Why visit Rwanda?
Rwanda is recognized as Africa’s fastest-growing tourism destination, maintaining its position as the leading source of foreign exchange. In 2024 Rwanda’s tourism sector posted steady growth in 2024, generating $647 million in revenue, a 4.3% increase from the previous year. It plays a crucial role in the country’s export strategy and has attracted numerous foreign direct investments.
Rwanda is known as the Land of a Thousand Hills; the country is celebrated for its stunning landscape and the warmth of its welcoming people. A safari holiday in Rwanda promises memorable and distinctive experience, offering visitors a chance to explore the country’s rich biodiversity and diverse tourist sites each featuring unique attractions. Rwanda is one place where you can encounter both savanna and montane forest wildlife.
Rwanda isn’t only the fastest growing tourism destination, but it is also ranked as the 2nd easiest place to do business in Africa. This is according to the World Bank and it is no wonder that it was awarded the leadership in tourism and economic competitiveness by both the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) and the World Economic Forum.
Rwanda is a landlocked country that offers a wealth of attractions to the world. Beyond its stunning natural landscapes, Rwanda has established itself as a premier destination for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Events (MICE). The country has hosted numerous high-profile summits, thanks in part to the modern facilities at the Kigali Convention Centre. Recently, Rwanda hosted the Commonwealth Heads of Government Summit in East Africa. The Kigali Convention Centre, located close to Kigali Airport, provides excellent facilities for regional and international conventions, festivals, exhibitions, meetings, and various other events.
Rwanda has established itself as high-end destination for a good reason. There is much to explore during a Rwanda safari tour, from the diverse cultures and rich heritage to wilderness experiences such as mountain gorilla trekking, game drives and wildlife viewing, birding, nature walks and hiking adventures. visitors can also enjoy leisure at the lake shores or indulge in luxury stay.
Top destinations to visit in Rwanda
Volcanoes National Park
Located in the far Northwestern region of Rwanda, Volcanoes National Park (VNP) is renowned for its population of golden monkeys and endangered mountain gorillas. Established in 1925, the park spans approximately 160 square kilometers and features diverse vegetation zones, including bamboo forests, swamps, health forests, evergreen vegetation, and expansive grasslands.
The park is situated within the Virunga Region and encompasses five of the eight Virunga Massifs: Sabyinyo, Muhabura, Bisoke, Karisimbi Volcano, Gahinga. While on Rwanda tour to Volcanoes National Park, expect to indulge in the most inspirational experiences such as mountain gorilla trekking. Trekking Rwanda mountain gorillas includes visiting any of the 12 fully habituated gorilla groups in Volcanoes NP and these include Sabyinyo, Group 13, Karisimbi/Susa B, Susa A, Kwitonda, Umubano, Bweza, Hirwa, Amahoro, Titus and more and others.
In addition to gorilla trekking, tourists can enjoy a variety of other activities, such as guided golden monkey tracking, bird watching, nature walks, hiking expeditions, visiting Dian Fossey’s tomb, exploring the Musanze caves, and engaging in cultural experiences at Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village. Accommodation options in the area Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, Bisate Lodge, Kwitonda Lodge, Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, Gorilla’s Nest, Singita Kwitonda Lodge, Virunga Lodge, Muhabura Hotel, and more.
Nyungwe Forest National Park
Nyungwe Forest National Park, established in 2004, is renowned as Rwanda’s top destination for chimpanzee tracking. Situated in the Southern Province, the park is home to approximately 13 primate species, including Dent’s Mona monkeys, vervet monkeys, grey cheeked mangabeys, golden monkeys, silver monkeys, chimpanzees, blue monkeys, Angolan colobus monkeys, red tailed monkeys, l’hoest monkeys and vervet monkey
The park also hosts over 310 bird species, such as the Neumann’s short tailed monkeys, white bellied robin chat, chestnut throated, Rwenzori batis, white tailed blue flycatchers, stripe breasted tit, handsome francolin, Rwenzori turacos, Elliot’s woodpeckers, chestnut owlets, chapin’s flycatchers, blue turacos and collared apalis.
This beautiful National Park is known for activities such as chimpanzee tracking, Colobus monkey tracking, Grey-cheeked mangabey tracking, guided forest walks/hiking thanks to its 15 hiking trails, bird watching, canopy walks, and tea plantation tours around the National Park. Accommodation options in the area include EAR Guesthouse, One & Only Nyungwe House, Emeraude Kivu Resort, and Nyungwe Top View Lodge.
Akagera National Park
If there is one destination with best-kept secrets, it is Rwanda. Discover the country’s hidden treasures through guided game viewing safaris in Akagera National Park, situated in the Eastern Province. A game tour to Akagera offers a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see all the Big Five animals within a single habitat. Established in 1934, the park spans 1,122 square kilometers and is home to a diverse array of wildlife, including elephants, buffaloes, lions, rhinos and leopards. Other mammal species like, zebras, giraffes, warthogs, impalas, bushbucks, hyenas, and several antelopes like the bushbucks, roan antelope, Topes, klipspringer, Oribis, Cape eland, water-buck, duikers and impalas. It hosts 520 species of birds which exists in this national park
During your visit to Akagera National Park, you can enjoy a variety of safari activities such as guided game drives, boat cruises on Lake Ruzizi, bird watching, nature walks, hot air balloon safaris, helicopter tours, and more. For accommodation, popular options include Akagera Game Lodge, Ruzizi Tented Camp, Dereva Hotel, and Magashi Tented Camp, among others.
Gishwati-Mukura National Park
Gishwati-Mukura National Park is a recently established protected area in Rwanda, founded in 2015, located on the western side of the country. Covering approximately 34 square kilometers, it is the smallest of Rwanda’s four national parks. The park includes the Gishwati and Mukura Forest Reserves, which are vital for conservation.
Within Gishwati-Mukura National Park, visitors can find a variety of wildlife, including blue monkeys, blue monkeys, l’hoest monkeys, chimpanzees, black and white colobus monkeys and buffaloes. The birdlife is equally diverse, featuring species such Kivu Ground Thrush, Mountain Sooty Boubou, Strange weavers, Double-collared sunbirds, Great blue Turaco, Blue-headed sunbirds, Grey-crowned cranes, Purple-breasted sunbirds, and Mountain-masked Apalis are some of the common species spotted during birding tours.
Kigali City
When thinking of Rwanda, Kigali naturally comes to mind as the capital city. Recognized as one of the top five destinations to visit in Rwanda in 2024, it offers a rich tapestry of art, history, and culture for visitors to explore. If you’re interested in learning about the 1994 Rwandan Genocide, the Kigali Genocide Memorial Center is a must-visit site that provides profound insights into this pivotal event.
Additionally, there are several other notable destinations in Kigali worth including in your itinerary. these include the Inema Arts Center, Nyamata Church (just about one hour from the City Center), Nyamirambo Women’s Center, Kimironko Market, the Nyandungu Urban Wetland Eco-tourism Park, to mention but a few.
Lake Kivu
A visit to Lake Kivu is an essential part of any trip to Rwanda. located on the western side of Rwanda between the border of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, making the largest in Rwanda and 6th largest in Africa. Surrounded by stunning mountains and has deep emerald green waters that creates a stunning scenery. Visitors can engage in variety of activities such as Kayaking and other water sports, bird watching, boat cruises, sport fishing, Island hopping and coffee tours, mountain biking, and hiking, especially along the 227-kilometer Congo Nile where endless views of magnificent landscapes are enjoyed to Rusizi in the south of this Lake.
When to visit?
Rwanda is open to all travelers at any time of the year. The best time to visit though is during the dry season and this is from June to September, December to February- the best months to enjoy adventures such as gorilla trekking, chimpanzee tracking, volcano hiking and others
