Rwanda

Local Rwandan Boys | Rwanda

Tiny Rwanda is truly an inspiring place. Look past the atrocities of the 1994 genocide and you will find a nation of extraordinary people and stunning natural beauty. People are bravely rebuilding their lives with energy and passion. About one fifth of the Land of a Thousand Hills remains lush rainforest, perfect for exploring. Tourism is booming and with good reason.

The country’s geography is largely characterised by endless vistas of mountain peaks, freshwater lakes and terraced coffee and tea plantations. The roads are in relatively good condition, making it easy to get around. Follow in Dian Fossey’s legacy and track the endangered mountain gorillas in the Volcanoes National Park. View the playful chimpanzees in Nyungwe Forest. Relax and soak up the sun on the shores of picturesque Lake Kivu. And for a truly inspiring experience, visit a local orphanage and engage with children orphaned by the genocide – see the hope in their eyes and be truly touched.

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Additional Information

When to go
For gorilla trekking and hiking in Nyungwe Forest, it is best to visit Rwanda during the dry season – the long dry season stretches from June to September and the short season from December to February. The ground should be dry underfoot, making trekking much easier. The malaria risk is also lower during these times of the year.

Travel during the wet season if you’re keen to escape the crowds – it is perfectly feasible to visit Rwanda all year round, but expect rain, especially in mountainous areas. Keen photographers may prefer the wet season as the scenery is generally greener. For bird watching, the best time to visit is between November and March.

Where to go
Some travellers choose to combine a quick trip to Rwanda as an add-on to a more comprehensive East African safari. But Rwanda deserves your undivided attention – it truly is a magical place. A typical tour will start in the capital Kigali, where a visit to the genocide memorial and exploring the local markets is a must. From Kigali, travel south west to Nyungwe Forest, one of the oldest forests in Africa and home to a multitude of primate and bird species. Chimpanzee tracking is ever popular in Nyungwe.

Travel north west to the shores of Lake Kivu, which runs 100km along the border with the DRC. The town of Kibuye makes for a convenient stopover en route from Nyungwe to the Volcanoes National Park, but the northern lake town of Gisenyi is by far the best developed in terms of tourism. Enjoy a boat trip on the lake, sunbathe on the shores or enjoy watching the prolific birdlife in the area. Many visitors choose to base themselves here instead of in Musanze (Ruhengeri) – Gisenyi is only 60km away from the gorilla-tracking action.

Musanze (Ruhengeri) is the closest town to the Parc National des Volcans and therefore makes the most convenient base for gorilla tracking. The people are friendly and a number of excursions are on offer for your extra days: visit the twin lakes of Burera and Ruhondo, hike to Dian Fossey’s grave or visit on of the orphanages in the area and interact and play with the children.

Where to stay

You may not be spoilt for choice in some of the smaller towns in Rwanda, but you can certainly take your pick of accommodation in Kigali, Ruhengeri and to a lesser extent, Gisenyi. Some of our favourites include the Kivu Serena for its enviable position on the shores of Lake Kivu, and Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge for ensuring that proceeds from the lodge are channelled back to the local communities.

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Page last updated on 28 May 2010