Known as “The Land of a Thousand Hills” Rwanda offers an unforgettable travel experience. It is a land of contrasts boasting extensive grasslands, rainforests, rugged volcanic landscapes, and lakeside beaches. Here, some of Earth’s rarest animals find a home and a haven.
Go on a hiking tour to see mountain gorillas in their natural habitat on the forested mountain slopes. This is an experience that many find deeply touching. Visit the Dian Fossey memorial site and walk in her footsteps. She brought the gorilla’s plight to the world’s attention and helped to stop the animals’ decline.
Walk along a canopy trail to treetop observation points in the Nyungwe Forest National Park to get a bird’s eye view of the stunning landscapes and treetops below. Diverse landscapes like marshes, bamboo thickets, and swamps house a multitude of animals. It’s one of the best places to see chimpanzee families in their natural habitat.
One of Africa’s seven Great Lakes, Kivu has a shoreline with pretty, coastal towns and charming fishing villages. Soft sandy beaches, waving palms, and shoreline resorts make this a popular place to relax and cool down. Here visitors enjoy water activities like kayaking, swimming, and fishing and end the day around a friendly campfire.
Famous as the ecological home of the endangered mountain gorillas, Rwanda is one of only two places on Earth where you can follow the dream of seeing gorillas in their natural habitat. Around half of the world’s gorillas live in Rwanda’s forests, and many live at the Volcano National Park in the Virunga Mountains. Rwanda’s golden monkeys also live in the Volcanoes National Park, thriving in the bamboo thickets. The area is blessed with an abundance of wildlife including over 1,000 species of mammals, birds, and reptiles in the Virunga area alone. Rwanda’s attractions are not limited to the forested mountain slopes.
Rwanda also hosts wildlife safaris in four national parks on the grassy plateaus. The largest is the Akagera National Park, home to Africa’s Big Five. Here, lions, elephants, rhinos, leopards, and buffaloes wander freely among the zebras, antelopes, giraffes, and more than 500 bird species.
Lake Kivu offers another change of scenery. The enormous lake with a water surface of 2,700 square kilometers, offers a stunning coastal area. Here, visitors participate in water sports or charter boats to nearby lakeside villages.
Any Rwandan trip must include a visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial Center. This museum tells the story of the terrible genocide that destroyed so many families. It explains what led to the event and how a nation rose from the tragedy and learned to reach out and build a new life for all.
To preserve the endangered gorillas, the government limits the number of visitors and issues permits. Join Girls’ Guide to the World on exclusive, curated tours designed for small groups of women who love to explore every corner of the globe.
The Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village near Volcanoes National Park offers an immersive experience of Rwandan culture. Visitors can participate in traditional activities such as banana beer brewing, basket weaving, and cooking Rwandan cuisine. Visit the Kigali Genocide Museum to understand the country's tragic history and its journey to recovery.
Pack comfortable clothes that are light and airy. Flat, comfortable shoes and hiking boots will serve you well. Make sure to pack your swimsuit, hat, and sunscreen. Always pack a light jacket or jersey for cooler evening temperatures.
See chimpanzees and black and white colobus monkeys in the wild in the Nyungwe Forest National Park. Take the canopy walk, a suspended bridge in the forest treetops. Visit mountain gorillas and golden monkeys in the Volcano National Park. Relax on the beach at Lake Kivu, one of Africa’s great lakes.
Visitors can get a visa at the airport. No previous application is needed.
The Rwanda franc is Rwanda's traditional currency. The general population is happy with US dollars. You will need local currency for small local purchases so exchange money before arriving. You can use a Visa or Mastercard in most shops, hotels, and restaurants.
Ensure that your normal vaccinations are up to date. Hepatitis A and Tetanus vaccinations are also advised. Taking pills to prevent malaria may be advised by your doctor.
