Top 6 Unmissables While Visiting Rwanda
Located in East Africa, Rwanda is a landlocked country known as the land of a thousand hills due to the gentle sloping hills in the country covering a large portion of land, more still, Rwanda is blessed with many other natural and manmade features and attractions, historical and cultural sites, wildlife, water bodies, unique cultures, and protected areas among others. In 1994, Rwanda was faced with wars (the Rwanda genocide) which led to the death of many people but in 2003, peaceful agreements were signed and at present, Rwanda is one of the peaceful countries a tourist should visit and enjoy while visiting Rwanda. The unique features in Rwanda that promote tourism include the following:
Mountain gorillas
In Rwanda, the rare endangered mountain gorillas are the most outstanding attractions, found in the volcanoes national park art of the virunga conservation area stretching across Uganda, Rwanda and democratic republic of Congo. The park has 10 habituated mountain gorilla families and a maximum of 8 people is allowed to visit one gorilla for one hour every day, each gorilla family is different from the other and unique in its behaviors and conduct headed by silver back who protects the entire family from external attacks. Volcanoes national park is easily accessible taking only 2 hours drive from Kigali international air port. Mountain gorillas share 95% of human DNA and a gorilla permit in Rwanda is sold at 750$.
Kibeho religious site
Located in the Southern province of Rwanda, Kibeho is a small village that attracts huge number of Pilgrims all over the world, who come to visit the site especially on the eve of Ascension Day- one of the few Catholic religious events. It is located in Nyaruguru District of the southern part of the country at approximately 30 kilometers from Butare town. In 1998, the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared to three local girls and the apparitions were recognized by the Roman Catholic Church at Vatican in 2001.
Chimpanzees
These apes have 955% of human DNA making them almost like human beings. Chimpanzees mainly feed on fruits, leaves, shoots and other edibles that the forests provide and live in groups but are very mobile as they usually move from one place to another in search for food. They are located in nyungwe forest located in the south western part of Rwanda. Chimpanzee tracking is the most tourist attraction and activity in the forest as they follow different trails in the forest leading them to different chimpanzee families.
Golden Monkeys
Located in the volcanoes national park, golden monkeys are other rare endangered species one can find in Rwanda, they are unique with their golden fur and also live in families like gorillas. Currently, there are two golden monkey families in the volcanoes national park. The golden monkey tracking permits is sold at $100 and they can also be tracked at anytime of the year.
Wildlife Viewing
Wildlife viewing is done in Akagera national park, Rwanda, the only savanna national park in Rwanda and a home of many savanna wild animals including zebras, giraffes, lions, hippos, buffaloes, baboons, antelopes among others. The national park also has lake ihema a home to a large number of aquatic wild animals, and boat cruising can be done at the lake, game drives can also be carried out in the park at a cost of 35$ only.
Genocide Memorial sites
These genocide memorial sites consist of the remaining of the people in form of skeletons; preserved dead body displays as well as mass graves where people were buried, the major genocide memorials in Rwanda include the Gisozi genocide memorial, the Murambi genocide memorial, the Nyamata genocide memorial, the Ntarama genocide memorial and many others.
In conclusion, Rwanda is a potential tourism destination that tourists should not miss out so as to enjoy the marvelous, wonderful experience, the country can be visited throughout the year and attractions are carried out at all times of the year.
