Rwanda, the country of a thousand hills is one of the upcoming destinations on the African continent. Are you looking to taking a holiday in Rwanda? Here are the top things to do in Rwanda that should not miss on your trip itinerary.
Finding something to do in Rwanda is easy! It’s only the choice that’s difficult to make. From rare attractions and museums to sports and galleries, you can choose from taking a gorilla trek in Parc Nationale des Volcans (PNV) to just lolling on a beach with your family or an adventure safari through Akagera National Park. Just go and try it!!
Rwanda features a lot of tourist attractions, from World Heritage Sites to national parks, ruined palaces and cultural sites, to hands on museums.
Rwanda is truly a country with some thing for every one to enjoy. There are lots of things to do in Rwanda. These include:
- Game Drives in Akagera National Park
- Sport Fishing
- Boat Rides
- Nature Walks
- Birding
- Chimpanzee Tracking
- Gorilla Trekking Safaris
- Sight Seeing
- Photography
- Cultural and Historical Experiences
- Mountain Climbing
- Self drive safaris
Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda
Mountain gorillas are one of Rwanda’s most famous attraction. Gorillas are a star attraction that has attracted thousands of visitors to Rwanda. From celebrities to nobles, gorilla trekking is an adventure activity that has been undertaken for the last 30 years, and up to today, it is a rare experience that one should enjoy in Rwanda. On a gorilla trek in Rwanda, Visitors enjoy trekking through the dense tropical rainforest looking for the magnificient jungle giants that stole Dian Fossey’s heart and dedicated all her life to the jungles!
Golden Monkey Tracking
Rwanda is one of the last strongholds for golden monkeys. These beautiful monkeys thrive in the Virunga ranges and in Kahuzi Biega National Park of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Golden monkeys are endangered and because of that are highly protected. Although eagles are their natural prey, humans are their greatest threat. Tourist love golden monkeys because of their beautiful gold coats, playful nature and endangered status. Golden Monkey tracking in Rwanda starts with a briefing at 7:30am. It is less tiring than gorilla trekking because the monkeys don’t move too far off in the forest.
Kigali City Tour
Rwanda capital Kigali became the capital city in 1962 replacing Butare which had been the seat of the king. Since then Kigali has had tremendous developments and it’s now an economic, cultural and transportation center in Rwanda. The city is occupied by over one million people; it has well improved accommodation facilities, shopping malls and the cleanest streets in east Africa. While on your guided city tour in Kigali, you will get chance to learn more about Rwanda’s history and the people.
Volcanic Biking
Biking can be well enjoyed in Musanze district on the streets of Ruhengeri town and its surroundings. The town has well maintained roads, handcraft shops and a market where one can easily go shopping on a bike. Ruhengeri town also has good restaurants where you can get a snack and while here, a visit to Musanze lava cave can not be a regrettable idea. You can easily get Rwandan local products that can be good souvenirs that can keep reminding you of the memorable times you had on your visit.
A visit to the Gisenyi beach
Commonly referred to as the new paradise, Gisenyi beach is located on lake kivu and has the most developed resorts in Rwanda. While at the beach, you can involve in activities like sunbathing, diving, beach volleyball, swimming and boat cruising as you are enjoying the beautiful scenery of the area. Lake Kivu attracts a given number of bird species like king fisher, crown cranes which will give you greater chances for learning more about the unique African bird species. While in Gisenyi, you can also visit the Bwalirwa the only brewery in Rwanda and leading local manufacturer of beers like Mutzig, Guinness and primus.
Take a Boat Trip on Lake Kivu
Lake Kivu, one of Africa’s Great Lakes, is not only beautiful but also a great source of fun. The best time to take a boat trip on the lake is at sunrise or sunset when you will be able to appreciate the stunning scenery from a different perspective.
You can also engage in water activities like kayaking, paddle boarding, and fishing, immersing yourself in the serenity of the lake.
If you’re an adventurous soul, diving and snorkeling in Lake Kivu offer a chance to explore the underwater world. Dive sites, such as the underwater methane gas fields and submerged coffee plantations, provide unique and memorable experiences.
Chimpanzee tracking and bird watching
Chimpanzee tracking can best be done in Nyungwe forest, an ancient tropical rain forest that hosts 13 primate species in Rwanda. In Nyungwe forest, Rwanda has one of the oldest afro-montane forests in Africa. This forest is found in the South Western part of the country and is home to 13 species of primates including chimpanzees.
Nyungwe forest is one of the last strongholds of the Angola Colobus and Golden Monkeys. While exploring the forest, visitors have over 15 trails to choose from for a nature walk. If nature walks are not your thing, you can choose to go for chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe forest or the very popular canopy walk. Regardless of which particular activity you register for, you will be rewarded with amazing sightings of birds (310 species), primates (13 species), butterflies (120 species), plants (over 1,000 species), amphibians (32 species), reptiles (38 species) and ancient trees.
The forest has the Angolan colobus monkey, silver monkey, L’Hoest monkey,golden monkey, red tailed monkey as well as baboons therefore while you are in Rwanda and interested in viewing primates in their natural setting, you are highly invited to track them in Nyungwe forest. The forest is also a home to various African bird species and all those interested in birding can always drop by and enjoy the marvelous creatures.
Canopy walks
Apart from chimpanzee trekking and nature walks, one of the best canopies walk trails in Africa is found in Rwanda’s Nyungwe Forest. The well completed canopy walk way is 50 meters above the ground level of Nyungwe forest and 90 meters long in the southern province of Rwanda. The walk being above the forest will give you a clear personal eye contact with the primates in the forest and an aerial view of the valleys and mountainous relief of the area. Birders will also have a chance to view bird species that inhabit in the upper canopy layers.
The forest canopy walk was introduced in 2010 in an effort to diversify tourism activities in the country. The canopy walkway is 50 meters high hence offering an aerial view of the forest and the creatures therein. The walkway sways left and right as one moves from one point to another hence requiring some confidence to complete the walk. You need to be warned in advance if you have a fear of heights.
Do not hesitate to learn and discover more about Rwanda the land of beauty and amazing astonishing wildlife species.