RWANDA TRAVEL GUIDE 2021 VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARKMOUNTAIN GORILLA
TA K E A B O AT R I D E ON TWIN LAKES If you have your own transportation, it’s worth taking a drive to the outskirts of Musanze. There you can find the twin lakes Burera and Ruhondo. The former is the larger of the pair, though the scenery they offer is much the same: a breathtaking array of terraced hills and small villages, set against a backdrop of the towering Virungas. A mere 600 meters separates the two lakes, but this covers an astonishing 100 meter drop in altitude. In each case, boat rides across the water offer unparalleled access to birdwatching, including kingfishers, cranes, and the delightfully-named hamerkops.
IMMERSE YOURSELF IN TRADITIONAL R W A N D A N C U LT U R E Home to a number of excellent local organizations, including Red Rocks Camping and Hostel, the Hands of Hope Organization, and Amahoro Tours, the charming Nkotsi Village presents its visitors with inauguration into Rwanda’s fascinating traditions and cultural activities. Witness traditional Intore and Ibyivigo dance, and learn about local and traditional musical instruments. Take drumming lessons, or meet experts in basket-weaving, banana-beer-brewing, and plant cultivation, as well as traditional herbal medicines. Alternatives include the nearby Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village. Also in the Northern Province: • Delve into underground universe of Musanze Cave • Test your archery skills with a traditional bow at the Gorilla Guardians Village
WHAT TO DO IN THE NORTHERN PROVINCE M E E T A D I S TA N T R E L AT I V E The Virunga Mountains are often regarded as Rwanda’s most popular attraction, and for good reason. Ascending to an altitude approaching 15,000ft at Karisimbi, Africa’s 5th highest peak, this magnificent range of volcanoes forms a natural border between neighboring Uganda and DRC. Housed within the confines of Volcanoes National Park, the Virungas provide ample opportunities for climbing and trekking, kicking off from the town of Musanze, only a two-and-a-half hour drive from Kigali. And no trip to Volcanoes National Park is complete without an up-close encounter with the park’s famous mountain gorilla. 18 | SBM - RWANDA
Placed are limited and tend to get booked up months in advance, so anyone keen to catch a glimpse of humankind’s elusive cousins will have to act quickly. Journeys vary in length, with appropriate pricing options, and are best undertaken during Rwanda’s more manageable dry season between June and September. But whatever your preference, the rewards are phenomenal.
Other key attractions in Volcanoes National Park include: • Golden Monkey tracking, • Visiting the Bisoke crater lake, • The Dian Fossey Grave trail.
