Top Tourist Attractions

Top Destinations Rwanda

Top Destinations Rwanda

Rwanda is a landlocked East African country with a green, mountainous landscape. Its renowned Volcanoes National Park is home to mountain gorillas and golden monkeys. The Park encompasses 4,507m-tall Mt. Karisimbi and 4 other forested volcanoes. In the southwest is Nyungwe National Park, with ancient montane rainforest that’s a habitat for chimpanzees and other primates. Rwanda is one of the smallest countries in East Africa. Like its neighbor in the North Uganda, it’s also a land locked country and has no Sea port. It is bordered by countries like Uganda in the north, Burundi in the south, Tanzania in the east and Congo in the west.

Kigali is the capital city of Rwanda and is located with-in the heart of the country. The capital city serves as the country’s business center and port entry with the international Airport. Rwanda has a number of unique tourist spots such as the 3 famous National Parks of Nyungwe, Akagera and Parc Nationale Des Volcanoes. Other tourist sites include, The National Museum in Butare, Genocide memorial sites, the old palace at Nyanza, craft villages, Lake Kivu and its surrounding near-by towns of Gisenyi and Kibuye.

RWANDA NATIONAL GAME PARKS

RWANDA NATIONAL GAME PARKS

Volcanoes National Game Park

Found in the North Western part of Rwanda, volcanoes national park is a breath-taking unforgettable place where culture, adventure and conservation intersect. The volcanoes National Park lies along the Virunga Mountains with and ancient volcanoes shared by Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo. In just a short two hours drives from Rwanda’s capital Kigali, the park is a central location for the exploration of some distinctive Rwanda adventure, while a visit to the Mountain gorillas is often at the top of visitors’ list. Volcanoes National game park is also one of Rwanda’s conservation epicenters where many nonprofit organizations base their operations. Visitors can pay homage to the legendary scientist and gorilla advocate Dian Fossey with a hike to her Tomb or a visit to the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund that continues her legacy of research and advocacy to this day.

Top Destinations Rwanda
Top Destinations Rwanda

Nyungwe Forest National Game Park

Located in the south western part of Rwanda, boarding Burundi in the South, Lake Kivu and DRC Congo in the West, Nyungwe Forest National Park is a very prominent chimpanzee trucking destination in Rwanda. The Park comprises of Mount Bigungu and 13 different primate species including the Blue Faced Monkeys, Silver monkey, Red tailed Monkey, Gray, checked Mangaby, Rwenzori Colobus, Golden Monkey, L Hoests Monkey and the chimpanzee being the most prominent primates.  This majestic rain forest is filled with nature and wildlife experiences for you to have a memorable safari experience. Choose to hike or bike the beautiful terrain trucking the famous chimpanzees experiencing the canopy walk, amazing bird views, relation by the beautiful water falls are just a glimpse of the activities Nyungwe forest offers.

The Best Time for Gorilla Trekking in Uganda and Rwanda.

Lake Kivu

You are not the only one surprised about Rwanda having a Beach.

Gisenyi also known as Rubavu, is a water front town located on the shores of Lake Kivu one of Africa’s great water bodies. With only an hour drive from volcanoes National Park, Rubavu is a great way to unwind after a great trekking adventure.  Rubav marks the beginning of the Congo Nile trail which extends 227km to Rusizi and has plenty of Biking and Hiking trails to fulfill those who crave for some more adventure.

Gishwati-Mukura National Game Park

Gishwati-Mukura National Park is Rwanda’s newest National Park which was created in 2015 merging Gishwati forest and Mukura forest it is the smallest with 34 square kilometers and least visited national park in Rwanda.  It is situated on the ridge which separates the Congo and the Nile water from catchment areas along the diverse Albertine Rift. The Park is home to various primates, birds, reptiles and tree species including the endangered species that is the Eastern Chimpanzees. Chimpanzees live alongside golden monkeys, L’Hoest’s and Blue Monkeys. The park is home to over 232 bird species among them including the Albertine endemic species this has made it one of the best places for birding in Rwanda.

Akagera National Game Park

Akagera National Park is coated in the North eastern part of Rwanda covering an area of 1122km along the border of Tanzania. The Park was named after the prominent Kagera River which flows along the Eastern Boarder pouring its waters into Lake Ihema and various candid lakes. The Park offers remarkable wildlife and views to all travelers looking for amazing wildlife views in Rwanda. This Park inhabits numerous Wildlife animal species i.e leopards, lions, civets, and a number of various bird species.

BEST TIME TO VISIT RWANDA

The best time for wildlife viewing in Rwanda is during the months of June to September. Gorilla and Chimpanzee Trekking in Rwanda is best done in the months of June to October and December to March during this time it is a dry season in Rwanda with mild rainfall making it easy for the treks in Volcanoes National Park for gorilla trekking, as well during this time the vegetation is not fully grown and it is easy for creating trails and viewing the mountain gorillas offering great sights for photographs. During the other months of April, May and November which is normally a wet season this makes the vegetation grow high making the sightings unclear however during this time the treks tend to be shorter given the fact mountain gorillas don’t move further distances looking for food, food is readily available. Gorilla trekking in Rwanda can be done throughout the year given the fact it is a very well-organized activity and you have 99% chances of seeing the mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park.

Dry season is to be the best time to visit Rwanda. This is true because when it is raining, it becomes hard to drive through the parks for wildlife viewing because of the heavy rains that makes the trails too slippery. The best time to visit Rwanda is during the months of December to February and then June to September which are relatively dry than March to May and October to November.

WHEATHER AND CLIMATE

It is very important to Know Rwanda’s weather and climate during planning your trip to Rwanda, this will help you understand how the weather and climate will be during your trip in Rwanda. In general Rwanda has mostly tropical climate making it much warmer during the day and cooler at night. Rwanda has two seasons the dry and wet season which occur on specific month throughout the year. The climate is influenced by the topography and vegetation areas at high altitude.

The dry season in Rwanda occurs in the months of June to September and December to February every year, during this time the average temperatures hover around 27°C/81°F in the afternoon and 16°C/61°F in the morning. The wet season in Rwanda occurs in the months of March, April, May, October & November every year, during this time the average temperatures hover around 28°C/82°F in the afternoon and 16°C/61°F in the morning. During this time as well, it can still be dry especially in the tropical rain forests.

The best time for Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda?

Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is done throughout the year and the best time to do a gorilla trekking in Rwanda is during the drier months of January, February, June to early September, this is makes it easier to travel to the park and gives a clear view of gorillas given the vegetation cover is not too much high grown.

SAFARI LODGES

Kigali is the capital and largest city of Rwanda. It is a green city to. It is near the nation’s geographic center in a region of rolling hills, with a series of valleys and ridges joined by steep slopes. The city has been Rwanda’s economic, cultural, and transport hub since it became the capital following independence from Belgian rule in 1962. Kigali is developing rapidly, with new shopping malls, office buildings and a world-class convention center built in the style of the King’s Palace of olden days, which lights up the night sky atop of one of the many hills. Eco-friendly Safari Lodges to stay in Rwanda include;

Kigali, Rwanda

  • Kigali Marriot Hotel
  • Kigali Serena Hotel
  • Hotel Des Millie Collins
  • Radisson Blue Hotel Kigali
  • Onomo Hotel Hilltop Hotel

Volcanoes National Park

  • Bisate lodge
  • Gorilla Nest
  • Virunga lodge
  • Sabinyo silverback lodge
  • Five volcanoes lodge
  • Le bamboo Mountain Gorilla lodge
  • Kinigi guesthouse
  • Hotel Muhavura and Gorilla Volcanoes Lodge

Nyungwe National Park

  • One & Only Nyungwe House
  • Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel
  • Nyungwe Forest Lodge
  • Gisakura Guest house

Akagera National Park

  • Magashi camp
  • Dereva Hotel
  • Akagera Bush Lodge
  • Akagera Game Lodge
  • Akagera Rhino Lodge
  • Ruzizi Tented Camp

Giswhati-Mukura Park

  • Gishwati Lodge
  • Lake Kivu, Gishenyi
  • Lake Kivu Serena Hotel
  • Gorillas Lake Kivu Hotel
  • Palm Beach Resort Lake Kivu
  • Kivu Paradise Resort
  • Goma Serena Hotel