Tiny Central African country with attractions available from mountain gorillas to high volcanoes and lush rainforests, Rwanda is a suitable destination for independent adventurers who love challenges. There might not be huge hotel resorts with discos and amusement parks available, but you can find an exceptionally good amount of pristine nature and wildlife in Rwanda. However, check the local safety situation before you go.
Places to see. Although Rwanda's strongest draw comes from the nature, there are also other things to see in this small Central African country. You can find a few rising tourist resorts such as Giseny, or explore the museums, marketplaces, and craft centers of Rwanda's capital, Kigali, which is centrally located in the country and thus a good base also for touring between the interesting natural attractions of Rwanda. Giseny is located at the northern end of Rwanda's largest lake, Kivu, in close surroundings of Gishwati Forest with its chimpanzees. The Volcanoes National Park is also only a short drive away from Giseny.
How to get there. Located in Central Africa and surrounded by Tanzania, Congo, Uganda and Burundi, Rwanda truly lies in the heart of Africa. The best way to reach the country is by air, with flights to Rwanda's Kigali Airport available from for example Brussels and from most major African airports. In addition to airways, you can also arrive in Rwanda by bus from Kampala, Uganda.
Rwanda, African adventure country with mountain gorillas and volcanoes
The main attraction of Rwanda is its pristine nature. One of the most interesting places in Rwanda for wildlife enthusiasts is the Volcanoes National Park which is one of the last sanctuaries for mountain gorillas. More than that, the park also introduces you to pristine rainforests and seven volcanoes, the highest of which rises to the altitude of 4500 m / 14764 ft. Another major Rwandan wildlife park, Nyungwe Forest is one of the largest mountainous rainforests of Africa. The area is exceptionally rich in biodiversity, making it a fascinating destination for hiking and wildlife watching in Rwanda.Places to see. Although Rwanda's strongest draw comes from the nature, there are also other things to see in this small Central African country. You can find a few rising tourist resorts such as Giseny, or explore the museums, marketplaces, and craft centers of Rwanda's capital, Kigali, which is centrally located in the country and thus a good base also for touring between the interesting natural attractions of Rwanda. Giseny is located at the northern end of Rwanda's largest lake, Kivu, in close surroundings of Gishwati Forest with its chimpanzees. The Volcanoes National Park is also only a short drive away from Giseny.
Practical information for your trip to Rwanda
Rwanda enjoys a pleasant tropical highland climate with small seasonal variation but with differences in altitude causing big regional variation. Average monthly high temperatures in the central plateau, and thus in for example Kigali, are around 24 °C, but in the highlands temperatures are lower. Rwanda has two rainy seasons, the first one between March and May, and the other one between October and December.How to get there. Located in Central Africa and surrounded by Tanzania, Congo, Uganda and Burundi, Rwanda truly lies in the heart of Africa. The best way to reach the country is by air, with flights to Rwanda's Kigali Airport available from for example Brussels and from most major African airports. In addition to airways, you can also arrive in Rwanda by bus from Kampala, Uganda.
Photo: derekkeats, used under Creative Commons License (By SA 2.0)
For moving around in the country there are minibuses called Matatus available for longer distances. Bicycle taxis and moto taxis are popular inside the cities. Car Rental in Rwanda is best available in Kigali.
Services for tourism. Although Kinyarwanda is the most commonly spoken language in Rwanda, English and French are also spoken by educated Rwandans. Tourist services in Rwanda are quite invisible and written information can be hard to find outside Kigali. Hotels in Rwanda are quite basic, although the capital offers also some places of higher quality. In Kigali you can also find the best food and restaurants in Rwanda.
Independent since 1962, Rwanda has a violent history with tribal wars and revolutions, and the country became infamous in 1994 because of the massacres of the ethnic minority Tutsis. Even though the security situation in Rwanda has improved a lot during recent years, Rwanda is still considered a potentially restless destination where you should follow local safety instructions precisely. The nature reserves of Rwanda are quite safe once you have made it there through the country roads of Rwanda. Overall, Rwanda is a suitable destination for an independent adventurer. However, do stay away from border regions with Burundi and Democratic Republic of the Congo, both of which are considered dangerous. You should also dress conservatively and be aware of the risk of Malaria, which is a common disease in Rwanda.
