Beautiful Places to Visit in Your Rwanda Tour

Beautiful Places to Visit in Your Rwanda Tour : If you’re planning to visit Rwanda, make sure to check out some amazing spots in the country. A few highlights include volcanoes national park, Akagera national park, Gishwati-Mukura National Park, Nyungwe Forest National Park, Lake Kivu and Kigali city. Rwanda is known as the “Land of a Thousand Hills”, this landlocked country boasts breathtaking landscapes, intriguing national parks, a rich and unique culture, and wildlife wonders that range from gorilla trekking to witnessing golden monkey trekking at play. If you are looking for a beautiful place to visit on your Rwanda tour, look no further! Here are some of the beautiful places to visit on your Rwanda Safari:

Volcanoes National Park

Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda is an amazing place, known for its rare mountain gorillas and diverse wildlife, making, making it a top spot to check out while planning a safari to visit Rwanda. The park is situated in the northwestern part of the country, this park was created in 1925 to protect the Mountain gorillas which were facing the threat of extinction as a result of poaching, primates and other wildlife that inhabit in the forest.  Spanning about 160 square kilometers, it’s part of the Virunga Conservation Area and features five extinct volcanoes: Mountain Muhabura, Mountain Sabyinyo, Mountain Gahinga, Mountain Karisimbi and Mountain Bisoke. Besides being home to mountain gorillas, the park also protects golden monkeys and many other attractions.

The Park was made famous through the works and connection to the late Diane Fossey, an American primatologist. The Karisoke Research Center was founded by Ms Fossey who conducted numerous gorilla studies here. She is laid to rest near the center in the still space between Mount Bisoke and Mount Karismibi.

Gorilla trekking is the most popular activity Volcanoes National Park, but there are plenty of other fun things to do while you’re there. You can hike volcanoes, with the Diane Fossey Tomb Hike being a favorite among many. Birdwatching is another great way to spend your time.

Discover the Musanze Caves and embark on captivating golden monkey trekking. For a taste of local life, visit the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village and connect with the community. Don’t miss a relaxing boat ride on Lake Kivu at sunset, where you can enjoy stunning views of the hills and clear African sky.

Gisenyi Beach

Gisenyi Beach sits on the eastern side of Lake Kivu and offers a wonderful spot to unwind or try out various water sports. It’s a favored choice for couples on their honeymoon and travelers wanting to soak in stunning views and enjoy exciting activities while exploring Rwanda.

Lake Kivu

Lake Kivu is also one of Rwanda’s top destinations to visit while on a Rwanda safari. Lake Kivu is located on the border between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Specially, it is situated in the western arm of the east African albert rift valley. Lake Kivu is part of a string of large freshwater lake that lies along the Africa’s great rift valley. This impressive watershed supports the towns of Gisenyi and Kibuye which surround Lake Kivu. Rest, relaxation, and tranquil surroundings are the order of the day around here.

Visitors can take part in fun activities, like Canoe trips and kayaking or simply enjoy a swim in the cool waters. For those who’d rather stay on land, there are plenty of hiking options including the stunning Congo Nile Trail, comprising rugged paths through vibrant forests and single dirt tracks. If you’re looking for something more laid-back, consider having a picnic or strolling through a coffee or tea plantation nearby.

Akagera National Park

Akagera National Park, established in 1934, features a mix of savannah, montane and swamp habitats.  It’s the only place in Rwanda where you can see the “Big 5” animals – lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopards and rhinos, all in one place. Just 2.5-hour drive from Kigali, Rwanda’s capital, it’s easily accessible for a day trip or longer visit.

The park is also rich with other wildlife, including topi, hippos, crocodiles, warthogs, hyena, waterbuck, mongoose, eland, zebra, serval cats, duiker, impala, black masked civet, reedbuck, bush pigs, giraffe, side-stripped jackal, Klipspringer, Sitatunga Antelopes and roan antelope along with more than 500 types of birds, making it the best wildlife viewing destination in Rwanda. Visitors can take part in fun activities at Akagera, such as thrilling game drives to find the Big 5, bird watching, and boat cruises on Lake Ihema, where you can see hippos, crocodiles, and diverse water birds. You can also enjoy nature walks and meet local communities during your visit.

Gishwati Mukura National Park

Gishwati Mukura National Park is a recently created national park that includes two distinct forests along with a buffer area. The landscape here is much like that of Nyungwe National Park, providing a variety of thrilling experiences, including a small group of chimpanzees. Besides chimpanzees, the park also hosts other types of primates, such as baboons, l’hoest monkeys, golden monkeys, and a variety of bird species all of which are unique to the Albertine Rift region. Some notable birds you can find in Gishwati-Mukura National Park include the Black-billed turaco, Blue-headed sunbird, Great blue turaco. Occasional, Regal sunbird, White-necked raven among others. If you’re thinking about going on a primate safari, Gishwati Mukura National Park should definitely be on your list of places to visit.

Kigali City Center

Kigali, the capital city of Rwanda, is a vibrant place filled with unique shops, cozy cafes, and tasty restaurants that attract many people. You can easily spend a whole day strolling through the lively markets scattered across the city, where you can find lovely handmade crafts to bring home as keepsakes.

Buhanga Eco Park

Just a short drive from Volcanoes National Park lies the hidden gem of Buhanga Eco Park, a place rich in natural beauty and cultural history. This park is home to ancient sacred sites that were used for the coronation rituals of Rwandan Kings, featuring fascinating attractions related to their legacy.

When exploring Buhanga Eco Park, make sure to see Abiru, a significant figure who had a garden of flowers in a small ditch now bordered by lava stone. The king would cleanse himself in a blend of spring herbs and water in this serene area surrounded by large rocks and a cozy cave. Tour can still find a grand stone podium that symbolizes the king’s authority and might.

To make the most of your visit, take a stroll along the walking paths lined with lava stones, where you can enjoy the company of towering trees, colorful plants, and lively birds and insects.

Nyungwe Forest National Park

Nyungwe Forest National Park is Rwanda largest rainforest area, covering around 970 square kilometers. It become a protected area in 2004 and is located in the Southern Province. This incredible park is home to over 13 kinds of primates including chimpanzees, l’hoest monkeys, vervet monkeys, red tailed monkeys, Rwenzori black and white colobus, Dent’s Mona monkeys, chimpanzees, red-cheeked mangabeys, Angola colobus monkeys, baboons and silver monkeys, among others.

  In addition to various primates, Nyungwe is also a paradise for bird lovers, with more than 310 bird species thriving there. Some of the exciting birds you might see include Lagden’s Bush Shrikes, Mountain Sooty Boubou, Pockefellers’s sun bird, Purple Throated Sunbird, Red collared mountain Babbler, Rwenzori Double Collared Warbler, Rwenzori Nightjar, Rwenzori Turaco, Rwenzori Batis, White Bellied Robin chat, White Tailed Flycatcher and the Yellow Eyed Black Flycatcher.

Visitors to Nyungwe can enjoy a variety of activities, such as chimpanzee tracking, walking along the canopy, enjoying nature walks, and hiking through the lush surroundings.

Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village

The Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village still stands today as one of Rwanda’s greatest tourist attractions to be found around the Volcanoes National Park. It is located in the Nyabigoma, Kinigi, Musanze district. This conservation-driven project is headed up by former poachers who now work as conservationists for all wildlife in the Volcanoes National Park.

When you visit the Gorilla Guardians Village, you’ll have the chance to meet local people and experience Rwandan culture firsthand. You can explore various artifacts and traditions that represent the lives of Rwandan citizens. The experience is made even more special with local songs and dances that celebrate the vibrant culture of Rwanda.

Kigali Genocide Memorial Center

The Kigali Genocide Memorial Center is situated on the ground where more than 250,000 Rwandans were killed in 1994 during the genocide that occurred in Rwanda. Testimonies from Genocide survivors and those that came to their rescue as well as formal documentation of court proceedings and footage of remembrance ceremonies (Kwibuka) can be found at the memorial grounds. Photographs of those who fell, identification records, and media publications and maps line the walls.