Top Things To Do In Rwanda

Top Things To Do In Rwanda, Here are the top 10 things to do and see in Rwanda. Gorilla climbing is one of the most popular things for tourists to do while they are there. Many people around the world are interested in the wonder of getting close to animals that share 1% of our DNA. Rwanda is a great place to do this. The country has made a lot of progress in wildlife safety to help protect the animals.

The chance to see these gentle giants is just the start of what Rwanda has to offer. Rwanda was destroyed by the war in 1994, but it has come back amazingly well in recent years to become a safe place to visit with lots to do. Top 10 Things to See and Do in Rwanda for Tourists

Wildlife lovers can go on tour in Akagera National Park and walk through the trees to see Nyungwe Forest from above.

If you are interested in culture, you should go to Rwanda’s Ethnographic Museum to see the interesting displays about local customs.

You should never miss the royal cows at the King’s Palace Museum or the singers who sing to them.

1. How to Spend Your Time in Rwanda: Volcanoes National Park

Hiking Tours in Rwanda
Going gorilla hiking in Volcanoes National Park is without a doubt the best thing to do in Rwanda. This national park in Rwanda is famous for being home to many highly endangered mountain gorillas. It shares a border with the Mgahinga gorilla National Park in Uganda and the Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Experts say there are now about 500 gorillas in Rwanda, which is a big jump from 1981, when there were only 240 to 250 gorillas in the park.

You can see gorillas by purchasing a gorilla trekking pass, which costs $1,500. This does not cover your lodging or transportation to the park, but it does let you visit one of the 18 mountain gorilla families that are used to people. A reputable tour company is the best and most common way to go gorilla trekking in Rwanda. They can also help you get from Kigali to the National park.

The trip to see gorillas usually lasts between one and eight hours and includes hiking through mysterious bamboo woods, wild meadows, and swampy areas. With the help of national park service guides, one of the familiar gorilla families will be reached in the end. You will watch the gorillas for an hour as they eat, look after their young, and interact with each other.

In Rwanda, going gorilla climbing to look for apes is usually thought to be a safe thing to do. When people are around, most gorillas don’t want to interact with them. During the walk, armed guides help keep guests safe. They talk to the gorillas by clicking and moaning, and we promise that this will be an amazing and humbling experience that you’ll never forget.

Would you like to learn more about mountain gorillas? The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International Karisoke Research Center is in the nearby town of Musanze. After your gorilla trekking trip, you should visit it. It has a small but well-stocked museum about mountain gorillas and the environmentalist Dian Fossey. The 1988 movie Gorillas in the Mist made her work to protect gorillas famous.

Kigali Memorial to the Genocide
There was a terrible slaughter in Rwanda not long ago that killed more than 800,000 people in just 100 days. It’s hard to believe. People and future generations will still be affected by this relatively recent event, even though the country has come a long way since the horrible killing.

There is a room in the museum for kids that remembers the smallest genocide victims. It helps people remember the kids who died by showing big pictures of them, some of whom were still babies when they died, and private information about them, like their nicknames and favorite books. Going to the Kigali genocide monument is painful, but it is also an important part of being a responsible tourist in Rwanda. Take a moment to think about what you just went through and remember the 250,000 people who are buried here in the Gardens of Reflection of the monument.

3. The national park of Nyungwe Forest
Nyungwe Forest National Park is one of the most important places in Africa to protect forests. It is home to 1,068 plant species, 322 bird species, and 75 different kinds of animals. There are a lot of people who come to this jungle to trek with the chimpanzees, who are used to seeing people. This animal experience is just as memorable as going gorilla trekking, but it costs less.

You can do other things in Nyungwe besides just hanging out with monkeys. The canopy walk adventure can also be found in Nyungwe National Park. From the Uwinka Visitor Center, the walk takes about two hours. Are you scared of heights? If you want to feel safe and have fun in the forest, this is the right place for you. If you’re afraid of heights, you can skip the canopy walk and take a walk on one of the park’s 15 hiking tracks instead.

4 Museum of the Kings Palace
If the fierce efforts of Rwandans to protect animals weren’t enough to show how much they care, a visit to the King’s Palace Museum will. The very big horns of the inyambo (holy cows) are what people come to the museum to see.

It is a major museum in Rwanda. As a unique Rwandan custom, traditional singers comfort the cows by singing poems to them all day. The museum has a replica of a king’s palace from the 15th century. It has a grass roof, a royal hut, and a fresh milk hut that is generally run by a single woman.

People can also see the colonial-style house that was King Mutara III Rudahigwa’s home in the middle of the 20th century. There is beautiful interior design inside that combines Rwandan patterns called Emegogo style.

5. The National Park of Akagera
You can’t go to Africa without going on a game drive. Acagera National Park is only two and a half hours from Kigali and is a great place for tourists who want to go on adventure. Akagera is managed by the African Parks group. Its biodiversity has come back amazingly well after being almost completely destroyed during the Rwandan genocide. The 1,140-square-kilometer area is one of the biggest protected wetlands in Central Africa. It is now home to all five of Africa’s Big Five animals, as well as many birds and antelope.

You will need a lot of luck to see a lion or rhino. There aren’t that many of them at Akagera right now because conservationists are still trying to increase their numbers. But on a self-drive tour, it will be easy to see zebras, hippos, elephants, giraffes, and Nile crocodiles.

The animals that live here are just as beautiful as the land itself. From savannah fields to wetlands and lakes, the landscape will change in a beautiful way.

You can hire a guide at the park’s tourist center. They know where to find the animals better than anyone else.

6. Lake Kivu
When you’re done with all your outdoor activities, you’ll want to kick back. Lake Kivu is the best place in Rwanda to do that. The emerald-green oasis covers 2,700 square kilometers and is bordered by misty mountains. It is Rwanda’s biggest lake.

At the northern tip of Lake Kivu, in the town of Rubavu, you can take it all in. It has a busy waterfront, a sandy beach, and beautiful resorts, such as the Lake Kivu Serena Hotel. You’ll feel better after a few days in this quiet town.

With Kingfisher Journeys, you can get even closer to the scenery. The tour company can set up a beautiful sunset kayak trip on Kivu with singing fishermen on Lake Kivu. They can also plan amazing multi-day paddling trips that will blow your mind.

7. City of Kigali
We started our trip in Kigali, the city, like most people who go to Rwanda. Even though the city isn’t very big, it’s still worth going to and staying for a few days. East African cities are very different from Kigali. Its calmness, organization, modernity, and cleaning are what make it stand out. It’s also one of the safest cities in the world, which makes it a great place for women to visit alone.

We were especially drawn to the city’s many museums, art galleries, and friendly coffee shops. Some neighborhoods don’t get many tourists, but they’re still nice to walk around in and look great in pictures. More than one market or trade fair can be found in Kigali. We are sure that you will enjoy the city of Rwanda. It is well-kept and organized, making it a great place for tourists. Check out Kigali’s birding trips.

The ten best things we found to do in Kigali

Genocide Memorial to learn more about the country’s sad history and honor the people who died in the genocide.

Hey. The Rwanda Art Gallery is a museum that is housed in a building that used to be the presidential home. It has paintings and sculptures mostly made by Rwandan artists. You will have a guide with you during the visit to help you understand the works, which are often about the killing.
Check out the areas. Kigali isn’t a very big city, so it’s easy and safe to walk around. We strongly suggest that you visit Kimihurura or Kiyovu.

People in Kigali are very skilled, and you can find a lot of different kinds of art there. You can try your hand at traditional painting, dancing, singing, and more while you’re there. Monumental Expeditions and Safaris tried out (and mostly accepted!) a photo shoot in the city with a pro who does work for the New York Times and other publications. An amazing moment of art and culture!

In a café, you can take a break and enjoy a delicious Rwandan coffee, tea, or drink. We suggest KG Craft Coffee because it has a cute atmosphere, good food, and most importantly, a pottery shop where you can find beautiful cups and plates made by hand.

There are many art venues in the city, like the well-known Inema Art Gallery, where you can do some shopping.
Hey.Shopping: The crafts made in Rwanda are beautiful, and there is something for everyone. There is a huge selection of crafts at the Caplaki Craft Village market, which is well-organized and nice to be in.

Hey.Eat food from the area. Even though there are a lot of places from around the world in Kigali now, you should still try the local dishes before you leave. For example, the Afrika Bite restaurant serves a spread for lunch. This is a great way to try a lot of different foods. You can also try the street food, which includes fried potatoes and skewers of meat (usually goat or beef).

Take a tour of the city on a motorcycle taxi. This is a common way for people to get around. The rides are nice because people follow the rules of the road and the traffic isn’t too bad. You can also look around different areas and see how people live there without getting too tired.

8. Rudolf
Take a different route to get to Lake Ruhondo. This place isn’t known to most people who visit Rwanda.

It is in the northwest of the country, more specifically around Lake Ruhondo. Lake Bulera and this lake are often called the “twin lakes” of Rwanda because they are next to each other.

We really liked the Ruhondo Beach Resort where we stayed. The hotel is right next to the lake and has a big green area for relaxing. There are some rooms and huts available so that you can be completely in touch with nature.

The beautiful, quiet place is great for unwinding. It’s also easy to plan activities like swimming, kayaking, boat trips, and watching birds. It doesn’t matter what you choose; Lake Ruhondo will charm you with its beautiful scenery and the Virunga mountains in the background.

Since Ruhondo isn’t usually busy and isn’t on most tourists’ lists, we felt like we were the only ones in the world on a small piece of paradise with clear water, green hills, and volcanoes all around us. It’s really magic! The peace and quiet of the area and the warmth of the tents gave us a wonderful chance to unwind and rest.

The resort’s great breakfast, served by the lake with a beautiful view and soft light, deserves extra praise. You can warm up by the fire at night (around 6 p.m.), with a beer and cooked fish for us, to end the day just as well as it began.

How do I get to Ruhondo? It took us three hours to drive from Kigali to our destination; you could also take a bus. The boat ride from Ruhondo pier took ten minutes.

9. Mount Bisoke
Take a hike up Mount Bisoke (or Visoke). At its highest point, 3,711 meters above sea level, the volcano has a crater lake that is about 400 meters across. The volcano went off for the last time in 1957. It only takes a few hours to walk to the top, so this is a day trip.

The trip begins with a meeting at 6:30 a.m. and 7 a.m. at the park offices for Volcanoes National Park, which is about thirty minutes by car or motorcycle from Musanze. We fill out the paperwork to get our Bisoke hiking pass, which costs 70 USD. We then get a delicious welcome coffee and a briefing from our guide.

Our trip will only have one more person today. Our group leaves the main office at 8 a.m. to begin the hike at the base of the hill. You take your own car on the trip there, and the guide goes with you. We start the hike around 8:30 am with our walking sticks in hand. About 2,700 meters above sea level is where the race starts. We need to climb 1,000 meters.

The walk starts with a thirty-minute climb out of the forest, which is a great way to warm up. At the forest’s entrance, we meet some armed troops who will stay with us for the rest of the hike to keep us safe. We could see a gorilla, a buffalo, or even a forest elephant. The climb goes on, this time a little harder and on a mostly muddy path, even though it’s dry season.

Even though it’s cheap, the walk is a big test! The plants are very green and change as we climb. We were alone and in a different world, but we felt more drawn to nature than ever. A real moment of happiness, even though it took a lot of work at times. Three hours later, we get to the top! We won’t be able to see the crater lake because there is a lot of smoke.

That doesn’t take away from the amazing experience or the beauty of the scenery, though. There will be a 10-minute break because it’s not very warm here. Then we start the drop, which will take about 1Ž hours. It began to rain, which made the road even more muddy than it was before.

The way back is also hard, but the views of the valley and the mountains on the other side are well worth it! It took us 4 hours to get back to our car. We were proud of ourselves and amazed by how beautiful the scenery were and how mysterious the volcano was.

How do I get to Mount Bisoke?

Every half hour, buses leave the bus stop in Kigali. We suggest the Ritco company because their buses are comfy and usually go straight to where you need to go. It lasts for about two hours and thirty minutes and costs about two dollars.

How long does Mount Bisoke Hike last?
It usually takes about 6 hours to finish the circle. It can take up to 9 hours for some people to do it all. Of course, this relies on how fit everyone is and how fast the group is going, as well as the weather. The rain can make it hard to climb because the road is very rough and steep.

Because of this, we suggest that you climb Mount Bisoke during the dry season, which is from June to the end of August and from December to the middle of March.

What does the $70 permit fee cover?
You should remember that the cost may seem high at first, but keep in mind that the area is protected, so most of the money made from the permits goes to keeping the area safe and in good shape. Along with that, 10% of the profits are given back to the local communities, who gain directly from the tourists.

In addition to your guide, you will be hiking with about 5 guards to keep you safe, especially from wild animals. And finally, you can pay an extra 10 USD to have a helper help you if you get lost.

Where to park for the hike up Mount Bisoke
Of course, good climbing boots that are higher if possible. Long pants and a t-shirt with long sleeves are good for hiking. You should also bring a warm, waterproof jacket for the peak or in case it rains. You will be given a walking stick for free. Bring enough water (1.5 to 2 liters) and some snacks, like energy bars, bananas, nuts, and so on. Don’t forget your phone or camera, and maybe some sunscreen and shades as well.

Not a fan of hiking? Don’t worry—Musanze has lots of other things to do! You can go on a hike with mountain gorillas, see caves, ride a bike along the volcanic chain to see how beautiful it is, visit Ruhondo, Burera, or Karago lakes, and more.

10. Kibuye
After the hard walk in Musanze, we’re going to Kibuye to relax for a few days.

The small town of Kibuye is on the edge of Lake Kivu, which is shared by both the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda. Tourists don’t come here very often. People who live in Kigali often go there on the weekends to get away from the city. Kibuye is truly magical, even if he isn’t very famous. It’s so nice there—the weather is perfect, the scenery is stunning, the views of Lake Kivu are amazing, and there are so many things to do.

Since tourism isn’t very popular here yet, there aren’t many hotels and places to choose from. We loved our time at Rwiza Village and would recommend it to anyone! This hotel is in the middle price range and has small, simple cabins that are very comfortable and have a beautiful view of the garden and Lake Kivu.

The lake is right outside your door, and there is a small pier where you can watch the fishermen, swim, read, or just rest. You can find peace and quiet there, making it a great place to rest after an exciting day.

There are things to do in Kibuye for everyone! You can walk or ride a bike along the famous Congo Trail, go on a boat tour, kayak, fish, watch birds, etc. That being said, we chose a three-hour boat trip. First, our guide took us to Napoleon Island, which got its name from the shape of its rock, which looks like Napoleon’s hat.

We had a short hike to the top, which was much easier than Bisoke, so don’t worry. From that spot, you can see Kibuye, Lake Kivue, and all the islands nearby in a stunning circle. The scenery is really beautiful; it makes us think of Lake Bunyonyi in Uganda. After that, we went to Monkey Island and saw vervet monkeys there.

We saw that the lake water had changed a little from blue to bright green on the way back. After getting back to land, we had lunch with a beautiful view of the lake and some tasty grilled fish. We spent the afternoon at our hotel relaxing, going for a short swim, and watching the beautiful sunset.

How to get to Kibuye

There was a bus stop in Musanze from which we took a bus to Gysenyi, a town that borders Congo. It costs less than 2 USD and takes about 2 hours. The van cost Kibuye, which is about $2.50 USD. After a few stops, it took us three hours to get to this cute little town. It was well worth the trip!

We took a bus from the Karongi station (Karongi bus park) back to Kigali. It costs 2.8 USD and takes about 4 hours. You can take a bus from Kibuye to Rusizi, which is close to Nyungwe National Park.

Of course, you can also take a bus from Kigali’s bus stop to Kibuye. Bus companies like Ritco and Virunga offer this service.