Rwanda’s unmatched experiences

The enormous number of significant tourism experiences available to visitors in Rwanda is the main reason for the great inflow of both international and local travelers to witness the beautiful nature and beauty of the land of a thousand hills. Tourists visiting Rwanda have the option of camping for a more budget adventure experience or indulging in lavish activities.

Rwanda is full of wonderful, promising, and inspiring attraction from the renowned mountain gorillas and chimpanzees to historical museums and the chance to dine on the culinary wonders, craft pieces and enjoy the bustling atmosphere of Kigali city. Experiencing your vacation in Rwanda offers firsthand adventures and information. As you prepare for your Rwanda vacation, consider adding the following incredible experiences to your bucket list for joyful and memorable adventure.

Mountain gorilla tracking in Volcanoes National Park

Rwanda is one of the few remaining places in the world where you can get up close and see the gentle giant apes in the wild as part your memorable African trip.  Gorilla tracking is one of the most popular excursions to do on a Rwanda tour. This trip involves venturing deep into the foggy, and dense woodlands of Volcanoes National Park, where endangered mountain gorillas find refuge.

Gorillas inhabit in closely connected social structures known as families as they navigate their environment, this is a way of exhibiting remarkable strength.

Chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe national park.

Nyungwe national park in the southwestern part of Rwanda is one of Africa’s largest and oldest dense rainforests, home to over 13 primate species is one of the best places to visit on a Rwanda adventure. Nyungwe National Park provides an opportunity to embark on a chimpanzee trekking adventure where trekkers are accompanied by experienced guides to a spend an hour with a group of habituated chimpanzee family.

Alternatively, the park offers several hiking trails that provide exposure to the breathtaking biodiversity of the dense rainforest. Walking along the 60 meters suspended canopy is another amazing attraction that offers sweeping views of th the misty treetops, the distant hills and lake Kivu.

Spotting the big five and other wildlife in Akagera national park.

Akagera national park is one of Rwanda’s outstanding successful conservation stories. Thanks for the combined efforts of the Rwanda government with African Parks that helped to restore wildlife to this savannah area where the attractive big five are now  thriving peacefully.

game drives through the vast savannas and acacia woodlands provide amazing sights of the big five including, lions, buffalo, leopard, elephants, and rhinos and other park residents like giraffes, zebras, and several antelope species.  In the same park, you can participate in sports fishing on Lake Shakani, and boat cruises on Lake Ihema where you will luckily spot hippos, crocodiles and many bird species including the rare shoebill.

 Island hoping on Lake Kivu.

From one of the major towns around lake Kivu: Kibuye (Karongi), Gisenyi (Rubavu) and Changing (Rusizi), Tourists explore this shimmering lake   by boat to reach the different small islands dotted in the lake.  The most popular islands here include Napoleon Island which is famously known for harbouring thousands of fruit bats and several bird species, the swimming cows are always seen between some small islands, Peace (Amahoro)Island best for relaxational activities like swimming, sunbathing, kayaking and feeling the cool atmosphere broken by soft water waves and birds singing. Nyamirundi island is best for cultural and coffee plantation tours. Both the islands and shores of Lake Kivu are greatly rewarding.

Golden monkey tracking in the Virunga volcanoes.

Golden monkey tracking is another interesting   primate encounter like the gorilla tracking. Golden monkeys are smaller, more funny, attractive and look great in photography. Golden monkey tracking is an easy, short walk through the bamboo forested woodlands and in a few hours, you get up close brings you up close to these rare monkey species. this activity is great for families or anyone who prefers a short but amazing hike.

Visiting the gorilla guardian village.

This place is commonly referred to as the Ibyiwachu cultural center. Visiting this place provides a deep experience of Rwandan culture. Join the locals in making crafts, sharing stories, and playing music and dancing the traditional way.  Witness local iron working, practice local hunting techniques, relax with the herbal medicine man, join hands with a local family in local food preparation or even share their meal, local beer brewing is another fruitful lesson to witness, join the imitation of a king’s coronation and learn about the royal traditions and behaviour of the royal family. This place provides first-hand information about the cultural history of Rwanda.

Volcano hiking

Rwanda takes a big share of the scenic Virunga mountains, thus making it a great destination for hiking and trekking trips. The Virunga’s are shared by Uganda, Rwanda and DR Congo encompassing eight volcanoes with Rwanda sharing five.

Volcanoes National Park offers hiking activities along its five volcanos within its confines and these are; Mount Karisimbi (4507m), Mount Bisoke (3711m), Mount Sabyinyo (3669m), Mount Gahinga (3473m) and Mount Muhavura (4127m). All volcanoes can be hiked in Rwanda, but your choice largely depends on your physical fitness due to variations in altitudinal levels. Hiking along the trails along these volcanoes exposes you to the natural biodiversity in a montane eco system, covered in thick misty rain forests and beautiful craters in the middle and top of the volcanoes. Hiking in the Volcanoes National Park is also done along the Dian Fossey Tomb trail which leads you to the gravesite of Dian Fossey, a great primatologist who devoted all her efforts to mountain gorilla protection and their habitat conservation.

Flying to see Rwanda from above.

One of the most adventurous and exhilarating ways to exploring Rwanda’s beauty is from above. This can be done through paramotoring, helicopter flights or hot air ballon safaris. such flights provide scenic views of Rwanda’s rolling landscapes, lakes, valleys, volcano peaks, forested areas, swamps and different homesteads.

Tea plantation tours (Gisakura tea estate)

Discover Rwanda’s tea growing and processing and production experience at Gisakura tea estate around Nyungwe National Park. Join the local farmers   and participate in the tea picking exercise, learn now tea is grown, harvested, processed and packaged for consumption both within Rwanda and for export. Wind up your visit by sharing a tasty cup of tea with the locals at the plantation and overlong the vast dense equatorial rain forest.

Extending to cultural and traditional avenues.

Beyond the gorillas, chimpanzees, golden monkeys and the big five, Rwanda exhibits cultural and traditional practices of the indigenous people that have passed on from different generations to another and are still essential and highly recognised. Such traditions are exhibited through cultural ceremonies, language, dressing styles, folktales and craft art pieces.

The Kigali genocide memorial site and other genocide sites in different parts of the country provide detailed history about the 1994 dark 100 days in Rwanda, how it started, how it was carried out and how the genocide was ended. The memorial sites act as commemoration, education and reconciliation centres.

The King’s Palace Nyanza and the Ethnographic Museum are popular atop overs for tourists heading to Nyungwe National Park. Learn about Rwandan kingship and the importance of  cows to Rwandans at the palace and find the traditional farming  tools  , local poetry, wood works and art pieces at the museum. All a reflection of Rwanda’s beautiful culture.

More cultural avenues include Banda Cultural village, Kitabi Eco centre, the gorilla Guardian village, Umuganda event, The Gorilla naming ceremony (Kwita Izina), craft centres, local markets, Urutare Rwa Ngarama, Kamegeri rock site and Ryamurari archaeological site among others.

Rwanda is a warmly welcoming country where one can see, feel, and connect with nature and custom. At active African Vacations, we plan tailored trips that combine wildlife, culture, conservation and passion with premium experiences. Are you longing for gorillas, culture or leisure excursion in Rwanda, begin planning with our tour specialists for a memorable adventure.