Top 5 Main attractions in Rwanda: Rwanda is a small province in eastern Africa that has been a paradise of beauty, captivating cultures and interesting wildlife. It is well-known for being the most peaceful country in the world, with low crime rates, advanced technology, and a strong education system. Visitors to Rwanda will find magnificent scenery and fascinating wildlife such as mountain gorillas, golden monkeys and exciting chimpanzees. The land of a thousand hills is also the most popular mountain gorillas which is one of the world’s remaining habitats for endangered gorillas. Other animals can be seen in Rwanda, including buffalos, lions, rhinos, elephants, giraffes, and zebras among others. Rwanda is also a country known for its rich and exceptional cultural heritage friendly people and excellent Rwandan coffee and tea. This article presents you the top 5 main attractions in Rwanda and here they are;
- Game parks
Game parks in Rwanda is one of the main 5 attractions in Rwanda since they are mostly visited by many visitors. Rwanda is a country of only four fascinating national parks, each offering its own unique and thrilling activities to its visitors such as
Akagera National Park; is one of the 5 main attractions in Rwanda, the national park is one of the oldest national in the region and the only savannah park in Rwanda. The park is home to the famous and incredible African Big 5 animals such as lions, buffaloes, rhinos, elephants and leopards’ other wildlife includes giraffes, Topis, zebras, antelopes, hyenas, and impalas among others. There are also other primates such as vervet monkeys, and olive baboons, and through game drives offered in the park is when you can see almost all this amazing wildlife including bird species such as local red-faced barbets, and the swamp flycatcher as well as the elusive shoebill stork among others
Volcanoes National Park; Volcanoes National Park is popularly known as the world’s prime gorilla trekking destination. The Rwandan volcanoes are famous for their thriving population of mountain gorillas, and occasional primates endemic to Africa. The park hosts almost a third of the remaining population of the mountain gorillas in the world. Volcanoes National Park is part of the Virunga Mountains, seeing mountain gorillas in wild Rwanda is a privilege and meeting them is a remarkable adventure experience. There is another stunning endangered golden monkey which is barely seen in the Volcanoes National Park, golden monkey is an old-world order monkey that are endemic to the Virunga massif. They are characterized by a bright orange-golden body, you can spot these magnificent uncommon monkeys during a hike through only the Volcanoes National Park and the nearest Mgahinga National Park in Uganda. This fascinating rare golden monkey is only found in the Virunga massif.
Nyungwe Forest National Park; One of the most protected conservation areas in mighty Africa, Nyungwe Forest National Park contains a remarkable arrange of biodiversity of over 1,068 plant species, 322 bird species and 75 different animals. The park contains plenty of primate species more than 13 primate species which is the most captivating chimpanzees, white and black colobus monkeys and others endemic to the Albertine region. Hanging out with the primates isn’t the only activity to do in the park, Nyungwe Forest National Park is also home to canopy walks in east Africa. Besides the primate species and interesting canopy walk, Nyungwe Forest National Park also owns plentiful Bird species and other mammal species along with glorious undergrowth.
- Genocide memorial sites
The Rwanda Genocide tour is one of the emotional, educative and hopeful tours anyone can decide to embark on while in Rwanda. The genocide took place in Rwanda a country that is one of the most peaceful countries with a stable political government system that is not in favor of any tribal group from the others today. The genocide took place in 1994. Over 800,000 individuals are said to have been killed in 100 days beginning in April 1994. The centers house exhibitions of genocide victims’ bones, pictures, and personal things such as clothing and shoes. The genocide memorials serve as a reminder of the horrific deed of genocide, as well as a plea that it never be repeated in Rwanda or anyplace else in the world. It is also a place of solace and grieving for survivors, as well as a link to their deceased family and friends
Kigali genocide memorial; The Kigali genocide memorial in Rwanda is a place of remembrance, reflection and education, dedicated to the memory of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi. The Kigali genocide memorial center is situated just near Gisozi about 10 minutes drive from the city’s heart. The Kigali genocide memorial serves as a resting place for over 250,000 Rwandans who were slaughtered during the 1994 genocide. Kigali genocide memorial is the biggest memorial in Rwanda and it is dedicated as a powerful symbol of remembrance honoring those who lost their lives during the horrific event in 1994. Kigali genocide memorial is located in the center of Rwanda’s capital city “Kigali”, the genocide memorial is made up of a museum, a memorial garden, an education center and research facilities. The memorial was built in 2004 to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the genocide and is now a key site of remembrance and education about the genocide.
Nyarubuye genocide memorial site; Positioned Nyarubuye Memorial site is one of the other sites that was by then a church but later was used as an area where Tutsis and moderate Hutus would seek refuge visiting the Nyarubuye memorial site by the travelers on Rwanda tour interested in Rwanda genocide, you will have an opportunity to see the different remains like the bones, belonging of the people blood that was splashed on the walls during the increased shootings. It is important to note that none of the victims’ belongings were said to have been removed, even after the massacres, the church that later turned into the site was kept as it was after the genocide, broken church glasses can also be seen, holes that were dug into the walls in order to throw in bullets that would kill them can also be seen which are satisfying to a tourist on a Rwanda Genocide Tour.
- Cultural sites
King’s palace; The king’s palace is a significant historical site that provides insight into Rwanda’s culture and traditional way of life. The palace which is the main tourist attraction was the home of King Mutara III Rudahigwa and a significant center of power in the region. The Palace offers a detailed look into the Rwandan monarchical system and its abolition in the early 1950s due to colonialism and the modern palace, which was built by the Belgian colonizers for King Mutara III. The museum itself is just as interesting as the four-legged creatures out back. It showcases a model of a king’s palace from with a thatched roof, royal hut arrows, utensils, bows, drums, shields, and a fresh milk hut traditionally run by an unmarried woman. Tourists can also explore the colonial-style home that was once the royal residence of King Mutara III Rudahigwa.
Iby’iwacu cultural village; the Iby’iwacu cultural village is situated just outside Volcanoes National Park. Iby’iwacu means treasure of our home or our heritage. The village comprises former poachers and the Batwa people, who were resettled by the Rwandan government. The cultural tour here offers visitors a great opportunity to learn and be fascinated with Rwanda’s traditional culture. Its uniqueness is that the men in this village are known as reformed poachers who are now taking part in the national park in conversation development projects founded in 2005. The visitor who visits the Iby’iwacu cultural village gets the opportunity to be entertained by the traditional Intore dance team through a dancing performance, songs, and folk. Visitor here gets an opportunity to get involved in part of the traditional food preparation lessons, milking cattle, making products like local ghee and yogurt and also preparing local banana alcohol. The village is next to Volcanoes National Park and is visited usually after your gorilla trekking or activities in Volcanoes National Park
- Caves
Musanze caves; The Musanze caves are one of the top tourist attractions in Rwanda. Musanze is arguably the most visited part of Rwanda because of its location in one of the most naturally beautiful places in Africa. The Volcanoes National Park is found in the Musanze District offering opportunities for activities like gorilla trekking, golden monkey tracking, visiting the grave of Dian Fossey, Mountain Hiking and canoeing lakes like Ruhondo among many others. The Musanze caves were significant during the ancient times as they were used by the local Kinyarwanda tribes as the venue for crowning their new kings. More recently, the caves were made famous as a shelter for thousands of refugees who had escaped the 1994 genocide in Rwanda. Visitors to the caves are welcomed by the beautiful green scenery surrounding the cave and especially on the top. The caves offer great views of the wider Virunga ranges which include volcanoes like Karisimbi, Muhabura and Gahinga.
- Museums
Kandt House Museum; The Kandt House Museum, previously known as the Natural History Museum, is located in city of Kigali, Nyarugenge District, Rwanda, and is one of the Top 5 Main attractions in Rwanda. This historical building was selected as the colonial capital of Germany in Rwanda back in 1907 by a German resident named Richard Kandt. Formally called Nyarugenge, the name was later changed to Kigali in 1908 due to articulation complexities for the colonialists. Fascinatingly, the name Kigali itself way back to the 14th century when it was called by King Cyirima I Rugwe. The museum building was constructed in 1908 and is the only residual historical building from that time. In 2004, it experienced renovation and was modified into a natural history museum showcasing Rwanda’s plentiful natural resources. Lately, on December 17, 2017, the museum was named Kandt House Museum and prolonged its exploration to include the history of Rwanda before and during German colonization. Furthermore, travelers can explore live reptile parades featuring Nile crocodiles, black mambas, pythons, and other snakes found in the Rwandan countryside
The Kandt House Museum in Kigali comprises three main parts, the first part showcases Rwandan life in all aspects that are to say social, economic and political before the colonial period. The museum combines natural and historical exhibits. You’ll find displays related to the flora and fauna of Rwandan Natural Parks such as Nyungwe, Akagera, and Volcanoes such as Rwanda’s occupants and the famous gorilla skulls, information about the geology of Rwanda. You will explore the rich heritage, and visitors learn about the country’s traditional music, dance, and art. There are also displays on traditional medicine and agriculture, get to learn information on the Rwandan volcanoes and the daily life of Rwandans during the colonial era, here you may also spot everything from colorful birds to exotic creatures. Highlighting the importance of these practices in Rwandan culture.
This concludes the top 5 Main attractions in Rwanda.
