Rwanda

Murakaza Neza (Welcome) to Rwanda!

It is beautiful, clean and green. This land of a thousand hills has breathtaking views to offer and a palette of colors ranging from the intense red of the earth to the bright greens of the tea plantations. It is the travel world’s phoenix rising. From a devastating genocide more than two decades ago, it has emerged as one of East Africa’s premier travel destinations, with a capital city transformed and world-renowned national parks. Most have heard of gorilla trekking, but few know that the exclusivity extends to a sublime range of experiences throughout Rwanda. Chimpanzee and golden monkey trekking, aerial safari and history told by the survivors of history are just the beginning, but there is also boating through hippo swamps; game drives and beautiful cultural experience.

“In the heart of Central Africa, so high up that you shiver more than you sweat,” wrote the eminent primatologist Dian Fossey, “are great, old volcanoes towering almost 15,000 feet, and nearly covered with rich, green rainforest – the Virunga.” Volcanoes National park is a home for the mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, and a variety of birds, reptiles, amphibians, and insects among other creatures. Rwanda is also home to numerous other animals parks, with Akagera National Park in the east of the country a veritable paradise for bird watchers and Big 5 game safari. Marvel at the beautiful and pristine landscape and a wide variety of wildlife species roaming in the savannah. Discover one of Africa’s oldest rainforests and its many rare species. A quarter of all of Africa’s primates, 13 species, can be found here, including the common chimpanzee and two Albertine Rift endemics, L’Hoest’s monkey and Hamlyn’s monkey. With 15 trails, along with various other activities, visitors can choose to sample the delights of the forest or indulge themselves in one of Africa’s most stunning forests.

For travelers looking for a proper beach-style vacation, Rwanda has plenty of gorgeous lakes which are ideal for water sports and fishing. Lake Kivu in the west of the country and Lake Muhazi in the east are both ideals for water sports and fishing. Lake Kivu also offers beautiful beaches, jutting peninsulas and an archipelago of beautiful islands. And for adventurous travelers, an exciting way to explore Rwanda is a kayaking tour on Lake Kivu, or mountain biking, or hiking the off-the-beaten paths of the spectacular Congo Nile Trail.