Rwanda is a landlocked East African country with a green, mountainous landscape. Its renowned Volcanoes National Park is home to mountain gorillas and golden monkeys. The park encompasses 4,507m-tall Mt. Karisimbi and 4 other forested volcanoes. In the southwest is Nyungwe National Park, with ancient montane rainforest that’s a habitat for chimpanzees and other primates.

Capital: Kigali

Rwanda has 4 provinces (South, North, East and West) plus Kigali city with 30 districts.

Population; 12million plus.

Official languages;

• Kinyarwanda
• English
• French
• Swahili

Rwanda is known as “The land of a Thousand Hills”, Rwanda is a green undulating landscape of hills, gardens and tea plantations. It offers tourists a one of a kind journey – home to one third of the world remaining Mountain Gorillas, one third of Africa’s bird’s species, several species of primates, volcanoes, game reserve, resorts and islands on the expansive lake Kivu, graceful dancers, artistic crafts and friendly people.

Rwanda is a safe country with one of the lowest crime rates in Africa. All major attractions are located within 1-5hour drive from the capital, Kigali. In a short vacation, a tourist can reach volcanoes, rainforests, savannah, lakes and the beautiful city of Kigali.

Located in the heart of Central and East Africa with easy access to bordering countries of Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and Democratic Republic of Congo as well as to Kenya,

Rwanda is in the African Great Lakes region and is highly elevated; its geography is dominated by mountains in the west and savanna to the east, with numerous lakes throughout the country. The climate is temperate to subtropical, with two rainy seasons and two dry seasons each year.

The economy is based mostly on subsistence agriculture, Coffee and tea are the major cash crops for export. Tourism is a fast-growing sector and is now the country’s leading foreign exchange earner. Rwanda is one of only two countries in which Mountain Gorillas can be visited safely, and visitors pay high prices for gorilla tracking permits. Music and dance are an integral part of Rwandan culture, particularly drums and the highly choreographed intore dance. Traditional arts and crafts are produced throughout the country, including Imigongo a unique cow dung art.

Rwanda is the world’s 149th-largest country, and the fourth smallest on the African mainland after Gambia, Eswatini, and Djibouti. It is comparable in size to Burundi, Haiti and Albania. The entire country is at a high altitude: the lowest point is the Rusizi River at 950 metres (3,117 ft) above sea level. Rwanda is located in Central/Eastern Africa, and is bordered by the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west, Uganda to the north, Tanzania to the east, and Burundi to the south.^[60] It lies a few degrees south of the equator and is landlocked. The capital, Kigali, is located near the centre of Rwanda. 

Rwanda has 4 National parks;

• Akagera National Park
• Nyungwe National Park
• Volcanoes National Park
• Gishwati Mukura National Park

1. AKAGERA NATIONAL PARK

This park is known to relatively set at low altitude on the border with Tanzania. It follows the meandering course of the Akagera River on its Eastern part, one of the molst remote tributary of the Nile. The 4 unique things that make it outstanding includes;

• The bravura scenery in a savannah park; the park has plains, valleys, hills and half of the park is covered with wetlands; 6 lakes inside the Park with lots of reptiles plus over 5o species of water birds including the rare shoebill.
• The park is rich in wildlife species number but not in population sixe; it has over 12 species of antelopes including the biggest African antelopes such as; Eland cape and roan antelopes. Other animals include big 5, etc.
• It is a park with highest concentration of birds per square kilometer; Rwanda has 735 bird species and out of these 55 species are found in Akagera.
• Historical sites.

2. NYUNGWE NATIONAL PARK

Nyumgwe is the largest montane forest in East or Central Africa and one of the most dating back to before the last ice age. Covering 1000 sqkm across the majestic hills of Southern Rwanda.  

Very rich in flora and fauna. The forest has more than 200 different species of trees, over 100 species of orchids. The forest is most alluring for its primates; 13 species in all including humankind’s closest relative – chimpanzee as well as handsome L’hoest’ monkey and hundre strong troops of diligently acrobatic Angola colombus monkeys not forgetting 278 bird species. We can’t forget its famous 70m high artificial bridge – canopy walk way. One of its kind in East Africa.

3. VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK

Volcanoes NP is the oldest park in Africa created in 1925. It’s comprised five outstanding volcanoes mountains namely Muhabura – 4127m, Mgahinda – 3474m, Sabyinyo – 3634m, Bisoke – 3711mand Karisimbi – 4507m above the sea level (up to 15000feet) The volcanoes are located in the far Northwest of Rwanda and is home to last population of the rare and endangered Mountain Gorillas in the world. The park has other species of animals such as golden monkeys, African forest elephants, red-fronted duikers, cape forest buffaloes, etc.

Activities to do in Volcanoes besides the gorillas include; mountain climbing, nature walks, visit the dian fossey tombs and gorilla graves, trekking of the golden monkeys.

Besides National Parks; in Rwanda you can also explore more about culture and history by visit museums; King’s palace, ethnographic museum which are located in the south of the country and also engage in different community activities like; traditional dancing, drumming, cooking, hunting, banana and sorghum beer production, etc.

• LAKE KIVU

We cannot forget Lake Kivu, the second deepest lake in Africa after Lake Tanganyika.

The boat rides on this Lake explore you to the beautiful sites; natural discoveries around the Virgin Islands with magnificent natural attractions of which include Napoleon’s hat island where you climb to the top at the hat and watch thousands of Angola bats darkening the blue skies.

Activities to do includes;

• Canoeing
• Kayaking
• Boat cruise
• Fishing
• Swimming
• Water sports
• Beach volleyball

Other activities include;

• Mountain climbing
• Biking
• Nature walks
• Tea and coffee tours
• CBT
• Camping
• Art and pottery