Rwanda is a small country in East Africa with big potential and much to offer budget and luxury travelers alike. With opportunities to see wildlife and culture as well as hike and relax.
The undeniable beauty
Rwanda is mountainous, diverse, and just all around gorgeous. Jungles, savannas, volcanoes, lakes, and forests are just a few hours apart, and this little country packs in the beauty. Rwanda is called the ‘Land of a Thousand Hills’ for a reason, and in between activities, don’t forget to take in all the breathtaking views and sunsets.
See wildlife in their natural habitat
Rwanda is a conservation and wildlife success story, and options for wildlife encounters and national park visits are plentiful. The Virunga Mountains, a range that spans Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, are home to over half of the world’s population of mountain gorillas. Tourists and travelers visiting the country can visit gorilla families in the wild and aid their conservation. Other than gorillas, Nyungwe National Park is home to chimpanzees, colobus monkeys, and more than 300 different bird species. Since lions and rhinos were reintroduced to Rwanda in 2015 and 2017 respectively, Akagera National Park once again has Africa’s ‘Big Five.’
The ease of travel
Unlike neighboring Uganda or Tanzania, Rwanda’s bus system runs on time and the roads are generally well maintained. Traveling in Rwanda, a country slightly smaller than Switzerland, also means it is possible to traverse the country in fewer than 10 days.
All of the activities
For such a small country, there is so much to do. In addition to all the wildlife encounters, kayak or canoe through northwest Rwanda, explore art galleries in Kigali, hike around volcanoes, and more.
The fantastic weather
Rwanda’s weather is forever moderate. Not too hot and not too cold, Rwanda easily has some of the best weather compared with its surrounding East African neighbors. Rainy season comes twice a year (from approximately October to November and February to May), and though getting around can become more difficult, it’s an easy trade-off for the lush green views and all the flowers.