Home » What to See in Rwanda? Popular Rwanda Tourist Attractions What to See in Rwanda? Popular Rwanda Tourist Attractions
Are you wondering what to see in Rwanda during your safari tours? Rwanda offers a variety of unique Rwanda tourist attractions, some of which you won’t find on Kenya wildlife tours or Tanzania safaris, making it a distinctive safari destination in East Africa.
Among the highlights are Rwanda’s great apes, including the Mountain Gorillas in Volcanoes National Park and Chimpanzees in Nyungwe National Park, both of which are endangered species sharing over 98% of their DNA with humans. Visitors can also spot the Big Five (Rhino, Cape Buffalo, Elephant, Leopard, and Lion) and a range of other wildlife, such as cheetahs, zebras, hyenas, giraffes, hippos, crocodiles, and antelopes.
Rwanda is also home to cultural and historical attractions like the Kigali Genocide Memorial Center, King’s Palace Museum, Former Presidential Palace Museum, Rwanda’s Ethnographic Museum, Lake Kivu, the Twin Lakes, and the Karisoke Research Center. The best time to explore these attractions is during the dry season, which offers a more comfortable experience.
Explore The Most Popular Things To See in Rwanda Below
Here’s a Detailed Look at Top Rwanda Tourist Attractions:
These are some of the top tourist attractions in Rwanda seen during Rwanda gorilla tours.
Seeing the endangered Mountain Gorillas through gorilla trekking is one of the most popular activities in Rwanda. These mountain gorillas, weighing over 180 kg on average, live in family groups/habituated gorilla families led by a dominant male known as the Silverback in the verdant rainforest.
Gorilla trekking permits in Volcanoes National Park cost $1,500 and are best purchased during the dry season.
Globally, Mountain Gorillas can only be found in the mystical bamboo forests and misty mountains of Rwanda (Volcanoes National Park), Uganda (Bwindi Impenetrable National Park & Mgahinga Gorilla National Park), and the Democratic Republic of Congo (Virunga National Park).
Other animals can also be seen in Volcanoes National Park when tracking mountain gorillas or gorilla trekking in the park, such as great birdlife, golden monkeys, and giant forest hogs, among other animals.
Several conservation efforts in Volcanoes National Park by conservation bodies and park rangers are still ongoing in this park to protect gorillas.
Gorilla trekking rules and regulations are also often read out by park rangers to visitors during the early morning briefing session at the park headquarters.
It is worth noting that this park is also home to the rare golden monkeys, which can also be spotted in Uganda’s Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, only in the Virunga Massif during Golden monkey tracking excursions.
Book a Rwanda gorilla trekking tour today in Volcanoes NP and see all these gentle giants firsthand!
Chimpanzees in Nyungwe Forest National Park
Chimpanzees, known for their intelligence and tool usage, inhabit Nyungwe National Park, one of Africa’s oldest rainforests, and are among the best tourist attractions in Rwanda.
Sharing 98–99% of their DNA with humans, chimpanzees exhibit behaviors remarkably similar to ours.
Chimpanzee trekking costs $150 for international visitors, and Nyungwe remains the only park in Rwanda where they can be observed.
Other primates seen in Nyungwe include vervet monkeys, l’hoest monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, dent’s mona monkeys, etc.
Wildlife in Akagera National Park and other Rwanda National Parks
Wildlife species are some of the top tourist attractions in Rwanda, seen during wildlife safari excursions.
Akagera National Park boasts an impressive array of savanna wildlife in its wild meadows and savanna grasslands, including lions, elephants, giraffes, and hippos.
The tourist activities in Akagera National Park like Game drives (an early morning or late afternoon game drive), boat cruises on Lake Ihema, and guided nature walk safaris offer the best opportunities for viewing these animals.
Akagera National Park is the only park in Rwanda where savannah-dwelling animals can be found.
Other Rwanda national parks also host an incredible array of wildlife species.
Bird Species in Rwanda
Bird species are another of the beautiful tourist attractions in Rwanda seen during Rwanda bird-watching safaris.
Rwanda is a haven for bird enthusiasts, with over 703 bird species, including 29 Albertine Rift endemics like the Rwenzori Turaco and Blue-Headed Sunbird.
Nyungwe Forest National Park is ideal for spotting forest bird species, while Akagera offers savannah species. Lucky visitors might spot the rare Shoebill Stork in Akagera’s wetlands. Volcanoes National Park is also home to some species of birds.
Some aquatic birds can also be spotted on Lake Kivu during a boating trip.
Nyungwe Forest Canopy Walk
The Nyungwe Forest Canopy Walk is a 70-meter-high suspension bridge offering breathtaking views of the forest and is one of the top tourist attractions in Rwanda and East Africa at large.
This two-hour adventure in Nyungwe Forest National Park is perfect for photography and provides a unique perspective on Rwanda’s natural beauty.
Kigali Genocide Memorial Center
When looking at the best tourist attractions in Rwanda, the Kigali Genocide Memorial Center should not be missed on your list.
This emotional site/haunting museum dives into commemorating the 1994 genocide, where over 800,000 people lost their lives during the clashes among the tribal groups of the Hutus and Tutsi.
Visitors can explore the robust museum exhibits detailing Rwanda’s pre-colonial history and the tragic events of the genocide. The center aims to educate visitors about the traditional customs and promote unity.
King’s Palace Museum
This is another of the remarkable tourist attractions in Rwanda one should definitely visit during Rwanda tours.
The King’s Palace Museum in Nyanza showcases the precolonial Rwanda royal history. Visitors can tour the colonial-style home of King Mutara III Rudahigwa and a traditional royal hut.
The King’s Palace Museum and royal residence also serve as a cultural hub, preserving artifacts and stories from precolonial Rwanda’s past.
Lake Kivu
Lake Kivu, Rwanda’s largest lake, offers a tranquil escape with its stunning islands and serene waters, with a lively waterfront making it one of the top tourist attractions in Rwanda.
Activities done on this emerald green oasis Lake Kivu include sport fishing, swimming, boat cruise tours, canoe rides, and exploring the scenic Congo Nile Trail, which offers breathtaking views of the countryside and the Virunga Mountains.
Lake Kivu boat cruise safaris also offer Gorilla trekking participants a great way to relax after a gorilla trek as they unwind and relax.
Gorilla Guardians Village
Gorilla Guardians Village is also one of the best tourist attractions in Rwanda, worth exploring during your visit Rwanda safaris.
Previously known as the Iby’iwacu Cultural Village, this community (Gorilla Guardians Village) near Volcanoes National Park showcases Rwandan traditions and traditional customs.
Visitors can enjoy traditional dances, participate in basket weaving, learn about local brewing methods, and dive into the Rwandan culture.
Virunga Volcanoes in Volcanoes National Park
The Virunga Mountains/volcanoes are some of the most outstanding tourist attractions in Rwanda, worth seeing during Rwanda volcano hiking safaris.
Mount Karisimbi and Mount Bisoke are popular destinations for hiking. Bisoke features a crater lake at its summit, while Karisimbi, the tallest peak in the Virunga range, offers challenging but rewarding climbs.
Musanze Caves
These famous caves are another of the best tourist attractions in Rwanda, worth exploring during Rwanda trips.
Formed 60 million years ago, the Musanze Caves stretch over 2 kilometers and were once used as shelters by indigenous communities. Today, visitors who visit Volcanoes National Park can explore the caves with the help of constructed trails and staircases.
Kigali Convention Center
The Kigali convention center is one of the top tourist attractions in Rwanda worth visiting during Rwanda safari excursions.
This iconic building hosts major conferences and offers dining, shopping, and entertainment options. Its stunning architecture makes it a must-visit spot in Kigali, especially at night when it is beautifully lit.
Other Rwanda Tourist Attractions
- Gisenyi public beach (the white sandy beach)
- Misty Mountains of Rwanda
- Kigali City, among other major towns
- Rwanda Art Galleries, e.g., the African Art Gallery, Rwanda Art Museum
- Dian Fossey’s Grave
- Karisoke Research Center
- Inema Arts Center (showcasing the vibrant culture of Rwanda)
- Tea Plantations (Gisovu and Gisakura) seen during tea plantation tours
- The Nyanza long-horned Cattle
- Mountain Kigali (over 2-6 hours can be spent hiking this mountain in Kigali)
- Rwanda Festivals, where international musicians perform.
- Religious sites, e.g., Our Lady of Kibeho, Nyamata church, etc.
- The National Museum of Rwanda, or the Rwanda’s Ethnographic Museum (An Ethnographic Museum in Rwanda where ethnological and archeological artifacts are found)
- Nyamirambo Women’s Center (where you can get yourself some famous crafts during Rwanda tours/Kigali city tours)
- The Former Presidential Palace Museum
Consult a reputable tour operator who can arrange transportation, accommodation, and safari packages for you for a hassle-free experience as you head out to these tourist attractions in Rwanda!
Best Time to Visit Rwanda and Her National Parks
The dry seasons, from June to September and December to February, are ideal for visiting Rwanda and seeing all the tourist attractions in Rwanda.
Trails for gorilla and chimpanzee trekking are easier to navigate, and wildlife viewing for other animals and primates like the golden monkey, vervet monkeys, etc., is more enjoyable as animals are easier to spot in the shorter grass.
Other tourist attractions in Rwanda, like the King’s Palace Museum, Mountain Kigali, Gisenyi public beach, Inema Arts Center/Inema Arts Centre, Nyamirambo Women’s Center, Rwanda’s Ethnographic Museum, Kigali City, the former presidential palace, Kigali Genocide Memorial Center, and other National museums, are all worth seeing during this dry season.
The diverse tourist attractions in Rwanda, from its wildlife and landscapes to its rich Rwandan culture and history, make it a top destination for African safaris for any responsible tourist.
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