BEST PLACE TO VISIT IN RWANDA
1. Gishwati-Mukura National Park
Gishwati-Mukura National Park is one of the Best Place To Visit In Rwanda and established in 2015 to protect the chimpanzees that inhabit this lush area. Covering just 34 square kilometers, it is the smallest national park in Rwanda, formed by merging Gishwati-Mukura forests.
Situated on the ridges of the Congo-Nile Divide, the park boasts unique biodiversity, featuring several species from the Albertine region. Despite its rich natural resources, Gishwati-Mukura remains the least visited national park in the country, allowing for a more intimate experience with its diverse flora and fauna.
The park is particularly known for its diverse primate population, including chimpanzees, golden monkeys, L’hoest monkeys, blue monkeys, and black-and-white colobus monkeys. Birdwatchers will delight in spotting avian species such as the regal sunbird and Ruwenzori turaco.
Visitors can engage in various activities, including birding, hiking, and cultural experiences with local communities. The park is accessible via a two-hour drive from Kigali, or by chartered flight, with accommodations available at Gishwati Lodge. For those seeking more established options, staying near Volcanoes National Park or Rubavu provides easy access to Gishwati-Mukura’s tranquil beauty.
2. Lake Kivu
Lake Kivu is found in Rwanda and is one of the Best Place To Visit In Rwanda shared with the Democratic Republic of Congo, is a stunning destination characterized by beautiful beaches, tropical weather, and breathtaking scenery. This extraordinary inland sea, framed by steep, green terraced hills and dotted with islands, offers the perfect setting for relaxation during your Rwandan safari.
Activities abound on the lake, including sunbathing, swimming, and various water sports such as kayaking, windsurfing, and canoeing. Easily accessible from Kigali and key national parks like Volcanoes National Park, Nyungwe Forest, and Akagera National Park, Lake Kivu serves as an ideal stopover on the tourism circuit.
The main tourist areas along Lake Kivu include Gisenyi, Kibuye, and Cyangugu. Gisenyi, the most developed of these sites, is less than an hour’s drive from Volcanoes National Park and features sandy beaches lined with palm trees and colonial-era hotels, catering to a range of budgets.
Kibuye, located centrally between Gisenyi and Cyangugu, offers a modern lakeshore guesthouse with activities such as boat trips. In contrast, Cyangugu is less developed but provides a more authentic experience, with close proximity to Nyungwe Forest and community engagement opportunities. Interacting with locals along the shores reveals their laid-back lifestyle, with fishermen in traditional dugout canoes carrying out their daily routines.
Visitors can partake in fishing activities, listen to captivating “sea stories,” and enjoy the rich birdlife, making Lake Kivu a memorable part of any Rwandan adventure.
3. Nyanza
Nyanza, the administrative capital of Rwanda’s Southern Province, is the eighth largest city in the country and a significant cultural hub worth visiting on the way to Nyungwe National Park. The region is renowned for its rich heritage, with the King’s Palace being a standout attraction. This beautifully crafted reconstruction of a traditional royal residence features a distinctive beehive shape and is surrounded by long-horned Ankole cattle, descendants of the king’s original herd.
The palace not only showcases architectural beauty but also offers insight into the historical significance of Nyanza as the first permanent royal capital, established in 1899 by Mwami Musinga Yuhi V to strengthen the monarchy amid colonial pressures.
While the royal court has long since dispersed and the traditional roundhouses are no longer visible on Nyanza’s hillsides, the region continues to be an important cultural center. Visitors can explore the vibrant history reflected in the area, enhanced by the colorful accounts from Western visitors and Rwandan oral traditions.
Additionally, the nearby Ethnographic Museum in Huye complements the cultural experience, providing further context about Rwanda’s past and its people. A stop in Nyanza not only enriches your understanding of Rwandan heritage but also highlights the resilience and transformation of this historical landscape.
4. Volcanoes National Park
Volcanoes National Park is one of the Best Place To Visit In Rwanda, & three main habitats for the endangered mountain gorillas in the Virunga Mountains, making it an essential destination for wildlife enthusiasts.
Established in 1925, the park covers 160 square kilometers and is renowned for its biodiversity, including 12 habituated gorilla groups such as Susa, Amahoro, Sabyinyo, Agashya, Umubano, and Kwitonda. Visitors can embark on life-changing gorilla trekking experiences, where they can encounter these majestic animals up close—sharing 98% of our DNA. The park is also home to golden monkeys, a variety of bird species, and numerous reptiles and amphibians, enriching the overall safari experience.
Located just two hours from Kigali International Airport, Volcanoes National Park is the most accessible gorilla national park in the world. It forms part of the Virunga Conservation Area, which includes Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda. The park’s strategic location and rich ecosystem make it a popular starting point for gorilla safaris.
Initially established to protect mountain gorillas from poaching, Volcanoes National Park also features impressive volcanic peaks, including Karisimbi, Mikeno, and Visoke, offering breathtaking views and excellent hiking opportunities. Visitors can also explore the Dian Fossey tomb, honoring the renowned primatologist who dedicated her life to gorilla conservation, further enriching the experience in this remarkable park.
5. Akagera National Park
Nestled in eastern Rwanda, Akagera National Park spans 2,500 square kilometers of stunning savannah landscapes, named after the Kagera River that flows along Rwanda’s eastern border with Tanzania. This park is the only savannah national park in Rwanda and features a rich array of biodiversity, including acacia forests, open grasslands, and numerous swampy lakes.
Wildlife enthusiasts can spot a variety of large mammals such as elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, lions, and leopards. The park is also home to several antelope species and vibrant populations of hippos and crocodiles around Lake Ihema. With over 500 bird species, including the rare shoebill and papyrus gonolek, Akagera is a paradise for birdwatchers and wildlife photographers alike.
Akagera is one of the Best Place To Visit In Rwanda where you can embark on game drives at dawn or dusk to catch a glimpse of nocturnal predators like leopards and hyenas. Night drives offer unique opportunities to see wildlife in a different light. Birding can be enjoyed while on safari, during nature walks with guides, or on boat trips across Lake Ihema, where wildlife congregates for drinking and cooling off.
The park also provides opportunities for sport fishing on Lake Shakani and cultural tours with local communities, offering an immersive experience of traditional Rwandan life. Accessible within a two-hour drive from Kigali, Akagera National Park is an ideal destination for those looking to explore Rwanda’s rich wildlife and natural beauty.
7. Nyungwe Forest National Park
Nyungwe Forest National Park, located in western Rwanda, is one of the world’s most pristine rainforests, characterized by a breathtaking mountainous landscape that stretches from northern Uganda and Congo down through the Rwenzori Mountains to the shores of Lake Tanganyika.
The park offers scenic views over Lake Kivu and, on clear days, the Virunga ranges. With an extensive network of well-maintained walking and hiking trails, visitors can explore various waterfalls and viewpoints. Key activities in Nyungwe include chimpanzee trekking, bird watching, colobus monkey trekking, and an exhilarating canopy walk, making it a must-visit destination for nature enthusiasts.
The park is home to a remarkable diversity of wildlife, including around 75 mammal species, most of which are small and nocturnal, making them harder to spot. Chimpanzees are the main attraction, with daily trekking excursions to observe these fascinating primates in their natural habitat. Nyungwe also boasts a significant population of colobus monkeys, often seen in troops of over 300.
Additionally, the forest is a birdwatcher’s paradise, with approximately 300 bird species, including 16 endemics and numerous forest species. Some of the notable birds include the Great Blue Turaco and the Chestnut Owlet, providing ample opportunities for both novice and experienced birders to capture stunning sightings.
For visitors planning to experience Nyungwe, a few essential items are recommended for chimpanzee trekking, such as a sun hat, insect repellent, waterproof hiking boots, and long-sleeved clothing for protection against the elements. The journey to Nyungwe typically begins with a scenic drive from Kigali, taking about five hours, or visitors can opt for a flight with Akagera Aviation.
While accommodation options within the park are limited, nearby options like One & Only Nyungwe House and Nyungwe Top View Lodge provide comfortable stays, while those preferring a lakeside experience can find several lodges along Lake Kivu. Engaging with local communities through cultural tours adds a rich layer to the visit, offering insights into traditional practices and the importance of conservation efforts in the region.
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