Top Things to Do in Rwanda –Rwanda Cultural Safaris
Top things to do in Rwanda ; Rwanda once renown as a land of thousand hills it has got the most done activity at the top of the safari –itinerary famously the Mountain gorilla trekking a greatest way to get up close to unique creatures who share 98% DNA to human genes from around the world and in the world Rwanda is among the three destinations where the incredible Gorilla trekking experience can be done.
But the chance offered to see these unique great giants is just the beginning of what Rwanda has to offer to tourists. Followed by a visit to 1994 Rwanda genocide of which the country has made an impressive amount of progress in recent decades for becoming a peaceful and welcoming destination with a lot to adventure in.
Travelers who are nature lovers on Rwanda safari tour can visit Akagera National Park and a rewardable bird’s eye view at Nyungwe Forest from a canopy walk. For if you’re interested in culture contact your tour operator who will plan for you an amazing exhibit on traditional customs and beliefs at Rwanda’s Ethnographic Museum. Please do not miss visiting the royal cow and the singer who croon to them at the King’s palace Museum.
Below is the list of the top tourist’s attractions or things to do in Rwanda destination among others as follows;
The main thing to do in Rwanda is gorilla trekking which is conducted at Volcanoes National Park, bordered with Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This national park is a home to the variety of critically endangered mountain gorillas and the number estimates about 550 gorillas in the park.
On visit, you will need to visit one of the 18 endangered mountain gorilla families that have been habituated to humans and a daily trekking permits per person costs USD1,500. The best way to do it or to plan is through a reputable tour operator who can also arrange transportation from Kigali to the park headquarters.
Interestingly, Gorilla trekking experience can last between 30 to 6 hours spent hiking through a thick bamboo forests trail head, wind meadows and swampy areas. You can’t go a lone but park ranger guide who eventually leads you to the assigned habituated gorilla families. Once you locate the family, you will be given an hour watching these rare creatures as they feed, care for their babies and interact with one another.
Without any worry gorilla trekking is considered a safe activity as you move with armed guides who knowns the clicking sounds or languages to communicate with the gorillas in order to keep guests safe from potential dangers thus making the experience one that you will never forget.
If you have heavy luggage’s, porters are available on the ground to hire one for the day to help carry your bags and avoid slipping down the muddy paths.
After the incredible Gorilla trekking adventure, head out to the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International Karisoke Research Center in the nearby town of Musanze. This research center contains all things concerning about the mountain gorillas and all kinds of work the conservationist Dian Fossey did and great rewards goes to her great effort of protecting gorillas in those decades.
Kigali Genocide Memorial
It’s very difficult to believe or imagine for what Rwanda went through in those decades. Something that lead Rwanda destination backward, the horrific genocide that left millions of people dead in just 100 days. Meaning the country has come a long way from the divesting massacre which have historically left its mark on the lives of everyday people and generations to come.
Visitors flock in yearly to learn about this horrific event at the Kigali Genocide Memorial. The haunting museum dives into the timeline of the 1994 genocide that brings the horrors to life through halls of photographs and information. The main exhibits hall features stained-glass windows that cast a hopeful glow on the space.
This museum acts as a permanent exhibit on the history of genocide around the world and intervention effort from international communities and helps to put the Rwanda genocide into context.
The museum also is attached with children’s Room dedicated to the youngest victims of the genocide. This children’s part keeps their memory alive through oversize portraits of the children of which some were just infants when they were killed. Furthermore, personal details about the victims like their nicknames.
Without doubt, Kigali Genocide Memorial is an important part to Rwanda’s tourism as you visit and contemplate the experience of silence for the victims interred at this site ‘’Memorial’s Garden of Refection.
Visit Nyungwe Forest National Park
Nyungwe forest national park is one of the most beautiful forest conservation areas in all of Africa, a home that contains a spectacular array of wildlife species including 1068 plant species ,322 bird species and 75 mammals. Most of tourists visits this rainforest to enjoy chimpanzee tracking, track chimpanzees which are habituated to humans by park rangers.
Spending time with primates isn’t enough thing to do in Nyungwe national park. The park also wonders with a canopy walk in East Africa, roughly a 90-minute hike from the Uwinka Visitor center. You will be able to experience a 91 meter walk long suspension bridge dangling more than 50 meters above the verdant rainforest, get rewardable clear view of the treetops and mountains in the distance.
Visit King’s palace Museum
A visit to king’s palace museum will convince you how Rwandans have a reverence for animals. The best attraction to see at the museum are the Inyambo ‘’sacred cows’’ and their amazing large horns.
The museum itself as an interesting four legged creatures outback and displays the showcases replica of a king’s palace from the 15th century with a thatched roof and fresh milk but traditionally run by an unmarried woman.
On visit tourists usually, visits the colonial style home that was once the royal resident of King ‘’Mutara 111 Rudahigwa in the 20th century. The interior design is particularly blending Rwandan patterns with Europeans style furniture. This museum is located along Nyanza road in Nyanza district in southern province.
Visit Akagera National park
You can’t visit Rwanda and leave without engaging in Game drive. And best way to do it visit Akagera National park on safari for game viewing which is few hours away from Kigali capital city. The park boosts with all the big fives animals along with an abundance of bird species and antelopes. On visit you will have high chance to exploring spotted zebras, hippos, Nile crocodiles, elephants and giraffes on a self-drive safari. The park is located in wetlands and lakes.
Visit Lake Kivu
This is a greatest place to have fresh breathtaking on leisure and one of the best place to relax in Rwanda. Lake Kivu is Rwanda’s largest lake where you can enjoy lively waterfront, sandy beach and amazing resorts. You can let the tour operator to organize you a n interesting sunset kayak trip with singing fisherman on Lake Kivu and a multi-day paddling explore that will leave you inspired.
Ethnographic Museum
This is one of the best African collections of ethnological and archeological artifacts that is found in Rwanda’s Ethnographic Museum, located just 130 kilometers in the south of Kigali in Huye district. This was a gift from the Belgium to the Kigali city in 1989 as in honor of the Rwanda’s independence.
On visit here, you will visit all the seven galleries with collection of woven baskets, traditional garments made from animals hides and woven grass, musical drums from hundreds of years ago, spears and bows, musical drums from hundreds of years ago and old farming tools.
Tourists usually goes inside to learn more and how it was construction and also hosts handcraft demonstrations.
Gorilla Guardian Village
Volcanoes National park is not just a place to see gorillas but also a prime location to immerse yourself in Rwanda Culture at Gorilla Guardian Village.
On your visit you will get to learn how to carry a basket on your head traditionally, its done by Rwandan women, weave your own baskets and shoot arrow. You will enjoy the intore dance recitals –traditional dancers, decked out with long straw wigs and skirts and beat of rhythmic drumming. You can even join them in dancing.
Most travelers on safari to Gorilla trekking spend their night in Kigali to enjoy vibrant culture ,good cuisine and sightseeing a clean and beautiful capital city. On visit plan to spend at least a few days here till the end of your marvelous trip.
Visit the Kigali’s largest marketplace called Kimironko Market. You can check out Kigali’s creative scene at Inema Arts center with interesting gallery. Take also a visit to Rwanda Art Museum at the former Presidential Palace.
Check out the café’s specials menu to see what experimental caffeinated concoctions and also you taste the coffee beverages with unexpected local ingredient like tree tomato.
It overlooks a twinkling pool and serves up homemade flavorful starters and fresh sea food.
