Rwanda is a land of thousand hills and a landlocked country in the great central rift valley of Africa. Rwanda boarders Uganda, Tanzania, democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi in southern part. Rwandese are warm and friendly people with four national parks hence the best destination of wildlife, chimpanzee tracking, birding, gorilla trekking, nature walk and culture encounters. Rwanda is greenish, clean and sustainable harmony environment that is stunning to explore during Rwanda safari.
Some of attractions in Rwanda include.
Volcano national park.
Volcano national park is located in north western part of Rwanda and famously known for inhabiting mountain gorillas. the park is a rich mosaic of montane ecosystems, which embrace evergreen and bamboo forest, open grassland, swamp and heath. Volcano national park lies in Virunga conservation area where Mgahinga national park in Uganda and Virunga national park in Congo combined due to mountain gorillas with Bwindi Impenetrable national park.
Volcano national park is also a home of various bird species like grey crowned crane, wagtail, spurfowl, long horned billed bird, crowned horned bird, great blue turacos, kingfishers, vultures, white egrets, owl and many more. While in the park, visitors can do nature walks and cultural encounters.
The park is accessed by either road and air transport. By road transport, volcano national park can be reached using private, public vehicles and buses from Kigali city which will take about 4-5 hours drive depending where they have picked you. By air transport most visitors from Kigali international airport prefer 4×4 vehicles since it is a short distance drive.
Nyungwe national park.
Nyungwe national park is the oldest park in Rwanda that is rich in biodiversity and spectacularly beautiful. The park is positioned in western part of Rift valley which stretches from Lake Albert to Lake Tanganyika. The park is a best destination for wildlife viewing, canopy and few number of chimpanzees. The park is a birding paradise of over 300 bird species because of tropical forest and 29 bird species are endemic in rift valley. During search of chimps in the forest, visitors are encouraged t6o pack cameras, wear comfortable hiking boots, water &snacks, long trousers, long t-shirts, rain coats and many more.
Akagera national park.
Akagera national park derieved its name from river kagera which flows through Rwanda boundaries in Eastern part of Rwanda. The park is a savannah land discovering an area of 2500sqkm and African Savannah landscape of acacia and bush, with patches of open grassland and a dozen swampy lakes. The park is the best destination for wildlife like Elephants, buffaloes, antelopes, Zebra and Giraffes and bird species like papyrus gonolek and shoebill and the more easily sighted species like weavers, egrets and several Kingfishers. While in the park, visitoirs may do culture encounters to near by local communities who are cattle keeping people.
The park can be reached for about 2 hours drive from Kigali city however Kigali aviation may help using a flight to the visitors who can’t make it for 2 hour drive.
Gishwati Mukuru national park
Gishwati mukuru national park is a newly park in Rwanda and the smallest park with a total of 34 sq kms of space bringing together Gishwati forest and Mukura forest. Gishwati mukuru is a home of chimpanzees and golden monkeys and other primates like monkeys due to forest area. Despite being newly, it is less visited however it is best for nature walk and culture encounters.
Where to stay for an overnight in Rwanda?
Are you planning an overnight in Rwanda and you’re worried where to stay? There are a number of accommodation options; lodges, hotels, guest houses, and camps. Some of these include
Nyungwe forest lodge.
Nyungwe forest lodge is a 5 star accommodation positioned in the Nyungwe national park near tea plantation. The lodge is luxurious with the best view of the canopy and self -contained with double, twins, single rooms with mosquito nets, flushing toilets, laundry, showers with hot and cold water, bath taps, gym, swimming pool, restaurant and well stocked bars. The services are perfect, the lodges welcomes all visitors, honeymooners, couples, solo visitors, groups and many more.
Security at the Lodge is quite good, with very minimal threat of wild animals, and there are security guards day and night. While at the lodge, visitors will be to do chimpanzee tracking, canopying, nature walk and culture encounters.
Akagera Game lodge.
Akagera Game Lodge is positioned in Akagera national park with breath -taking view of Lake Ihema and Lake Shakani. Akagera game lodge is built in African and moderate architecture whose rooms are self-contained with mosquito nets, comfortable beds, showers, flushing toilets, slippers, towels, bath tubs and terraces taking full advantage of this view. Breakfast and dinner are served in the Shoebill Restaurant, and a more casual menu is served for lunch in the Elephant Bar. Facilities include a pool ( and kiddies pool), a play area for the children. Board games and outdoor games are available.
Akagera game lodge provides nature walk and wildlife viewing while at the lodge as you enjoy free wifi to chat with friends and families.
Inzu lodge Gisenyi.
Inzu lodge Gisenyi in Rwanda is a perfect lodge that is eco-friendly and budget for visitors. The lodge accommodates camping tents which are raised from the ground and can allow visitors to bring tents of their own with public toilets, public shower. The lodge tents are provides with mosquito nets, comfortable beds, chairs, tables and veraders.
During Rwanda safari, visitors may also do Uganda safari since Uganda has unique features that are not spotted in Rwanda for example the most powerful falls in Murchison falls national park, Tree climbing lions in Ishasha sector in Queen Elizabeth national park, snow capped mountain Rwenzori and many more.
