Situated in the far northwest of Rwanda, Volcanoes National Park protects the steep slopes of this magnificent mountain range. Covering 8,000 kilometers square, this stunning area protects five of the nine staggeringly beautiful Virunga Mountains, each characterized by steep slopes that are blanketed in thick green, tropical rainforest, bamboo forest, open grassland, swamp and heath and home of the endangered mountain gorilla. The park is home to five of habituated mountain gorilla families. You will spend between 3-10 hours tracking one of the official gorilla family groups through hillside paths, sometimes crawling through dense vegetation which can at times be difficult. Only 38 visitor permits are available daily, in order to conserve the habitat that the mountains live in. Which makes early booking essential to avoid disappointment. Tracking the endangered mountain gorillas through the mysterious intimacy of the rain forest, alive with the calls of 200 species of colorful birds and chattering of the rare golden monkey, is only one of the truly unique experiences in the area. Within the boundaries of Volcanoes National Park is the Buhanga Eco-Park, an ancient forest holding Rwanda’s most intriguing folklore. The forest is an isolated ritual place where the kings of Rwanda would be initiated and enthroned for kingship. The Musanze Caves, formed 62 million years ago after the last estimated volcanic eruption, is another geological treat. These caves go 2km and are covered in the lush greenery and the inside of it are the homes for the bats. In case you are not fearless enough to adventure inside, this beautiful vegetation around the caves make for good photography and are also perfect to explore. You can also spend the afternoon canoeing down the river near where the mountain gorillas rest and play. Another feature is the many museums which show case the honors of Rwanda’s past and the great future. It’s also not hard to see why Musanze is also a place not to miss. Other activities in this park also include tracking the golden monkeys, climbing one of the volcanic peaks or visiting the grave of Dian Fossey. Dian Fossey was one of the most iconic primate researchers of our time and is known for her study of the behavior of Rwanda’s majestic mountain gorillas.

Akagera National park is nestled in the east of the country, bordering Tanzania. The relatively warm and low-lying plains of Akagera comprise savannah, woodland, wetland and a dozen lakes, the largely open expanse is ideal for game viewing. A family of lions from South Africa is settling in well, and breeding successfully, and 18 eastern black rhinos have also been reintroduced. Visitors can also encounter buffalo, elephant, antelope, zebra, giraffe, baboons, monkeys and an incredible 490 bird species. A boat trip on Lake Ihema is also a highlight of any visit to Akagera, with its large pods of hippos, Nile crocodiles and abundant water birds on the island in the middle of the lake. The only way to explore the park is by vehicle.

Set in the Southwest of the country, this is one of the oldest rainforests in Africa, Rich in biodiversity, with regular rainfalls of up to 2,000mm per annum. The region is teaming with wildlife, including a healthy number of Ruwenzori Colobus monkeys, which can be seen up to 400 swinging through the trees and 12 other species of primate, including the Hoest’s monkey, chimpanzee, silver monkey, golden monkey, olive baboon, Vervet monkey, several species of bush baby, grey-cheeked mangabey and red-tailed monkey. With 15 trails, along with various other activities, visitors can choose to sample the delights of what this forest has to offer. Botanists will marvel at the plant species and over 140 orchids found here. The bird watching is among the best in Africa with over 300 species including the Red-collared Babbler and 29 other Albertine Rift Endemic species. Butterflies are also a common sight, with no less than 120 species. There are 75 known mammals in Nyungwe, such as the cerval cat, mongoose, Congo clawless otter and leopard to name but a few. Memorable and photogenic moments include walking up to the Isumo waterfall or along the Canopy Walk suspension bridge. The 160m long and 70m high suspension bridge is accessible as part of a guided tour and is only advisable for children older than 6 years old. This is East Africa’s highest canopy walk. Tea plantations border the edges of the park, with a habituated troop of Ruwenzori Colobus monkeys at Gisakura as well as forest fringe birds. With plenty of rainfall, Nyungwe is also the major catchment area in Rwanda, and supplies water to 70% of the country. Nyungwe receives two thirds of Rwanda's total rainfall- which provides water for the Nile and the Congo. A spring on the slopes of Mt Bigugu, is said to be the most remote source of the Nile, the world’s longest river. This park is undoubtedly one of the country’s main attractions with waterfalls, abundant wildlife and viewpoints over the tranquil scenery.

This lively and picturesque lake sits on the border between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, consuming nearly half of the Rwandan border itself. The resort town is a great place for swimming and water sport activities, making it an ideal place to relax after your gorilla trek. Over 31 species of fish have been found in the lake. The deep waters of Lake Kivu, are bursting with vast quantities of three dissolved gases - carbon dioxide & hydrogen sulphide (largely from the volcanic activity) and methane (from the lake bed bacteria). Plans are now to suck out the methane and burn it to produce electricity, which should be enough to supply the country’s electricity needs for 400 years.

Rwanda’s fourth and newest national park, Gishwati Mukura is made up of two separate forests – the larger Gishwati to the North and the smaller Mukura to the South, forming a total of 34 square kilometers. The forests sit on the ridge which divides the Congo and Nile water catchment areas, along the incredibly bio diverse Albertine Rift in the west of the country. It is made up of 60 species of tree, including indigenous hardwoods and bamboo. Gishwati is home to chimpanzees which live alongside golden monkeys, L’Hoest’s and Blue Monkeys. Birds are well represented here too with over 200 species seen at Gishwati and over 150 at Mukura. Activities in the park include a guided nature hike, guided chimp and monkey tracking, bird watching and a visit to the waterfalls. The park is currently part of an ambitious landscape restoration program. The area was nearly depleted largely due to resettlement, illegal mining in the mineral-rich forest and livestock farming. The formalization of its National Park status in 2015 aims to help redress the balance, to increase the number of trees to improve soil fertility, stabilize slopes and regulate stream flow. It will also contribute to improving the livelihoods of the population living in the surrounding areas. Here is another chance for visitors to witness a rich yet historically ecosystem, on the road to recovery. Community-based activities include a farm stay, live cultural dance, making handicrafts, beekeeping, tea plantation tour and the chance to learn from traditional healers, who use natural plants to support modern medicine and synthesized drugs.

The capital city of the ‘Land of Eternal Spring’ first became so after gaining independence in 1962 and ever since has been the country’s most important transportation, political and economic hub. Geographically poised in the center of the country, it is the home of the Rwandan presidency and government ministries. Outlined with fertile slopes that surround its center, Kigali is also known as a garden city and its laid-back feel comes from its relatively small size. There are some wonderful areas to explore, which exhibit local crafts and cultures. Traditional pottery projects are led by the local Batwa communities (these clay pots are used for cooking and storing liquids), and the Muhabura baskets and wood crafts and carvings, are exhibited in some of the museums of the city. Markets such as Nyabugogo are bursting with food and the Caplaki Market Place, is full of handmade crafts, fabrics, beading, weaving, carvings, ceramics and textures with splendid bright colors that represent this country.

No visit to Rwanda would be complete without a visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre, or ‘Gisozi’. Through education and peace-building, honors the memory, where 250,000 victims have been buried from the 1994 genocide. The three permanent exhibitions and burial gardens form part of a meaningful tribute to those who perished, and provide a powerful educational tool for visitors. https://www.kgm.rw/

Image Attricution: Masako Kato [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Dating back to colonial times and translated from Kinyarwanda as “coming together in common purpose, to achieve an outcome”, Umuganda is when Rwandans from all walks of life, come together to work for the good of the nation as a whole. The last Saturday of every month, shops are closed, buses stop running and Rwandans set aside time in the morning and contribute their efforts to public works projects around the country. This can include litter cleanup, tree planting, building houses for the helpless, and much more. The social and economic benefits of Umuganda are easy for all to see. Visitors are warmly invited to take part; given the range of projects addressed through Umuganda, you are sure to find one, to fit your interests. It is no wonder Rwanda is the cleanest country in Africa.

Image Attribution: configmanager from Greenbelt, MD [CC BY 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

The finest displays of Rwanda’s dynamic traditional musical and dance styles are performed by the Intore Dance Troupes. Founded several centuries ago, the Intore, (The Chosen Ones) performed exclusively for the Royal Court. They were given military training and taught the technique of jumping which forms a significant part of the dance. Performed wearing grass wigs and clutching spears, this dance is a true display of Rwanda. Live dance performances can be seen at cultural villages, museums and as an entertainment feature at many hotels across Rwanda. The National Museum of Rwanda have regular performances and daily dances occur at the RDB office at Kinigi, Volcanoes National Park.