Why Visit Rwanda

Why Visit Rwanda

The nation offers breathtaking hiking and trekking opportunities through tropical rainforests to volcanic peak summits and even above the tree canopy. You can always find incredible animals, both big and small, in Rwanda. The sounds of birds and primates chatting may be heard in the treetops. As wind currents carry them, butterflies sway in quest of the ideal wildflowers. You can still feel the influence of the former rulers as you travel through Rwanda’s interior, and you might even run into locals who continue to practice long-forgotten customs and crafts.

There are many ways to spend your vacation in Rwanda, including hiking, birdwatching, traditional game drives, nature walks, cultural experiences, and relaxing by a lake.

The Mesmerizing Rwandan Mountain Gorillas

People from all over the world are fascinated by Africa’s mountain gorillas. Visit Volcanoes Park to witness these animals in their natural habitat if seeing them in the wild is your ultimate ambition.
Individuals have the opportunity to reserve a prime position for a mountain gorilla trip since the Rwandan government limits the number of tourists permitted to view the gorillas in a day. Your primate journey through the montane woods will be rewarded with an hour of observing the gorillas participate in their natural behaviours, as it is believed that almost half of the mountain gorillas in the world reside in the Virunga Mountains, which are a part of Volcanoes National Park.

The touching sequence will emphasise the deep ties among the gorilla family members as well as the amusing antics of baby gorillas. The presence of a strong silverback will arouse your emotions as he sits peacefully, constantly keeping an eye on his family, and with a gentle disposition that unexpectedly makes human onlookers feel attached.

You may increase the likelihood that you’ll have an unforgettable encounter with these animals by working with Adventure in the Wild Safaris to plan your mountain gorilla trekking and other activities in Rwanda.

Explore Famous Primatologist Dian Fossey’s Steps

Any mountain gorilla trek is complete with a visit to Dian Fossey’s former research facility. The experience of climbing up to her grave shrine honours knowledge, bravery, and activism. Fossey was well-known for her work as a primatologist who studied gorillas and led initiatives to safeguard them. In 1967, Ms. Fossey started a study project that would eventually become her life’s work and provide the groundwork for her to form a close, intimate bond with the primate species and many of the particular gorillas she interacted with.

Along with studying the animal, Ms. Fossey and her team also patrolled the area to prevent poaching and rescue orphaned gorillas. Over the years, poachers have killed many of the gorillas she studied, including her favourite, Digit. Fossey was also slain in 1985 by poachers who perceived her as a threat.

You can follow in Dian Fossey’s footsteps and visit the location of her interment with Digit and other gorillas by taking the Dian Fossey Grave Shrine Tour. Your time spent at the location and learning about Fossey’s work will put you in close contact with the critically endangered mountain gorillas, making it one of the most personal and moving safari experiences of your trip to Africa.

Rwanda Primates and more primates

The most well-known primates in Rwanda are mountain gorillas, but the nation also has chimpanzees, golden monkeys, blue monkeys, and black and white colobus that will enthrall tourists. The best place in Rwanda to see chimpanzees is Nyungwe National Park since they are thought to be the most human-like of all primates.

As you follow the astute guidance of a knowledgeable guide and learn the intricacies of tracking and identifying these swiftly moving animals, the search for them creates a beautiful combination of adventure and mystery. Chimpanzees go around the jungle in search of food before locating a quiet area to construct their nests and spend the night. Luckily, our guides are skilled at finding the chimpanzees, so the likelihood of seeing them is very high.

The golden monkey, a colourful species that frequently scampers over the treetops and only pauses to eat fruits and leaves, is another primate species that excite visitors. The magnificent bamboo woods of Volcanoes Park and Gishwati-Mukura Forest in Rwanda’s northwest are home to the country’s golden monkeys.
the largest of their kind on the continent, around 300 black and white colobus monkeys exist in these groups. Some visitors may find it difficult to go through the dense African jungle in search of the colobus. You might also see blue monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys, vervet monkeys, Dent’s monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys, and red-tailed monkeys while on your primate excursions.

Exceptional Hiking

Rwanda is the ideal location for your outdoor trip if your daydreams involve hiking through the African highlands’ jungle. A fantastic network of paths leads you into some of the most stunning scenery on earth in both Volcanoes Park and Nyungwe Forest.

The hardest climb leads to Mount Karisimbi, the highest peak of the eight major volcanoes, which has a snow-capped summit at an elevation of 4507 metres in Volcanoes National Park. You will face both physical and emotional challenges throughout the two-day walk while taking in the splendour of four unique vegetation zones. Mount Bisoke, the most popular summit in the Virunga massif, offers the opportunity for yet another high-elevation walk.

Many of the paths in Nyungwe Park during your tour are centred on the breathtaking beauty of the tall trees, waterfalls, adorable primates, and vibrant birds, but some trails offer real experiences for our visitors.

The novice-level Canopy Trail leads you to observation areas above the treetops for a distinctive view of the rainforest. On the Karamba Trail, visitors can take a trip through time and stop at a historic gold mine, an army camp, and a local market. The breathtaking splendour of Rwanda’s wildflowers along the Igishigishigi Trail will mesmerise photographers.

To have a nice outdoor supper with amazing views, take a stroll along Ngabwe Trail. Rwanda will provide an experience unlike any other if you just picture your perfect hiking and trekking vacation there!

The Capital of Modern Rwanda Kigali

One of the friendliest capitals in Africa, Kigali complements your experience in Rwanda’s wild country with its urban atmosphere. Young people make up the majority of the city’s population, so you can expect to find a wide variety of fun activities infused with a dash of culture and history. Kigali represents the future as Rwanda continues to move past its tragic past; it has grown into a bustling hub for commerce and economic development while preserving its endearing personality.

The encircling hillsides’ natural contours have been preserved via careful planning of development. One district of the city is set aside for offices of the government and administration. Another neighborhood has markets and stores all over the city.
As you navigate the streets that snake through Kigali, a fresh discovery is waiting around every bend. At the Kandt House (Natural History Museum), which has three sections, you may learn about the flora and animals of the nation. Each section emphasises a different aspect of Rwanda’s ecological resources. The exhibits in the museum’s back room, which are fully devoted to the nation’s volcanism and the breathtaking volcanoes in northwest Rwanda, are very popular with geology enthusiasts.

Visit the Ivuka Arts Centre to see artists in action. Next, visit Niyo Art Gallery to discover how art is assisting Rwandan street children.
By purchasing pottery, wood carvings, and other traditional crafts from Capalaki Handicrafts, you can support fair-trade tourism that is sustainable.

Rwanda’s Cultural People

The people of Rwanda take every precaution to ensure that the fabric of their nation is never again torn by genocide and other crimes against humanity. They do this through solidarity, teamwork, and unwavering determination. You may understand the importance of each of these tribes’ cultures and their pride in their native place by getting to know some of the members of these three tribes.

You will be rewarded with genuine cultural interactions with Rwandans while making sure that the peasants get the privacy and respect, they require to uphold their cultural customs. Villagers can share their culture, arts, beliefs, and much more through these activities, which also serve as a source of cash for resources like education and healthcare.

Outside of Volcanoes National Park, at Ibyiwacu Village, visitors are welcomed with an amazing performance that combines traditional drumming and dancing with warm, sincere Rwandan hospitality. You see a recreation of the king’s home, discover traditional medicine, meet students at the neighborhood school, and eat some delectable food and drink banana beer.
Spend some time in Banda Village, in the centre of Nyungwe National Park, and Kitabi Cultural Village, on the park’s eastern border, during your visit. You can even spend the night in the villages if you make arrangements in advance to witness another aspect of local daily life.

A Special & Memorable Beach Getaway

One of the best beach getaways in Central Africa is found in Rwanda. Imagine exploring Rwanda’s verdant jungles for a few days, getting to know mountain gorillas, searching for chimpanzees, and following in the footsteps of Rwandan kings, and then taking a short trip to a beautiful lake and beach to relax.

Infinite options for enjoyable beach days may be found at Lake Kivu, including sailing, water sports, fishing, beachfront relaxation, and much more. The beautiful scenery greatly helps to calm you down. Take a charter boat to one of the lakefront communities and explore the lake there. The most developed is Gisenyi, which offers peaceful lodging and post-colonial buildings tucked away next to sand beaches and palm palms that sway in the wind.

You may go on nature hikes to discover the flora and animals, including an incredible bird population, in addition to the attractive towns along the lake. These harmful creatures are absent from Lake Kivu, making swimming there safe. It is also possible to arrange for kayaking, canoeing, jet-skiing, and windsurfing. Anglers have the option of fishing from shore or from a boat for native fish species.
Visit a nearby flower plantation at the former residence of Rosamond Carr, one of Dian Fossey’s closest friends, and go biking or trekking in the hills surrounding the lake.

Birding Heaven

Your fantastic journey through Rwanda will undoubtedly feature some of the vibrant birds that call the nation home. An estimated 650 different bird species can be found in Rwanda. Our visitors can observe a wide variety of avian life, including the second-highest number of Albertine Rift endemic species, thanks to the habitat diversity.
178 species, including 13 species and 16 subspecies indigenous to the Rwenzoris and Virungas, can find sanctuary in Volcanoes National Park. The park is home to a variety of birds, including white-tailed blue flycatchers, red-throated wrynecks, and cinnamon bracken warblers. At Nyungwe National Park, 310 bird species have been identified, almost twice as many species are present. From the road that circles the park, you may see endemics of the Albertine Rift with ease.

Rwenzori turacos, attractive francolins, Neumann’s and royal and blue-headed sunbirds, red-faced woods warblers, and countless other species are among the frequent observations. The road also offers the best viewing opportunities for Kungwe apalis and red-collared mountain babblers. Along the Nyabarongo River, papyrus gonoleks and Grauer’s swamp warblers can be seen, while the finest places to look for white-bellied robin-chats, dusky, and Shelley’s crimsonwings are near Uwinka.

When you go birding in Akagera National Park, you may get up close and personal with some of the park’s 500 bird species, including lappet-faced and white-headed vultures, bearded woodpeckers, superb starlings, and African hawk eagles. The beaches of Lake Kivu, which are home to 60 different kinds of birds from Rwanda, are a great place to do a little birdwatching.

Akagera National Park

Of the four national parks in the nation, Akagera National Park is the oldest. Akagera National Park, the only protected savannah area in the nation, provides access to the expansive grandeur and unique fauna that can only be found in this type of habitat.
The largest protected wetland in Central Africa is made up of its freshwater lakes and papyrus swamps, which are home to the shoebill and sitatunga, two birds that are quite popular among birders. The Akagera River and various lakes encircled by swamps, the greatest of which is Lake Ihema, are further prominent natural features. Over 12,000 mammals, including the “Big 5” of Africa (lions, elephants, buffalo, rhinos, and leopards), as well as more than 500 bird species, can be found inside the park’s limits.

The park’s most potent predators now include hyenas, side-striped jackals, lions, leopards, and black rhinos, who were reintroduced in 2015 and black rhinos in 2017. Giraffes, hippos, topis, zebras, waterbucks, elands, duikers, klipspringers, and many more large herbivores are among them. Akagera National Park is where you can find vervet, blue, and olive monkeys as well as nocturnal bushbabies if you’re a fan of primates.

The park is a significant ornithological site, and birdwatching offers the opportunity to witness avifauna in a range of settings, including the superb starling, lesser honeyguide, and African stonechat. You can learn about the flora and fauna of Akagera Park by taking a game drive or boat safari excursion.