Rwanda presents a picturesque landscape of rolling hills, lush gardens, and tea plantations. This country offers a truly unique experience, as it is home to one-third of the world's remaining Mountain Gorillas, boasts one-third of Africa's bird species, hosts various primate species, features awe-inspiring volcanoes, game reserves, lakeside resorts, and islands on the vast Lake Kivu. Rwanda also showcases graceful dancers, exquisite artistic crafts, and warm and welcoming locals.
Akagera National Park: Situated in the far east, it overlooks picturesque Lake Rwanyakazinga and features some of East Africa's most scenic savannah. The park boasts open plains, woodlands, lakes, grassy low mountains, and abundant wildlife.
Kigali City: With its charming tree-lined streets and pristine squares, Kigali is a safe city for leisurely strolls, with friendly locals always willing to assist. A visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial is a must, paying tribute to over one million Rwandans who tragically lost their lives in 1994.
Lake Kivu: As one of the African Great Lakes and Rwanda's largest, it ranks as the sixth largest lake in Africa. Lake Kivu's emerald-green waters are surrounded by mountains, part of Africa's Rift Valley, covering a vast surface area of 2,700 km².
Nyungwe Forest: This ancient rainforest is one of Africa's oldest and is rich in biodiversity. Explore this mountainous region with guided chimpanzee tracking and discover 12 other primate species, including the L'Hoest's monkey, unique to the Albertine Rift.
Parc de Volcans: Lodges just minutes from the park entrance offer the chance to trek to see eight gorilla families living on the Virunga Volcanoes' slopes. Optional activities include trekking to observe golden monkeys, guided walks, mountain biking, and a trek to the Dian Fossey Research Camp.
Rwanda is a year-round destination, but the dry season, spanning from May to October, is particularly favorable for travel. The northeastern region, where the volcanoes are shrouded in lush rainforests, experiences more frequent and heavy rainfall.
Currency Rwandan Franc
Language The national language is Kinyarwanda, but the majority of Rwandans speak at least one international language. People in the tourism industry, will usually be able to speak French and English.
What makes it special: A visit to Rwanda wouldn't be complete without the incredible experience of tracking mountain gorillas. While this is undoubtedly extraordinary, Rwanda offers much more to explore. We recommend extending your stay to fully immerse yourself in the country's offerings. Ideal is a couple of days dedicated to gorilla tracking, which can seamlessly be combined with time spent in the vibrant city of Kigali, relaxation on the tranquil shores of Lake Kivu, or thrilling chimpanzee tracking adventures in the Nyungwe Forest.
Weather: Rwanda enjoys consistent temperatures, with daytime highs ranging from 25°C to 30°C throughout the year. There are two rainy seasons: the "long rains" from mid-February to early June and the "short rains" from mid-September to mid-December. The heaviest rainfall occurs from March to May, particularly in the mountainous regions.
Social customs: With its long history of hierarchical social relations, Rwandan culture puts great emphasis on practices of etiquette that demonstrate respect and emphasize social rank both inside and outside the family. Within the family, chairs are traditionally reserved for men, while other family members sit on mats on the floor.
