Nestled in the heart of Africa, Rwanda is “a Land of a thousand Hills” characterized towering highlands that dot it’s scenic landscape. With an area of 26,340km2, the bulk of the country is elevated across 1500m-2500m. Rwanda enjoys an all-year-round pleasant tropical highland weather dictated by it’s varied altitude, expansive freshwater bodies hemmed in by terraced highlands, and montane highlands. It neighbors Uganda in the north, Tanzania on its eastern flanks, the DRC on the west, and Burundi on its southern border.
Rwanda is a densely populated country, with a vibrant and youthful population of close to 12m residents. Although smaller that its neighbors, Rwanda boasts a modern infrastructure network, green environment, prolific scenery characterized by green tea highlands, and a diverse natural heritage protected in its national parks. It’s a country on an upward move, that has risen from a dark past to today’s modern and fastest-growing economy.
Rwanda’s bustling capital of Kigali lies at the heart of the country, vibrant, clean, and charming reflecting the strong and resilient spirit of the Rwandan people. This commercial and economical hub hosts a population of 1.3m residents. First-time visitors on a guided city tour will discover Rwanda’s rich ancient culture merging with modernity to create Africa’s shining star.
Highlights and things to do while on a tour in Rwanda
- Trek along the Mountain Gorilla and Chimpanzee
On top of a bucket-list for visitors to Rwanda is a trek along the two biggest apes, the mountain gorillas and chimpanzee in their natural forested habitats. The country’s robust conservation efforts and infrastructure has made Rwanda a top ranking and most accessible gorilla tracking destination. Mountain gorillas are tracked in Volcanoes NP while Chimpanzee occur in Nyungwe Forest NP. A trek to meet these apes is regarded as a lifetime experience.
- Go on a epic Wildlife Safari in Rwanda’s Akagera National Park
While visiting Rwanda, take an epic wildlife safari in Akagera National Park, a little gem that offers almost exclusive wilderness experience. With a plethora of habitats from expansive wetlands, savanna grasslands and woodlands, Akagera NP is fully stocked with iconic African wildlife including the Big 5 list.
- Trek along Golden Monkey in Volcanoes NP
The next thrill adventure next to gorillas is a trek to the golden monkey in Volcanoes NP. The Golden monkey is an Albertine endemic that occurs along the bamboo zone and near the forest edge where they forage in troops of about 100 individuals. The trek to these beautiful and agile monkeys is considered much easier than gorilla trek and equally exciting.
- Go Birding for Albertine Endemics
Rwanda is a premier birding destination with a stunning 750 bird-species checklist; the highest concentration of birds per square kilometer of any country on the continent. This bird diversity is due to the country’s geographic location near the equator but more importantly at the confluence of Africa’s biggest biomes. Of these habitats is Nyungwe Forest, the continents oldest rainforest, which offers the best montane birding due to its location along the Albertine Rift. Other birding hotspot include Akagera NP with its varied habitats and a chain of wetland-surrounded highland lakes across the country.
- Hike the Volcanoes
Rwanda offers various hiking plans to its stunning peaks of the Virunga mountain chain that lie along the western region of the country. One popular daily hike lead out to Bisoke (3711m)mountain peak whose rim is topped by a scenic crater lake. On this hike, the trail passes by former Dian Fossey’s compound and now her final resting place. Another popular hike is a multi-day hike to Mt. Karisimbi that towers some 4507m and offers a stunning views of the surrounding volcanic ranges.
- Relax on Lake Kivu
The beautiful quiet shores of Lake Kivu in the west of the country are a great place for a great holiday escape and a base to explore great historic and cultural experiences.
Best Time to Visit Rwanda
Rwanda is an all-year-round travel destination. Here climate varies with local topographic features and altitude. The central and western regions tend to receive higher rains than the east. Activities, therefore, like mountain hiking become challenging as the trails tend to be slippery during the rainy season. Even so, the rainy season brings lots of fresh food for the vegetarian specialist including the mountain gorillas and need not wander far and wide. For the omnivorous chimpanzee, this is a season when most figs are fruiting making locating them while on treks much easier.
The country’s annual seasons include.
- Rain season: From late Feb-June. This receives most rains, especially in the higher mountains and mid-September-mid December.
- Dry season: From June-Sept longer season while the Dec- Feb is a shorter spell.
Top Highlights on Rwanda Tour include.
- Nature walks in Nyungwe Forest
- Cultural experience in Nyanza
- Kigali city tour
- Biking Tour