Travel to Rwanda, an enchanting country in Africa boasting natural beauty in abundance, from pristine lakes and tropical rainforests to exotic flora and volcanic peaks. Rwanda is associated with the critically endangered mountain gorilla… The Volcanos National Park in north western Rwanda is the world’s most popular mountain gorilla sanctuary; there are less than 700 of this species left in the world, and this incredible park allows you to catch a glimpse of them.
Another amazing wildlife attraction in Rwanda is the Nyungwe National Park, a mountainous rainforest reserve nestled amidst tea plantations. This beautiful park offers adventures such as nature trails, the first tree top forest canopy walk in East Africa, bird watching, primate viewing, and chimpanzee tracking. Visit Rwanda with Brightsun Travel’s great value holiday packages, allowing you to plan an adventurous trip with once-in-a-lifetime wildlife encounters such as gorilla trekking in Rwanda.
Once you’ve explored the wonderful nature and wildlife, you can make a start on some sightseeing to learn about the country’s cultural heritage on your Rwanda holiday. Kigali, the capital of Rwanda is a good place to start your exploration, home to the Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre - the final resting place of over 250,000 victims who lost their lives during the Rwandan Genocide in 1994.
Kigali, the charming capital of Rwanda is a thriving cosmopolitan city and urban centre considered as one of the safest and cleanest cities in Africa. The city is filled with culture, history, impressive art, and exotic cuisine, not to mention a dynamic night scene. If you’re looking for somewhere unique to visit on your next holiday that isn’t bombarded by tourists, then Kigali could be the travel hotspot for you, and we have some great offers on Kigali holiday packages.
Rwanda as a country has a rich cultural heritage and Kigali is the country’s cultural centre with many enriching attractions and sightseeing landmarks worth exploring. The Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre is a good place to start; this is the final resting place of the victims who lost their lives during Rwanda’s 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. There’s an enlightening museum here offering an insight into this historic tragedy. The Inema Art Center is also worth exploring, displaying contemporary African artwork and hosting fun, educational workshops.
A trip to Kigali is not complete without taking a daytrip to the Volcanos National Park, home of the critically endangered mountain gorilla. There are less than 700 species of the mountain gorilla left in the world, so a visit to this park really is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. There are also five extinct volcanoes to marvel at here, two of which can be climbed up if you’re feeling brave. Another awesome daytrip from Kigali is the Akagera National Park, a safari destination home to lots of beautiful native wildlife.
Rwanda Currency: You’ll be spending Rwandan francs
Language: The national language of Rwanda is Kinyarwanda, and other official languages include English, French, and Swahili
Local Time in Rwanda: Two hours ahead of GMT.
Flight Time from the UK: Approximately 8hrs 40mins
Tourist Information: Visit the official Rwanda tourist information site for lots of helpful information regarding upcoming events, where to go, what to do, and how to get around.
Health/Travel Restrictions: To travel to Rwanda, British citizens need a valid passport. A travel visa is also required. For up-to-date travel advice and health recommendations visit the government’s travel advice for Rwanda.
A: Rwanda is located in Central Africa, neighbouring Tanzania, Uganda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
A: In Rwanda crime levels are relatively low, however there have been cases of theft, burglary, muggings, etc. in Kigali, therefore we advise that you take precautions, like taking care when walking in quiet areas or at night, arranging transport in advance, and avoid carrying valuables around.
A: As well as a valid passport, passengers will also require a visa to enter Rwanda. 30 day tourist visas are issued for free, and are available on arrival into the country, or passengers can opt to get their visa in advance via the Rwandan diplomatic mission.
A: We would recommend visiting between June-September as this is the country’s long dry season, offering prime wildlife viewing conditions and pleasant weather for sightseeing.
On your trip to Rwanda, the possibilities are endless. Kigali is where all of the action is at; you can climb the famous Mount Kigali and admire incredible views of the city, browse the bustling Kimironko Market for authentic souvenirs and other local items, and step back in time at the Kigali Genocide Memorial to witness photos, exhibitions, and recordings of the 1994 genocide in Rwanda.
Other must-visit attractions in Kigali include the Inema Arts Center which hosts weekly tours, concerts, and performances, the Rwanda Art Museum which is one of Rwanda’s national museums, the Question Coffee Café which allows you to immerse yourself into Rwanda’s fine coffee culture, and the Muslim Quarter, which is one of Kigali’s oldest neighbourhoods.
Rwanda is located in proximity to the equator, however the country has a cooler climate than other neighbouring countries due to its mountainous landscapes and high altitude. Rwanda has rainy seasons from October-November and March-May and dry seasons from June-September and December-February. Temperatures vary between different locations; in Kigali, average daily temperatures sit at around 21 degrees Celsius.
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