Top 7 Places to Visit in Kigali

• Volcanoes National Park

Situated in the North Western part of Rwanda, the park is the only place in Rwanda that offers exceptional Gorilla Trekking experiences to all kinds of travelers that transfer to Rwanda and is along the border with DR Congo’s Virunga National Park and Uganda’s Mgahinga National Park.It has five of the eight volcanoes in Africa and the vegetation stretches from Rain Forest to Bamboo. There are 10 Gorilla Families that are tracked here by all travelers and the best time to track these rare species is during the dry season or short rain periods in the months of June to September and January to Febraury.At the park the most prominent safari activity carried out is Gorilla Trekking which involves transferring from one place to another searching for the Gorillas in the thick forest vegetaion and this may take a period of 3-5 hours depending on where the Gorillas are located. There are rules that govern the trekking experience and some of these include; spending an hour in their presence as you take photos to keep for memories, keeping a distance of 7 meters away from the Gorillas, you will transfer with an experienced guide, you will track the Gorillas in groups of 8 per group etc and when you are preparing to go tracking the Gorillasyou should carry certain clothes like rain jackets, trekking boots, long sleeved T-shirts, long pants not trousers,caps/ hats, sweater for evenings, camera with no flash, bottled water.The Gorilla Trekking Permit in Rwanda costs US $1500 per person that wants to track the Gorillas.

• Akagera National Park

Located in the Eastern Part of Rwanda covering an area of 1,200 kms bordering Tanzania. It was named after the prominent Akagera River which flows along the Eastern Border pouring its waters into various lakes with Lake Ihema which is the largest.The park inhabits numerous wildlife animals like giraffes, zebras, elephants, buffalos, lions, etc The park is vast with bamboo and savannah vegetation where animals stay making it one of Africa’s vast beautiful wildernesses. The park is a suitable destination for all travelers looking to experience amazing wildlife safaris in Rwanda while on vacation holiday. The animals can be spotted while on game drive along the numerous tracks in the park.

• Nyungwe Forest National Park

Other than Volcanoes National Park which offers exceptional Gorilla trekking experiences to all, there is also the vast Nyungwe Forest where travelers can transfer to track the intelligent species of chimpanzees in their natural habitat. Chimpanee tracking is also enjoyable and people track the chimps in groups of 6 for a period of 2-4 hours and when they meet them, they will spend an hour in their presence through taking photos to keep for memories about their primate tracking experience. The chimpanzee tracking permit costs US $90 per person wishing to track the chimpanzees. Book for this trip prior to your date of arrival so as to avoid any inconveniences while on holiday in the beautiful coun try of rolling hills.

• Genocide Memorials & National Museums

Due to the tragic incident/ occurence that happened in Rwanda i.e the Genocide in which many people lost their dear lives, the government constructed various structures in rememberance of their loved ones. These are sitiuted all over the different towns around the country and include remains of the people that lost their lives as well as their properties. They are very appropriate to be visited by all kinds of travelers allover the globe who want to know more about the occurrence of the tragic event. The information is provided by the survivor of the Genocide making it very authentic and worth to listen to. Some of the Museums have portraits of the victims/ deceased and these are oftenly visited so as t remember them.Tranfer to the numerous places to know more about the occurrence of the Genocide since every Memorial holds a different story from the others.

• Visit Local Restaurant

These are located in the various places around the country offering delicios food to all visitors. Transfer to one and taste the local food of the people an experience that is remarkable since this will be different from the dishes you are used to back home. The food includes; brochette, cassava, beans, bananas, plantain, ugali and cabbage, Isombe, Ibihaza etc. These are all delicios and worth tasting while travelling in the various places around Rwanda. There are also beverages that are served in the numerous bars around the country i.e Primus, Mützig and Amstel.

• Experience the Kwita Izina Ceremony

This ceremony is celebrated every year and is a very exceptional one for all travelers that transfer into the country to experience it while on holiday vacation. It involves naming new born baby Gorillas so as to monitor them in their specific Gorilla Families and how they interact with in their thick vegetation environment. The main reason it was invented is to bring attention to all citizens as well as the international community the importance of protecting and conserving the Gorillas so that they don’t run out of extinction. Book a safari to Rwanda to experience this amazing ceremony of naming baby Gorillas in Rwanda.

• Iby’iwachu Cultural Village

Experience Rwanda’s culture to the fullest at the prominent Iby’iwachu Cultural Village where former poachers that have transformed their lives to conserving the Gorillas will perform various cultural traditions and customs of the people around the country. The village is situated just outside the famous Volcanoes National Park. After tracking the Gorillas, go experience this as you watch or engage into traditional dancing with the local people.