Discover Rwanda in this Travel Guide

Discover Rwanda in this Travel Guide: Rwanda being famously referred to as “the Land of a Thousand Hills is a marvelous country in Africa. Great for those who like dramatic landscapes, deep cultural references, and amazing wildlife, it presents real opportunities for a unique travel destination. From adventure lovers, wildlife lovers, or even culture lovers, Rwanda has something to offer you. Here you will find useful information about the place, its attractions, everything you need to do and see, and how to do it in the most efficient manner.

Most Popular Tours in Rwanda

1. Volcanoes National Park

Alternatively, Volcanoes National Park, one of Rwanda’s pride, is well known for its mountain gorillas. The fact of driving through the dense mists and seeing these large-brained arboreal animals with one’s own eyes is a unique experience. Notable features in the park are the golden monkeys and the spectacular features of the Virunga group of mountains.

2. Nyungwe Forest National Park

Nyungwe Forest is one of the best places for tourists, people who love nature and journeys on foot. This is one of the oldest rainforests in Africa and hosts chimpanzees, colobus monkeys, and thousands of bird species. A spectacular highlight of the wildlife park is the extensive canopy walk that affords a splendid view of the green backdrop of the rainforest.

3. Akagera National Park

Akagera National Park is situated in the eastern region of Rwanda hence is a very good national park for wildlife lovers. This park consists of different habitats such as the Savannah, the lake, and the wetland making for the typical overland African safari. The guests are welcome to see elephants, giraffes, lions, and even the shoebill stork which is almost an endangered bird. Another fascinating activity that visitors of Lake Ihema can enjoy is boat safaris.

4. Lake Kivu

Lake Kivu, the largest in Rwanda boasts of recreational area and water activities like parakiting. For leisurely kayaking, swimming or just relaxing by the water shore, the calm nature of Lake Kivu makes it an incredible destination. This camp is in the park beside Gisenyi town and Kibuye town where visitors find natural scenery and accommodation facilities.

Top Activities in Rwanda

1. Gorilla Trekking

Gorilla trekking is one of the most popular tourist activities for which Rwanda is globally famous, carried out in the Volcanoes National Park. Their numbers are restricted daily to a few people because the park cares for these animals and wants to show them respect. They are necessary and should be reserved because they are popular with tourists.

2. Chimpanzee Tracking

Tracking of chimpanzees in Rwanda is best taken in Nyungwe Forest. It turns out that walking this trail can be a little tricky, but to cross paths with these smart beasts in the wild is a fantastic experience. During the walk, you might meet other animals and marvel at the attractiveness of forests.

3. Cultural Experiences

One of Rwanda’s largest strengths lies in the cultural side as the country has many unique and interesting cultural attributes. There are education facilities in Kigali whereby tourists can engage in Market tours, traditional village tours, and arts and culture tours respectively. Take your opportunity to enjoy the Intore dance, a dancing group including the history and pride of Rwandans.

4. Birdwatching

Specifically, Rwanda is considered the bird watcher’s dream with over seven hundred recorded species in the entire country. Birding is also popular in some of the most spectacular destinations of Akagera and Nyungwe National Parks that host a colorful bird list such as great blue turaco, sunbirds, and kingfisher among others.

Best Time to Visit Rwanda

Rwanda’s weather is mild tropical which is conducive for travel this year. However, the best time to visit depends on the activities you’re interested in:

– Gorilla Trekking: The dry season months of June to September and December, January, and February offer the best opportunity for gorilla tracking since the tracks are easier to follow.

– Wildlife Viewing: About all the tours to Akagera National Park, it is also good for the dry season because animals cluster around water points.

– Birdwatching: Rwanda as a birding destination is good all year round, but especially the migrant birds are plenty towards the rainy season December – march.

Tours, Attractions & Things to Do: What You Need to Know

1. Getting Around

Kigali is the main hub for travelers as it has international airports and is relatively easy to travel to. From there public transport is the mainly used method in the community to move around within the country using road transport. The roads are also good; most of the attractions around Kigali are easily accessible by car; within a few hours at most.

For longer distances, people can arrange for car rental services or alternatively take an organized tour service. Domestic flights can also take you between such points as Volcanoes National Park and Akagera – between large points of interest, that is.

2. Accommodation Options

The accommodation in Rwanda varies depending on the extent of your budget and your preference. In major cities such as Kigali, there are luxury lodges/ hotels, camps, and eco-lodges in and around the park areas. To engage more, it may be worthwhile to spend a night in a community-owned and operated guesthouse or lodge that may have a conservation interest.

3. Local Cuisine

Rwandan food is heavy and delicious, and the most common foods are plantain, beans, maize, and sweet potatoes. A Kenyan delicacy worth tasting is “Ugali,” a maize-based cooked flour eaten with stews or vegetables. Though you will find many locally prepared dishes in larger towns and cities, you can also get food from Indian, Chinese, and Italian backgrounds.

4. Travel Tips

– Visa: The Rwandan embassy in your country or the one in your nearest country will give you an indication of the type and procedures to follow when getting a visa on arrival to Rwanda.

– Currency: The local currency is the Rwandan franc (RWF) although credit cards are accepted, especially in upmarket stores, it is recommended that one carries some cash, mostly for rustic markets. These are honored in hotels and other big establishments in the cities.

– Health Precautions: In some regions of Rwanda, malaria is confirmed so traveling with anti-malaria tablets and insect repellant is advisable. Also, it is mandatory to have immunizations like yellow fever inoculation before a visitor enters the country.

Off the beaten path or out of the known tourist circuits or trails for instance, off- the torture path can refer to activities that are done away from common or well-established tourist routes.

For those looking to explore Rwanda’s hidden gems, there are plenty of lesser-known spots to discover:

– Gishwati-Mukura National Park:  This newly becoming park is ideal for those who love nature and bird watching than crowded parks.

– Congo Nile Trail: This four days’ hiking and biking along the shores of Africa’s largest freshwater body; Lake Kivu offers scenic views and a rich rural flavor of Rwanda.

Click on the right picture below to go to the website that has useful information for sustainable travel to Rwanda.

Rwanda stands out as one of the globally renowned tourist destinations, especially in ecological tourism. During a visit, one should consider staying in an environmentally friendly hotel and accommodation establishment, taking part in community tourism, and being conscious of your ecological footprint. Most specifically, gorilla trekking, and helping to fund conservation plans as well as the various endangered species.