25 REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD VISIT RWANDA IN 2024
Are you planning a trip to Africa in the forth-coming year? Rwanda is here for you to explore. There is a list of reasons why you should Visit Rwanda. Rwanda is also warmly known as “the land of a thousand hills” situated in east- central Africa. It lies at about 121 km south of the equator in the tropic of Capricorn, 1416 km west of Indian ocean and 1250 km east of the Atlantic Ocean literary the heart of Africa. Rwanda sits on 26,338 square kilometres and it is the 4th smallest on the African mainland. Rwanda is small in size but never in experience.
Rwanda is a developing country with an economy based largely on subsistence agriculture and tourism. The country is most famous for the horrific genocide that devastated the country in 1994 when most people mostly Tutsi were murdered by the Hutu. The sad story of Rwanda have been turned into one of the greatest tourist attractions in Rwanda. Taking on a Rwanda safari and Kigali city tour gives you a chance to visit the Gisozi Genocide Memorial Centre. Here, you will see the remains of thousands of people that succumbed to the bloody Rwanda Genocide of 1994. Other tourist attractions in Rwanda include; the endangered mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, golden monkeys and the big five (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo).
Over the past decades, Rwanda has developed her tourism industry. It is currently among the top tourist destinations in Africa and the world at large. Rwanda currently under the leadership of president of Rwanda is Paul Kagame. He is a politician and former military officer who is the fourth and current president of Rwanda since 2000. Read more about Rwanda's political history here.
Below are the 25 reasons why you should visit Rwanda in 2024;
- Gorilla trekking in Rwanda
- Wilderness
- Chimpanzee trekking
- Golden monkeys in Rwanda
- Birding in Rwanda
- Canopy walk at suspended bridge in Nyungwe forest.
- Cultural tours
- Akagera national park
- Volcanoes national park
- Nyungwe national park
- The beauty and stunning scenery
- The heartbeat of Rwanda (Kigali)
- Its safety and welcoming environment
- Adventure activities
- Rising from the past
- Its fantastic weather
- Rich wildlife
- Breath taking land scape
- Accommodation in Rwanda
- Big 5 safari
- Unique and unforgettable land scape (lake Kivu)
- Ecotourism and conservation efforts.
- Taste of local food.
- Inema arts centre
- Music and dance
Now that you have a list of the 25 reasons to visit Rwanda, let us talk about each reason in detail.
Gorilla trekking in Rwanda
The gorilla trekking tour in Rwanda is done in volcanoes national park which is located in Musanze district in the north of Rwanda, this is 116km and it takes 2 hours drive from the capital city of Rwanda (Kigali). Gorilla trekking safaris in Rwanda are a gateway to an ultimate experience. This is an opportunity for you to spend time in the presence of the critically endangered mountain gorillas. You will spend time in the forests watching how these apes foliage, mate, charge, and make nests. Did you know that mountain gorillas like human beings stay in groups known as families? Each gorilla family comprises of about 10 members. Adult male gorillas (silverbacks) are the leaders of the families - they are responsible for defending and mating with adult females. The stories behind each gorilla family in Volcanoes is fascinating. Read about the Ultimate guide to gorilla trekking.
You can book a gorilla permit in Rwanda at $1500 for foreign visitors, the price discounted to $200 for the citizens of Rwanda and members of the East African Community.
Wilderness in Rwanda
Rwanda wilderness safaris are one of the top activities for Rwanda tourism. These can be done in Akagera and Nyungwe national parks. All you need to know before you go to Rwanda is that wildlife tours in Rwanda are the key attractions in the country with several big cats and other wild species.
Rwanda is also a home of several wildlife species including primates like chimpanzees, monkeys and colobus monkeys which move in groups. Other mammals like giraffes, buffalos, rhinos, leopards, lions, elephants, zebras, cape eland, warthogs and impalas are seen grazing through the scenic park in almost all directions. Take on a Rwanda Primate and Wildlife safari and certify your curiosity.There is a great diversity of large mammals (big 5) views in Akagera national park.
Chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda
Chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda is the one of the most popular primate trekking/ tracking tours in Rwanda you should look out for in your forthcoming safari tour. Only second to the gorilla trekking, chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest national park is an ultimate primate safari. Here, travellers get a chance to learn about the mysteries of these human-lake apes. Did you know that chimpanzee's have a DNA close to that of human beings. Taking on a Rwanda Chimpanzee tracking safari could bring your knowledge much closer to the evolutionary stories. Chimpanzee trekking tours in Rwanda only takes place in Nyungwe forest national park, as well as in smaller number in the Gishwati forest.
A chimpanzee trekking permit in Rwanda costs US$ 90 per person for foreign non-residents. Talk to an expert about Chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda to tailor your ultimate safari.
Golden monkeys in Rwanda
Rwanda is also home to Golden monkeys - a reason to consider visiting the country for the best primate safari. Golden monkeys are known to have unique characters and are rare species that are endangered at the moment. However, golden monkeys are easily spotted due to their yellow patches that can be seen all over their bodies.
Golden monkeys live only in the wild bamboo forests of the Virunga mountains and Gishwati mukura national park in south of Rwanda. Tourists can also visit them in volcanoes national park in Rwanda. Golden monkey trekking safaris in Rwanda can be easily combined in a single trip. Talk to an expert here.
Birding in Rwanda
Rwanda is home to a high concentration of birds. Birding in Rwanda will reward you with a lot of bird species by covering a small area. There is over 750 species in Rwanda indifferent birding areas like protected areas, swamps, and agriculture lands.
Most of the birding activities take place in the three protected areas of Akagera national park, Nyungwe national park and volcanoes national park. To have and enjoy birding in Rwanda you need to stay hours outside and have some considerable amount of hiking up and down the mountainous areas.
Akagera national park is a savanna park that is a home to about 500 bird species, with rolling hills, a lake, wetlands and woodlands which attracts high concentration of birds in the area. The park is an excellent birding area in Rwanda. Book your Akagera national park birding safari now.
Lake Ihema is a home of many water birds that can be seen on boat cruise. These include; the African finfoot, African jacana, malachite kingfisher, pied king fisher, African fish eagle, black crake, little egret, spur winged lapwing, goliath heron.
Cultural tours in Rwanda (friendly locals)
Rwanda is a unique cultural tour and safari destination. This beautiful east African country is rich in culture and traditions, and its history is so nice and interesting to hear. Visiting Rwanda cultural safari is an opportunity of explore Rwanda traditional villages and learn about customs and beliefs. It also offers a chance to interact with locals, attend cultural performances of cultural music and dances. Visiting the Ibyi'wacu Cultural village during your ultimate Rwanda cultural safari is an exception tour. Here, you dive into the daily and the traditional life style of Rwandese. You participate in brewing local beer, traditional meals as well as weaving baskets. There is quite a number of craft and souvenir shops from where one can grab an item to remind them of their Rwanda safari. Buying these items from the local shops is another way of giving back to the community and supporting Responsible and sustainable tourism.
You can also visit king’s palace in Nyanza that is beautiful craft thatches dwelling shaped, a few long horned inyambo cattle from the king’s herd and are very significant in kings honour ceremonies. They received education and had expensive Jewry on them. Book a Rwanda cultural tour here.
Canopy walk at Nyungwe forest
The canopy walk in Rwanda is great safari experience in Rwanda. It takes place in Nyungwe forest national park. This is a walk on a suspended bridge 70 metres above the great Nyungwe forest. It is a guided walk that can take two hours and is about 160 metres long. The canopy walk is made of three sections but the middle one is the one with the highest height.
Akagera national park
Akagera national park is the central Africa’s largest protected wetland and the last remaining refuge for savannah. The Akagera national park is Rwanda’s nearest national park to Kigali located approximately 99 kilometres away, the travel from Kigali to Akagera national park takes 1- 2 hours. Visiting Akagera National Park during your trip to Rwanda introduces you to some of illusive and endangered species. The park is home to multiple bird species some of which are migratory while others are Rift Valley endemics. Talk to a Bird guide in Akagera National Park for an excellent Rwanda birding safari.
The national park currently covers an area of over 1100 square kilometres and mainly consists of montane forest, savanna, woodland, swamps and marsh. Akagera national park is managed by Akagera management company after a joint agreement between Rwanda Development Board and African parks in 2010.
Volcanoes national park
Volcanoes national park is located in a small village called Musanze previously known as Ruhengeri. The park is accessible by public transport from Kigali, at the airport or at Gisenyi. The drive from Kigali can take 2 hours to the park.Volcanoes national park sits in the north of the country about 61 kilometres from Rubavu which takes 1.5 hours. Note that the speed limit in Rwanda id 60km per hour.
Volcanoes national park is famous being home to the critically endangered mountain gorillas. It also houses multiple primate species like black and white colobus monkeys, the golden monkeys, bird species and among others. Visiting volcanoes national park during your Rwanda Primate safari gives you a chance to hike to the Dian Fossey grave. You will learn about the history of these mountain gorillas and get to appreciate the country's conservation efforts.
Participating in the annual Kwita Iziina ceremony is also a rewarding safari experience. This is an annual festival meant for naming new gorilla babies as well as new families. This campaign has seen the globe come to one point and it has become popular with the recent collaboration of Rwanda Development Board and Arsenal FC, Paris Saint Germain FC and FC Bayern Munich.
The heartbeat of Rwanda (Kigali City)
Kigali is the capital and largest city of Rwanda. The city lies near the nations geographic centre in a region of rolling hills with series of valleys. Kigali is the economic and financial hub of Rwanda, serving as the country’s main port of entry and also largest business centre. Taking on a Rwanda City Tour gives you an opportunity for you to explore the city in detail. Visit the Gisozi Genocide Memorial Centre and witness the remains of thousands of people that succumbed to the bloody Revolution.
You will also visit local markets and interact with the local members of the community. Grab some items from the local markets as a way of giving back to the community. Retreat after your long safari at a hotel in the city and enjoy the taste of a local meal that is a true reflection of an African meal.
The beauty and stunning scenery
The beauty and stunning scenery of Rwanda comprising of green lush which are truly breathtaking. Many visitors that have been in Rwanda remarked that the physical beauty of the country is without an equal on the continent. Rwanda has five volcanoes, twenty three lakes and numerous rivers, waterfalls, and rainforests. These are home of many wild animals such as mountain gorillas, hippos, monkeys, big five among others.
Taking on a road trip to the deeper parts of Rwanda introduces to a real African breeze. It is an opportunity for you get away from the urban hustle and stand alone in the middle of nowhere. Are you a photographer, it is high time you visited Rwanda.
A safe and welcoming environment
Generally, Rwanda is safe for travel. Right from the entry point to the deeper parts of the country, Rwanda is a safe safari destination in Africa. Feel free to explore and move around the country. You should also take safety precautions during your stay for a best safari experience during your visit to Rwanda.
Adventure activities in Rwanda
Adventure activities in Rwanda come with exciting experiences. Undertaking a Rwanda adventure safari is typically bold, sometimes risky. However, the experience is worth the risk. These activities include hiking the Virunga mountains, Mt. Bisoke, gorilla and chimpanzee trekking and among others.
Taking on a Rwanda bicycle safari gives you a chance to discover the hidden treasures of the land. Take on the challenging bicycle safari and hike the Congo nile trail for an exceptional safari experience. Safari adventure activities in Rwanda involves sometimes going off-the-beaten-path and the effort is worth it. Talk to an expert now and enjoy an exceptional Rwanda adventure safari.
Rising from the past (Kigali Genocide memorial centre)
This is the place to witness the past with your own eyes. It really makes you think about what a human being is capable of as well the power of reconciliation. Rwanda also offers a powerful experience for visitors by giving them the best of dark tourism. The wall names are dedicated to those who died and is a work still in progress. The memorial gardens provide a place for quite contemplation about the history of genocide against the Tutsi. There other genocide memorial centres in Rwanda such as Nyanza Genocide memorial, Ntarama Genocide memorial, Nyamata Genocide memorial and Murambi Genocide memorial.
Are you a fan of dark tourism? Do you even know the meaning of dark tourism? Dark tourism refers to traveling and visiting destinations that have a sad/emotional/dark history. In simple terms, dark tourism is tourism that involves travelling to places associated with death and suffering.
Unique and unforgettable beach Escape (Lake Kivu)
Believe it or not, Rwanda is the home to one of the central Africa’s best beach escapes. Lake Kivu is the 18th deepest lake on the planet with a total surface area of 2700 square kilometres at an elevation of 1460 metres. A trip to Rwanda gives you an opportunity to escape into the hidden treasures of Lake Kivu and Rwanda as a whole. Embark on a boat cruise on Lake Kivu gives you a chance to dive into the aquatic life of Rwanda. You will get to see quite a number of bird species dwelling on the lake shores. Spending the afternoon at Lake Kivu is a splendid safari experience.
Fantastic weather
Rwanda's fantastic weather of annual temperature 19.1 degrees Celsius, with average monthly temperatures ranging between 19.5 degrees Celsius in September and 18.5 degrees Celsius in July and approximately 1170.2 mm of rainfall is experienced throughout the year in Rwanda. If you are planning a Rwanda safari, weather should be none of your worries. The weather is appropriate for most the safari activities including the famous gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National park. Photography in Rwanda is also nice especailly at dusk and dawn.
Rich wildlife
Close to Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, Rwanda is home to multiple wildlife species. These include; mountain gorilla, chimpanzee, golden monkey, hippo giraffe, zebra, leopard, crocodile and more others plus over 600 species of birds. Are you an animal lover, Rwanda should be part of your travel destinations list. Akagera National Park is one of the few National parks in Africa that is home to the Big five (lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and buffalo).
Taking on a Rwanda wildlife safari is a special way to explore the Rwanda's wildlife in detail. You get to see these animals roaming the parks.
Ecotourism and conservation efforts
Rwanda has given almost over 40% of its land for conservation which includes national parks, protected wetlands, and forest reserves. Rwanda as a country is leaning on tourism to protect landscape and wildlife species including mountain gorillas and golden monkeys.
Breathtaking landscape
Akagera national park's diverse landscape features forests, swamps, hills, mountains and expansive savannah. There are other very few other spots in Rwanda boast a better view than the campsites in the park’s northern section.
The big five safari to Rwanda
The big five are big animals that was hard to hurt, these are elephant, lion, leopard, rhinos and buffalos. Big five can found in Akagera national park in Rwanda
Affordable accommodation facilities in Rwanda
There is a number of accommodations in Rwanda such as hotels, homes and everything in between. There are different types of accommodation in Rwanda that is budget accommodation, luxury and top luxury accommodation.
Here are different lodges and hotels in Rwanda; Kigali serena hotel, Ruzizi Tented lodge and more many others.
To trek some of the thousand hills
Rwanda offers some fabulous treks. Nyugwe forest has an extensive network of trails covering over 130 km that takes between 2 hours to four days. In volcanoes national park head for mount bisoke with a beautiful crater lake at the summit or the two days trek at mount karisimbi.
A taste of local food of Rwanda
Rwanda’s tradition food such as meat (particularly goat) is usually served as brochettes, fish is often sardines or small tilapia and the staple food is Ugali, a porridge- like paste made of cassava flour.
Vegetarians are in for a treat: try matoke (fried green bananas), ibihaza (boiled pumpkin with beans), potatoes, veggie stews and dodo, a garlicky spinach- like dish with plenty of groundnuts and chillies.
Inema arts centre
Inema centre us a vibrant cultural centre in Kigali that features the work of some Rwanda’s most talented artists. Visitors can take a guided tour of the centre, attend workshop or purchase a piece of art to take home as souvenirs.
Music and dance
Rwanda has a rich tradition of music and dance, and visitors can experience traditional performance at cultural centres and festivals throughout the country.
How to get to Rwanda?
Kigali international airport on the outskirts of the capital city Kigali will mostly likely be your entry point into the country. There are other domestic flights between Kigali and kamembe airport in Rusizi at the southern end of lake kivu. But in most cases your local tour operators will pick you from airport or your hotel and arrange further transportation.
Rwanda travel requirements - What do I need to visit Rwanda for a safari?
Entry requirements can change, you need to contact your local Rwandan embassy to verify that the information you need is current. However, below is a list of the common documents required before entering Rwanda;
- A passport is required for all foreign visitors
- A passport must have a clean and full visa page for endorsement.
- Citizens of all countries are eligible for visas on arrival.
- For people visiting Rwanda in conjunction with Uganda and Kenya, it is possible to buy a joint visa for all three countries.
- When arriving a yellow- fever vaccination certificate is required.
In a nutshell, every breathtaking visit and every warming exchange, Rwanda reveals itself as a reliable safari destination one should visit. It has something to offer to every one, whether they are seeking a cultural experience, adventure among others as indicated above. Now you have great reasons why you should visit Rwanda for your next safari in Africa, Book a Rwanda safari Now.