If you’re looking for a personable, dedicated, knowledgeable company, Self-Drive Kigali is your best way to explore Rwanda, rent a 4×4 car rental. During the 1 week I spent in Rwanda with a large group of college classmates, Jackie and the Self-Drive Kigali team worked hard to make every single day memorable and incredible. I cannot be more grateful to this team for their enthusiasm, commitment, and willingness to go above and beyond for my group.
The remarkable Rwanda is known for its stunning landscapes and rich cultural heritage. But also, Rwanda is best known for its gorillas in Volcanoes National Park. On additional to that, with 4 national parks and cultural heritage, there is much more to Rwanda than gorillas.
Apart from gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park, other popular parks you can explore on self-drive are Akagera National Park and Nyungwe National Forest Park and don’t forget the Gishwati suitable for ecotourism activities in Rwanda.
Rwanda was a true hidden gem. The entire country is impossibly clean and looks landscaped; a photo at any random location in the country looked like it had to be a park or something, but it wasn’t, it was just the landscape. The Genocide Memorial Center was really a good experience. Rwanda has a painful past (the genocide was in 1994), but to walk around the country you don’t feel it.
Everyone is very kind (though street vendors are still trying to sell stuff). Other highlights included a canopy walk, golden monkey trek, a stay at a great beautiful lodge on tranquil Lake Kivu and a visit to islands in the lake, Dian Fossey Museum, banana beer making, and cultural dancing.
We started with a full-day Kigali city tour which was truly an amazing, breathtaking, and educational experience. We drove the entire city and gave detailed explanations of the history, culture, and background of each stop. We started at the car-free zone (Imbuga City Walk) in the center of Kigali, before visiting the Rwanda Genocide Memorial which was a very educational experience that sheds light on a dark but important part of Rwanda’s history.
We then headed to the Kigali Alliance Business Centre for lunch and even stopped by the Niyo Arts Gallery and Inema Arts Center on the way. In the afternoon, we made a stop at the busy Kimironko Market where lots of locals shop for everyday needs, visited an arts and crafts center, drove to Rebero and Mt Kigali for a full view of the city, and ended the day at Nyamirambo Women’s Center and the Kigali Car-free zone in that area. Thanks to Self-Drive Kigali car rental, we had a full day of unique experiences and lessons about Rwanda.
Experienced tracking for chimpanzees and primates of Nyungwe mountain rain forest and came across quite a few different species. The chimps are truly in a jungle setting and the chimps move very fast so it is important to be flexible as you really never know where the trackers will locate the chimps or how long or far you will need to hike.
We were lucky in that the group we were tracking crossed a small road so we were able to see and photograph clearly. It is hard in the thick jungle to get good photographs when the chimps are high in the trees. Our guide was great and we thoroughly enjoyed this. Highly recommend.
Lucky enough we got a chance to spend a day with women in a local village in Muhanga, collecting water, making mud bricks and a cooked lunch. We had so much fun and laughed together.
Spent 2 days in a guest house in Volcanoes National Park and trekked early one morning to experience close up encounters with the mountain gorillas who are absolutely indescribable. Visited a local cultural village singing, dancing, drumming and much more. Visited Ros Carr School for local children. Last stop was Lake Kivu beautiful and serene for us to rest. Excellent with the history and culture of Rwanda and an extremely safe driver.
The Rwandan scenery, rolling hills, tea plantations, villages, Volcano Mountains and birdlife are breathtaking. Rwandan people are friendly and we always felt comfortable and safe. We feel extremely confident to recommend Self-Drive Kigali for your 4×4 car rental to everyone and you wouldn’t be disappointed
