The Land of a Thousand Hills, Rwanda is one of the smallest countries in Africa, but in terms of biodiversity, culture and scenery, it punches well above its weight. Having emerged from the darkness of the 1990s, when ethnic tensions erupted into a genocide that saw some 800,000 people, predominantly Tutsis, killed in just 100 days, Rwanda is thriving again as a tourism destination.
Much of Rwanda’s appeal derives from the small population of endangered mountain gorillas that live in the bamboo forests of Volcanoes National Park, with gorilla trekking tours a vital source of income for local communities and conservation projects alike. You can also see the Big Five in Akagera National Park. This park is another one of the major tourist attractions in Rwanda.
Rwanda is landlocked but dotted with many picturesque lakes, of which Lake Kivu, spanning almost the entire western border and famed for the beauty of its beaches, is the largest. The lake is lined with tea and coffee plantations, and at its southern tip, Nyungwe Forest National Park, home to primates, is another major tourist attraction in Rwanda.
A nostalgic trip to the historical Kigali Genocide Memorial gives a sense of purpose and personal responsibility towards fostering compassion and coexistence.
A trip to the communities is a heart-warming opportunity to appreciate the rich cultural heritage of the people of Rwanda; through music, dance (the Intore dance of heroes) and traditional cuisines.
