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WHAT TO DO IN RWANDA
VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK- MOUNTAIN GORILLA
WHAT TO DO IN THE NORTHERN PROVINCE
MEET A DISTANT RELATIVE 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. 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. TAKE A BOAT RIDE 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 RWANDAN CULTURE 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 WESTERN PROVINCE
EXPLORE SECRET FORESTS Gishwati Mukura National Park, Rwanda’s youngest national park, is another conservation success story. Formalized in 2015, the main attraction here is the park’s diverse range of fauna, the product of dramatic improvements in reforestation efforts over recent years. Chimpanzee tracking is another main draw, while birdwatchers can keep an eye out for some 84 species of birds. Other residents include servals, red river hogs, black-fronted duikers, and multiple species of toad and chameleon. Accommodation highlights include the rustic Gishwati Lodge, comprised of 6 forest lodges that put visitors right at the heart of the park’s diverse range of flora and fauna. Reaching Gishwati is easy, situated only a two-and-a-half hour drive from nearby Kigali.
RELAX AT THE BEACH Situated at the edge of Lake Kivu (stunning enough to warrant a trip in its own right), the relaxed town of Gisenyi sports a seductive strip of sand, and offers an ideal
NYUNGWE NDABARARE WATERFALLS
opportunity to rest weary legs after a nearby gorilla trek – perhaps at New Tam-Tam Bikini Bar and Restaurant, a popular beachfront hangout. A range of accommodation options offer water sports and boat tours out across the lake. For a more rural experience, nearby Rubona Peninsula offers a vision of Kivu at its finest. The beaches here are scattered about a rocky shore, but it is an idyllic swimming spot, while the accompanying hot springs promise a quick cure for any lingering ailments.
Also in the Western Province:
• Sip fresh flavours at the
Pfunda Tea Factory • Chill out in the quiet backwater-city of Kibuye
Where Is Your Next Adventure?
Elohim Travel & Tours Ltd is a Rwandan Travel and tour Agency founded by an expert in travel and tourism industry with the aim to provide tours, travel and event management solutions to his customers as well as developing young spirit in the industry by providing professional trainings (internship) to students in related field. Our staffs (family), your travel consultants love solving puzzles, no matter how many pieces, in order to clearly see the big picture. Our passion comes from managing and analyzing all of the tiny details that embody leisure/corporate travel, holiday, safari tour from the simplest to the most challenging needs.“
Frederic Rwamfizi
Founder of Elohim Travel and Tours
