The tiny country of Rwanda , nestled right in the centre of this great continent, is best known for two reasons. The tragic troubled past, and the glory of the mountain gorillas.
The country is now safe and stable, and visitors are made very welcome. The past is not hidden away, however, and the Memorial Centre in the capital, Kigali , has a blatant and horrific reminder of the genocide of 1994.
Rwanda today is wholly different. With pleasant beaches on the shores of the crystal clear lake Kivu, huge colonies of monkeys and chimpanzees in the tropical Nyungwe Forest National Park , and of course the northern mountains with its famous gorillas, its becoming increasingly popular. The Parc National Des Volcans is nestled close to the border with Uganda , and is, as the name suggests, a collection of volcanic mountains. If you're planning to go gorilla tracking you must book in advance, and get a permit. Numbers are tightly controlled and it's far from cheap. But the experience will live with you forever.
For travelers seeking an African adventure off the beaten path, Rwanda is the perfect African getaway.
Bordered by Uganda , the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi and Tanzania , Rwanda is a small mountainous land in the east-central Africa .
The capital of Kigali is administrative center of the country and doesn't have many attractions. However, there are many tours that can be arranged from Kigali .
Akagera national park, named after Akagera River which runs along park's eastern boundary, has an extensive network of swamps, water channels and wetlands. There are over 20 mammal species, ranging from buffalos and elephants to leopards, black rhinos and hippos. Birdlife is especially abundant around here and there are boat trips taking visitors to view the wildlife.
Another great wildlife site is Nyungwe Forest which is rich with biodiversity; there are many mammal, orchid and butterfly species, but the main attraction of the forest are its primates. There are chimp tracking tours, although the forest is a great place to visit for botanists, birders and those who just like to spend time walking.
Parc des Volcanos northwest of Akagera is one of the last places where gorillas can be found. Guided tours can be arranged to view both volcanoes and gorillas.
Giseny , lakeside resort on the northern shore of Lake Kivu offers many water activities and excursions on the lake. As well, it is the main center for excursions to the Parc des Volcanos - plane trips can be made to view the volcano craters from above. Just 2 kilometers (3.2 miles) off the Giseny road lies Musanze cave. A home to a bat colony, the legend says it was built by a local king and used as a refugee shelter on a several occasions. In a more recent past it was a scene of the genocide massacre.
There's another resort further in the south – Kibuye . There are also available trips to amazing Kaboza and Nyenji grottoes that are set on the southern lake shores.
Butare is said to be intellectual capital of the country, and for a reason. There are craft shops, botanical garden and the National Museum .
Kabgayi is famous for its cathedral, the oldest one in the country. It has huge, peaceful interior and a small museum nearby. It's definitely worth a visit.
There's an international airport near Kigali . The main crossing by land between Burundi and Rwanda is very dangerous and the road that goes via Bugarama ( Rwanda ), Congo ( Zaïre) and Luhwa ( Burundi ) is even more dangerous.
There are minibuses to get around and the best time to get on them is in the morning or early afternoon. Hire-cars are practically impossible to find.
The average daytime temperature is 24°C (75°F) , although it is cooler in the mountains. Rwanda has four seasons – rainy season lasts from mid-March to mid-May during which it is better not to visit.
