- Coming upon a family of mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park while on guided gorilla trek
- Spotting chimpanzees playing in the rainforest in Nyungwe National Park
- Viewing the scenic lakes, rivers, mountains, and savannah of Akagera National Park
- Learning about the horrors of the 1994 Rwandan genocide at the Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre
Best Things to Do in Rwanda
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Things to do in Rwanda - Expert's guide
1. Volcanoes National Park
While the name of the park suggests otherwise, the primary focus of guided tours in Volcanoes National Park is the numerous families of endangered golden monkeys and mountain gorillas.
Just a two-hour drive from Kigali International Airport, travelers in Rwanda can spend one day (or a few) trekking through 160 square kilometers of Virunga Conservation Park to see various birds, reptiles, and, of course, gorilla groups and monkey families.
As a haven for safari-goers, it is important that the proper gorilla-viewing permits are acquired in advance. The ranger station opens at 8 am and travelers who wish to see what the park has to offer must slot out an early start to a long day.
Similarly, for those who wish to hike, access to five of the eight Virunga Mountains volcanoes is available for exploration with a guide. Accommodations range from all-access hotels to hostels and lodges, all of which are available with guided tours.
2. King’s Palace Museum
The King’s Palace in Nyanza, Rwanda, is a museum that allows travelers a glimpse into the country’s monarchal past. Built as the royal quarters for King Mutara III Rudahigwa in 1931, the building is as diligently cared for as it is intricately thatched together.
The house itself is large, with panels (in English) that depict the first interactions between Rwandan native people and European settlers. The admission price includes a bilingual tour guide of the complex.
While Rwanda ceased to be a monarchy in 1962, the royal Inyambo cattle live outside it are still given the utmost care by their trainers. The elegant cattle are oftentimes adorned in jewelry and even parade in unison as lullabies are sung to them. Although it may only be a day trip, the Ethnographic Museum and the National Arts Museum are nearby and usually are a part of guided tours through Rwanda.
3. Akagera National Park
On the border of Rwanda and Tanzania lies Akagera National Park. Its namesake is derived from the Kagera River that drives through it, leaving many marshes, savannahs, and swamps that host the vast biodiversity it is so well-known for. While the national park has undergone significant changes in the last 20 years to promote conservation efforts, travelers are still allowed to visit in small groups with a tour guide.
Tour guides work at the park and have both experience and knowledge of where the best areas to see wildlife are. Game drives during the day (and at night!) may be arranged with guided tours that include transportation and protection.
Visitors to the park are thereby able to come up close and personal with the likes of giraffes, lions, and panthers, without disturbing the natural existence of the animals they are viewing.
Since there are so many lakes within the bounds of Akagera National Park, boat safari tours are also available, along with fishing trips. If visitors time their travels right, they may even be able to participate in fishing competitions at Lake Shakani.
4. Gorilla Guardians Village
A rural village just outside of Volcanoes National Park houses a community of reformed poachers, native people, and children. Gorilla Guardians Village allows visitors to experience local traditions and food while also interacting with people whose livelihood comes from their farms and small businesses.
With a guide, travelers can learn about medicinal properties within the surrounding forests, witness the nearby mountain gorillas, and even teach classes in English or other languages at the local school.
Similarly, the community of Gorilla Guardians Village opens itself up to visitors by showcasing eight different traditional dances as well as singing “Songs of the Gorillas,” all of which are performed by locals. Visitors are asked to respect local customs, such as receiving gifts with both hands and participating in food preparation or late-night celebrations by the fire.
5. National Arts Gallery
The National Arts Gallery of Rwanda is a unique blend of contemporary international and local artists. While sculptures are a prevalent medium in the museum, guided tours of it reveal that the site hosts a much wider range of art that visitors can see from the grounds outside.
Originally built in 1962 as a palace, it went unused after the monarch it was meant for suddenly passed away. As of 2006, the National Arts Gallery works to showcase the history of Rwanda through art, some of which is interactive for visitors.
An effort to emphasize the importance of future generations has come in the form of the “Let it Grow” studio, which displays the drawings of children across the world that have been sent to the museum. Not only does the National Arts Gallery offer guided tours through the complex, but the ticket that gets visitors into it also gives them 30% off the admission price of the nearby King’s Palace Museum.
6. Musanze Caves
In the foothills of the five volcanoes that make up Volcanoes National Park are the 2-kilometer, underground tunnels known as the Musanze Caves. Given their location in the dense vegetation of central Musanze, the caves are an ideal addition or day-trip to guided tours of Volcanoes National Park.
After visitors finish tracking mountain gorillas or spotting golden monkeys, they can hike or kayak their way to this site. While the animals that travelers spot on the shore may be relaxing, those who do not enjoy the idea of venturing underground with a flashlight and a tour group will not be.
Fortunately, Musanze Caves now have catwalks, staircases, and even paved footpaths that lead into parts of the site, allowing for safer traversing. When inside the caves, tour guides will often point out the artistry on the walls, which are countless centuries-old and help to highlight the uniqueness of this natural landmark.
7. Rusumo Falls
The powerful Kagera River that divides Rwanda from Tanzania and makes up part of the Nile River is beautiful not just in its own right, but also in how it creates the unforgettable Rusumo Falls. Being one of the only feasible locations for crossing into either of the two countries it separates, Rusumo Falls are important as a geographic and historical landmark.
During the Rwandan Genocide, the site was made famous for the way Rwandans used it to flee into Tanzania, even as victims of the tragedy they were escaping floated by underneath. As of today, it is a solemn testament to the way Rwanda has changed for the better. In 2013, the Regional Rusumo Falls Hydropower Project was undertaken, leading to the creation of a hydroelectric dam that travelers can visit.
While the falls do not seem as tall when compared to others in the world, they are still powerful and worth visiting for travelers who are in the area.
8. Kigali Genocide Memorial
As one of the most tragic events in human history, the Rwandan Genocide took the lives of many innocent individuals, the identity of whom was not always known. Therefore, the Kigali Genocide Memorial was created to honor and remember over 250,000 victims that were lost in the chaotic time period.
Not only does the museum focus on the genocide itself, but also the events that led to its inception in 1994 and the ensuing impact it has on current Rwandan society. The museum provides guided tours with staff members, some of whom are survivors.
The majority of those who visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial note a marked difference in perception of human life, especially within the context of preventing similar tragedies from ever occurring in the future.
9. Pfunda Tea Estate
Given the fact that Rwanda is well-known for the quality of tea that it produces, it is no surprise that the Pfunda Tea Estate exists. The rich soil and temperature conditions that land at the foot of the Virunga Volcano has are ideal conditions for growing, harvesting, and processing tea.
During its peak production period, the facility can produce 90 tons of tea, nearly all of which are shipped to Kenya for international sales. The sheer acreage of the property is enough to draw visitors to the site, not to mention the guided tours that detail all aspects of tea production, from seed to cup.
Travelers are encouraged to interact with the farmers that work the plots, as they are often proud of their work and are happy to explain how it comes together. However, travelers should realize that many Pfunda Tea Estate farmers do not speak English and asking a tour guide to act as a translator is highly advisable.
10. Hotel des Mille Collines
The Hotel des Mille Collines stands for resistance and hope for Rwandans and travelers alike. After the European owners were evacuated, hotel employee Paul Rusesabagina stayed behind to protect refugees that looked for shelter at the hotel.
Not only did he put his own life at risk to do so, but also his family’s, until the group was rescued by the United Nations. The hotel continues to run today, as its central location in Kigali is ideal for travelers looking to explore the city or nearby national parks.
Guided tours of the popular hiking, kayaking, or bird watching sites often begin with transportation from travelers’ hotels, making Hotel des Mille Collines an ideal place to stay when in Rwanda.
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