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Sitting pretty in the center of Africa, the small yet vibrant country of Rwanda offers a perfect blend of natural beauty, wildlife, history, and cultural adventures.
Known as the “Land of a Thousand Hills,” Rwanda is a lush, green paradise of rolling hills, volcanic mountains, dense rainforests, and scenic tea plantations. Start your journey in Kigali, the clean and welcoming capital, where you can enjoy lively art scenes, tasty local dishes, and a moving visit to the Genocide Memorial, which tells the powerful story of the country’s resilience and hope.
But Rwanda’s biggest treasure lies in Volcanoes National Park, where you can trek through misty forests to come face-to-face with gentle mountain gorillas—an experience that is both thrilling and deeply moving. In Nyungwe Forest, you can spot playful chimpanzees and walk along a canopy bridge high above the trees. For a classic African safari, head to Akagera National Park to see lions, elephants, rhinos, and more in a stunning savannah setting. Whether you’re a nature lover, wildlife enthusiast, or cultural explorer, Rwanda offers big adventures and warm hospitality in a small, beautiful country that’s easy to explore and impossible to forget.
Here are the 5 top places to visit in Rwanda.
Surrounded by beautiful green hills, Kigali gets our vote as Africa’s most beautiful capital and it is a perfect place to begin a Rwandan safari. It is also one of Africa’s safest and greenest cities, offering a calm and welcoming atmosphere for visitors. In Kigali, you’ll find stylish contemporary restaurants, tasty street food, buzzing nightlife, and fantastic coffee served on rooftop cafés with amazing views of the surrounding hills.
Kigali city is a great place to learn about Rwanda’s culture, with a variety of museums, art galleries, and great shopping where you can buy handmade African crafts.
One of the most powerful experiences in Kigali is a visit to the genocide memorial. This museum tells the heartbreaking story of the 1994 genocide, when nearly 1000,000 people were killed in just 100 days. It’s one of several memorials in the country that have been recognized as World Heritage Sites, and it gives visitors a deeper understanding of Rwanda’s history and resilience.
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Just a 3-hour drive northwest of Kigali, you’ll reach Volcanoes National Park—home to the incredibly beautiful and endangered mountain gorilla. For $1,500 per person, visitors can hike through the lush jungle and spend up to an hour watching these gentle, humanlike animals in their natural home.
It’s a magical, once-in-a-lifetime experience. You can also walk in the footsteps of the late Dian Fossey, the famous American primatologist who worked very hard to save the gorillas from extinction and inspired the film Gorillas in the Mist. Visiting this park isn’t just a thrilling wildlife adventure—it also helps support the ongoing efforts to save these incredible creatures from extinction.
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Nyungwe Forest National Park is one of Africa’s oldest and largest mountain rainforests, and it’s packed with life. This World Heritage-listed Park is home to an incredible mix of wildlife, including 13 types of primates, over 300 bird species, 75 mammals, more than 1,000 plant species, and around 300 kinds of butterflies.
The main attraction here is the chimpanzees—our closest animal relatives who act and move in ways that feel surprisingly human. You can also see the world’s only habituated group of Angolan colobus monkeys, known for their unique black-and-white coats and massive troops of up to 700.
Don’t miss the thrilling canopy walk, a hanging bridge that lets you walk above the trees for stunning views. Nyungwe is also a hiker’s dream, with 17 scenic trails through rainforests, bamboo groves, and wetlands, guided by local experts who bring the ecosystem to life.
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Akagera National Park, located to the east of Rwanda, is a beautiful blend of rolling hills and lowland savannah.
While the park is home to Africa’s Big 5—(lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants, leopards) giraffes, and more—don’t expect the crowds of larger parks like the Serengeti. This quieter park offers a more intimate safari experience, where fewer tourists mean you can have special encounters, like spotting a pride of 20 lions with just your guide and driver.
You can enjoy day safaris, night drives, boat trips, and behind-the-scenes tours for unique views of the park. Akagera is also just 100 km from Kigali, making it easy to visit for a night or two. Thanks to a successful rewilding project, wildlife numbers have grown dramatically from 5,000 in 2010 to 12,000 today, with the return of lions, Masai giraffes, and southern white rhinos.
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Lake Kivu is a hidden tropical paradise in landlocked Rwanda. Despite being far from the ocean, you can enjoy stunning beachside relaxation in Rubavu (also known as Gisenyi), where you can sip cocktails on white sand beaches surrounded by palm trees. The lake stretches over 2,700 sq km (1,042 sq miles) and offers beach resorts, hot springs, and the chance to explore its islands. You can also hike or bike the 227 km Congo-Nile Trail, a scenic adventure that runs along the Congo-Nile divide.
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Rwanda beckons with its warm and friendly people, breathtaking landscapes, rich culture, and remarkable wildlife. For an unforgettable Rwanda safari, contact Orugano Safaris. Our safari specialists will curate your dream adventures, seamlessly combining Rwanda and Uganda for great African safari experience.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Nkuringo Sector- Uganda
+256-701-230-309
info@oruganosafaris.com
