Rwanda Travel Destinations

volcanoes rwanda "In the heart of Central Africa, so high up that you freeze more than you sweat," legendary primatologist Dian Fossey explained, "there are large, prehistoric volcanoes reaching around 15,000 feet, and nearly covered with dense, green rainforest - the Virungas."

The steep slopes of this spectacular mountain range, which is home to the endangered mountain gorilla and a complex mosaic of montane ecosystems such as evergreen and bamboo forest, open grassland, marsh, and health, are preserved in Volcanoes National Park, located in the far northwest of Rwanda.

akagera The plains of Akagera are relatively warm and low-lying, with grassland, woodland, marsh, and a dozen lakes. The normally open terrain is excellent for animal watching. A family of South African lions has settled there and is reproducing well, while 18 eastern black rhinos have also been reintroduced. There are also buffalo, elephants, antelope, zebras, giraffes, baboons, monkeys, 490 bird species, and much more to be seen.

A boat excursion on Lake Ihema, with its large pods of hippos, Nile crocodiles, and numerous waterbirds on the island in the center of the lake, is also a must-do when visiting Akagera.

nyungwa national park Nyungwe, Africa's oldest rainforest, is rich in flora and fauna species and stunningly scenic. The rugged topography is teeming with animals, including a tiny population of chimps and 12 other primate species, including the rare Albertine Rift L'Hoest's monkey.

Tourists may experience the beauties of the forest or spend a week or more in one of Africa's most beautiful woodlands, with 15 routes, some of which are described below, and a variety of other activities. Most tourists come to monitor primates, but those who prefer to relax and take up the primeval atmosphere should remain a little longer.

Gishwati Mukura, Rwanda's fourth national park, is made up of two separate forests, the larger Gishwati and the smaller Mukura, covering 34 square kilometers plus a buffer zone.

The woodlands are located in the country's west, near the Albertine Rift, on the slope that divides the Congo and Nile water catchment zones. It is made up of 60 distinct tree species, including native hardwoods and bamboo.

Gishwati has 20 chimps that reside among golden monkeys, L'Hoest's monkeys, and Blue Monkeys. Birds are also abundant, with 232 species seen in Gishwati and 163 in Mukura, including Albertine Rift Endangered species and forest specialists.

Kigali Cultural Village

Kigali Culture Village is a traditional market where local artisans and food vendors display and barter their items. It also hosts events, workshops, festivals, and musical performances.

Art Galleries and Museums

The King's Palace

The King's Palace, a beautifully crafted thatched edifice shaped like a beehive, is a copy of the old royal residence.

KwitaIzina
The annual KwitaIzina gorilla-naming ceremony is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to visit Volcanoes National Park if you want to get away from the city and into nature. Visitors can join a multi-day guided tour from Kigali leading up to the main event, during which they will meet park staff and leading conservationists, attend cultural evenings and a celebration in Musanze, tour the lesser-visited lakes Burero and Ruhondo, and finally attend the naming ceremony, during which there will be music, dancing, and discussion on Rwanda's great strides in gorilla conservation and protection.