RWANDA

The land of a thousand hills

Why visit Rwanda?

Gorillas, Wildlife and scenery

Rwanda annually draws numerous tourists enticed by its breathtaking scenery, encompassing lush rainforests and rolling hills, as well as its rich cultural heritage and warm hospitality. Among the country’s attractions, the diverse wildlife, particularly the endangered Mountain gorillas, stands out. Many visitors are also drawn to the hiking adventures offered by the Virunga volcanoes, notably Mt Bisoke and Mt Karisimbi.

These excursions are typically organized as Rwanda safaris, comprising gorilla trekking expeditions, wildlife encounters, chimpanzee tracking, hiking opportunities, and immersive cultural experiences, particularly in the eastern and northern regions of the country. The highlight for many is the renowned gorilla trekking experience in Volcanoes National Park.

Rwanda has safeguarded its quartet of national parks, comprising

Akagera National Park
Volcanoes National Park
Nyungwe Forest National Park
Gishwati-Mukura National Park.

These reserves harbor a diverse array of wildlife, including elephants, giraffes, bushbucks, hippos, buffaloes, lions, zebras, leopards, various monkey species, mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, chimpanzees, jackals, hyenas, antelopes, and crocodiles. Additionally, the parks boast a rich avian population, and the regions surrounding Nyungwe Forest and Volcanoes National Park are habitats for endemic species of the Albertine Rift.

Rwanda is situated on the expansive East African plateau, nestled between the drainage basins of the Nile and Congo rivers. To the west of this division, the terrain plunges dramatically towards Lake Kivu within the Great Rift Valley, while to the east, it gradually slopes across central plateaus, ultimately leading to swamps and lakes along the country’s eastern perimeter. Almost the entirety of Rwanda sits at elevations of no less than 1,000 meters (3,300 feet) above sea level, with the central plateau ranging from 1,500 to 2,000 meters (4,950–6,600 feet) high. In the northwest, bordering the Democratic Republic of the Congo, lie the volcanic Virunga Mountains, with the highest summit, Mt. Karisimbi, towering at 4,519 meters (14,826 feet). Lake Kivu, positioned at 1,460 meters (4,790 feet) above sea level, empties into Lake Tanganyika via the sharply descending Ruzizi River in Rwanda’s eastern region. The Kagera River, which delineates much of Rwanda’s eastern boundary, ultimately flows into Lake Victoria, the largest freshwater lake in Africa, shared among Tanzania, Uganda, and Kenya.

Location of Rwanda

Rwanda is a landlocked nation in east-central Africa, spans an area of 26,338 square kilometers (10,170 square miles). For perspective, Rwanda’s size is just slightly smaller than the state of Maryland in the USA. Its borders are shared with Uganda to the north, Tanzania to the east, Burundi to the south, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire) to the west and northwest.

Distance from Kigali to various major cities and tourist attractions in Rwanda varies

Kigali to Nyungwe Forest National Park: Approximately 225 km, taking around 5 hours due to winding roads with a speed limit of about 50 km/h. Heavy truck traffic headed to DR Congo and Burundi also slows down the journey.

Kigali to Volcanoes National Park: Approximately 80 km, taking about 2 hours due to winding roads and numerous corners, with an average speed of 40 km/h. Heavy trucks carrying goods also contribute to slower travel.

Kigali to Akagera National Park: About 120 km, taking around 2 hours and 30 minutes. Located in Eastern Rwanda on the Tanzanian border, the terrain is relatively flat compared to other regions.

Kigali to Butare (Huye): Approximately 142 km, taking about 3 hours. Butare serves as a significant stopover on the route to Nyungwe Forest, housing the Ethnographic Museum and the National University of Rwanda.

Butare to Cyangugu (southern Lake Kivu shore): Around 155 km, taking about 3 hours. Cyangugu provides accommodation options for visitors exploring Nyungwe forest for activities like chimpanzee trekking, canopy walks, and Colobus trekking.

Ruhengeri (Musanze) to Gisenyi (northern Lake Kivu shore): Approximately 62 km, taking about 1 hour. This route is relatively straight with fewer corners and generally experiences less traffic.

Kigali to Kibuye (mid-Lake Kivu shore): About 130 km, taking around 3 hours. Kibuye serves as an ideal weekend getaway from Kigali, with a pleasant drive featuring manageable traffic and hills.

Africa Moja Safaris offers tailored African vacations in Rwanda, catering to various interests such as gorilla trekking, bird watching, cultural experiences, mammal sightings, nature photography, mountain hiking, and forest hikes.

Facts About Rwanda

Rwanda Culture and People

Rwanda's official languages include Kinyarwanda, French, and English. Nevertheless, Kinyarwanda, a Bantu language, serves as the primary means of communication across the nation, irrespective of the region. Historically, Rwanda's population comprised three principal groups: agriculturalists, pastoralists, and forest-dwelling hunter-gatherers, also known as the Batwa. Presently, the majority of Rwandans reside in rural areas and are involved in various agricultural pursuits.