A turbulent past, thousands of hills, unadulterated natural beauty and struggle to piece together make Rwanda. While many know Rwanda for the genocide and corruption is has suffered, it is also the land of hope, optimism, and the struggle to achieving clean streets and valleys. Rwanda has been spearheading the comeback of Africa and despite so many setbacks, the country has managed to keep its natural beauty unharmed. Rwanda’s economy gets a major chunk of its earnings from tourism and the country has many beautiful travel destinations In Rwanda for nature lovers. From dense forests to national parks and valleys, Rwanda has a lot of greenery.
Gorilla trekking is something that every traveller planning to visit Rwanda has on their itinerary. The country has made significant progress in terms of returning to peace and this has resulted in more and more travellers getting attracted towards the country. Apart from natural beauty, the country also has a very unique culture and several museums in the country exhibit it in the best possible way. If you are an adventure lover, Rwanda will excite you for sure. There are several places worth visiting in Rwanda and below is a list of some of the best of them.
Congo-Nile Trail
Hiking through the Congo-Nile trail is one of the best things to do in Rwanda. The trail passes alongside crystal clear Lake Kivu. It is a very picturesque spot with several marvellous spots. It is full of unadulterated natural beauty. The famous trail is guarded by a series of majestic mountains. You can find different hiking packages as per your budget once you are in Rwanda. It is one of the preferred spots for hikers and adventure junkies.
Mount Bisoke
Mount Bisoke is located in one of the most scenic areas in the country. Located on the Rwanda-Congo border, Mount Bisoke houses an active volcano and you can trek the height of the mountain in six to seven hours. The hike includes traversing up the southwestern flank of the volcano. You can get breathtaking views of the Parc National des Virungas from the summit route.
Lake Kivu
Lake Kivu is unique as it is one of the only three ‘exploding lakes’ in the world. The lake experiences limited limnic eruptions occasionally. If you are lucky enough to witness the eruption, make sure that you are not too close to the stretch as it has a history of suffocating anything nearby. However, no eruption has been recorded in the last few years. It is also one of 20 largest lakes in the world. The tropical vegetation around the lake gives it a tropical look.
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Gishwati Forest
Gishwati forest is spread over an area of 250,000 acres and it remains beautiful despite undergoing some amount of destruction, courtesy the cattle ranching and post-genocide refugee resettlement. The Kivu Lake is inside the forest only and it houses over 1450 types of bird. The government’s efforts to entirely replant the forest and return it to its former glory has somewhat paid off. It is one of the most beautiful places in Rwanda.
Akagera National Park
You can’t finish a trip to Africa without going to a safari. Just 2 to 3 hours away from Kigali, the Akagera National Park provides a wonderful opportunity for those who love wildlife and nature. Spread over 1,140 square kilometres, the national park has an abundance of elephants and zebras. If you are lucky enough, you may also spot a lion or a rhino but their population is still limited in comparison to elephants or zebras. However, you can find zebras, hippos, Nile crocodiles, elephants, and giraffes in abundance.
Kigali
Kigali being the largest city and the capital of Rwanda becomes an automatic choice for travellers. Before you head out for gorilla trekking, you should explore Kigali to understand the local culture and enjoy some local dishes. The famous Kimironko market in Kigali is one of the spots worth visiting in the capital city. You can also pay a visit to the Rwanda Art Museum at the former Presidential Palace. Get yourself an authentic Rwandan cup of joe at Question Coffee Cafe. Some restaurants in Kigali serve really exotic dishes during the evening and it’s worth exploring.
