Most Attractive Destinations in Rwanda.
Rwanda’s top destinations include three national wildlife parks, Kigali, the capital, and Lake Kivu’s tranquil beaches. Mountain gorillas in the Virunga Mountains, where Dian Fossey spent years studying them, are the main attraction.
She raised awareness of the monkeys’ extinction-threatening plight. Rwanda is one of the top African destinations for tourists, and mountain gorillas are its biggest draw.
Rwanda is new to tourism and growing quickly, unlike other African safari destinations. This little East African country offers genuine cultural experiences, primate jungle excursions, safari game drives, superb birdwatching, and site-seeing.
Let’s analyze Rwanda’s most popular gorilla safari destinations without wasting too much time planning.
Best Rwandan Vacation Spots
Volcano National Park
Nyungwe Park, Akagera National Park, and Kigala Lake Kivu Volcanoes National Park are among Rwanda’s most stunning destinations.
Rwandan mountain gorillas are Volcanoes National Park’s most intriguing feature.
National Volcanoes Park
Volcanoes National Park protects Rwanda’s Virunga Mountains and some of the last mountain gorillas in its tropical rainforests on the northeastern border with DRC and Uganda. Volcano National Park, known in French as Parc National des Volcans, is Rwanda’s most picturesque and draws the most tourists.
The park’s lush greenery and gorgeous surroundings stretch along the high slopes of five extinct volcanoes. Mount Karisimbi, the highest at 4,507m, Mount Bisoke, with a stunning crater lake, Sabinyo, shared by three countries, Gahinga, and Muhabura in the east are dormant volcanoes.
Open grassland, marsh, heath, bamboo, and evergreen trees are protected in the park. Though it has buffalo, spotted hyena, black-fronted duikers, golden monkeys, and bushbuck, mountain gorillas are its most renowned occupants. Volcanoes National Park features 178 bird species, including 13 and 16 subspecies native to the Virunga and Rwenzori Mountains.
Tracking mountain gorillas is the park’s most popular activity. Tours of the park’s twelve gorilla groups begin every morning for a unique experience with the mountain monkeys. From Musanze outside the park, expert guides and rangers take small groups of tourists to each gorilla family for at least one hour of this once-in-a-lifetime experience.
The Volcanoes National Park guided gorilla trekking permit is $1500 per person per day. Kiningi has great camping and resorts outside the park for all visitors. Luxury tourists seeking unique comfort in Rwanda choose Volcanoes National Park.
So you can trek gorillas in Volcanoes, Katland handles the gorilla permit, housing, transportation, and meals.
The most picturesque place in Rwanda, Volcanoes National area, includes several climbs besides gorilla trekking, enabling many days in the area. A habituated colony of the endangered golden monkeys, found only in the Virunga Mountains, may attract visitors.
Another popular park activity is visiting Dian Fossey’s former camp and graveyard at the foot of Mount Karisimbi and Bisoke, appropriately named Karisoke Research Center.
Few people attempt the tough day treks to Mount Muhabura, Mount Karisimbi, or Mount Bisoke, noted for its beautiful crater lake.
The park’s hiking, canoeing, mountain biking, and local cultural activities are unique for all visitors.Nyungwe National Park, located in Southwest Rwanda, borders Kibira National Park in Burundi. It is one of Africa’s most diverse highland rainforests, protecting chimpanzees, owl-faced, and colobus monkeys.
Nyungwe Forest, one of Rwanda’s most stunning places, contains a 70-meter suspension bridge spanning the ravine for canopy hikes. The canopy path provides stunning views of the valley and forests for birdwatchers.
Nyungwe’s 75 animal, 322 bird, and 1068 plant species are diverse. Among 15 other primates, some endemic to the Albertine Rift, the park protects a small chimpanzee population.
Most visitors to Rwanda observe habituated chimpanzee groups hanging in the trees. High forested hills with well-kept routes for forest walking and bird watching are among Africa’s best.
Nyungwe’s varied activities allow one to spend a week enjoying the beautiful forest. Instead of monkey tracking, you may walk one of the fifteen forest routes; the canopy walk along the Igishigishigi trail and the trip to the Isumo waterfall are the most memorable.
Large tea farms encircling the park provide stunning views. At Gis Sakura, visitors may view Ruwenzori colobus monkeys and forest fringe birds.
Nyungwe National Park adds chimpanzee tracking to Rwandan gorilla tours. Ask one of our consultants to help you plan a Rwanda safari that incorporates the country’s best sights.Akagera National Park
Akagera National Park, the only savannah game park in Rwanda, borders Ibanda Game Reserve in Tanzania on the northeastern border. The park has huge savannah grasslands, forests, marshes, and a dozen lakes with a diverse bird life.
Game viewing is a highlight of Akagera. During a typical game drive, tourists will see lions, eastern black rhinos, giraffes, elephants, buffaloes, antelopes, zebras, monkeys, and 490 bird species.
Another Akagera must-do is the Lake Ihema boat safari. Hippos, crocodiles, and waterbirds populate the lake’s central island.
If you want a low-key Africa safari game drive following your gorilla trekking safari in Rwanda, visit Akagera National Park and fly home without crossing African borders. It eliminates border crossing hassles. Kigaly City
Rwanda’s administrative and cultural center, Kigali, is situated between hills and valleys in the heart of the country. The colorful, vibrant capital boasts the continent’s cleanest and most picturesque city with wide tree-lined streets and lush open areas, perfect for unguided hikes.
Dining, hotels, and Kigali’s vibrant creative scene will keep you in the city enjoying the views and various cultures before leaving the country. The Kigali Cultural Village is a great place to see African art and buy souvenirs from local artisans and food vendors.
On one of the city’s beautiful hills, a world-class conference center like a King’s Palace lights up the night. This site will leave a lasting impression. Golfers will like Nyarutarama Lake’s 18-hole course. Rwandan urban birds may be seen on peaceful lakeside walks.
Stunningly depicting the 1994 genocide, the Kigali Genocide Memorial honors those who perished in this particular catastrophe. Visit the center’s three permanent exhibitions and burial gardens for evocative storytelling.
Wherever you enter Rwanda, Kigali City must be on your list of most beautiful locations to visit. Gorilla trekking and primate encounters need a day or two of preparation.Lake Kivu
Kivu is one of the East African Rift Valley lakes that borders Rwanda and the DRC. Rwanda’s westward panoramic views are framed by majestic volcanic mountains and the lake’s emerald waters. Lake Kivu is Rwanda’s largest and the continent’s sixth largest.
Rubavu (previously Gisenyi), Lake Kivu’s most popular attraction and an hour from Volcanoes National Park, is the perfect place to relax after gorilla trekking. Beautiful northern lakeshore town. African sunsets and romantic evenings are perfect on Rubavu’s beach with its colonial mansions and hotels.
Nearly the best backpacking bike path in Africa, the 227-kilometer Congo Nile Trail runs along Lake Kivu from Rubavu to Rusizi. Eucalyptus trees flank the single walk, which gently curves along the shoreline and across terraced hills and mountains. It ranks Lake Kivu among Rwanda’s most popular adventure destinations.
Adventure and romance seekers should visit Lake Kivu. Kivu is usually included in Rwanda gorilla trekking safaris, sealing the joy of visiting Rwanda.
When should you visit Rwanda?
You may visit any Rwandan attraction year-round. The best periods to go gorilla trekking in Rwanda are December to February and June to September, when the routes are drier.
Chimpanzee groups are best seen in Nyungwe during the two rainy seasons, February to June and September to November. Chimpanzees may find appropriate places to live during wet seasons since there is enough fruit and flora. Trackers have trouble finding chimpanzees grazing in dense forests during dry seasons.
Start your Rwanda safari with a local guide to visit the best sights. We will share our expertise to assist you find the best Rwanda safari for you.
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