigali is undoubtedly the cleanest city in East Africa. You will have a deep understanding of the culture of people, check out historical sites such as;
- The Handt House Museum
- Museum of National History
- The Kigali Genocide Memorial Center
- Statehouse Museum
- Camp Kigali Memorial and the first modern building on which the city was built all of which come with a fascinating history.
Get a chance to have a taste of the local’s everyday lives by checking out the Kimironko market, considered Kigali’s largest and busiest market. You can also get souvenirs from Nyamirambo Women’s Centre to take back with you a piece of Africa.
The nightlife is as colourful as your day, you can chill and unwind in the numerous hangouts and five-star hotels.
6. GENOCIDE MEMORIAL SITES
Rwanda is a country rich in history most prominently the 1994 genocide that led to close to a million people dying. There are quite several sites where you get to learn about all this history and be a part of this rich culture. The sites include;
- The Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre where all the names of the victims of the war are written on the wall
- Murambi Genocide Memorial site a school where over 2700 people were slaughtered a school and are now refurbished as an exhibition site,
- Gisozi Memorial Site where both Hutus and Tutsi victims were buried in 2000, over 300,000 people were buried at this site. There is a display house, cemetery, photo gallery and library.
- Nyamata memorial site, which was formerly a church in Bugerera district, approximately over 2500 people who had taken refuge in the church were killed here
- Gisenyi Memorial site where 12000 remains are kept, Nyarubuye Memorial site formerly a school where 20000 people were killed,
- Bisesero memorial site in Karongi district where 30,000 people were killed and currently named the ‘Hill of Resistance’ because of the strong front manifested by the people of this region yet they had less superior weapons,
- Nyanza Memorial site, where a school by the United Nations called ETO was built.
- Ntarama Memorial site in Bugesera which is only an hour’s drive away from Kigali town and formerly a church where people seek solace in times of war. 5000 people died in this church, it has since been preserved as a display and remembrance site.
7. MUSANZE CAVES
In the Nothern province of Rwanda is Musanze district, where the famous Musanze caves are located. Musanze also takes up the biggest part of Volcanoes National Park which makes it easy to combine the two places for a single trip.
More than 32 caves are situated on the foothills of the National Park, created over a million years ago in the volcanic eruptions that created the Virungas Volcanoes as we know them.
Going 2 kilometres long, the caves are surrounded by lush green vegetation and are home for bats. The rock mouths of the caves are covered with flowers and plants creating a beautiful view as you ascend and descend.
The caves are long, and the stretch might take you about an hour or more to emerge from the other side but the experience is unbelievably worth it.
8. NATIONAL MUSEUM OF RWANDA
Created in 1987, the National Museum of Rwanda is located in Huye district in the Southern province of the country. It is considered among the best museum in Eastern Africa. There are 7 galleries, items categorized in historical, artistic and archaeological artefacts and ethnographic.
There are artefacts that represent the country’s culture and her story from the beginning. With a very informed guide, you get to learn different aspects of Rwanda that speak so much to where the country is socially, culturally and politically.
CONCLUSION
That is the short list of what makes Rwanda extremely interesting for travellers from all parts of the world. These 8 places will make you fall in love with Rwanda. And that is not mentioning the people, because they are the real magic potion.
Whatever your travel preferences are, you can come to Rwanda and have a great time. Whether you want to see the gorillas, chimpanzees, other wildlife, birds, history, culture – it is all here. Take a look at some of our already made Rwanda Safaris for some inspiration.
You can also request for a custom safari that is based on your own interests, schedule. Just tell us via this safari request form and we’ll give make you an itinerary for free.
