7 Most Popular Tourist Attractions in Rwanda; Top Sights
If you’re planning to Visit Rwanda, all blogs will point you to these top-rated Tourist Attractions in Rwanda, from Volcanoes National Park to Kigali to Nyungwe Forest National Park.
Rwanda is a beautiful country in East Africa with a rich wildlife, history and culture. It has 4 national parks, several museums, lakes, forests and many other attractions, here are the Top 7 Most Popular Destinations in Rwanda.
The 7 Most Popular Tourist Attractions in Rwanda;
Volcanoes National Park
The Volcanoes National Park is located 116 km from Kigali, and it’s a 2-hour drive through the beautiful mountains. The highlight of the park is the gorilla trekking adventure. Tourists can spend a full hour with the mountain gorillas as they observe gorillas feeding, playing and how amazing their size is.
Volcanoes national park is one of 4 parks in the world where the critically endangered mountain gorillas live. The park’s lush bamboo forests provide a dramatic setting for travelers who want to experience one of the most memorable wildlife experiences.
Mountain Gorilla trekking is all what Volcanoes can offer, the park is also known to be one of the few homes to another endangered primates’ specie, the golden monkeys. Visitors can enjoy golden monkey trekking just like gorilla trekking in Volcanoes.
Other activities that makes Volcanoes national park a prime Tourist Attractions in Rwanda are; Dian Fossey tombs hike, Iby’iwachu cultural experience, nature walks, bird watching and mountain climbing.
Nyungwe Forest National Park
Nyungwe Forest National Park is another top-rated Tourist Attractions in Rwanda. The park is popular for chimpanzee trekking experiences. The experience differs from gorilla trekking, as the chimps are running around, so the sightings are a bit more sporadic and rushed.
While in the park, visitors can also try the canopy walk, which gives an exhilarating tree-to-eye view of Nyungwe Forest. This is a vantage point for bird watching in Nyungwe Forest.
Visitors can also visit The Gisovu and Gisakura Tea Factories and discover how the tea is harvested and even taste the specialty.
3. Kigali Genocide Memorial.
If you ever wanted to learn about the dark history of Rwanda, the Kigali Genocide Memorial is the place to visit. The museum combines both the history of Rwanda – the 1994 Rwandan Genocide as well the vibrant culture of the country. This is where the skulls and bones of over 250,000 victims were laid.
The museum is all horror, as visitors are being guided around, they also get the chance to learn about the efforts in place to promote reconciliation and healing of the country today. You will never appreciate Rwanda tourism if you don’t visit Kigali Genocide Memorial – history and culture should always be part of any itinerary.
4. Lake Kivu.
Ever heard of the African Great Lakes, lake Kivu is one of them and is the largest lake in Rwanda shared with the Democratic Republic of Congo. Besides the beautiful scenery around lake Kivu, it is among the largest freshwater lakes on the continent and is the biggest source of fish in Rwanda.
Lake Kivu is a superlative place for boat cruise in Rwanda, kayaking adventures and swimming. The birders also call this lake a haven. Visitors can also tour nearby towns such as Gisenyi and Kibuye.
Akagera National Park
Akagera National Park is a classic African wildlife safari destination. The park is home to a variety of wild animals, including lions, elephants, rhinos, giraffes, zebras, leopards, buffalos, antelopes, and hippos. It’s also a popular destination in Rwanda to spot crocodiles, baboons, and other primates.
Visitors to Akagera National Park can enjoy wildlife viewing through game drives, scenic boat ride on Lake Ihema, sport fishing on the lake, or a bird watching tour and guided nature walks with an experienced local guide.
Musanze Caves
Located in the Northern province of Rwanda, the Musanze Caves give tourists a rare look into Rwandan earth and history.
Visitors can take guided tours that explain the history of the caves from their formation to their various uses in history, such as acting as a shelter during ancient history and periods of war.
The Congo Nile Trail
The Congo Nile Trail is a 227 km trail along Lake Kivu that extends from Rubavu to Rusizi District.
The trail gives stunning views of the Lake Kivu and beautiful landscapes, including rolling hills and clear water. Visitors can hike the entire trail, which takes 10 days, or bike it, which takes 5 days. The trip can also be done in sections if visitors do not have time to complete the entire trail.
There are many Tourists Attractions in Rwanda, over 40 but, these 7 receive the most visitors due to their unique experiences and location. You can checkout some of our most popular Rwanda Tourism Packages.
