Rwanda – The Land of the 1000 Hills

by harvardshoes · Published January 1, 2021 · Updated May 7, 2021

In the heart of the Albertine Rift, one of WWF’s priority areas in Africa, lies Rwanda, one of Africa’s most biologically diverse countries and a haven for the African rainforest. Nestled between Tanzania to the east, Uganda to the north and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west, Rwanda is a remarkably small country nestled in a 10,169 square kilometer pocket with everything from foggy mountains and volcanoes to shimmering lakes.

According to countryaah, Rwanda is a densely populated country where the majority of the population still lives in the countryside and has shown great courage to recover from the 1994 genocide. Today, Rwanda is a stable, well-run and peacefully united country. The people’s optimistic energy has earned its country the epithet “Remarkable Rwanda” and is on many “must-visit” lists.

Akagera

The small national park with the great experience. The 100,000-hectare Akagera National Park is located in eastern Rwanda, on the border with Tanzania and has been managed by African Parks in collaboration with the Rwanda Development Board since 2010. The park includes some of the most scenic savannas in East Africa – open plains, forests, lakes, swamps and grassy low mountains. Intimate Magashi Camp is located on the shores of Lake Rwanyakazinga – home to one of Africa’s highest river densities, some very large crocodiles and the mysterious quote tongue and shoebill stork.

Volcanoes National Park

In Rwanda, the mighty “Silverbacks” live with their families along the slopes of the Virunga Mountains on the border with the Congo. Rwanda is suitable for those who have fewer days and want to experience mountain gorillas in combination with e.g. a safari in Kenya or Tanzania and beautiful beaches on Zanzibar. You live in beautiful surroundings just outside the Parc National des Volcans and also have the opportunity to explore the small villages and surroundings with a guide.

RWANDA

Short for RW by abbreviationfinder, Rwanda, formerly Rwanda, formally the Republic of Rwanda, is a sovereign state in East Africa bordering Burundi, Congo-Kinshasa, Tanzania and Uganda. Rwanda is the most densely populated country on the African mainland. Rwanda is a member of the United Nations, the African Union, the Commonwealth and the East African Community.

Climate

The climate in Rwanda is temperate with two rainy seasons, from February to April and from November to January. In the mountains it is slightly colder and there is both frost and snow.

Visa

Yes. Visa applications to Rwanda can be made electronically, information is available on the Rwanda Embassy website. From 1 January 2018, all countries can also apply for an on-site visa. The application is made on arrival in Rwanda. The application fee is 30 USD. The visa is valid for 30 days.

Currency

Rwandan franc FRW
100FRW = 1.07 SEK

Language

In addition to the official languages Kinyarwanda, French and English, Swahili is also spoken.

Vaccinations

Mandatory – not mandatory. The yellow fever vaccination is required if you arrive from certain countries in Africa or South America.

Recommended – Malaria prophylaxis. Check with your vaccination center for personal needs.

Rwanda – The land of the 1000 hills

With Trackers in Rwanda, you get to experience this small magnificent country in a way that no other organizer in Sweden can offer today. In order to offer our guests a unique safari, we use small exclusive lodges of the highest standard that are located with only one purpose, to offer guests a maximum experience of nature and wildlife.

Rwanda – 11 days

Day 1 Departure
.

Day 2 Kigali

Upon arrival in Kigali you will be met by our local representative for transfer to your hotel. In the afternoon there is time for a short city tour where you get acquainted with Kigali. To take part in a large part of Rwanda’s history, visit the Genocide Museum in the Gisozi district and one of the “genocide churches” that are preserved to keep the memory of the genocides alive for future generations. You also pass Hotel Mille Collines, better known as “Hotel Rwanda” after the movie of the same name.

Day 3 Kigali – Akagera

After early breakfast you will be picked up for further travel by car to Akagera National Park (2 – 3 hours). You arrive in time for lunch and in the afternoon you go on your first safari in the nice little national park which thanks to great local commitment and international support has begun to return to its former beauty.

Day 4 – 5 Akagera

For three full days you will explore Akagera together with your knowledgeable and experienced guides. The park gets its name from the Kagera River, or Akagera River, an approximately 700 km long river in East Africa. It is the longest tributary to Lake Victoria and is counted as the source river of the Nile. The river comes from the Rwanda Plateau and forms the border Rwanda – Burundi and then Rwanda – Tanzania. The park itself is today one of three national parks in Rwanda, along with the Parc National Volcans (home to the mountain gorillas) and the Nyungwe National Park (among other things known for its large number of monkeys). Akagera has relatively few visitors and it is common not to meet anyone else during a two-day visit. In addition to the “classic” safari animals such as giraffes, zebras, buffalo, elephants, Akagera has an incredibly rich bird life.

Day 6 Akagera – Virunga

After breakfast you return by car to Kigali and after lunch you continue your journey through the “Land of a Thousand Hills”. You travel north through a hilly landscape and the views offer terrace-filled mountain sides and peaks of volcanoes. In time for the sunset, you arrive at your lodge, located a few kilometers from the Parc National des Volcans with wonderfully beautiful views of the surrounding volcanoes.

Day 7 Virunga (gorilla trekking)

Today you do a trekking trip together with your guides in the Parc National des Volcans. Tracking gorillas through Virunga’s mountain forests is a magical experience. If you are lucky, you will find the gorillas, spend an hour with them and be back at your lodge just in time for lunch. Sometimes, however, the gorilla groups can be difficult to find and the hike can take up a large part of the day, especially if it has rained and is muddy.

Day 8 Virunga (Golden Monkey Trek)

Another unique and interesting hike to do in Volcanoes National Park is to see the golden monkeys. The species is more endangered than the Mountain Gorillas are, but they have managed to find a place in Rwanda where it thrives. The golden monkeys normally live in the lower regions of bamboo forests. They are not as socially close to each other as the mountain gorillas and chimpanzees, but the groups can vary between 20 and up to 80 different individuals. The species are lively, curious and “talkative” and with a little luck you can get in close contact with them. Otherwise you usually see them high up in the trees.

Day 9 Virunga – Kigali

After a final breakfast with the spectacular surroundings as company, you return by car to Kigali. You have the afternoon on your own.