RWANDA

The land of a Thousand Hills and the Gentle Giants

The small landlocked East African country of Rwanda is undeniably beautiful, filled to the brim with fascinating people and places to get to know. Rwanda’s animal and environmental conservation is so influential that movies like Gorillas in the Mist, a film about American primatologist and conservationist, Dian Fossey, have attracted many travellers to it.

Apart from the main attractions like world-class hiking, gorilla trekking, game drives and birdwatching, travellers can learn all about the empowering growth and transformation that Rwanda has gone through since the tragic genocide of 1994. The people of Rwanda are known to be some of the kindest and most vibrant people in Africa, always willing to assist a visitor with directions and offering insights into this wonderful country.

Also referred to as ‘the land of a thousand hills’ Rwanda is known for its lush, green valleys, towering mountains and extensive lakes which create the breath-taking views and gorgeous landscapes on display today.

EXPLORE RWANDA

OUR FAVOURITE RWANDAN DESTINATIONS

KIGALI CITY

Kigali is the capital of Rwanda; it is the largest city in the country and the beginning or end of most Rwanda safari trips.

An economic, cultural and transport hub, the city centre is clean and safe with several notable attractions, including many lively, vibrant marketplaces, as well as the genocide memorial, which offers a moving and meaningful glimpse into Rwanda’s past. It is well worth spending a night or two in this friendly city, meeting the warm and welcoming local people while seeking urban adventure.

VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK

Named after a chain of rugged, steep volcanoes that extend from the Democratic Republic of Congo to the west and Uganda in the north, the volcanic ridges of Volcanoes National Park form the habitat of the awe-inspiring mountain gorilla.

The park protects roughly 300 mountain gorillas, amounting to nearly half of the world’s population, making it the ideal destination for a Rwanda gorilla tour. Dian Fossey’s 20 years of research took place in the park, later documented in the popular film ‘Gorillas in the Mist’.

LAKE KIVU

One of Africa’s Great Lakes, Lake Kivu lies in the Albertine Rift of the Great Rift Valley, along the western border of Rwanda. Lake Kivu flows into the Ruzizi River, eventually feeding into another one of the Great Lakes, Lake Tanganyika.

The largest city along its shores is Gisenyi, an excellent tourist destination of sandy tropical beaches, watersport activities and bustling marketplaces. Kivu offers a range of beachfront accommodation, ideal as a stopover for those heading to or from the Volcanoes National Park.