Rwanda Destinations
For a tiny land-locked country, Rwanda has a wealth of attractions on offer, all set against one of the most scenically beautiful landscapes in Africa. The country is most famous as one of the best places in Africa to track the critically endangered Mountain Gorilla, but there is a great deal more than Gorilla trekking to be experienced and enjoyed here. From soaring mountains and live volcanoes, to the largest protected wetland in Africa, and the source of the mighty Nile River, you will find it all in Rwanda’s remarkable National Parks. The shores of picturesque Lake Kivu are the setting for the Congo Nile Trail, the perfect place for the adventurous to hike, cycle or drive through some fantastic equatorial landscape, while Nyungwe Forest National Park is a wonderful rainforest destination for naturists, and home to many species of enchanting monkeys, butterflies and birds. Come and enjoy the heart of Equatorial Africa in beautiful Rwanda.
The vast majority of visitors to Rwanda come expressly to see the fascinating Mountain Gorillas of the Volcanoes National Park. This is the most well-guarded and oldest National Park in Africa and is home to over 400 Mountain Gorillas, over half of the World’s current population. Tracking one of the habituated groups is an unforgettable experience that features on many a bucket-list. To preserve the pristine environment, visitor numbers are strictly controlled and a permit is required. However, even if you do not wish to track the Gorillas you can still have an incredible hiking or cycling experience in this breath-taking wilderness Park.
Agagera National Park is one of the most dramatically beautiful areas in East Africa and the extensive system of fresh-water lakes and swamps form the largest protected wetland in Africa. Few National Parks can boast a similar diversity of ecosystems which support a very wide variety of wildlife including hundreds of bird species. Plans are underway to re-introduce Lions and Rhino in 2014, which will restore the Parks’ Big Five Status.
And then there is magical Nyungwe Forest National Park, a huge wonderland of tropical rain forest just teeming with life! As you walk under the enormous 60m high trees you will be surrounded by orchids, butterflies and darting, colourful birds. This forest is home to 13 species of primates, so is the perfect place to visit before or after experiencing the magic of the Volcanoes Mountain Gorillas, to complete your primate viewing adventure. Here you can track Chimpanzees or have a close encounter with one of the huge troops of Rwenzori Colobus Monkeys, which sometimes number over a hundred. There is also an unbelievable hiking trail that includes a 50m high canopy walk, the only one of its kind in East Africa.
Explore the best that Rwanda has to offer by undertaking the Congo Nile Trail, an exciting 10-day hiking (or 5 day cycling, or 3 day driving) trail from Nyungwe National Park to Volcanoes National Park along the magnificent shores of Lake Kivu.