KIGALI
A clean, safe and pretty metropolis, Kigali marries western progressiveness with pockets of African revelry. Made up of hills and valleys, greenery abounds amidst markets, a thriving arts scene, high-rise towers, trendy coffee shops, hip restaurants, culture and history.
VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK
The Virunga Mountains, home to Rwanda’s truly captivating and dazzling Mountain Gorillas, are full of evergreens, bamboo, swamps and heath. Trekking to spend time with these regal and endangered gorillas is nothing short of magnificent.
The park is also home to the endangered Golden Monkeys and Dian Fossey’s grave.
AKAGERA NATIONAL PARK
Akagera may not have the volume of wildlife as seen in other East African parks, but it is a really picturesque and storied park, and if the Big Five and other wildlife re-located here within the past 10-plus years could speak, they would tell you they love their new home.
To visit the park is to witness a safari park in its somewhat infancy, learn of its conservation and protection of the animals, and vew stunning scenery, lakes, flora and fauna, and a number of bird species.
In 2021, 30 White Rhinos were translocated from South Africa to Akagera National Park. Akagera is poised to become a globally important santuary for black and white rhinoceros.
NYUNGWE FOREST NATIONAL PARK
The largest afro-montane forest in Africa, Nyungwe is a magical and exotic rainforest paradise with a non-stop fiesta of inhabitant chatter. The park is the most endemic species-rich area in Africa boasting 1,000 plant species, the habituated chimpanzee, 12 other primates including 400 troops of the black and white Colobus monkey, seven different species of mammals and over 310 species of birds. Nyungwe offers a rainforest-coziness, wildlife chit-chat, equatorial rainforest inhabitants, and flora and fauna lushness.
LAKE KIVU
Surrounded by palatial greenery, and tea and coffee plantations, Lake Kivu is the sixth largest lake in Africa. This is the perfect place to say ‘awe’ after an exhilarating meeting with the mountain gorillas. Take a refreshing swim, kayak, visit a tea or coffee plantation and simply chill out while viewing stunning views.
