Things to do in Rwanda | Tourist Activities & Attractions in Rwanda

Things to do in Rwanda include tourist activities and attractions such as Gorilla Trekking, Chimpanzee Tracking, Birding, Big Five Animals viewing safari, Kigali City Tour to the Genocide memorial sites, Mountain Biking and Kayaking among others.

Rwanda has undergone a transformation over the last twenty-five years and this has made it one of the most sought-after tourist destinations in the world. The country has become a lot safer, there are fantastic transport systems and infrastructure, and amazing accommodations with major must-go-to national parks and cultural centers.

Things to do in Rwanda | Tourist Activities & Attractions in Rwanda

List of Amazing things to do in Rwanda

  1. Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park

There are about 1000 mountain Gorillas left in the entire world and Rwanda is blessed to be among the few countries where some of the remaining gorillas can be found. The country boasts of 11 habituated gorilla families all of which are found in Volcanoes National Park. Each trekking group can only have a maximum of 8 people who can spend only one hour with the gorillas after sighting. Participating in Mountain Gorilla Trekking would crown your ultimate experience of Rwanda. A gorilla trekking permit costs $1500

  1. Visit the Nyungwe Forest National Park

Arguably the largest remaining afro-montane rainforest in East and Central Africa, the Nyungwe forest has an ecosystem that is so diverse that you may be spoilt for choice over what to see and what to give a blind eye. Here you will find 1,000 plant species, 120 butterfly species, 310 bird species, 32 amphibian groups, 38 reptile species, 86 mammals, and 13 primate species. It is abuzz with activity and is deserving of an entire safari of its own. You can choose to trek chimpanzees, canopy walk, walk to the waterfalls, birding, or colobus monkey trekking.

  1. Wildlife Viewing in Akagera National Park

 Akagera National park is the only savannah national park in Rwanda. It sits on a land mass of 1,085km2 and is located close to Rwanda’s border with Tanzania.  Akagera National park is a must-see while on a Rwanda Safari as it boasts of diverse vegetation such as swamps, lakes, and savannah plains and is nestled amidst neatly terraced hills. While in this park you will not run out of activity as a lot is there to do ranging from game drives, birding, fishing at Lake Shakani and boat rides on Lake Ihema. The park is home to several bird species, mammals, insects, and amphibians and was recently restocked with Rhinos and Lions making the Big 5 list complete.

  1. Kigali Genocide Centre

Following the atrocities of the 1994 genocide which left millions of people dead, about 250,000 victims were laid to rest at the Kigali Genocide Centre. In this place, time stands still allowing one to pay tribute to those that succumbed to the genocide. Visiting the Kigali Genocide Centre is your first step in appreciating just how far Rwanda as a nation has come and how valuable life is.

  1. A Tour of Kigali Rwanda’s Capital

Kigali is a tidy green city encircled by hills and filled with friendly people. A touch of Rwanda’s culture can be enjoyed at the Inema Art Centre, Niyo Art Gallery, the Ivuka Art Centre, and generally, the Nyamirambo neighborhood is full of crafts and art. You can visit the presidential museum, Belgium camp, Mt Kigali and perhaps visit a home to enjoy a home cooked meal.

  1. Mountain Biking

Rwanda with its ‘a thousand hills’ offers the perfect trails for mountain biking. You have an opportunity to explore and enjoy the sights of Rwanda on your cycle seat. There are trained guides and bicycle mechanics specifically for tourists exploring Rwanda through Mountain biking. Even with the guides in place, there are clear signposts and secure camping sites where you can unwind along the cycling trails. There are bicycles for hire just in case you did not travel on your own.

  1. A Tour to the King’s Palace Museum

Take a walk down Rwanda’s cultural history when the society was organized under Kingdoms. There are two ‘palaces’ one built by King Musinga Yuhi V and another constructed under King Rudahigwa Mutara III’s reign. These two shelter artifacts have been revamped to form the present-day King’s Palace Museum. The Kings Palace Museum is found in southern Rwanda in a town called Nyanza.

  1. Birding

In Rwanda, birding can be done anywhere and at any time of the year. The diversity in the country’s vegetation creates a habitat for birds almost everywhere. There are Albertine Rift Endemics, the Rwenzori and Virunga Endemics, and many other species to make up the total number of 650 bird species in Rwanda. For one setting out on a birding safari, endeavor to look out for parks such as Nyungwe, Volcanoes, Akagera National Parks, marshlands, wetlands, and agricultural lands to get the best birding experience in Rwanda.

  1. Hiking and Walking Experiences

Rwanda’s great landscape offers some of the best hiking and walking experiences. At the Volcanoes National Park you could opt for the day hikes to explore the volcanoes like Mt. Bisoke and Mt Muhavura, Mt Karisimbi is an overnight trip. In Nyungwe Forest National Park you can take the exhilarating canopy walk and several other walking trails. You also have several trails outside of protected areas for one to walk. Rwanda is the place to be if you love to hike while taking in some of the most soul-taking scenes.

  1. Kayaking

There are numerous opportunities for kayaking on lake Kivu and the twin lakes in the northern parts of Rwanda. You can also choose to do boarding or simply take a boat ride around the lakes visiting different islands.

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