Where to go in Rwanda Apart from Nyungwe Forest National Park?
Where to go in Rwanda Apart from Nyungwe Forest National Park? Nyungwe forest national park is one of the oldest and biggest national parks that have attracted most tourist in Rwanda and Rwanda tourism industry as well, contributing to boundless of revenue in the country. Nyungwe forest national park is famously known for its chimpanzees and chimpanzee trekking destination. This has been the major activity carried out in Nyungwe forest national park. Nyungwe has gotten only 2 chimpanzee community habituated in it and the small one of 30 chimps is trekked in cyamudongo forest. Another famous activity in Nyungwe forest national park is canopy walks were tourist get to hike up to the top of the tress and take a walk on a hanging bridge as they admires the beauty of the forest.
Nyungwe National Park is located in the south west of Rwanda on the border with Burundi in the south and the Democratic Republic of Congo in West on the shores of Lake Kivu. the park houses 13 primate species which include chimpanzees, golden monkeys, silver monkeys, grey checked mangabey, red tailed monkeys, owl-faced monkeys, Rwenzori black and white colobus, vervet monkeys, olive baboons and bush babies. This apes in Nyungwe forest national park are frequently visited by tourist’s visiting the forest , others mammal species including leopards, giant forest hogs, golden cats, duikers, serval cats, side stripped jackal, civet among others.
Nyungwe forest national park also home about 1068 plant species which act as food for the animals of over 68 which are endemic to the park such as Mahogany, Militants holistic. Nyungwe national park harbors about 200 tree species with flowering plants, orchids, giant lobelia, vegetation zones including sub-alpine vegetation which is dominated by shrubs and bamboo hence making it a dwell of over 300 bird species with over 120 forest species, 29 species endemic to the Albertine rift and 16 which are endemics to Nyungwe forest national park. Bird species in the park include white tailed blue fly-catcher, red collared mountain babblers, purple breasted sunbirds, dusky crimson wing, Rwenzori batis, black and white casqued among others.
Rwanda is a landlocked country in the central Africa known as the heart of Africa, the land is known as “Land of a thousand Hills” with an area of approximately 26,338km2. It lies 75 miles southwest of equator, 880 miles west of Indian Ocean and 1,250 miles east of Atlantic Ocean. Rwanda borders with Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Its capital city, Kigali Rwanda is a country full of surprises. It’s become one of Africa’s most sought after wildlife destinations
What to do in Rwanda alongside Nyungwe Forest National Park.
Exploring Volcanoes National Park
Volcanoes national park is one of the oldest national parks in African continent. The park was gazetted as national park in 1925 purposely to protect and conservers the endangered mountain gorillas. The Park is located in the northwestern part of the country in Musanze earlier known as Ruhengeri .The Park covers 160 sq km of rainforest and comprises of five of the eight volcanoes in the Virunga Mountains such as Sabyinyo, Gahinga, Muhabura, Bisoke and Karisimbi. It borders Virunga national park in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Mgahinga Gorilla national park in Uganda. The park hosts almost a third of the remaining population of the mountain gorillas in the world. Over 11 habituated gorilla families such as, Karisimbi, Amahora, Susa A, Umubano, Kirwa, Kwitonda, Bwenge, Ugenda Titua Agashya, Sabyinyo groups
Volcanoes national park is the famous world’s leading gorilla trekking destination. Volcanoes National Park is part of the Virunga Mountains, seeing mountain gorillas in wild Rwanda is an honor and meeting them is remarkable safari experience. There is another stunning endangered golden monkey which are scarcely met in the volcanoes national park, golden monkey is an old world order monkey that are endemic to the Virunga Mountains. They are typified with a bright orange-golden body, you can sight this stunning rare monkeys during a hike through within only the volcanoes national park and the nearest Mgahinga national park in Uganda. This captivating uncommon golden monkey are only inhabits in the Virunga chain. Besides, there also other popular activities carried out other activities to do in Volcanoes national park includes Dian Fossey graveyard hike, Mount Bisoke hike and Mount Karisimbi hike cultural visit, Musanze cave exploration, among others.
Wildlife safari in Akagera National Park
Akagera national park is another most significant destination with awe-inspiring attractions, Akagera national park is the finest wildlife watching destination in Rwanda. It is dwell to some of the occasional wild animals in Africa and an ideal place to go on a game drive. positioned in the Eastern part of Rwanda, Akagera national park resides on an area of 2500 square kilometers and it is found on the boarder of Rwanda and Tanzania and the park was gazetted as a national park in 1934 and was named after the Kagera river which flows water along its eastern border with Tanzania . Akagera National Park is the only savannah national park making it the only place for wildlife watching experience in Rwanda. The park is well-known for its and unbelievable African big 5 animals such also lions, buffaloes, rhinos, elephants and leopards other wildlife includes giraffes, Topis, zebras, antelopes, hyenas, impalas among others. There also others apes such as vervet monkeys, olive baboon, and through game drives which is the famous activity carried out in the park is when you can see almost all this amazing wildlife including bird species such as local red faced barbets, and the swamp fly catcher as well as the elusive shoebill stork and many more, other activities includes nature walks, boat cruise, sport fishing, cultural encounters among others.
Relaxing at Lake Kivu
Lake Kivu is the biggest lakes in Rwanda with strikingly natural surprises. It is located in the western part of the country, extending from the north in the foothills of the Virunga mountains down to the south near Nyungwe Forest National Park. The lake is shared between the democratic republic of Congo and thereby making up the biggest part of the border between the two countries.
The lake is one of the attractive and beautiful lakes in the central Africa. It is surrounded by green undulating hills and scattered with many strikingly magnificent green islands. This beautiful set is largely because of its location in the Albertine rift valley. The lake is home to 28 different fish species including the blue-spotted tilapia, the red tilapia, and Nile tilapia among other species. Water birds like the Common Waxbill spotted Yellow-throated Greenbul, Speckled Pigeons, Chin-spot Batis, Ashy Flycatcher, Cardinal Woodpecker, Bronzed Sunbirds and so many more. Visitors can explore the lake by taking a boat cruise tours, swimming, boat ride along Lake Kivu, Kayaking or even relaxing on one of the many beaches along the shorelines. The lake consists of four beaches such as Cyangugu beach, Isunga beach, Nyanzaru beach and Kanyabayonga beach. All of this beaches are located along the shores of the lake and are open to the tourists free of changer. The beaches are famous with the locals and tourist alike and offers a great place to relax in the sun and enjoy the beautiful landscape. There are also a number of resort and hotels where tourist ca spend the night and enjoy a meals with the view of the lake.
Visiting Inema Arts Center
Inema Arts Center in Kigali, Rwanda, is more than just an art gallery. It’s a vibrant hub that fosters creativity, personal growth, and community engagement. The village arts and the gallery are the captivating attractions. The Inema Arts Center is more than just an art gallery, it’s is inspirational venue for sharing different forms of artistic expression while contributing positively to the underserved community. The center is founded in 2012 by brothers and self-taught painters Emmanuel Nkuranga and Innocent Nkurunziza, the center points to spur creativity for personal, social, and economic growth in Rwanda. The center is non-organization that offers training and exhibitions opportunity to Rwandan artists. Inema Arts Center also offers space for artists in residence to explore their creative talent. Specializing in contemporary African Arts, Crafts, Music, and Dance. Inema’s artists produce paintings, sculptures, and mixed media expressions showcased in, the Gallery at Inema Arts Center. The Center is home to programmes, projects, and initiatives that expand creative arts in Rwanda
Kigali genocide memorial
The Kigali genocide memorial in Rwanda is a place of remembrance, reflecting and education, dedicated to the memory of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi. The Kigali genocide memorial center is located just near Gisozi of about 10 minutes’ drive from the city heart. The Kigali genocide memorial dedicates as resting place for over 250,000 Rwandans who were thrashed during the 1994 genocide. Kigali genocide memorial is the biggest memorial in Rwanda and it bestowed as powerful symbol of remembrance honoring those who lost their lives during the dreadful event in 1994. Kigali genocide memorial is situated in the center of Rwanda capital city “Kigali”, the genocide memorial is made up of museum, a memorial garden , an education center and research facilities . The memorial was built in 2004 to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the genocide and is now a key site of remembrance and education about the genocide.
