Top 5 Must Do Experiences in Rwanda

Rwanda is an east African nation but geographically situated in the Albertine rift valley. Most of the country’s landscape is hilly and mountainous, a reason why it was nicknamed the land of a thousand hills. This obviously gives you a clear picture of a variety of adventure activities that one can opt for during a safari holiday to Rwanda.
Rwanda is one of Africa’s most peaceful nations which are easily accessible due to modern infrastructure such as Kigali airport, tarmac roads. This enables tourists to get around the country with ease at fewer costs.
1. Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park
One of the lifetime wildlife experience gorilla trekking is the main motive why millions of tourist visit Rwanda. In the whole world there are 880 mountain gorillas living in the wild. Rwanda’s Volcanoes National park in Musanze district Northern Province has over 200 mountain gorillas which are part of the virunga massifs gorilla population.
Getting to see a habituated mountain gorilla family face to face is a physically demanding activity but worth undertaking. There are 10 habituated gorilla families in volcanoes national park which are all located in the same area hence easy to trek after having booked a gorilla trekking permit with a tour operator or via the reservations email of the Rwandan development board.
Gorilla trekking starts early at 07:00am at kinigi the main tourist centre with a short briefing from the gorilla guides who allocates you a gorilla family depending on your fitness levels. Gorilla like to foliage in the higher bamboo forested slopes hence it may take you 1 hour to 8 hours in the forest. While hiking, you might encounter a variety of wildlife such as butterflies, forest buffalos, elephants, warthogs and birds in addition to the breathtaking scenery which makes the experience much more amazing and magical.
Once gorillas are located, you spend only 1 hour photographing and viewing how they go about their daily activities such as feeding, praying, grooming and resting is very captivating.
2. Wildlife Viewing in Akagera National Park
Akagera national Park is the only savannah national park in Rwanda where big four African mammals and a variety of antelopes can be seen on a game drive safari. The park’s location in the north east makes make it easily accessible within 2 and a half hours drive from Kigali city covering 120 km.
Named after Akagera River which bisects the park eastern parts, Akagera national park occupies an area of about 1200 sq km which is made up of several swamp fringed lakes which make it a haven for nature photographers. The varied ecosystems ranging from swamp fringed lakes, raged hills, savannahs dotted with acacia, woodlands top the riverine tropical forests make it an ideal habitat for a variety of mammals and birds.
A guided game drive safari in the morning enables you to see African elephants, zebras, giraffes, buffalos, species of antelopes such as waterbucks, bushbucks, duikers, greater and lesser Kudu and eland on top African sunrise. Akagera once a big five park lost its glory after massive poaching eliminated lions and black rhinos. Fortunately the past is behind and its glory has been restored, lions have been brought back and can be seen while the African Parks is working to re-introduce black rhinos soon.
Taking a boat cruise on Lake Ihema is the best way to view giant crocodiles, hippos and many water birds. Visitors can even prolong their days in the park due to finest luxury lodges and tented camps which provide accommodation.
3. Chimpanzee and Colobus Monkey Tracking in Nyungwe forest National park
Rwanda’s Nyungwe Forest National park is located in the north western side covering an area of over 1000 sq km. The tropical forests of Nyungwe are ever green with an altitude range of 1600-2000 meters above sea level thus stands out as the only afromontane rainforest in Rwanda.
The park is biologically is seen in its species of flora and fauna. There are 13 species of primates, including the largest troop of over 300 Colobus monkeys, 86 mammals with 14 endemic to the Albertine rift valley and 250 birds.
A number of hiking trails that tourists use to walk in the forest give access to the interior of the forest teeming with waterfalls, butterflies, flowers, birds and other primate species. The park can be reached within 3-4 hours by road covering 217 km from Kigali city.
Of all activities, chimpanzee tracking is the prime tourist activity in the park; about 500 chimpanzees have been habituated but live in different groups. Trekking starts at Uwinka visitor center at 06: 00am, hiking to see chimps can be tiring due to the muddy trails and steep terrain despite well created hiking trails. Chimps are also move a lot in search of food but the longer the trek gets the more interesting the trek becomes with a lot birds, primates, mammals and even the fact that the forest is set away from the hustle and bustle of the cities.
However, sightings are guaranteed with experienced Rwandan Development board guides who will make your trek exciting. Note, however, the forest is very compact and often receives high rainfall amounts hence trekkers should have their rain proof gears.
Black and white Colobus monkey tracking is another tourist’s favorite activity, Nyungwe forest is the only forest in east and central Africa where a troop of over 300 Colobus monkeys can e seen during a forest walk.
4.Canopy Walk in Nyungwe Forest National Park
The canopy walk way is the highest in east Africa but also the safest. Suspended over 90 meters above the forest floor, it gives tourists a chance to have breathtaking views of the forest and also see primates, birds, tree ferns, orchids, flowers in the upper forest parts. Canopy walk ways range from those below 60 meters giving you options to take on but all are rewarding.
5. Kigali City Tour
Kigali city of Rwanda is Africa’s cleanest city one should never miss to experience while in Rwanda. While on a city tour, visiting some of its historical sites such as the kigali genocide memorial site is a life time dark tourism experience that shall make you wonder how promptly the country has recovered from the 1994 genocide to a clean and peaceful nation.
In 1994, Rwanda experienced a lethal genocide leaving over 800,000 people dead. In order to keep up the memories and teach people the good and bad side, genocide memorial sites were created. The notable one is the Kigali/Gisozi genocide memorial where 25000 people are buried. Once you visit the site, you are reminded of the commitment never again a slogan that is driving Rwandans forward and not to ever engage in violence.
The memorial site has gardens that allow visitors to meditate and truly realize why Rwanda is a vibrant and peaceful nation. Other genocide memorials include Nyamata church and Ntarama church.
Kigali city sacred with a favorable tropical warm climate, it’s also a cultural hub with several museums, cultural centers, art galleries packed with lots of African souvenirs for your shopping. There are fine luxury lodges, hotels, restaurants, bars, theaters and casinos with delicious dishes notably goat brochettes, indoor activities that keep visitors amused and relaxed.