Rwanda is a tiny country in Central Africa. It has neighbors such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, Tanzania and Uganda. You’ve probably never even considered visiting this small country until now. However, you can still read the article below on Rwanda and learn what you can do there. Who knows, maybe one day you will go to Rwanda and need this information.
Many exciting events await tourists visiting Rwanda. Read on to learn about the rare animals found in numerous national parks and all the outdoor activities that await you. Below you can find a list of the most popular entertainment and activities in Rwanda.
Gorilla Trekking
Gorilla Trekking is one of the most popular activities to do in Rwanda. This trip will include a 1-8 hour nature walk in the forest, guided by skilled trackers who are knowledgeable about gorillas and their lives. While tracking great apes, you have a high chance of seeing glimpses of the lives of golden monkeys, buffalo, antelope and various birds. Once you encounter the gorillas, you will have up to 1 hour to interact with them and watch their daily lives.
Permits for N.B. Gorilla and Golden Monkey Treks are obtained from the Rwanda Tourism Board (ORTPN) in Kigali or Musanze.
Chimpanzee Walking
Another interesting event in the Rwandan tourism market is the Chimpanzee Walk. Rwanda’s Chimpanzee population numbers no less than 500 and is currently thought to be confined to Nyungwe Forest National Park, although a few can also be found in Cyamudongo Forest.
Chimpanzee Trekking can be done during the rainy season and you can choose to be a part of this exciting event. During your adventure in the forest, you can hear the voices of monkeys deep in the forest, before these creatures even catch your eye.
Unlike some other primates, chimpanzees do not live in herds but in extended groups of up to 100 individuals.
Nyungwe Forest
Nyungwe Forest is fascinating with its magnificent view. It is economical in terms of accommodation and activities and easy to reach. Your journey through the forests covered with huge trees and lush green plants in the park will be breathtaking. In addition, safe walks will take you deep into the forest plants, giving you the atmosphere of prehistory and isolation.
This park covers an area of approximately 970 square kilometers of rainforest, bamboo, grassland and muddy swamps, located on the southwestern side of Rwanda adjacent to Burundi. Several large-scale biogeographic regions overlap in the area where the forest is located. The diversity of regional climate and vegetation provides great flexibility for the microhabitats of many rare plant and animal species. The most important activity in this region is Primate walks. There are 13 different primate species and 85 mammal species in the park. This is a perfect place to track Primates.
Golden Monkey Tracking
Rare golden monkeys are on the endangered list. These monkeys live among bamboo vegetation towards the base of volcanoes. There are currently two herds of these monkeys (each with 80 members) and they are accustomed to tourist visits.
Your Golden Monkey pursuit will be for 8 people in order to protect natural resources and you will be given 1 hour when you encounter the monkeys. This adventure is an activity you should not miss during your trip to Rwanda unless you have to.
Rwanda Safaris
Another popular activity to do in Rwanda is to join a safari tour. Akagera National Park is located in the east of Rwanda, and Kibungu, the closest city to the park, is the best starting point for a safari. Akagera National Park is home to more than 20 mammal species.
The most beautiful and scenic spot for Rwanda safaris is on the Wet west side, as it hosts one of the largest groups of hippos in all of Africa. On the eastern shores of the lake, there are a few crocodiles, lions, leopards and black rhinos, although in relatively small numbers. Giant African elephants and buffalos are also concentrated in the wooded areas and are often seen diving around the lake. Visitors to the park also have a good chance of seeing giraffes and zebras roaming the savannah areas. More than a dozen species of antelope are also found among the park’s inhabitants. The most common among them is the magnificent chestnut-coloured antelope. Other varieties include breeds such as Pied antelope, wildebeest, Oribi, and Cape Eland.
Activities in the park include: Camping, Bird watching, Fishing, Game drives and Playing Tennis at Akagera Game Lodge.
Birdwatching
Rwanda has a long list of more than 700 bird species. Among other countries, it is the 2nd largest country to have Albertine Riff endemics and is therefore a must-visit for bird lovers. For most Albertine Riff Endemics (ARE) and some West African forest species, Rwanda represents their easternmost range. Apart from these, there is also a select group of rare local species that can still be seen (safely) in Rwanda.
The main birding areas in Rwanda include Volcanoes National Park, Nyungwe Forest National Park, Rugezi Swamp, Akanyaru, Nyabarongo and Cyamudongo.
Some of the bird species include: elusive shoebill stork, Bennet’s woodpecker, white-winged and broad-tailed warbler, wren, red-faced barbet, African spoonbill heron, yellow-billed stork, Great White Pelican and many other species. You may also encounter animals such as giraffes, elephants and hippos during your adventure here.
Volcanoes National Park
It is the most interesting and most visited park in Rwanda. It covers an area of 160 square meters and houses more than 360 Mountain Gorillas. The park is located in Ruhengeri, which can be reached by a 1.5-hour drive from Kigali to the northwest of Rwanda. This park protects Rwanda’s Virunga Volcanic Mountains. There are 6 extinct and 3 active volcanoes in the area it covers, and they are located on both sides of the borders of Uganda and Congo.
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