What can you do in Rwanda apart from mountain gorilla trekking?
What can you do in Rwanda apart from mountain gorilla trekking? : Rwanda, a small beautiful country in East Africa and a top destination for people seeking to have mountain gorilla sprees because it’s one of the three countries in the region with mountain gorillas, however on top of mountain gorillas this small country has other great things to offer its visitors. These things include:-
Mountains
Ever dreamt of being in two countries at once on a mountain hike? If yes, you would not want to miss an opportunity to hike any of these Virunga mountains. the Virungas are found in three countries namely Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. On a completed hike of any of these mountains, you will be able to behold two or all the three countries. The most hiked mountain however in Rwanda is mountain Bisoke which is at a height of 3711 meters above sea level.
On your way up the mountain, rainforests and various animal species will be displayed before your eyes but that’s just the beginning. It will not be long before you discover that the trek is no walk in the park. Just like any other mountain hike, expect rugged terrains, steep slopes and all kinds of mountain obstacles. The best part? You will have a guide and after the 5 hours of the hike, you will have amazing images of a crater lake stuck in your mind forever. Did I mention that you will be in Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo at the same time?
The Genocide Memorial, Kigali.
What is a visit to Rwanda without reaching the genocide memorial ground? In 1994, an estimated one million Tutsis where massacred by the Interahamwe army within a few months. This incident shaped so much of what Rwanda was seen as at that time, by the countrymen and the world at large. How the country has recovered from that time to date and more to the genocide story is told at the memorial centre through videos, eye witness accounts, images and much more. Do not leave Rwanda without a visit to this emotional site.
Lake Kivu
This is Rwanda’s largest water body and doubles as one of Africa’s great lakes. The crystal blue waters of lake Kivu are perfect for rewinding and relaxation after a long day of other activities. You can watch the sun reflect on the waters as it sets and also be in for a kayaking experience.
Golden monkeys
Rwanda is only one of two countries that has some golden monkeys left and the other, as you might have guessed is Uganda. The golden monkey trek is great in conjunction with mountain gorilla trek but that does not mean it can not be done alone. This trek into the bamboo forests puts into perspective more of the forest plus this family of endangered primates. It takes an hour or so to find the golden monkeys in the bamboo forests making the trek easier for people of all fitness levels.
Chimpanzees in the Nyungwe forest
These our relatives are also a great option for tour in Rwanda away from the mountain gorillas. On your Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe forest, you will be welcomed by sounds of chimpanzee chants and sights of the beautiful forest before you actually see the chimpanzees. You will learn before the trek that these primates are shy and therefore flash photography is not ideal.
Community tours
From village walks, visiting art and craft shops to visiting cattle farms, community tours are a great way to experience Rwanda. These tours also improve the livelihoods of the locals if you purchase something so get your shoes and tour the communities of the land of a thousand hills.
