Rwanda is a small and landlocked country that covers an area of about 26,338 sq. km. It is located in east Africa borders Burundi, DRCongo, Tanzania, and Uganda. It is referred to as the “land of a thousand hills” simply because of the rolling hills, and mountains. Rwand is full of beautiful things to see not only the netizens but also other things like Mountain gorillas, volcanoes, and the entire landscape of Rwanda is amazing and attractive. Rwanda is a small country but is considered as a benchmark for how it can organize itself with few resources it has. Even though Rwanda faced a difficult moment during the genocide, it lost most of its treasures and resources thanks to President Kagame and the government. It has managed to get through the trauma and it’s growing at a high speed.
The government of Rwanda has made much improvement and achieved a lot in the tourism sector. Tourism infrastructure like roads and hotels are of high standards while dedicated and patriotic citizens manage some National Parks. Rwanda is one of the safest countries to visit in the world and its capital city is considered to be the cleanest in Africa. Apart from natural beauty, Rwanda has a rich cultural heritage, numerous wildlife species, lakes and rivers, Mountains, friendly people, and delicious local cuisine. Some of the top things to see in Rwanda include;
Kigali city
Kigali city is a renowned African urban center celebrated for its outstanding development and conservation efforts. It is Africa’s fastest-growing city and the cleanest of all. The city elevates up to 1567 meters above sea level, seated on Mount Kigali. Kigali has such a strategic location in the center of Rwanda which explains why it’s a beginning point for most adventures. Kigali city has plenty of tourist attractions especially the BK arena, Kigali genocide museum, Convention Centre, vibrant restaurants, and exceptional nightlife.
Ethnographic museum
This was formally called the National Museum of Rwanda. It is the state’s National Museum and houses historical artifacts that help summarize the history of Rwanda over the ages. The ethnographic museum is located in Butare, a nearby suburb of Kigali city. It is translated locally as “Inzu Ndangamurage”. This museum displays ethnographic, artistic, historical, and archaeological artifacts each telling a different story about the country.
Buhanga Eco Park
This stunning eco park lies in Nyakinama in Rwanda and is popular for its extraordinary bird-watching experiences to travelers, especially birders. It is a forest with hidden treasures and plants that have medical significance and have been used traditionally since time immemorial.
Buhanga Eco Park is popular for its biological and cultural significance, and the traditional attachment to Rwandan citizens.
Twin lakes
The twin lakes in Rwanda are a hidden gem of adventure! They parade beautiful views of water bodies in valleys surrounded by lush vegetation. They are comprised of Lake Burera and Ruhondo. The name Twin Lakes was derived from how close and similar the lakes are to each other. The two crater lakes are a perfect spot for photography and sightseeing. They are located in the northwest of Rwanda in the vicinity of Musanze town.
Iby’iwacu cultural village
Iby’iwacu cultural village is also known as the “gorilla guardians’ village.”. It is located on the outskirts of Volcanoes National Park in Kinigi, Musanze district in the north of Rwanda. It is made up of individuals who are committed to conserving the heritage of Rwanda and also ensuring that the mountain gorillas and their habitat are not tampered with by uncivilized individuals.
They showcase the Rwandan culture through their ways of life, dress code, culinary and dancing styles. The people at a cultural village perform series of Kinyarwanda dances to keep the guests entertained and ensure that their legacy lives on.
Nyamata and Ntarama memorial sites
These two stunning places are archives for artifacts that tell stories about the bloody 1994 genocide that claimed thousands of lives in Rwanda. Ntarama was formerly a church but was converted into a genocide memorial site on the 14th of April 1995 dedicating it to the 5000 lives that were lost at the hands of merciless butchers. The sites today celebrate the lives of the innocent Rwandese that were lost and serve as an attraction.
Virunga Volcanoes
Rwanda inhabits some of the Virunga volcano ranges that are popular with tourists. They are one of the best places to visit in Rwanda on your gorilla safari. These Virunga volcanoes are 8 in number and are occupied in three countries that are Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo. Mount Muhavura, Sabinyo, and Gahinga are located in Uganda. Bisoke and karisimbi in Rwanda, Mount Mikeno, Nyamuragira, and Nyiragongo located in DR Congo.
Mount Karisimbi
Mount Karisimbi is located in Rwanda near the border of Rwanda and Congo. It is the highest of all the Virunga Mountains with an elevation of 4,507 meters. Karisimbi is a local name that means “white snow” that’s where the mountain got its name, there was snow at the top of the mountain during the dry season. The mountain has a caldera and 2 crater lakes that attract tourists to hike it. Mountain Karisimbi is the eleventh tallest mountain in Africa, it requires 2 days to hike and descend back. The mountain trails towards the summit contain wonderful features and its landscape is thrilling. Hikers come across beautiful vegetation, and forests, though it involves penetrating through thick and steep jungles, and sometimes the paths may be muddy and slippery during the rainy season.
During the hike, visitors are thrilled with wonderful bird species, some primate species, and other related attractions. The hike offers wonderful views of the neighboring mountains like Mount Muhavura, Bisoke, Nyamuragira, Nyiragongo, and lakes and rivers. The mountain is situated within the volcanoes national park so seeing other beautiful attraction can also be possible.
Mount Bisoke
This is a dormant mountain located on the border between Rwanda and DRCongo, it is one of the 8 Virunga mountain ranges found in Uganda, Rwanda, and DRCongo. The mountain is shared with Rwanda and Congo but the bigger part is found in Rwanda where trekkers start. Its elevation is approximately 3,711 meters and its summit contains a big crater lake which attracts many trekkers to enjoy the challenging hike to see the beautiful nature surrounding the mountain. Mount Bisoke is part of the Volcanoes National Park and its habitat for mountain gorillas but trekkers are not allowed to take pictures during hiking. They are only allowed in mountain gorilla trekking where visitors are allowed to stay with gorillas 7 meters away for an hour and take pictures the way they want. Due to its proximity to Volcanoes National Park, visitors combine gorilla trekking or golden monkey tracking with Mount Bisoke hiking. The hike to Mount Bisoke comes with various attractions to meet such as beautiful tree species, animal species, and numerous birdlife. It is a wonderful experience you should not miss out on your Rwanda gorilla safari. Check out our Rwanda Gorilla safari packages and book according to your interests.
Lake Kivu
Lake Kivu is located on the borders of Rwanda and Congo. The number one African Great Lakes is located in the western Great Rift Valley and is also part of the Albertine Rift. The stunning beauty and the picturesque islands attract various tourists who are seeking tranquility, serenity, and beauty. Various tourists enjoy activities at the lake such as exploring various islands, kayaking, and relaxing. Its hot springs are used as therapeutic properties. Lake Kivu serves as a fishing ground for the people of Rwanda and Congo. Fish like Sambaza and tilapia are commonly caught. Furthermore, it acts as a transport route to people doing businesses and other activities in the nearby towns of Rwanda and DRCongo. Boats and ferries can be seen transporting people on the lake. Book our Rwanda gorilla safari to experience the best of Rwanda’s attractions.
