Explore Rwanda

Rwanda is a small country located in a very beautiful region near the Virunga mountains who are home to the famous mountain gorillas. The beautiful landscape of a “thousand hills”, diverse wildlife and beautiful cultures & traditions of the Rwandan people have for long lay in the shadow of her dark past of the genocide against the Tutsti. However with determination of the leadership of Rwanda and her people Rwanda is emerging out of this ugly reputation to showcase the beauty the country is!

Rwanda has four national parks and many other interesting places to visit. The beauty with Rwanda being a small country is that all the these places are reached within a few hours drive. For example, in only two and half drive from the capital Kigali you will get to Volcanoes National Park to see the mountain gorillas.

The weather is beautiful as the country is located near the equator receiving direct sunshine throughout the year. This means the best time to visit Rwanda is any time in the year.

National Parks

Volcanoes National Park

Home to the Mountain Gorillas, Volcanoes National Park lies in the Northern Province of Rwanda, along the border with Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is also Africa’s oldest national park, gazetted in 1925 primarily to protect the Mountain Gorillas from poaching. The park spans 5 Virunga Volcanoes, clad with lush mountain vegetation that is inhabited by a variety of wildlife which include: Mountain Gorillas, Golden Monkeys, Buffaloes, and lots of birds including many Albertine Rift endemics. Volcanoes National Park is the prime tourist destination of Rwanda and offers a range of exciting adventures including Mountain Gorilla trekking, Golden Monkey Tracking, Birdwatching, Hiking, Nature Walks, Community walks, and Caving.

Nyungwe Forest National Park

Situated in southwestern Rwanda and covering more than 1000 sq km, Nyungwe Forest is the largest Afro-montane forest in East and Central Africa, and one of the most ancient, dating back to before the ice age. Its longevity has led to the accumulation and survival of an incredible diversity of wildlife, including many endangered and endemic species. It is very rich for primates, with 13 species, including Chimpanzees. It harbours more than 300 bird species, including the highest number of Albertine rift endemics. Tourist activities include Chimpanzee tracking, Canopy Walks, Guided Nature walks, birding, camping, and tracking habituated Mangabeys and Blue Monkeys.

Akagera National Park

Akagera is Rwanda’s biggest national park measuring 1085 square kilometers. It lies in the Eastern Province, at a lower altitude – with grassland plains, a labyrinth of lakes and papyrus swamps – contrasting the rolling hills and mountains that make much of Rwanda. The park has beautiful scenery with plenty of wildlife including Elephants, Zebras, Giraffes, Buffaloes, Leopards, Hyenas, Hippos, and crocodiles. Lions are being introduced back into Akagera. With more than 525 species of birds, the Akagera has the highest concentration of birds per square kilometre of any African national park! The park offers visitors the classic African safari with various experiences.
Read more about the Akagera National Park

Gishwati Mukura National Park

Gishwati–Mukura National Park is Rwanda’s youngest park formed in 2015. The parks consist of two disjointed montane forests Gishwati and Mukura and are located to the northwest of the country. The park is home to several threatened species including Chimpanzees and monkeys. The park is a hotspot for birding, and also wonderful for hiking. The local communities offer cultural and traditional experiences such as craft making, traditional dances about the Gishwati Mukura National Park

Top places to Visit in Rwanda

Kigali City

Kigali is one of Africa’s most vibrant, cleanest, safest and organized cities. It is located in the heart of Rwanda, covering several hills and exuding such a fresh atmosphere. For visitors flying into Rwanda, Kigali harbours the international airport and so a tour of the city is just inevitable! Kigali harbours several historical and cultural attractions.
Here is the Kigali City tour guide

Mount Bisoke Volcano

Mountain Bisoke, 3711m, is a dormant volcano of the Virunga Mountain range. It spans across the border of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Of Rwanda’s five Virunga volcanoes, Bisoke is the most popular for one-day hiking adventures. It contains two beautiful crater lakes, including the one at the summit. The slopes are inhabited by Mountain Gorillas & Golden Monkeys which may be encountered during the trek to the summit.

Culture Corridor

The cultural corridor offers a chance to experience the rich Rwandan culture and history. Major sites along the corridor include; Kigali City, The King’s Palace/Urukari, the National Art Gallery/Rwesero, Inema Art Center, the Ethnographic Museum, and Women’s dancing groups in Butare.

Lake Kivu Rwanda

Lake Kivu is Rwanda’s biggest lake and one of the most beautiful lakes in Central Africa. The lake is located in the west of the country near the Volcanoes National Park in the north and Nyungwe Forest National Park in the south. It is therefore the ideal place to relax after adventures in the parks. It is also a wonderful getaway for those seeking to escape the hustle of the city. Meanwhile, Lake Kivu is also a top adventure destination of Rwanda offering a number of adventures such as kayaking, boat ride, paddle boarding, canoeing etc…

For more about Lake Kivu

The Congo – Nile Trail

This is a 227km (141 miles) trail along Lake Kivu, that runs from Gisenyi in Rubavu District to Rusizi District. The trail offers an exciting adventure through Rwanda’s spectacular landscapes of rolling hills and clear waters. For adventure travelers, the trail offers an exciting way to explore and discover Rwanda. It is a perfect fit for those who enjoy off-the-beaten-path adventures. The entire trail can be explored via a 10-day hiking or 5-day biking adventure.

Rwanda parks & attractions

National parks and other top places to visit in Rwanda