10 Top Tourist Attractions in Rwanda

10 Top Tourist Attractions in Rwanda : Rwanda’s tourist sector has rapidly expanded in recent years to become a leading luxury Rwanda safari destination in the East and Central African Region. Rwanda is not only known as a luxury safari destination in Africa, but it is also a top business center on the continent, with a number of international business summits and conferences hosted in Kigali City, the country’s capital. So, whether you’re visiting Rwanda for business or pleasure, you’re guaranteed to enjoy a fantastic and unforgettable time in the ‘Land of a Thousand Hills.’

10 Top Tourist Attractions in Rwanda.

  1. Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre.

This memorial centre shows photographs and other mementos of victims of the 1994 Rwanda genocide. Tourists visiting the Kigali genocide memorial centre are guided through the terrible history of events leading up to and culminating in the genocide. The centre’s major goal is to educate visitors on the need of maintaining peace and harmony in any community, as well as to demonstrate how the country has risen above its terrible history.

Other genocide memorial sites that travellers may visit across the nation include the Nyamata Genocide Memorial Site, Nyanza Memorial Site, Ntarama, Gisenyi, Burambi, and Nyaruhuye Genocide Memorial Sites.

  1. Mountain Gorillas in Volcanoes National Park.

Trekking the rare mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park is a fantastic and unforgettable experience for people on a Rwanda safari. You can reserve your gorilla trekking permit in Rwanda for USD 1500. The national park includes around ten habituated gorilla populations that tourists may monitor.

10 Top Tourist Attractions in Rwanda
Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda

Most gorilla trekking safaris in Rwanda include visitors travelling through dense woods with some steep and slippery terrains, necessitating physical and mental fitness and readiness for the exciting and sometimes hard exercise.

In Volcanoes National Park, gorilla trekking is done in groups of eight people per gorilla troop. Once a gorilla family has been identified, hikers are only permitted an hour to spend with the gorillas.

  1. Golden monkeys in Volcanoes National Park.

Golden monkey hiking in Volcanoes National Park is one of the park’s distinctive experiences. The bamboo rainforests of the Virunga Conservation Area, shared by Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, are home to the majority of golden monkeys.

Volcanoes National Park is home to two habituated populations of golden monkeys, totalling 80 individuals. The trekking of golden monkeys in the park begins at 7 a.m. at the park’s headquarters in Kinigi. Permits for golden monkey trekking cost USD 100 and are valid across Rwanda and Uganda.

10 Top Tourist Attractions in Rwanda
Golden Monkey Trekking in Rwanda
  1. Wildlife in Akagera National Park

Elephants, buffalos, giraffes, zebras, leopards, hyenas, and lions may all be found in Akagera National Park. It is home to a variety of antelopes, including bushbucks, Topis, Oribis, waterbuck, roan antelope and duiker, klipspringer, impala, and the world’s biggest antelope, the Cape eland.

Schools of hippos and crocodiles may be seen lazing in the sun near Lake Ihema. Olive baboons, Vervet monkeys, blue monkeys, and bush babies are frequent primates in Akagera National Park and may often be observed during night drives.

  1. Chimpanzees in Nyungwe Forest National Park

Nyungwe forest national park in Rwanda is home to at least 25% of Africa’s primate species, with the majority of its chimps being habituated. Chimpanzees Trekking in Nyungwe Forest national park is among one of the major highlights of a visit to the national park, which is home to around 500 chimpanzee individuals.

A chimpanzee trekking permit in Rwanda costs $60 per person and lasts between 2 and 6 hours. Tracking begins at 8 a.m. from three key points: Uwinka, Kitabi, and Gisakura.

  1. Dian Fossey Grave Site

Visitors to the national park can trek to Dian Fossey’s burial and also visit the Karisoke Research Centre, where she conducted her research. She was laid to rest close to her favourite gorilla ‘Digit’ at Volcanoes National Park.

  1. Canopy Walk in Nyungwe Forest National Park

The canopy walk in Nyungwe national park was presented as a new tourism product in Nyungwe Forest National Park in October 2010. The canopy walkway is 90 metres long and stretches 200 feet above the forest floor.

The canopy walk in Nyungwe Forest national park lasts 2 hours and begins at Uwinka headquarters. Those interested in participating in this activity will have to pay USD $60 per participant. The canopy walk also allows visitors to explore the higher forest canopy, which offers stunning views of the forest’s environment.

10 Top Tourist Attractions in Rwanda
Canopy Walks in Nyungwe National Park
  1. Lake Kivu

Rwanda’s Lake Kivu is the country’s largest freshwater lake. The lake is shared by Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and visitors may easily reach it via Volcanoes National Park and Gishwati Forest National Park, respectively. Visitors may take a boat trip around the lake from the towns of Gisenyi, Cyangugu, and Kibuye.

  1. Iby’ iwacu Village

The traditional community of Iby’ iwacu is within a few kilometres from Volcanoes National Park. The village provides tourists with a glimpse into Rwanda’s fascinating culture. Tourists visiting this cultural hamlet are guided through Rwanda’s rich cultural past, participate in hands-on activities such as creating traditional crafts, and see dance performances by a local dance troupe. The bulk of the community performers are rehabilitated poachers who now actively participate in conservation efforts in the national park.

  1. Hike Volcanic Mountains within the Virunga Volcano Massif

Volcano climbing is one of the most exhilarating and adventurous sports available in Volcanoes National Park. Mount Karisimbi, Mount Bisoke, and Mount Sabyinyo are some of the extinct volcanic mountains in the national park that are part of the Virunga Massif and are used for trekking trips.

Tourists on a trekking excursion to Mount Karisimbi can see birds; animals like as mountain gorillas and forest elephants, and bug species. While ascending Mount Bisoke, visitors may see sights such as Crater Lake on the mountain’s peak.

10 Top Tourist Attractions in Rwanda
Mount Karisimbi Hike

Conclusion: Many visitors visit Rwanda each year because of the stunning beauty of rain forests and undulating hills, the lovely culture and people, and the diverse wildlife, particularly the endangered Mountain gorillas. Many others prefer the trekking opportunities provided by the Virunga volcanoes, particularly Mt Bisoke and Mt Karisimbi.

These excursions are typically organized as Rwanda safaris, which include gorilla trekking safaris, wildlife tours, chimpanzee trekking safaris, hiking safaris, and cultural tours, particularly in the country’s eastern and northern regions. The most famous activity of them all is gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park.

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