When it comes to things to do in Rwanda, nearly every tourist has one activity at the top of their itinerary: gorilla trekking. The mystique of getting up close to creatures who share 99 percent of our DNA captivates travelers from around the world, and there’s no better place than Rwanda to do it. The country has made serious strides in conservation to protect the animals.
But the chance to see these gentle giants is just the beginning of what Rwanda has to offer. Left ravaged by the 1994 Rwandan genocide, the country has made an impressive amount of progress in recent decades, becoming a peaceful, welcoming place to visit with plenty of things to do.
Nature lovers can go on safari in Akagera National Park and get a bird’s-eye view of Nyungwe Forest from a canopy walk. If you’re interested in culture, check out the fascinating exhibits on traditional customs and beliefs at Rwanda’s Ethnographic Museum. Don’t miss the royal cows at the King’s Palace Museum.
Gorilla Trekking
A safari to Rwanda without trekking gorillas is not a safari. Mountain gorilla trekking is one of Africa’s most profound wildlife encounters and Rwanda is blessed to be one of the few African countries with mountain gorillas in the Virunga Volcanoes. Trekking these wild gentle giants in their natural habitat is a life-changing experience that will leave you in awe! Gorilla trekking should surely be on top of your must-do things while in the Volcanoes Park Rwanda. Gorilla trekking involves joining a group of trekkers and hiking deep in the tropical rainforests of Volcanoes Park to search for habituated gorilla families.
To track mountain gorillas in Rwanda, you need to acquire a gorilla trekking permit which is a legal document issued by the Rwanda Development Board. The Rwanda gorilla permit is the most expensive compared to all other gorilla trekking destinations. Gorilla trekking in Rwanda can be done all year round but the dry months between July and October offer more favorable gorilla trekking conditions.
Visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial
As you travel through Rwanda, it’s impossible not to think about the relatively recent Rwandan Genocide, in which more than 800,000 people died in just 100 days. The tragic event changed the course of history for the country, as well as the lives of everyday people who lost countless friends and relatives just a couple of decades ago. Travelers can begin trying to understand the incomprehensible event at the Kigali Genocide Memorial Site.
Hiking Karisimbi
Mount Karisimbi is the highest volcano in Rwanda and the fifth highest in Africa. This Mountain is part of the Virunga Ranges that spans three countries Rwanda, Uganda, and D. R Congo. Climbing or Hiking to the summit of this volcano is a worthwhile challenge that you should include in your bucket list when traveling to Rwanda. The highest point on Mount Karisimbi is at an elevation of 4,507 meters. The hiking adventure will allow you to have a breathtaking view of Rwanda and all the nearby surroundings.
Africa’s Big Five at Akagera National Park
Experience prime wildlife viewing experiences without a swarm of tourist vehicles disrupting your wilderness moments in Akagera National Park. All the big five, the lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo, live in Rwanda’s only savannah park. A private safari in Akagera National Park is a life-changing experience all visitors should have.
A safari experience in Akagera is not for the tick-off-the-list traveler but a more laid-back kind of thing you can do in Rwanda’s wilderness. You’ll easily spot the buffalo and elephants on a game drive. Lions are remarkably relaxed but challenging to spot because of their few numbers, and guided night drives are the best way to spot shy leopards.
There is plenty of other wildlife to view on a guided drive, including zebra, giraffe, warthog, baboon, and half a dozen antelope species. The lakes support sizable concentrations of hippos and large crocodiles on the continent.
Visit Lake Kivu
Lake Kivu is a beautiful and scenic freshwater lake located in the western part of Rwanda, famous for its diverse safari activities. Lake Kivu is one of the lakes in the African Great Lakes region and offers visitors a wide range of activities and attractions to experience during their Rwanda safari tours.
The Lake Kivu’s breathtaking natural beauty is one of the key draws for travelers. Lush green hills and mountains around the lake, creating a magnificent setting for leisurely walks, treks, or boat trips. To take in the breathtaking scenery and tranquil environment, you may go on a boat excursion on the lake.
Tracking the chimpanzees in Nyungwe Forest
One of the most exciting experiences to have in Rwanda is visiting Nyungwe National Park, an ancient biodiversity rainforest famous for protecting chimpanzee troops. Walking in Nyungwe’s eerie jungle feels like wandering on the set of Jurassic Park, and it is one of the most life-changing experiences you will have in Rwanda.
The 394-square-mile park harbors more than a dozen primate species, a dazzling collection of plant and animal species, and an impressive spread of hiking trails. The 100-year-old trees, fern-fringed waterfalls, oversized driver ants, and a cacophony of bird calls are an experience to lift the hardest heart.
The park offers one of Africa Safari’s most revered vacation activities on a daily chimpanzee trekking excursion to walk with the charismatic chimp troops. The adventurer’s hike through its stellar jungles to spend one precious hour with a human-habituated chimpanzee troop.
Experience the canopy walkway in East Africa
Hiking on the ground of Nyungwe Forest is rewarding. The canopy walkway is a 60–90-minute walk from the Uwinka Visitor Center along the Igishigishigi Trail, brimming with incredible umbrella trees, blooming orchids and lush greenery. Listen carefully, and you may hear beautiful birdsong and calls from the 13 species of primate that live in Nyungwe. Your views change substantially once you reach the series of three suspension bridges that compose the canopy walkway. The safe, albeit wobbly walk gets your adrenaline pumping, and the views of the tree canopy and Uwinka Ridge at sunset make your heart soar.
Learn How to Pick Tea Leaves
During your visit to Nyungwe Forest, you might be eager to relax with a cup of tea. Fortunately, tea plantations blanket the area around the park, offering not only dreamy scenery, but the chance to learn the art of cultivating the caffeine-laced leaves. Gisakura Tea Estate invites tourists to experience a couple of hours in the life of a tea leaf picker. The pickers will let you wear their backpack-basket and show you the delicate technique of plucking tea leaves with just three fingers. Then, you’ll watch as their impressive hauls are weighed and trucked to the factory for processing.
Local Dance Performances
One of the easiest ways to understand the culture and traditions of the people of Rwanda is to watch a performance by an Intore Dance Troupe. All the good hotels organize evening dance performances for guests as they relax. The quality of the Intore Dance is measured by the excitement, energy and grace of the performer. The dance may be interrupted by folk stories or other narrations related to the Kinyarwanda culture. Observers are always encouraged to join in at some point.
Independent Milk Bars
For a taste of nostalgia and a glimpse into Rwanda’s past, a visit to the Rwandan capital’s last independent milk bars is a must. These milk bars, locally known as “parlours,” hold a special place in Rwandan culture and history. They were once social hubs where people gathered to enjoy a cup of tea or milk-based drinks.
Despite the rise of modern cafes, a few of these traditional milk bars have managed to survive and continue their legacy. Stepping into one of these milk bars is like taking a step back in time. The nostalgic ambience, vintage decor, and the aroma of freshly brewed tea or milk create an unforgettable atmosphere.
Conclusion
There are at least as many things you can do and meaningful experiences you can have in Rwanda as there are people who call it home. From luxury holiday experiences to roughing it in campsites or seeking out the country’s famous mountain gorillas and chimpanzees–and that only scratches the surface. Exploring these vacation experiences will leave you emotional and enlightened.
