Tourist activities in Rwanda
Tourists visiting Rwanda, normally wonder what activities they can do on their Safari, given what is mainly known about the country is its history of genocide and it being a small African country. However, you will be amazed at the different safari activities you can do when you are in Rwanda. Some of the activities you can do are:-
Mountain Gorilla Trekking
Mountain gorilla trekking in Rwanda is most sought after tourist activity in Rwanda, The activity that is done all year round in Volcanoes National Park, gives tourists an opportunity to spend an hour with the endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. Volcanoes National Park is home to about 200 mountain gorillas that are habituated in 10 families/ groups for gorilla trekking activities.
For one to take part in the gorilla trekking activity you have to acquire a gorilla trekking permit at 1500 USD; this is done way in advance because of the high demand for the activity.
on the day of the activity, tourists are normally up early head to the park’s headquarters for briefing before they enter the forest with the gorilla rangers to search for these endangered primates, the walk to the gorillas takes up to and from the gorillas takes about 4 hours all together meaning the whole experience will take about 5 to 6 hours. When you hear trekking you may think its cumbersome, but that’s not the case exactly, though the forest trails may be quite rough any person above the age of 15, can do mountain gorilla trekking; besides porters are available at the starting point, that can help you carry some of your luggage as you trek. When you visit Rwanda, this is a must-do activity for you.
Canopy walk
The canopy walk in Rwanda is as popular as mountain gorilla trekking in the country. The canopy the hangs about 70 meters high over the Nyungwe forest, gives one exciting experience of views from the top, as you see the different ranges of the East African region and several creatures that live in the forest. The canopy walk is done in Nyungwe National park, south west of the country and costs 60USD dollars for all persons 6 years and above.
The walk can be taken in the morning or in the afternoon and it takes about 2 hours. Though the starting point has a bit of a hike, this walk can be done by anyone. Plan to try out this walk, you will be amazed.
Kigali Genocide memorial
all of us when we hear about Rwanda the first thing that comes into our mind is the genocide, a couple of decades ago this small African country was wrecked with a horrible genocide that claimed about 50% of the country’s total population then. The good news, however, this African country has rebuilt its ruins from this destruction but the scars of these horrible events live on the different communities.
Tourists can visit the genocide memorial in Kigali to learn more about the events of the genocide as they walk through the different exhibition halls that portray the stories of victims, victim families, and the different communities that have been affected by the genocide. Your experience at this memorial centre will help you appreciate how far the nation has come through the journey of healing and restoration. Visiting this memorial centre is free and it’s an activity every tourist should do.
Game drives and Boat Cruise
You can also have game drives in Akagera National Park to see the wide range of wild animals that live in the park. Especially if you love wildlife, you shouldn’t miss visiting this wildlife park you will see animals like zebras, giraffes, antelopes, impalas, elephants, leopards among other animals.
You can also take a boat cruise on Lake Ihema, to see the different water animals like crocodiles and hippos and water birds that live on the lake as you enjoy the cool breeze of the lake. Other activities in Akagera are sport fishing, nature walks, birding and many more.
Chimpanzee and golden monkey trekking
Rwanda on top of being home to the endangered mountain gorillas, the country is also home to the other about 14 primates with the most sought after among the 14, being the chimpanzees and the golden monkey; of course, they all come after the mountain gorillas.
So if you want to have a primate spree, Rwanda is the best place for you get to engage in chimpanzee trekking that is done in Nyungwe National park south west of the country and golden monkey trekking is done in Volcanoes National park, the same park with mountain gorillas.
Both these are activities are similar to mountain gorilla trekking, and the same rules apply the only difference is that you’re seeing different primates at each trek.
Golden monkey trekking is at a fee of 100USD per trek and chimpanzee trekking is at a fee of 100 USD per trek.
