Rwanda is a landlocked country in the Great Rift Valley of East Africa, where the African Great Lakes region and Southeast Africa converge. It is located a few degrees south of the Equator, Rwanda is bordered by Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Rwanda is a known as the land of thousand Hills which offer beautiful sceneries and also known as the cleanest place to be compared to other East African countries.
Rwanda has only four national parks: Volcanoes National Park, Nyungwe Forest, Akagera, and Gishwati-Mukura National Park are protected by Rwanda Development Board. The country is known as the land of a thousand hills, Rwanda’s stunning scenery and warm, friendly people offer unique experiences in one of the most remarkable countries.
Attractions in Rwanda.
Akagera national park.
Akagera national park is located in eastern Rwanda, hugging the border with Tanzania. Akagera national park covers an area of 1122sqkm above the sea level and comprises of savannah, woodland, wetland and a dozen lakes and many more. The park is a home of big five mammals like lions, leopards, bufalos, elephants and rhinos and other species include giraffes, zebras, various antelope species (like impalas and topis), hippos, and crocodiles. The park also inhabits tree climbing lions, bird watching, and nature walks.
The park can be accessed by road transport using private or public vehicles which takes about 2-3 hours. The best time to visit the park is dry season in months of from June to mid-September and a short dry season from December to February however the park can be visited throughout the year even in wet season.
Volcano national park.
Volcano national park lies in Virunga conservation area which inhabits mountain gorillas. The park covers an area of 160sqkm above the sea level. the park is commonly known as a home for various mountain gorillas with many gorilla families. The park is highly visited and it is protected by Rwanda Development Board which 9is a government body issues gorilla permits. The park is a home of over 200 bird species including Baglafecht weaver, Black-crowned waxbill, Common stonechat, Ruwenzori double-collared sunbird, Ruwenzori turaco and many more. Vocano national park is also the best destination for hiking that is the park encompasses five of the eight volcanoes in the Virunga Mountains, namely Karisimbi, Bisoke, Muhabura, Gahinga and Sabyinyo.
Gishwati mukura national park.
Gishwati mukura national park is the newly park located in the north-western part of Rwanda, not far from Lake Kivu. The park was established by 2015 in Rutsiro and Ngororero Districts. Gishwati-Mukura is home to a group of 20 types of chimpanzees (the most one is the Eastern Chimpanzee) which live alongside golden monkeys, L’Hoest’s and Blue Monkeys. Birds are well represented too, 232 species have been seen at Gishwati and 163 at Mukura, among them Albertine Rift Endemic species and forest specialists. The park can be accessed by road transport using private or public vehicles taking about 3-4 hours to the park.
Nyungwe forest national park.
Nyungwe forest national park is the oldest rainforests in Africa which is rich in biodiversity and spectacularly beautiful. The park covers an area of 1019sqkm above sea level and it’s a vast area of mountain rainforest, home to many species of 13 primates like chimpanzees, owl-faced and colobus monkeys, baboons, black and white monkeys. The Canopy Walkway, part of the Igishigishigi Trail, is a high suspension bridge with views over the valley and surrounding forests. A trail runs to the Kamiranzovu Marsh, with its birdlife, orchids and waterfall. The park can be accessed by road transport using private or public vehicles taking about 304 hours.
What is the best time to visit parks?
Although the national parks are visited annually, there is always the best time for visitors to visit them. Rwanda experiences dry season and wet season. Dry season is in months from June to September and in wet season months from March to May, and a shorter rainy season from October to November.
During dry season, visitors spots various mammals, various birds and nature walks becomes easily because of clear roads. While as in wet season, mammals and birds are also spotted but not as many as of dry season.
Where to stay while in parks?
Mantis Akagera game lodge.
The Lodge stands on a hill at the southern tip of the Akagera National Park elevated above the savannah with exceptional views of Lake Ihema. With 60 rooms and suites, large pool and pool deck overlooking Lake Ihema, a conference centre, restaurant, and bar – Mantis Akagera Game Lodge is the perfect home base while conferencing or exploring the conservation treasures of Akagera National Park. While at the lodge, visitors may do game drive, bird watching and nature walk through the park.
The lodge can be accessed by either road transport and air transport. By road transport, visitors will use private or public vehicles which takes about 2-3 hours from Kigali city.
One and only Gorilla Nest.
One and only gorilla Nest lies at the edge of volcano national park as luxurious lodge. One and only Gorilla Nest accommodates 14 rooms and 7 suites covered by artificial architecture and self-contained rooms with tables, chairs, beds, mosquito nets, flushing toilets, toilet papers, detergents, towels, bath taps, showers and many more.
The lodge facilitates well stocked bar with drinks, swimming pool where visitors relax, restaurant where delicious meals are served and prepared by professional chefs, laundry, free wifi, free parking and many more.
While at the lodge, visitors will do gorilla trekking in volcano national park, bird watching in the tropical forest, nature walks around the park and local communities and culture encounters.
