Rwanda is a mountainous land in the heart of Africa, split by the Rift Valley, and dominated by a mountain range that traverses the country from north to south. The four principal areas of interest are the Virunga Volcanoes, the A’Kagera National Park, the Nyungwe National Park and the region around Lake Kivu. The capital city of Kigali is mainly a commercial and administrative center and has little in the way of tourist attractions. For up-to-date information about tours and excursions in the country contact Kiboko Tours & Travel (website:
kibokotravels.org.rw)
or ORTPN in Kigali (see
General Info section).
A'Kagera National ParkKibungu (Umutara), in the east of the country, is in the center of a region of lakes and waterfalls, including Lake Mungesera and the Rusumo Falls. It is also close to the southern tip of the A’Kagera National Park, which covers over 2500 sq km (1000 sq miles) of savannah to the west of the A’ Kagera River (the frontier with Tanzania). The park has a variety of wildlife and is a habitat for over 500 species of birds. The major point of access is Kabarando; the roads within the park have recently been improved. In the rainy seasons (December, March and April), many of the routes become impassable.
Parc des VolcansNorthwest of A’Kagera is the Parc des Volcans, one of the last sanctuaries of the mountain gorilla. The
ORTPN bureau and some private companies in Kigali can organize guided tours of the park for small parties; it is advisable to book well in advance. This region is composed of volcanic mountains, of which two, Nyamuragira and Nyiragongo, across the frontier in the Democratic Republic of Congo, are still active.
Lake KivuGisenyi is the main center for excursions in the Parc des Volcans. Plane trips can be made from here to view the craters. Situated on the north of Lake Kivu, it also offers many opportunities for water sports or for excursions on the lake. Kibuye, further south, is another lakeside resort. Near Cyangugu, on the southern shores of the lake, are the spectacular grottoes of Kaboza and Nyenji, and the thermal waters at Nyakabuye. Nearby, the Rugege Forest is the home of many rare species of wildlife.
ElsewhereEast of Cyangugu, bordering with Burundi, is Butare, the intellectual capital of the country. It boasts an interesting museum, craft shops and a botanical garden. North of Butare is Gitarama, which has a good art museum; nearby is the cathedral town of Kabgayi; and at Mushubati, the grottoes of Bihongori.
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