Top places  to visit in Rwanda

Top places to visit in Rwanda : When the name Rwanda is mentioned it evokes the memories of the 1994 horrific genocide that brutalized the country. But today the country is known for its stability and steady growth. Tourism is now key contributor to the economy. The highlight of a tour to Rwanda is the mountain gorillas that one can track at the Volcanoes national park.

Visit in Rwanda

There are lots of other things that can make your visit to Rwanda have everlasting memories for you. Today we look at some of the best places you can visit while on safari in Rwanda.

Kigali Genocide Memorial Monument

Kigali Genocide Memorial Monument

The museum takes you through a story that will impact on you and live to tell forever, some episodes are so heartbreaking that definitely you may cry.

Camp Kigali Belgian Monument

Camp Kigali Belgian Monument

Camp Kigali Belgian Monument, This museum in Kigali lies at the site of the massacre of 10 Belgian UN Blue Beret.

Akagera National Park

Akagera National Park

Akagera National Park is Rwanda’s largest national park. The park is home to lions, leopards, servals, hyenas, jackals and giraffes, large herds of buffaloes, impalas, zebras and several antelope species. Elephants often congregate around the lakes that are inhabited by more than 800 hippos as well as Nile crocodiles. Akagera is also home to around 482 bird species including the endangered shoebill that you may have chance to see on your lucky day and endemic red-faced barbet.

The Akagera River feeds a complex of a dozen of lakes including Lake Ihema, Lake Ihema is located in the south of the Akagera National Park in the savannah region of the Eastern province of Rwanda. The sights in this national park are overwhelming, Try out a safari to Rwanda yourself and live to tell God’s magic.

Nyungwe Forest National Park

Nyungwe Forest National Park

Nyungwe Forest National Park is Africa’s largest protected rainforest. Nyungwe has an impressive selection of activities on offer including the only canopy walk in East Africa, chimpanzee trekking, tea plantations, hiking and biking through the beautiful nature trails and bird watching. Bird watchers will rejoice as they encounter some of the 300 species dwelling within the confines of the forest like the Albertine rift endemics including the Rwenzori Turaco and the yellow eyed black flycatcher.

Volcanoes National Park

Volcanoes National Park

The air in Volcanoes National Park creates a good atmosphere to enjoy Rwanda’s distinct outdoor adventures like mountain gorilla trekking. It is home to a third of the remaining world’s mountain gorillas. Volcanoes National Park derives its name from its five Virunga volcanoes: Bisoke, Muhabura, Karisimbi, Sabyinyo and Gahinga. An exciting trek through the terraced Virungas foothills rewards a remarkable spectacle of stirring views in all directions.

Lake Kivu

Lake Kivu

Rubavu, hosts a direct access of waterfront to the shores of the majestic Lake Kivu, one of Africa’s greatest bodies of water.

The Cultural Heritage Corridor

The Cultural Heritage Corridor

The Cultural Heritage Corridor is located in Rwanda’s southern province. The corridor showcases a number of Rwanda’s important sites of culture and history. The Royal Palace located in Nyanza district is the former home of King Mutara III Rudahigwa dating in 1931. It was turned into a museum where guests can explore traditional royal living. Also in Nyanza, is the Rwesero Art Museum, an art gallery where contemporary Rwandan artwork is displayed. In the neighboring district of Huye, lies the Ethnographic Museum, an impressive exhibit of Africa’s prime collection of pre and post-colonial pieces of ethnography, artistry and archaeology.

King’s Palace Museum – Rukari

King’s Palace Museum - Rukari

The King’s palace museum is located on a hill 2 km south west of Nyanza town, 88 km south of Kigali City. Initially the museum was built as a royal palace where king Mutara III Rudahigwa and his wife Queen Rosalie Gicanda used to reside until they died. The museum is more of a royal residence than an ancient history, built traditionally by the Belgium in 1931. This Palace museum is so fascinating in that it was restored to its 19th century and entirely built out of traditional materials offering a detailed look in the Rwandan traditional seat of monarchy.  The architectural ideologies inside the royal compound best explains some of the beliefs in the Rwandan culture for example why the woman who looked after the King’s milk was never able to marry. In the same royal compound are the traditional Long horned cows, commonly known in as “Inyambo” in Kinyarwanda because they form an essential part in the Rwandan Culture . On the hill, you can also visit a place where King Mutara III and his wife Queen Rosalie Gicanda were buried.

Presidential Palace

Presidential Palace

Another historical landmark in Rwanda is the former Presidential Palace, located near the Kigali International Airport. It is the former state house of late President Habyarimana turned into a museum where the wreckage of the presidential jet shot down on April 6th, 1994 can be seen.

These are some of the many attractions that you can explore on your safari to Rwanda. Be sure to enjoy you stay in this heart of Africa country and see you soon.

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