Why is a trip to Rwanda a once in lifetime events?
Geographical Location
Rwanda lies in East-Central Africa, its land is typically hilly, though there are also swamps and extensive mountainous areas. The country can be divided into six topographical regions. From west to east, these are narrow Great Rift Valley, which slopes sharply to Lake Kivu.
The volcanic Virunga Mountains whose highest peak, the snowcapped mount Karisimbi towers over the high northwestern lava plains. The steep north-south rise of the Zaire- Nile, The central plateaus east of the mountains which are covered by rolling hills and the savannas and swamps of the eastern and southeastern boarder areas which cover a tenth of the nation’s land area. All these physical features are great tourism products in Rwanda including the vast Akagera National Park. When someone meets all these, it becomes a trip once in lifetime experience.
Getting Around
Rwanda’s roads are well-maintained by East African standards and getting around is easy thanks to a network of reliable and scheduled private buses and minibuses. In Kigali, taxis and moto-taxis (motorcycles) abound. The latter is the cheaper option. Many visitors choose to hire a vehicle and driver for their time in Rwanda, (contacting tour companies e.g Naturenest safaris) especially if they plan on doing a significant amount of traveling. With this, no worries for any traveller wishing to visit Rwanda
Climate
Rwanda’s high altitude in average 5600 feet in the central plateau uplands, account for its pleasant tropical highland climate. On a daily basis, temperatures typically range as much as 25 C. the sun shines nearly all year round. The mean daily temperature is close to 24 C. There are two wet seasons and two try seasons, the October- November wet season is known as the short rains.
The main rainy season lasts from mid Match to the end of May sees beautiful clear skies alternative with heavy rainstorms. During the dry seasons which last from December to mid- Match and from June to the end of August, frequent light cloud cover yields a pleasant temperature. Kigali, the capital and largest city is located on Rwanda’s central plateau; its average temperature is 190C with 40 inches of rainfall annually. This climate frequent tourism to go year round meaning that any time you visit Rwanda, attractions are available
Attractions Rwanda tour packages
With lush grasslands, rolling hills, and mist-shrouded mountains, its scenic beauty is something to write home about. At the same time, remote national parks provide a sanctuary for rare primates, including the endangered mountain gorilla.
Despite of the above mentioned attractions, Rwanda is also rich in wildlife. In other wards, many animal species are native to Rwanda. These include lions, elephants, buffaloes, zebras, mountain gorillas, hippos, warthogs, rhinos and many varieties of gazelle, snakes and fish to mention but a few
Activities
For most travelers, the primary reason to visit Rwanda is to search for its majestic mountain gorillas. After all, there are just over 1,000 of these primates with whom we share more than 98 percent of our genetic code left in the wild, and Rwanda is one of only three countries in the world where they can be seen. Rwanda has plenty of other wildlife, including the chimpanzees and golden monkeys of Nyungwe Forest National Park and the Big Five of Akagera National Park.
Go gorilla trekking
Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is conducted in only Volcanoes National Park, northwestern part of the country. Volcanoes National Park is 160 square kilometers and its establishment in 1925 makes it not only one of the oldest parks in Africa but also one of the 4 national parks in the world where mountain gorillas stay. Gorilla families in Volcanoes National Park offer visitors with uncommon experiences.
Trekking anyone of habituated gorilla families in Volcanoes National Park gets you up close to a group mountain gorillas while in the wild. Only one habituated family is assigned to 8 visitors to trek each day. You will walk through the montane cloud forest in search of troops that have been habituated to allow close encounters with humans. Be aware that trekking permits are limited and must be clearly booked in advance each costing $1500 per person.
Visit the genocide memorial on Rwanda tour packages
Kigali and its surrounds are also full of historic landmarks for those that wish to learn more about the 1994, Rwanda genocide and pay respect to those who died, visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial. Smaller monuments also exist at Nyamata Church and Ntarama Church, where hundreds of men, women, and children sought refuge only to be killed during the months of slaughter
Explore the culture of Rwanda
Visit the art galleries including Inema Arts Center and Niyo Art Gallery. For an insight into local life, pay a visit to Kimironko Market or join one of the walking tours offered by the Nyamirambo Women’s Centre
When should you plan your trip to Rwanda?
Given the fact that Rwanda is located just 2 degrees below the equator, you might think that it has a hot and tropical climate. Since the country sits at an elevation and has a hilly topography, giving it the name “The Land of a Thousand Hills,” it actually boasts a pleasant, temperate climate that is perfect for vacationing at most times of the year depending on your adventurous tastes and preference. As a small country located in the heart of Africa, Rwanda does not have extreme variations in the weather patterns from one region to another nor from one season to another, and it is cooler than most of the East African countries around it. The best time to visit Rwanda is during the dry season when visitors can enjoy all the popular things to do in Rwanda.
Just like the rest of the African countries, Rwanda has two seasons that is, two wet and two dry seasons. It is during the long dry season (June to September), that the terrain is easier for gorilla trekking, game is easier to spot in the lowland national parks and there are fewer mosquitoes. The best time to visit Rwanda is during the dry season of June to September. This is also the best time of year to see mountain gorillas in Rwanda as these periods offer the best hiking conditions. There is often light cloud cover during this time of year and it makes for a comfortable climate for gorilla trekking. In June, it’s always a Rwanda’s annual Kwita Izina Ceremony. This is when all the baby gorillas born over the previous twelve months are named.
During the months of December and February, high and medium-altitude regions comprising Kigali, Lake Kivu as well as Volcanoes National Park and Nyungwe National Parks, are hot during the day but cool in the evenings. Low-lying regions like Akagera National Park are hot during the day but warm in the evenings. This period of time is popular to go on a Rwanda safari because it offers great opportunity to take in the breathtaking scenery of this beautiful country. The warm climate and sunshine in these months create for unforgettable forest treks despite of the fact that prices for each activity is generally high. Therefore, in this period you need to plan well in advance.
The wet seasons begin in March upto mid-May and October to November. Despite the wet weather, these conditions are still good to be able to trek in search for these shy primates that inhabit the mystical landscape. If you decide to visit Rwanda within these months, its better to know that hiking around the Volcanoes will be so tough and certain areas may experience road closures and there are limitations on some outdoor activities. Therefore, good quality rain gear is needed to brave the dense wet forestry areas during this period. The Rains begin to reduce by mid-May. This is a good month period to avoid the tourist crowds and you may have a better chance of grabbing a last-minute gorilla trekking permit. For bird watchers, May falls into the breeding season and the skies are filled with colorful and winged beauties.
In conclusion, if you’re planning a trip to Rwanda, it’s important to consider the time and seasons of the year that you visit to ensure that you get the most out of your safari. Whether you prefer the dry season or the wet season, Rwanda’s natural beauty is sure to leave you in awe with the help of Naturenest safaris more than ready to handle you
What to do on a vacation in Rwanda?
Rwanda might not be the ultimate Africa safari destination when it means with wildlife as compared to the neighboring East African Countries i.e Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania but it is definitely a top primate tracking destination with gorillas and chimpanzees. This makes it unique with a memorable everlasting experience one shouldn’t miss out while walking through the jungles of the country. For anyone wondering what activities to undertake when you choose to visit Rwanda, here are some of the best activities to participate in.
- Explore Lake Kivu
- Bird watching
- Chimpanzee Tracking
- Canopy Walking
- Hiking
- Gorilla tracking
- Boat trips
- The Congo-Nile Trail
Gorilla tracking
Gorilla tracking is the major activity done in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National park and it requires physically fit people. A single gorilla permit in Rwanda costs 1500 US$ paid by all travelers including Rwanda nationals and a number of 80 gorilla permits are available each day for tourists going to watch gorillas on a single day given that each gorilla family is visited by a group of eight people.
The activity begins at 8:00 am with a briefing at the office of Tourism in Kinigi where you are briefed by the ranger about the rules and regulations of Mountain Gorilla tracking before you head off to the jungle in search for these gentle giants. The gorilla trek can last from an hour to six hours depending on the gorilla’s movements, though the trek is strenuous but much more rewarding at the end. You will be given an hour with the gorilla to take as many pictures of your choice and later return from your trek.
Ensure to carry along with you a rain jacket, drinking water, snacks, hiking boots, etc. The guides will lead you inside the jungle to see the shy Primates for a group you have been booked for. The tracking may take between 2 and 6 hours but it’s well worth the effort
Chimp tracking
Over 20 chimpanzees stay in Gishwati National Park as well as the natural forest of Nyungwe.
As long as you are interested in this activity, you will have a briefing that will entitle you to one hour on finding the chimpanzees in other words participate in tracking one of two chimpanzee families in one of the two parks
Canopy Walking
One can only participate in this activity in Nyungwe Forest National Park. It is a 50 meter suspension bridge which allows you to soar over the forest like a bird. While on this activity, you will see giant old mahogany trees, ferns, and bright flowers and butterflies as you ascend towards the sky from the lush forest floor. Though not for the faint of heart, the breathtaking views of the expansive forest from above make the trip well worth your courage
Hiking
Due to a number of mountains Rwanda has and different hiking trails which can be hiked to get rewarding views, you will have an opportunity to see a number of tourist attractions once you embark on the hiking adventure, you will be impressed by the beauty that will be discovered. Among the different hikes in the country that can be carried out include; Nyungwe trails that will give you a life time primate safari experience and chimpazees. You can also participate in hiking the different trails within Nyungwe National park to have an adventure while in the park.
Among the notable trails in the park include the Igishigishigi trail where you will come across the canopy walkway. Other trails in the Park include the Bigugu trails where you will have a chance to see Lake Kivu at its peak, Kamiranzovu trail where you will find the swamp that killed a number of elephants through drowning at the trail you will see a skull of an elephant as evidence of what happened at the swamp.
The volcanoes mountains hike in Rwanda will offer you an amazing experience, for example, you will come across a number of attractions like the mountain gorillas, golden monkeys in the bamboo trees of the different Volcanoes Mountains in Rwanda. At the mountains peaks, you will have exceptional views, for example, you will be able to see lakes like Lake kivu, the twin Lakes of Burere and Ruhondo
Bird watching
With more than 525 bird species, Rwanda’s Akagera is one of the best places for bird watching without forgetting those found in Volcanoes National Park and Nyungwe Forest. The three habitats of the park; savannah, mountain and swamp, encourage a wide variety of birds in Akagera and this park is indisputably the best place in Rwanda to find savannah birds and raptors. It is also well stocked with water birds and less common birds living amongst the papyrus swamps. More so, there are over 232 kinds of birds at Gishwati and 163 at Mukura, including endemic species of the Albertine Rift and forest specialists
Wildlife game drives and Boat Trips
Akagera National Park is well known as a home to the five wildlife African game which include; the buffaloes, rhinos, leopards, lions and elephants. The park being the closest wildlife parks from the country’s National Airport- Kigali International Airport, it is much preferable by tourists interested in wildlife. It is just a 3 hours’ drive to the park from the Airport. You can also spot other wild animals like giraffes, zebras and hippos which gather around the water bodies to quench their thirst among other animal species.
Boating on Lake Ihema is a must and while enjoying the view of Lake Ihema, you are likely to catch sight of numerous hippos and the thrilling outsized Nile Crocodiles. For the bird lovers, there’s an opportunity to observe many water-birds. Examples of bird the African fish eagle, the open billed stork, the egrets, cormorants, Senegal lapwings, African darter will be seen during the boat safaris on the lakes
The Congo-Nile Trail
This trail is a must for any Rwanda tour as long as you are interested to visit Lake Kivu. Despite its name, the Congo-Nile trail is actually located along the shore of Lake Kivu, which lies along the border of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The trail is meant for both hiking and cycling and is moderately difficult for new mountain bikers, but easy for those familiar with the sport. The surrounding region is quite mountainous and the traveler moves through an elevation gain and loss of 350 meters.
One can cycle the entire trail in five days, beginning from the hip town of Gisenyi in the north and ending at Kamambe in the south. A shorter one- or two-day tour along the most scenic part of the trail can take the traveler from Gisenyi to Kibuye. The most difficult part of the tour, a 4-6 hour stretch between Kinunu and Kibuye, is also the most beautiful. To avoid cycling back along the trail, travelers can rent a boat for themselves and their bikes from Kibuye back to Gisenyi at a cost for 3 hours’s sail. You can arrange your bicycle rental and boat through Naturenest Safaris
Explore Lake Kivu
A visit to Lake Kivu will serve as a well-deserved place for rest and relaxation for a traveller on a vacation in Rwanda with Naturenest Safaris. Lake Kivu is located in the Albertine Rift region of East Africa clear and beautiful crater lakes along the border of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The lake is safe for swimming and boating, as it does not contain bilharzia, crocodiles, or hippos. One can pass easily from village to village along the shores of the lake and witness the fishing lifestyle of the locals.
The lake sits at the high altitude of 1460 m (4790 ft) above sea level, and at 2700 square meters is the 6th largest lake in Africa. It is split almost evenly between the DRC (58%) and Rwanda (42%). Volcanic activity in the region is generated by the plates of the rift itself, which are slowly moving apart.
For the present, the lake is frequented by tourists and surrounded by a population of roughly 2 million people in the small, lively towns in both Congo and Rwanda. The lake sits in a basin surrounded by gorgeous round hills, each of which offers a panoramic view of the lake itself, its islands, and the mountains. The lakeshore is in some places sandy, others rocky, but in all places one can marvel at the clarity of the lake floor and watch the many fish that swim near the surface.
Enjoy a picnic near the shoreline under lazily waving palm trees, or take a dive off a pier into the clear, cool water. Enjoy sea kayaking near Kibuye, and paddle your boat through the quiet waters to Bat Island, inhabited by 5 million fruit bats, or Peace Island, a quiet space for thought and relaxation. Nkomo and Bugarama Islands are home to friendly locals who love to talk with visitors to the lake and show off their homes, families, and culture. You can also find pelicans, kingfishers, and cormorants in the nearby wetlands
Explore the Gishwati Forest National park
The bigger Gishwati and smaller Mukura woods combine to form Gishwati Mukura, Rwanda’s fourth national park, which covers a total area of 34 square kilometers including a buffer zone. The woods are located in the west of the nation along the extraordinarily biodiverse Albertine Rift, on the ridge that separates the Congo and Nile water catchment basins. 60 different species of trees, including native hardwoods and bamboo, are used to make it. 20 chimpanzees reside in Gishwati with golden monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys, and blue monkeys. There are 232 kinds of birds at Gishwati and 163 at Mukura, including endemic species of the Albertine Rift and forest specialists. In 2019, the park started providing guided nature hikes, chimp and monkey tracking excursions, bird watching, and waterfall visits
Where can you go on a vacation in Rwanda?
Some of the major attractions to explore and visit in Rwanda include places like
- Volcanoe National park
- Kigali genocide memorial
- Nyungwe Forest National park
- King’s Palace Museum
- Akagera National Park
Volcanoes National Park
Visit Volcanoes National Park and enjoy the fantastic habituated gorillas that are believed to have 99% DNA of a human being. Volcanoes National Park also known as Parc National des Volcano is the oldest National Park Rwanda and was originally established in 1925 as a conservation area for Mountain Gorillas. It was originally very small, but soon after its establishment was expanded to its current size of approximately 160 km2 and divides over the border between Rwanda and the Congo that is, known as Virunga in Congo and Volcanoes in Rwanda . Today, the park is a famous for Rwanda gorilla trekking
Much of the world’s current knowledge about gorilla families comes from the park’s Karisoke Research Center, established by Dian Fossey, after security concerns drove her team out of the Congo in 1967. Fossey, an American Zoologist, dedicated her life to researching the Mountain Gorillas in the park and protecting them from poachers. However, she was murdered in the park and buried there in 1985. The Center has expanded to employ more than 100 people and continues its research and advocacy work today.
Today, the park is mainly known for tourism and more especially its Mountain Gorilla tracking tours, but its towering mountains and lush, diverse wildlife offer many additional activities for visitors. The large altitudinal range in the park offers the visitor the chance to view a marvelous variety of vegetation, from wide grasslands to dense forests. This large variety in plant life supports a similar variety in wildlife. One can view black-fronted duiker, buffalo, spotted hyena, bushbuck, and even elephants in the park. More so, being a forest expect a number of about 200 bird species while on a vacation
Akagera National Park
While planning for any vacation in Rwanda, Akagera National Park is here for you mainly for wildlife. It is on the northeastern edge of Rwanda and one of the largest National Parks in Rwanda covering an area of 1,085 km bordering Tanzania and incorporates the Kagera River, thus the name (Akagera). The National Park was founded in 1934 to protect animals and vegetation in habitats: savannah, mountain and swamp. Within the park, there is the Akagera river, the most remote source of the Nile, flows along the eastern part of the park and feeds many lakes, the largest being Lake Ihema. The labyrinth of lakes and papyrus swamps follows the river’s course to make up over a third of the park. This is the largest protected park wetland in Central Africa.
Akagera with its many lakes is a big game country. A few of the species that you will encounter are include; buffalo, elephant, zebra, giraffe and a variety of antelope. More so, Akagera and its lakes are a home to one of the highest concentrations of hippopotamus in Africa. One of the animals that you will also probably also see is the Nile Crocodile which is the world’s largest reptile. The smaller predators to be found within the park are mongooses, genets, serval cats and side stripped jackals. Also very common in the park, are the primates, olive babbons, vervet monkeys, bushbabies, and more rarely silver monkeys. Of the 12 antelope that maybe observed in Akagera. When it means game drive, Akagera National Park is massive while searching for the big mammals like Elephants, Giraffes, Buffaloes, to mention but a few.
When it comes to birding, Akagera is one of the best spots for bird watching in Rwanda with more than 525 bird species. The three habitats of the park include; savannah, mountain and swamp, encourage a wide variety of birds. Akagera is indisputably the best place in Rwanda to find savannah birds and raptors. It is also well stocked with water birds and less common birds living amongst the papyrus swamps.
In contrast to the cultivated hills and mountains of Rwanda, Akagera is at a relatively lower altitude, the climate is moderately warmer and the area mostly low-lying savannah, with rolling plains of broad-leafed and acacia woodlands and grasslands. This open expansiveness is ideal for game viewing thus being good for a vacation
Nyungwe Forest National Park
The Albertine Rift Valley a home to a vast variety of sprawling forests, towering mountains, diverse wildlife, and wide lakes, and Nyungwe Forest National Park is no exception for a vacation. This mountain rainforest lies in southwestern Rwanda, bordering Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Lake Kivu. The park was established in 2004, and it takes about 50 km east of Cyangugu town and its wetlands, grasslands, and rainforests cover 1000 square kilometers. It is also home to Mt. Bigugu (2925 m).
Nyungwe is home to a great variety of wildlife, including primates, birds, mammals, plants, amphibians, and reptiles. The park holds thirteen kinds of primates alone, including baboons, chimpanzees, and monkeys of many kinds. In fact, travelers can embark on any of the four monkey tracking trails in the park, including Waterfall Trail to see colobus monkeys, or the Kamiranzovu Trail, which leads through a series of wetlands. Birding is also a popular activity, and visitors can seek out any of the 285 bird species in the park, such as the Blue turaco.
While on your vacation to this park, you can take part in tracking one of two chimpanzee families in the park, as well as take on East Africa’s highest Canopy Walk, a 50 meter suspension bridge which allows you to stay in air over the forest like a bird. You will see giant old mahogany trees, ferns, and bright flowers and butterflies as you ascend towards the sky from the lush forest floor
Visitation to Museum in Butale
Visit the Royal Palace Museum and Ethnographic Museum in Southern Province, this will give you a great history of traditional ways of living among Rwandese and their past way of leadership in Kingship. You will be introduced to Rwanda’s kingdoms, discovery of colonial architecture as you enjoy traditional dancers from the museum
A visitation to the Iby’ iwacu cultural village leaves you in a memorable experience of the Rwandese culture. You will enjoy their different performances and also explore more about their unique culture after head to the red rocks and see the banana beer production.
