WHAT TO DO IN RWANDA

Rwanda is sometimes referred to as a land a ‘’thousand hills’’ due to very many hills amounts the country. Like its neighbor Uganda, Rwanda is also a land locked country without seaport and it’s considered one of the smallest countries not only in Africa but also in the entire world covering an area of about 26,338 km2. This small country bits very many big countries when it comes to tourism attractions, it is a place of interest to very many people whole over the world, and they come for adventure as well as relaxation on the freshest Lake Kivu. The most Rwanda attraction is the rare mountain gorillas which only remained in three countries that’s Rwanda, Uganda and the democratic republic of Congo; however Rwanda is known as a premier safari destination for gorilla tracking as it houses almost a half of the world’s population. Over 1 million people visit Rwanda every year and among these over 60% travelers to Rwanda go gorilla tracking. Let us examine Rwanda’s most interesting things to do.

Gorillas tracking; gorilla tracking is the most thought after activity done in Rwanda, many of the travelers who make it to Rwanda go gorilla tracking and this has contributed a lot of revenue to the government of Rwanda as over 60% of tourists to Rwanda track gorillas. Gorillas in Rwanda are tracked in the Volcanoes National Park (Parc Nationale Des Volcanoes).  The  park is located in Ruhengeri Musanze District which is just about 2-3 hours’ drive from Kigali Rwanda’s capital and its largest city up to the park. Tracking begins very early in the morning after reporting at the park headquarters to receive a short briefing about the dos and don’ts while with gorillas from the park officials and also gets assigned to the group and a ranger guide who will lead you through the whole process. After you will be lead to the dense tropical rain forest or volcanoes to begin the search. Gorilla tracking is the most interesting done activity at the park and meeting gorillas in their natural habitat is regarded as a moment in life difficult to forget. Gorilla tracking is unpredictable as it can go from a half to full day in the jungle searching for them meeting them depends on where they spent the last night from, some levels of physical fitness is needed and you are also recommended to carry with you tracking gears such as study pair of walking shoes/boots, long sleeved shirts or blouses, bottled water and sometimes park lunch. Ounce gorillas are met you strictly allowed to stay with them for only one hour observing their behaviors as well as taking their photos. Gorilla tracking is at a fee of 750USD per person per tracking, and you are advised to pay earlier prior to your tracking dates as permits are issued on first come first served basis the earlier the better 

Golden monkey tracking: Just like mountain gorillas, golden monkey are also listed as endangered and are tracked in the volcanoes national park. These species are fabulous fan to watch when jumping from one tree to another. There are two habituated golden monkeys troops that are available for visiting by tourists and there about 80 members at the park. Tracking also begins early in the morning with a small briefing from the park wardens. They most of the time live in the bamboo vegetation towards the base of the volcanoes that’s Kabatwa or karisimbi. Just like gorillas tracking time is unpredictable it can go from 30 minutes to eight hour so a reasonable degree of fitness is needed as well as tracking gears like sturdy pair of walking shoes. Tracking in each family is strict to only eight members and only one hour is allowed to stay with them. Golden monkey tracking is at a fee of $100 per person per tracking including the park entry fee.

Hiking on one of the mountains: For those who are physically fit, the park provide a challenging hike to volcanoes mountains, it can go from 1-10 days depending on the travelers fitness, climb the Karisimbi, Bisoke, Muhabura, Gahinga and Sabyinyo.

Chimpanzee tracking: Rwanda is one of the few countries housing over 13 species of primates not only in the central but also in Africa. Nyungwe forest national park is a must not to miss Rwanda park where you can spot all these primates species, the most common among all is the chimpanzee which shares almost 98% of human DNA, they are tremendous fan to watch when playing in fruitful tress or tree branches. The park is located in the south western part of Rwanda just about 5-7 hours’ drive from Kigali Rwanda’s capital and largest city. Many people watch chimps in zoos but how do you see when you meet them in a close distance of just about 7-10 meters in their natural habitat. Tracking in the Nyungwe forest begins very early in the morning after receiving a short briefing from the park wardens. Like gorillas and golden monkeys, chimp tracking is unpredictable since their wildlife they move from place to place however chances of seeing them is very high, ranger guides always detect their movements. Ounce they are met you strictly allowed to stay with them for only one hour while taking their photos as well as observing their behaviors. Other primates include 400-strong troop of habituated Ruwenzori Black & White Colobus monkey, baboons, civet monkey, mona monkeys, L'Hoest's monkeys, owl-faced monkey, red tailed monkey, golden monkeys, olive baboons, among othe.

Kigali city: there is no way one can visit Rwanda without a Kigali city tour. Kigali is Rwanda’ capital and largest city with very many attractions, it is a unique city in the heart of Rwanda with a great weather. It is just about 7kms from Kanombe airport, you are permitted to visit places like the national museum to get more information about the history of Rwanda, visit Kigali genocide memorial to get a clear information about how the horrific genocide war started, don’t fail to visit the cultural sites, market places for shopping, portray project among other interesting sites in Kigali. The internet is also reliable.

Lake Kivu: Lake Kivu is one of the freshest water bodies not only in the central Africa but also in Africa and it’s the world’s 18th deepest lake. It is located at the border between Rwanda and the democratic republic of Congo. If you feel relaxing along the shoreline don’t miss Lake Kivu, enjoy activities like swimming, beach volley balls; boat trip to explore the nearest island on the lake as well as you can visit other cities near the Lake Kivu like Kibuye and Gisenyi near the DR Congo boarders.

Butare (Huye): Huye is the third largest city of Rwanda, located in the southern part of Rwanda with very many attractions. It was the capital of the former Butare Province; butare is regarded as a city of universities in Rwanda including the national university. The city of Butare has long been regarded as the intellectual capital of the country, and it houses the national museum of Rwanda that will show the great history of Rwanda. Indeed this place is worthwhile to visit

Visiting the local communities: community walks is rewarded interesting most especially to those who love to know more about the African way of life. You can visit the Iby’Iwacu village in the Northern Province Kinigi musanze district of Rwanda to share with the local people, life style and also test their local food. This Cultural Village is much dedicated at showcasing the ways of living, traditional lifestyles and dances to tourists. They will entertain you through their cultural dance and music and they will also pass you through their interesting stories about traditional medicine from a local traditional heal, their historical background among other.

Canopy walk: It’s one of its kind activity last from 1-3 hours however it depends on how often you stop on the way, you walk up to the end way and you come back however, during the walk you will be fortunate to come close to several species of primates, birds just meters from you . For these who fear height this activity may not fortunate for you. Canopy walks are guided by experienced guides and the Tour costs $60 U.S. per person children must be accompanied by adults, you are recommended to bring a rain coat since it’s a rain montane forest it can rain at any time or if you forget it you hire it at the park headquarters, strong boots/shoes plus a walking stick are also a must not forget. Canopy walk are done in Nyungwe forest national park

Game viewing and wildlife safaris: Akagera National Park offers game drive and viewing activities, it is located in the eastern part of Rwanda near the Tanzanian boarder. It houses different species of wildlife like elephant, buffaloes, different species of antelopes, gazelle; spotted hyena, warthogs, Burchall's zebra, Hippo, crocodile and giraffe among many others can be seen. Game drives are recommended to be done in a tourist 4x4 wheel drive.   

Visit the Dian Fossey grave yard. Don’t miss to visit a graveyard of Diane Fossy who was a prominent primatologist who carried out research on the behaviors of mountain gorillas for a period of over 20years until when she was murdered in 1885 by poachers whom she had made herself very unpopular. Without her work Rwanda could not be known as of today. Ounce you reach at the site you will learn more about Diane Fossy who was so dedicated and left a legacy that exists even today. Without her, mountain gorillas would not be herd of in Rwanda. You will find a house where she was buried at the research center next to the grave of her favorite gorilla called Digit and about 20 other mountain gorillas either killed by poachers or suffered death for other reasons. The hike to the Dian Fossy is somehow tough as it involves passing through the forest and slopes so a relative degree of fitness is needed and it

BWINDI IMPENETRABLE FOREST NATIONAL PARK

bwindi is the most visited Uganda national park covering an area of about 331SqKm, is a home to almost a half of the world’s endangered mountain gorillas left in the world, and gorilla tracking is a major high light to very many traveler’s to Uganda, meeting these creatures eye to eye is regarded a breathtaking moment in life difficult to forget. Bwindi impenetrable forest is the oldest and most biologically diverse rainforest with over 4000 species of plants. It lies on the edge of the rift valley in the south-western part of Uganda about 530 km from Kampala Uganda’s capital and it largest city passing via Kabale,kanungu to Buhoma about 7-9 hours. Charter flights can also be used from Entebbe international airport or Kampala (Kajansi airfield) to the modern tarmac airstrip at kisoro town. The scenery is rugged, with deep valleys running between steep sided hills and ridges. There is both lowland and montane rainforest with dense undergrowth of herbs, vines and shrubs, making the Park look impenetrable. 

Not only gorillas but the park is also a home to over 120 species of mammals , 346 species of birds, 202 species of butterflies, 163 species of trees, 100 species of fern and 27 species of frogs, chameleons, geckos among many other species. It is a UNESCO designated World Heritage site popular for mountain gorilla, and it’s one of the few parks in the world where you can find gorillas and chimps to co-exist in the same environment. There are very many tourist activities that can be done at the park, these include;

Gorilla tracking

This is a major highlight to most of travellers who visit this park, gorilla tracking is unforgettable experience done on earth, it’s worth the money you pay for this activity and the effort needed to reach the Bwindi and the trek from the forest. Tracking gorillas begins very early in the morning after reporting at the park headquarters for registration and briefing starts at 8:00 am either at Buhoma, Ruhija,Nkuringo and Rushaga.  Then after tracking begins at 830am, follow the ranger guide to the forest to begin the activity, possibly tracking time is unpredictable it can go from half or full day so a reasonable degree of fitness is called for together with tracking gears such as strong shoes/boots, long sleeved shirts or blouses, bottled water and packed lunch. However ounce these species are met you will forget all the troubles you’ve gone through and utilize the one hour you are allowed to stay with these giants, observe their behaviours as well as taking as many photos as you can (a flash camera is not allowed). 

Apparently bwind has 10 habituated gorilla families and only 8 members are allowed to track in each group so it’s always advisable to book your gorilla permit in advance at least 3-4 months before your safari. Book with your tour company as gorilla permits are issued on first come first served basis so the earlier the better. Having a gorilla permits is a guarantee for tracking, however it’s not a guarantee for seeing the gorillas, although chance of sighting is 95% or more and most of the time park rangers know where the gorillas can be located due to their experience. The minimum age for sighting these endangered mountain gorillas is 15 years and minimum time to stay with gorillas is strictly one hour. Uganda Gorilla permits are at a fee of $600 per person per tracking during the high seasons and they are at $350 during the low seasons. Book your gorilla permit with us to avoid inconveniences.

Bird watching

  The park is also a best place for bird watching as it houses over 346 species of birds some of which are Aibertine rift endemic like the short tailed warbler, 14 species found nowhere else in Uganda, including the African Green Broadbill. 

Nature walk

 This another interesting activity done at the park, exploring the park on foot to various places is considered magnificent, taking various trails will lead you to various interesting places like the Muyanga river trail in the valley below Buhoma provides an  ideal short walk to view birds and primates along the forest edge. See also different species of plant, butterflies and ferns during the nature walk. Forest walks can take between 1-4 hours.

Community walk

 this activity gives you more insight about how the African people live, meet the local community around Buhoma village the Batwa community these people will entertain you through their traditional dance and music, explain to you how they have managed to live in the area  and also take you through their hunting skills and fire making techniques 

Where to stay: Lake Mutanda Chameleon Hill, Gorilla Forest Camp, Mahogany Springs, Gorilla Resort, Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge -Luxury/ Lake Mutanda, Silver Back Lodge, Lake Kitandara Tented Camp, Gorilla Safari Lodge Gorilla Mist Camp, Nkuringo Gorilla Camp Site- mid range/ Buhoma Community Bandas, Wagati Eco Lodge- budget