Rwanda is one of three countries in Africa where you can find mountain gorillas and it is among the best destination to visit and experience the gorilla tours and beyond. There are 10 habituated gorilla families in Rwanda, all found on the slopes of the Virunga Mountains. Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is one of those things you need to do at least once in your lifetime.
Volcanoes is probably the most popular park in Rwanda. There are so many things to see and enjoy in this park. You can go gorilla trekking, golden monkey tracking, volcano climbing, volcano climbing and hiking, birding, nature walks, cave exploration, visiting Diane Fossey’s research camp.
There is so much to see on a safari in East Africa especially in Rwanda. One of the wondrous sights in Rwanda is the Nyungwe forest.
Nyungwe Forest National Park
This is the largest tropical afro-montane forest in east and central Africa. It covers a wide expanse of over 1000 sq. Km in Rwanda and extends to Burundi in the Kibira national park. The Nyungwe forest national park is found on the Rwanda side of the border. Nyungwe forest receives about 200mm of rain annually and is Rwanda’s largest water catchment belt and holds 2/3 of Rwanda’s water. It feeds both the River Nile and River Congo with water.
Nyungwe Forest National Park has a variety of wildlife. The park and forest boast of about 85 different species of mammals, 32 amphibians, 38 reptile species and about 300 bird species. There are thirteen primates and some unconfirmed sightings of golden monkeys. The forest is well known for its primate population which includes the chimpanzee, the L’hoest monkey, the silver monkey, golden monkey, Hamlyn’s monkey, the red-tailed monkey, the vervet monkey, the olive baboon and a few others.
Akagera National Park
This is also another full tour package in Rwanda which you cannot afford to miss beyond gorilla tours. 12 different species of antelopes live within the park; the cute chestnut coated impalas are the most commonly seen although even the very small oribi as well as the tsessebe and the secretive bush bucks, in addition to the eland which is the largest antelope in the world can all be seen within Akagera National Park. We recommend our visitor to Camp alongside the beautiful Akagera Lake as this is a genuinely mystical introduction to the amazing wonders of Nature within this African bush.
Groups of about 50 hippos groan and play in the shallows of the lake throughout the entire day while crocodiles soak in the sun by the lake shore with their huge jaws threateningly opened. The stillness of the area is broken by the memorable echoes of a high duet of fish eagles, making known their status as the crowned heads of the waterways of Africa.
Visitors can enjoy memorable boat trips on Lake Ihema which will certainly reward you with an unforgettable experience. However, this necessitates that you make your reservation in advance while you are still in Kigali. During this trip you will have closer encounters with large hippos, the giant crocodiles as well as see a great diversity of bird species including the African darter, cormorants in addition to the open-bill storks.
In addition, the water birds are very may around this lake so you will be able to spot the colorful African Jacana on some of the small floating island’s vegetation, normally the fish eagles are spotted seen high in the trees, while the malachite kingfisher hawks plus the colorful kingfishers are seen flying over the waters ready to prey fish. Get the chance to spot the marsh specialists such as the marsh flycatcher and the blue headed coucal. Secondly, Akagera National Park offers thrilling Game drives usually conducted in 4WD vehicle during which you will explore the different game tracks to see the animals here.
Beyond Gorillas, Rwandan Culture Is at a high peak bringing Tourist Dollars at the main entrance of Amahoro, the feeling one gets is that of an art and craft dealership, or a cultural artifact center: there are countless paintings on canvass, wood carvings, tribal masks and cultural paraphernalia neatly displayed at every nook and cranny, every wall, tree trunk and stump. Actually, this place has become a melting pot for local artisans either plying their wares to tourists who check into the facility, while others do come here for free apprenticeship. “When I first came here, there was some subsistence farming going on, mostly growing of sweet potatoes.
