Rwanda aka the ‘Land of A Thousand Hills‘ is one of the smallest countries on the African mainland located a few degrees south of the Equator. It is a landlocked country bordered by Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The country is dominated by a mountainous landscape in the West and savannah grasslands in the East plus numerous water bodies (lakes) spread throughout different regions of the country. Rwanda’s capital city is Kigali and the official languages spoken French, Kinyarwanda and English.
A typical Rwanda safari offers tourists the best of Rwanda’s culture, wildlife and rich cultural and political history and the 5 destinations below are guaranteed to give you all that in 3 to 4 days trip.
Kigali City
Located in the heart of Rwanda is Kigali the largest commercial city in Rwanda built on Mt. Kigali the highest mountain in the area with an elevation of about 1850m. Kigali city is a very peaceful urban center with so much beauty as it is composed of lush rolling hillsides, winding boulevards and flowering trees. It is also the hub of Rwanda’s transport network with an international airport called Kigali International Airport with passenger flights to Nairobi, Johannesburg, Brussels, Entebbe and others plus varies express bus routes to all the major towns in the country. There are so many attractions to visit in Kigali for example Kigali museums like the State house museum and Natural History Museum, Kigali Genocide Memorial Center, Inema Art Center, Camp Kigali Memorial, the Muslim Quarter of Nyamirambo and others.
Akagera National Park
Akagera National Park was named after River Akagera, Lake Victoria’s largest tributary and the most distant headstream of River Nile. The park is situated North East of Rwanda at the Rwanda-Tanzania border. Akagera National Park is comprised of lowlands characterized by broad plains covered with grass, patches of forests and also shrubs of candelabra similar to cactus. The park also offer spectacular background views of the surrounding beautifully cultivated hills giving you astonishing photography opportunities. While at Akagera National Park, you will enjoy various activities like birding, boat riding, boat rides, cultural encounters, nature walks, game drives and many more.
Parc National Des Volcans
Also known as Volcanoes National Park, Parc National Des Volcans lies along the Virunga Volcanoes in the North Eastern part of Rwanda in Musanze village formally known as Ruhengeri. It is the most patrolled park in the world and was gazetted mainly to give protection to the endangered mountain Gorillas. It one of the top Rwanda safari destinations since it is the haven for the endangered mountain gorillas (Gorilla beringeri beringeri)” It also harbors other primates like the golden monkeys and other wildlife species like spotted hyenas’ buffaloes, Bushbucks, black-fronted duikers, some elephants and over 175 bird species with about 29 of them endemic to the Rwenzori mountains. While at this park you will enjoy various activities like primate tracking, bird watching, nature walks, exploring the Musanze caves, cultural encounters and so much more.
Genocide memorial sites
A visit to the Genocide sites is a very emotional trip as you will explore the various genocide sites for example the Kigali Genocide Memorial Center where you will look into one of the most brutal genocides of the century, Camp Kigali Memorial with ten stone columns marking where the ten Belgian peacekeepers were brutally murdered on the last day of the genocide, Nyanza Genocide Memorial in Kicukiro with remains of 5000 Tutsi in four mass graves, the Natural History museum and other historical sites.
Lake Kivu Beaches
Lake Kivu is one of the African Great Lakes lying on the border of Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda in the Albertine Rift on the west arm of the East African Rift valley located in the Western part of Rwanda. Lake Kivu is the largest lake in Rwanda with various beaches for example the main Lake Kivu beach, Gisenyi & Kibuye beaches and others. While at these beaches, you will enjoy various activities some of which include sun bathing and relaxation under the palm trees, community campsites, swimming, boat rides, beach soccer plus volleyball, wind surfing and you can also take a stroll along the beach front.
Planning to do a Rwanda safari adventure this season and still haven’t decided which destinations/ attractions to visit, the above mentioned 5 places will give you the full wildlife, culture and adventure experience in Rwanda info@rwandcarrentalservices.com or you can call us directly on +256-4146994459 or +256-700135510.
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